Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
The Bullet by Iris Johansen brings back forensics’ sculptor Eve Duncan and former SEAL Joe Quinn. This married couple are blissfully in love. But it turns out their relationship was not always paradise. Now readers get a glimpse into their multifaceted relationships, past and present. Love, revenge, family, and an intense mystery are intertwined within this story.
The plot begins with Diane Connors, a dedicated doctor who has made a shocking discovery. She has found a ‘panacea,’ a treatment that could cure all ills. Equally determined to stop her is Joshua Nalam, a wealthy businessman with ties to pharmaceuticals and the President. After a daring theft of some files, Diane has put herself in the cross hairs of Nalam who wants to eliminate her. She already has Hu Chang, a friend with connections, having asked CIA operative, Catherine Ling to guard her life.
But she needs Eve to help her identify a skull. It seems in a fit of rage Nalam claimed to have killed Kai and left his body in pieces, in the remote Montana wilderness. She explains to the Quinns her friendship with Alon, the owner of Hakali Island where Diane has been hiding out. Alon’s brother Kai has been missing, abducted by Nalam. At first Eve is reluctant to help but is convinced by her son Michael that it is the right thing to do. Besides, Eve thinks it is noble of Diane to have this treatment that could save thousands. Now they all must work together to prevent the madman Nalam from kidnapping Diane and killing off everyone else.
Readers will see how the story has come full circle with this book and the first book in the Eve Duncan series, The Face of Deception. The backstory on Joe’s past and present relationships makes for a compelling read.
Elise Cooper: What is the difference in the relationship between Joe and Diane and Joe and Eve?
Iris Johansen: Joe always insisted that his and Diane’s relationship was not based on love, but a marriage of convenience. They knew each other from their family being in the same social circle. The reason Diane proposed to him was to gain access to her trust fund, which was off limits until she got married. But because she was shallow and selfish, Joe was not attracted to her. She became resentful as she realized Joe thought of Eve as the love of his life.
EC: How would you describe Diane?
IJ: She gets herself in trouble because she is so impulsive. She has grown up and is now noble, blunt, adventurer, honest, and confident. As a scientist and medical doctor, she became rather spectacular in not only what she accomplishes but also as a person.
EC: This has Covid-19 similarities?
IJ: When I first started to write the book Covid was a glint in people’s eyes. No one knew it would turn out to be a monster. I never intended this story to have anything to do with Covid. But as the world turned, I knew there was no way I could leave it out. Yet, I did not mention it a lot in this book. The story is not really about a virus but about the bullet, a cure.
EC: How would you describe Eve and Diane’s relationship?
IJ: I did not want them to have an immediate friendship because of what happened in their past. It is obvious Joe is the love and center of Eve’s life so there would be some tension with his ex-wife, Diane. Having Diane around made Eve bewildered and hurt. I think eventually they will be friends, but currently Eve does not like how Diane is controlling her life.
EC: You have come full circle in the Eve books?
IJ: Eve has gone through hell and high water. When I first started writing her in the book, The Face of Deception, she was of one personality, but after three books she turned out differently. She is a woman on her own. What she has learned came about on her own also.
EC: You brought back two characters, Catherine Ling and Richard Cameron?
IJ: They have a relationship going. They are in love with each other and will not give each other up. Yet, Catherine and Richard disagree on some very important issues. What they have is conflicted. With each book the relationship has progressed. But Catherine is still fighting her feelings for him.
EC: What about your next books?
IJ: There may be a sequel or a spin-off with the Diane character. In the next Eve book, Diane will be in it, but it will be a completely different story. Out in September of this year is High Stakes. The plot has gambling and revenge. It is a stand-alone but there will be a secondary character readers will recognize.
EC: THANK YOU!!
