When John Gilstrap’s first novel, Nathan’s Run, hit the market in 1996, it set the literary world on fire. Publication rights sold in 23 countries, the movie rights were scooped up at auction by Warner Brothers, and John changed professions. A safety engineer by training and education, he specialized in explosives and hazardous materials, and also served 15 years in the fire and rescue service, rising to the rank of lieutenant.
Outside of his writing life, John is a renowned safety expert with extensive knowledge of explosives, hazardous materials, and fire behavior. John lives in Fairfax, VA.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for this story?
John: It is a set-up book for the new Irene Rivers series that will be out next year. The idea comes from what the cartels are doing. A news story in the last few days speaks of using poisoned candy in Australia. What kind of animal would do such a thing? There is always a conspiracy in all my books. The underlying theme is that the drug problems in America are underwritten by politicians and law enforcement personnel. Their careers advance by looking the other way. This is a difficult time in society where no one looks after each other. Instead of helping or calling 911, they take out their phones to film it.
Q: Can you share more details about the upcoming Irene Rivers series?
John: I am under contract for two books. The Jonathan and Irene series will not have crossovers and will not co-exist because of the way it ends for Irene in this book.
Q: What inspired the inclusion of Roxie, the drone, in your story?
John: The technology does exist and has people quite frightened.
Q: Does the book also explore the influence of the political elite in the US?
John: There is a book quote, “Disloyalty among sworn agents and civil servants have become a distressing new normal.” There is the real world and the fictional world. Jonathan’s world feels more real than it probably is. People seem more willing to go for the clicks today than the patriotism. They have their own agenda.
Q: How would you describe Jonathan’s attitude in this book?
John: I think he is angry and sees this as personal, not political. He is upset that one of the children he was responsible for was killed by an overdose. He takes the battles to the cartels and called everyone’s bluff. He sleeps with a clear conscience because he believes he is on the side of the angels. He cares about bringing justice even if it is not within the confines of the law.
Q: What can you tell us about Irene’s attitude in this book?
John: She was shamed into acting by Jonathan. This was possibly at the cost of her career and civil liberties. She ended up taking the high road. Over the course of the series, she has been very admirable. She has looked the other way in previous books. But in this book, she has had it and decides to blow the lid off all of it. Her attitude is that at the end of the day there is right and wrong. And right is not about allowing children to die from drugs. Politics is not about enriching oneself. She has always been a patriot. She, along with the other characters, lives within the grey space. She is bitter and beaten.
Q: How does Gail’s character evolve in this book?
John: Gail is on a reverse course. She started out as a girl scout: the lawyer, sheriff, someone who quotes the Constitution, and is appalled by Jonathan’s shortcuts to achieve the goals. Now she is drawn to the dark side of the anti-hero Jonathan, who never works within the confines of the law. Early on, Gail was appalled but now has become more comfortable with living in those guidelines. She sees that justice and the law are often at odds with each other in Jonathan’s world.
Q: What can readers expect from your next book?
John: It will be the first in the Irene Rivers series titled Burned Bridges, out next summer. Irene will be leaving the FBI to become a private investigator living in West Virginia with her daughter and nephew, whom she is raising.
The next Jonathan book is being written.
Zero Sum by John Gilstrap has corrupt officials, drugs, political intrigue, human trafficking, greed, power, and fear. Additionally, there’s a sub-plot featuring twins that are kidnapped that add another dimension to the story.
The plot has a child under Jonathan Grave’s protection killed with a deliberate drug overdose. A twelve-year-old dies after consuming fentanyl disguised as candy inside the dormitory at Resurrection House, the school he created for the children of incarcerated parents. Jonathan, a former special ops agent, now runs a security investigation business. This crime crosses a line for him, and he enlists the FBI Director, Irene Rivers, to help bring those responsible down as well as his team.
Per usual, readers will be grabbed from page one with all the intensity, action, and suspense.
