Ransom Elliot burst into thriller series Marnie Reilly Mysteries in Fatal Vow, book three in the series. And while the psychic psychologist wasn’t happy to see him, readers thought he had staying power. If you missed it, here’s how it played out:
Getting to know peripheral characters is often hard. They aren’t around enough to dig deep. So … here’s an interview with the elusive Mr. Elliot. He didn’t give away much, but he dished out a few morsels that should worry Detective Danny Gregg.
Ransom Elliot Interview
Q: What’s your full name?
RANSOM: Ransom Elliot
Q: No middle name?
RANSOM: Not that I’ll share.
Q: How old are you?
RANSOM: Younger than you. *the hint of smirk lifts at the right corner of his mouth*
Q: When’s your birthday?
RANSOM: April 1st
Response: Seriously?
RANSOM: No.
Q: Where were you born?
RANSOM: A military base.
Q: Which one?
RANSOM: That’s classified.
Q: Are you a main character?
RANSOM: Nope.
Q: Do you want to be?
RANSOM: Nope.
Q: Why not?
RANSOM: There are things about me … Things that I’ve done … Look! It isn’t in your best interest. Can we leave it there, please.
Response: Gotcha. *winks*
Q: Do you have any nicknames?
RANSOM: None that I know of, but I’m sure Marnie has one or two choice words for me.
Q: So … What’s the story with you and Marnie?
RANSOM: No idea. You haven’t filled me in.
Response: Fair point.
Q: Do you have a catchphrase?
RANSOM: Not really. I mean, I always call Marnie Kid, but other than that, I don’t think so.
Q: What do you do for work/career?
RANSOM: I work for the government.
Q: Doing what?
RANSOM: Currently, I’m a Federal Marshal.
Marnie Reilly Mysteries Book #3
Q: Without giving anything away, do you have scars? Physical or emotional?
RANSOM: Yes.
Response: That’s it? No details?
RANSOM: *gray eyes narrow and nostrils flare ever so slightly*
Q: What do you know about your backstory so far?
RANSOM: If people haven’t read the series, I can’t really say much, can I? What I can share is that Marnie and I had a relationship when she lived in DC.
Response: Do you still have feelings for her?
RANSOM: *averts eyes*
Q: Ransom?
RANSOM: *shakes head and turns back* Yeah. I wanted to marry her and then you sent me off on a wild goose chase.
Response: Hmm … I don’t think that’s fair, do you?
RANSOM: *eyes spark and he sits forward, leaning his elbows on his knees* You know, you’re doing the second editions of Divine Guidance and Torn Veil. You could rewrite a few things and change the future.
Response: What about Danny?
RANSOM: What about him? He’s no angel.
Response: Don’t go there. Have you been looking at my notes for book five? You all have to stay out of my writing room.
RANSOM: I’m nosy by nature. I used to be a spy.
Response: *narrows eyes* I thought you didn’t know about your backstory.
RANSOM: Whaddya want from me. I work for the government. I lie.
Response: Let’s move on.
Q: Describe where you live?
RANSOM: Here and there. I never have time to settle anywhere. I’m always off on another case. When I’m in Creekwood, Marnie lets me stay at her house sometimes, but she’s not keen on it. Do you think she’s still interested in me? Maybe she needs the distance. he perks up—a hopeful look in his gray eyes
Response: No. I think she’s committed to Danny. You don’t want to break them up, do you? That wouldn’t be right, unless you’re planning to retire and settle down. Is that your plan?
RANSOM: Not today, no. I still have old scores to settle.
Q: Would you like to elaborate?
RANSOM: No.
Q: How many stories have you been in?
RANSOM: Fatal Vow and Vacant Grave.
Marnie Reilly Mysteries Book #4
Q: Plans for future stories?
RANSOM: I’ve seen your notes for book five, so yeah..
Q: As a character, who is your favorite character in your stories?
RANSOM: I love Marnie’s energy. She’s got the spooky stuff going on—that I could do without, but she’s perfect. Everything about her is…
Response: Perfect?
RANSOM: *nods* Yeah.
Q: Do you have superpowers or defining traits you’d like to share?
RANSOM: Not really. I’m a good shot. I can see trouble coming before it arrives, and I always catch whoever is running from me. If you consider that a superpower, then I guess so.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
RANSOM: Bulletproof would be handy.
Q: Are you a good guy/gal or a bad guy/gal?
RANSOM: Intrinsically, I’m good, but I’ve been known to blur the lines when it’s a matter of life and death.
Q: Any archenemies you can tell us about?
RANSOM: Only one that’s still breathing … that I know of, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others. In my line of work, I’m sure some are hiding in the cracks.
Q: How about a love interest? Do you have a significant other?
RANSOM: *shoots me a dirty look* You know I don’t.Marnie has two friends who are interested, but it doesn’t feel right.
Q: Do you have any phobias?
RANSOM: Snipers.
Q: Do you ever lie? Or are you always truthful?
RANSOM: Yes. More than I like, but that’s the job. In my personal life, I try not to.
Q: Do you have a best friend? If so, could you tell us about them? Their traits?
RANSOM: Ha-ha! My best friend is an assassin. That’s all I can say, otherwise…
Response: Yeah. Yeah. You’ll have to kill me.
Q: Do you have a pet?
RANSOM: No, but I love Marnie’s dogs. Tater and Dickens are great.
Q: Name three things you love.
RANSOM: My Glock and my backup, which is a Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal. Umm … Is that two or one? I’ll count it as one. My mother and Marnie.
Q: Name three things you loathe.
RANSOM: Getting shot at. Stakeouts. Crooked law enforcement. Child traffickers.
Response: That’s four.
RANSOM:Deal with it.
Q: What’s your favorite food?
RANSOM: Pizza.
Q: What music do you like?
RANSOM: There’s not much I don’t like. Actually … I hate pop and doof-doof music.
Q: If you had a theme song, what would it be?
RANSOM: Aaron Lee Tasjan’s “Don’t Overthink It”
Q: Do you like to read? What sort of books?
RANSOM: When I have time, yeah. Dashiel Hammett is my favorite writer. Charles Dickens and Michael Connelly are great too.
Q: Do you drive? If so, what type of vehicle do you have? Or do you walk? Take public transportation?
RANSOM: My personal vehicle is an old Chevy Tahoe, but for work I go into the impound lot and take whatever seized vehicle they’ll give me. I drive rentals every now and again, but rarely. Rental companies frown at having their cars shot up.
Q: What’s the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?
RANSOM: Is Danny going to see this?
Response: Probably. Why?
RANSOM: Maybe you could edit this question and answer out because the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen is Marnie when she’s asleep. She smiles when she dreams.
Response: Yeah. We’ll edit that out. I don’t need you and the detective to be on the outs.
(Oopsie!)
Q: What’s the most horrendous thing you have ever seen?
RANSOM: The crime scene photos from Sophia Reilly’s murder. I’ve seen a lot of things, but that one sticks with me.
Q: Does your author make you do stupid things? If so, would you like to share an example?
RANSOM: Not yet, but book five isn’t complete.
Response: Mwahaha!
Q: If you could visit a fictional place, other than our own, where would you go?
RANSOM: I’m fine right where I am. I’ve got enough trouble with Creekwood. Why would I go poke around somewhere else? You know that old saying about the grass being greener …
Response:. … where the bodies are buried.
RANSOM: pulls a face and shakes his head What is wrong with you?
Response: I get that a lot.
Q: Are there other fictional characters you would like to meet?
RANSOM: Same as fictional places. Why look for trouble?
Q: Do you ever worry that your author will kill you off?
RANSOM: I don’t worry about it. If she does, she does. In my line of work, I’m lucky to be alive.
Q: Any last thoughts?
Ransom: Seriously, you can change things. Bring me into Divine Guidance to deal with … Oops! That’s was nearly a spoiler.
Things That Might Interest You
The Marnie Reilly Mysteries series is available at Amazon https://amzn.to/4hkBTrh or scan the QR Code below:
Check out interviews with Indie Authors
Interviews with Indie Author’s Characters
Shari T. Mitchell’s Marnie Reilly
Shari T Mitchell’s Detective Lieutenant Danny Gregg
Brooker Peterson’s Lillian Martin
TL Brown’s Lucie Bellerose
Jennifer Brasington-Crowely’s Raven Xerces
TL Brown’s Sebastian St. Michel
Rose J. Fairchild’s Aura Prisma Cordyline
Thanks so much for hanging out with Ransom and me. I’ll be back soon to share a new Indie Author Chat in March, to drop a recipe, or to bring you updates about the Marnie Reilly Mysteries series.
Take care and see you next time!👋
I LOVE it! 🙂 Saw this in my email and couldn’t wait to check it out.
And THIS:
RANSOM: I love Marnie’s energy. She’s got the spooky stuff going on—that I could do without, but she’s perfect. Everything about her is…
Response: Perfect?
😀
(PS, I think I saw my half-demon having a beer with Ransom…they were talking about “difficult women.”) 😉
Thank you! This was fun to write. Like Sebastian, Ransom is a bad boy with a big heart. Poor guys. 😉