Blue Ridge, a crime thriller by debut novelist Peter Malone Elliott
Author Interview + Book & Author Info + Author Pet Corner
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Blue Ridge
What would you do if you were planning to kill your brother—but someone beat you to it?
After former Olympic contender turned burn-out horse trainer Cillian Clarke is framed for the murder of his identical twin Christopher, a rising-star Virginia politician, Cillian is forced to go on the lam.
But when someone from Christopher’s past emerges and offers Cillian the chance to clear his name, Cillian is plunged headfirst into a sinister conspiracy that not only threatens the sanctity of democracy, but also promises to expose the devastating secret intertwining the brothers forever—the truth behind the death of a woman they both loved.
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Interview with Peter Malone Elliott — Author of Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge stars Cillian Clarke, a burned-out horse trainer framed for the murder of his identical twin. I love this set-up! As a longtime horse lover tell me what led you to that career for your main character.
Thank you so much! I grew up in a family of horse riders and lovers (my sister was a national champion eventer), so a deep appreciation and admiration for the equine community truly runs through my veins.
And since that way of life is so firmly entrenched in the DNA of Paris, Middleburg, and Lynchburg (the Virginia towns where Blue Ridge takes place) it felt only natural to make Cillian part of that industry, as well.
Plus, I wanted to deconstruct and reinvent the classic southern fiction archetype of the rugged, horse-whispering protagonist, and really investigate that type of male character from a younger, more modern vantage point—going deeper that the cliched stereotypes that we’re all used to.
Blue Ridge contains elements of noir, suspense, and political thriller. What do those elements mean to you, and how do they come through in the book?
For as long as I can remember, the suspense thriller (and its various subgenres like noir) has been my favorite storytelling mode across all mediums—book, film, TV, you name it.
A suspense thriller—when it’s well executed—simultaneously enlightens and entertains. It plunges a reader/viewer into the deepest, darkest crevices of the human condition and, through its exploration of trauma, fear, and past transgressions, holds a mirror up to our souls and explains what makes us who we are—all the while taking us on a pulse-pounding, roller-coaster plot that totally immerses us in another world.
In my humble opinion, there isn’t any other genre in existence that can achieve both of those things in the same way. And I think if I had taken a different genre approach to the dueling first person POVs of Cillian and Christopher Clarke—two identical twin brothers psychologically at war with one another due to their shared trauma and secrets—Blue Ridge wouldn’t have been as kinetic or interesting.
In terms of the political component of the novel—that honestly came as a bit of a surprise to me.
Initially, I did not set out to write a book that could be categorized in the “political thriller” sphere—frankly, it was the furthest possible thing I had in mind. But the January 6th insurrection quickly changed that mindset. And as I began fleshing out the narrative—and realizing that I wanted Christopher to be a rising star in the political arena—it became abundantly clear that to ignore what was happening in our country (and all the horrendous things that transpired during the years of the Trump administration) would be disingenuous and, frankly, a bit irresponsible.
But I also didn’t want the novel to become preachy, either. It became a bit of a high-wire act to balance all this while creating Blue Ridge—but I’m very, very happy with how it turned out.
Blue Ridge is set in Virginia, where you grew up, an area that remains dear to you. What do you love about Virginia and Southern living? What do you miss now that you live in Brooklyn?
While I do genuinely enjoy living in Brooklyn and experiencing all that the city has to offer, there is something magical about where I grew up in Virginia.
Being that close to the Blue Ridge Mountains and constantly spending time in jaw-droppingly gorgeous landscapes like Sky Meadows State Park feeds my soul in a way that an urban metropolis like New York City simply cannot.
I am at peak happiness when I’m in the mountains, breathing in the fresh air, and soaking in all the wonderful eccentricities and “country-philosopher” gems that are scattered throughout small town Southern ways of life.
I also deeply, deeply miss authentic Southern cooking—although I have found a pretty amazing BBQ spot here in Brooklyn (shout out to Hometown BBQ in Red Hook…10/10 would recommend).
In addition to writing novels, you work as a developmental editor and screenwriter. How do those three careers fit together? Do they augment each other? Or do you compartmentalize?
They absolutely augment each other.
Being a Leo Award-nominated screenwriter, for instance, has made me an infinitely better novelist. Because of my film background, where brevity and conciseness are paramount, I’m able to be truly ruthless when editing my manuscripts and streamline plot and character in ways that are invaluable—particularly in genre fiction.
Also, working in the film industry—where most writers are seen as inconsequential, completely replaceable cogs in a massive, gatekeeper filled machine—has really allowed me to appreciate the admiration that (most) people in the publishing world have for the written word (and more than prepared me for the more frustrating parts of the publishing business).
All this first-hand knowledge—combined with my past experience as Director of Operations of Book Pipeline, where my job was to develop material with contest winning authors and set them up with literary agents and/or publishing deals—has made my developmental editing business (Fortiter et Recte Literary) a really thrilling endeavor for me. Working with and championing writers, no matter what stage of their career they find themselves in, is one of my great joys in life, and I find it incredibly fulfilling.
Tell us about your road to publication for your debut novel!
It was…a journey, to say the least. I wrote an article where I really get into the nitty-gritty of the entire process. Check it out!
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m shopping around my second manuscript—a horror-thriller set in Yosemite National Park that’s meant to be the start of a series—while continuing to grow my developmental editing business. I’m also in the nascent stages of developing another standalone novel!
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers?
Most of the successes I’ve had in my professional life thus far have come from me taking the road less traveled. So, don’t be afraid to be a trailblazer and do things unconventionally.
Great advice!
Author Pet Corner!
I have a ten-year-old Pointer-Pitbull mix named Panda.
She is a juggernaut of amusement, love, and emotional support.
And, just like me, she has a penchant for the outdoors, comfy chairs, and snacks. Who’da thunk?
Peter Malone Elliott — Author of Blue Ridge
Peter Malone Elliott is an author, screenwriter, and developmental editor.
Born and raised in Virginia, he now lives in Brooklyn, but still holds the magic of the mountains and Southern living near and dear to his heart.
BLUE RIDGE is his debut novel. Other notable writing achievements include a Leo Award nomination for “Best Screenwriting, Motion Picture” and winning the Grand Prize of the Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition.
Peter is also the founder and owner of Fortiter et Recte Literary, where he offers bespoke editorial consulting for manuscripts and screenplays.
To learn more about Peter, click on either of the following links: Website, Instagram.
Elena Taylor/Elena Hartwell
Header image from Pixabay
