Author Christopher Chambers is back with the third installment of his Dickie Cornish series. I recently spoke with him about Streetwhys.
Tell me about your latest book.
Streetwhys is the third in the DC noir trilogy beginning with Scavenger, then Standalone. It’s the arc of once homeless, alcohol- and drug-addicted ex-college athlete Dickie Cornish, to a fully functional yet struggling private detective in streets that have not gotten any less cruel, any less forgiving for the powerless. Now he sees it with clear eyes, feels it without anything to numb the pain, has real human friends rather than hallucinations. Dickie’s now being blackmailed into helping the feds snitch out fentanyl dealers while he gets a gig helping the public defender with a case involving a now broke white yuppie who shot a black teen. Things get truly crazy when he discovers the two distinct situations are connected, and he’s fighting for his life in the middle.
How long did it take you to write it?
Just under a year as I knew it would be the capstone. Plus I had to rush it to see how the 2020 election would turn out.
Which character could you relate to the most and why?
Believe or not, not just Dickie, but I revived Angela Bivens from my old hardcovers from 2001 and 2003. No longer the bright-eyed naive heroine, she’s older, jaded, mean, powerful, paranoid, part of the DC system. I wanted to show the bookends both real and metaphorically of time and what it will do to you, perhaps what it’s done to me.
How are you celebrating the book’s release?
Local signing, a few cities. More events on Insta Live, blogs and podcast interviews. You celebrate by hustling hahaha.
Who is your author best friend (either in your head or in real life)?
Hard to nail down just one. Perhaps Gary Phillips but George Pelecancos has been amazing.
What is the most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve received?
The late African American mystery/crime fiction writer Grace Edwards told me a long time ago up in Harlem, “Just put pen to paper. The mere fact that you possess the inner joy, discipline and intelligence to do so impresses these folk no matter how much you think they ignore you.”
What books have you read lately and loved?
Echo by Tracy Clark, The Lowdown Road by Scott VonDoviak
What books are you excited to read?
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
What’s next for you?
Finishing historical fiction novel, maybe coming back to Dickie with possible graphic novel, tentative title “Parasite Class” (from Elon Musk) haha.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Happy to announce that Audible will be presenting Streetwhys with the same actor who did an amazing job with Scavenger, the DC slang, the frenetic dialog.
To learn more about author Christopher Chambers, email him or connect with him on social media.
Email: 2008chrischambers@gmail.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/profchrisc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChristopherChambers