Please help me welcome today’s guest, Lawrence E. Rothstein…
Where did you get the idea for Ripped Genes?
The idea for Ripped Genes comes from my academic research into the legal aspects of genetic technology and privacy as well as the Panama Papers money laundering news coverage.
Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?
I love to read mysteries and, and in law classes, I enjoyed writing fictional scenarios for my students to analyze.
What’s your favorite book of all time and why? What’s your favorite childhood book?
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco because of its intricacy, historic panorama, intriguing mystery, and intelligent detective. As a middle school aged child, I particularly enjoyed the John Carter of Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs for the heroic action and interesting and exotic setting.
What do you want readers to come away with after they read Ripped Genes?
I hope that readers enjoy reading my book as much as I enjoyed writing it. I hope they find it to be a good story with an intriguing puzzle; a cerebral detective assisted by an active, street wise, intrepid leg person; humorous incidents; an intriguing locale; and culinary delights.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
I would love to see Sidney Greenstreet or James Earl Jones play Korb. Unfortunately, they are no longer available. Maury Chaykin who played Nero Wolfe might be a good present-day choice. Don Warrington from Death in Paradise would also make a great Korb. Possibly Dan Ackroyd appropriately aged and padded. As for Kelan Su, Michelle Yeoh or Lucy Liu in their younger days or possibly Aki Maeda, Chiaki Kuriyama. Idris Elba would make an excellent Desmond St. Clair.
If you could be a character in any of your books, who would you be?
Kelan Su. Although she is much braver and more of a criminal investigation expert than I.
Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
I met James Baldwin in Vence, France in 1976.
How did you come up with the title?
I love puns and the title Ripped Genes also captured the essence of the murder victim’s wrongdoing.
How did your interest in writing originate?
Both as a lawyer and an academic I did a lot of writing. I very much enjoyed the creative process of finding the right words to effectively and forcefully make a point.
Thank you for joining me today. I enjoyed the interview. Now, please tell us about your book…
The Tri-Star Investigations team must negotiate Chicago’s underworld and politics to find the killer of a medical scientist who fraudulently patented and restricted research on a gene and a test for Feraxia.
Excerpt:
KELAN SU
Korb was in the office sitting in his favorite overstuffed wing chair reading a book. He still wore his scuffed leather slippers and bright yellow pajamas. It was 3:00pm! He pushed the reading glasses to the end of his nose and glanced over the top of the lenses as I entered but immediately pushed the specs back and returned to Hamid Ismailov’s, The Railway.
Closing the door behind me with a little extra force, I stood still watching my boss. After about five seconds, I cleared my throat. Finally, Korb looked up with a tight smile, placed the book open over his knee and took off his glasses. “Is there something you want?” he asked, cocking his head to the right.
“Well, you know there’ve been no new paying clients for over two weeks,” I began after a slight hesitation.
“Yes. I consider it a welcome respite.”
Korb was lazy between cases, although a bulldog once he got his teeth into an investigation. Money was important to him, but not always as important as his time for reading, reflection, gourmandizing or playing bridge.
“Our operating accounts are guttering. There may not be enough next month to pay Des’s and my salaries and Mickey D’s retainer.”
“If necessary, I can replenish the accounts with personal funds. All will be paid.”
Korb was loaded as a result of his renown as an investigator and some very prudent investing. “Oh, I’m not really worried about my salary. I know you’re good for it. But …”
Korb looked down and shook his head slightly as he interrupted me. “Kelan, stop beating around the bush. You want us to work for your friend, Cheryl Dain, who is representing the woman accused of murdering the scientist that patented the gene and test for feraxia, do you not?”
My mouth opened soundlessly for a moment. I finally managed to sputter, “How did you know that?”
A loud “harrumph” came from deep down in Korb’s chest. “The conclusion was obvious. I read the papers. The development of the case has been front page news and fodder for several letters to the editor. You told me yourself that you were to meet with Dain today and mentioned that you hadn’t seen her for quite a while. Your little diversion about our accounts didn’t put me off the scent. Can she pay or is this another one of your pro bono projects?”
I closed my eyes, contemplating how to put it. “She can pay but an installment arrangement will have to be set up. Dain will cover expenses as they occur.”
“If we do this, and I’m not committing to it, I will need to talk first to Dain, Merino, and Merino’s husband and daughter. Our contractual agreement will have to be with Dain so we are covered by attorney-client privilege and Dain will be liable for our fee.
Korb continued, “As much as I hate to travel to the suburbs, the initial meeting should be at Dain’s office to bolster any privilege or work product claim. See if you can arrange this for Monday afternoon. Make sure the car is ready for a trip to Marshfield.” Korb replaced on his nose the glasses he had been holding in his right hand and picked up the open volume. “Well, does that conclude the business for which you interrupted my immersion in this excellent novel?”
Buy link(s):
Amazon – https://a.co/d/5Oebfv0;
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ripped-genes-lawrence-e-rothstein/1146455159?ean=9781509259403;
About the Author:
I am a retired lawyer and university professor who has published in constitutional law, privacy law, political theory and labor law. Born and raised in Chicago, I am now residing with my wife and family in beautiful southern Rhode Island and wintering on Hutchinson Island, Florida. I have lived and traveled widely in Europe. As an avid reader of crime fiction, I have always wanted to write detective novels. I consider this my third career. Venetian Bind published in May 2024 was my first Tri-Star Investigations novel. Ripped Genes is my second and I am well into my third, The Tell-Tale Art. As a lover of food and cooking, I include many scrumptious meals and some recipes in my novels and on my website.
webpage – Rothsteinsmysteries.com; Facebook – /Rothsteinsmysteries; Instagram – /rothsteinsmysteries; Bluesky – @tristarmysteries.bsky.social
Author Alicia Dean 