Leave No Trace: A National Park Thriller by A.J. Landau, pen name for authors Jeff Ayers and Jon Land
Author Interview + Book and Author Info + Pet Corner!
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Leave No Trace
In a daring, brutal act of terrorism, an explosion rocks and topples the Statue of Liberty. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service is awakened by his boss with that news and sent to New York as the agent-in-charge.
Not long after he lands, he learns two things – one that Gina Delgado of the FBI has been placed in charge of the investigation as the lead of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and two, that threats of a second terrorism attack are already being called into the media.
While barred from the meetings of the Joint Task Force for his lack of security clearance, Walker finds a young boy among the survivors with a critical piece of information – a video linking the attackers to the assault.
As a radical domestic terrorist group, led by a shadowy figure known only as Jeremiah, threatens further attacks against America’s cultural symbols, powerful forces within the government are misleading the investigation to further their own radical agenda.
To purchase Leave No Trace, click on any of the following links: Amazon, MacMillan, Barnes & Noble,
Interview with Jeff Ayers, co-author of Leave No Trace
Hi Jeff,
Great to have you join me on my blog for the launch of Leave No Trace: A National Parks Thriller, which you have co-written with Jon Land.
Leave No Trace brings together terrorism, New York City, and the National Park Service, that’s a heady combination, how did you and co-author Jon Land arrive at the scenario for the first in this series?
I had an idea that involved a conspiracy to the entire National Park Service.
Mysteries set in National Parks always involve one park, and having a story involving multiple locations was a book I wanted to read. I wrote a complete outline and tried several times to get the story to work, but it lacked what I call oomph. The story needed that extra to make it worthwhile. I was talking to Jon Land for advice, and his advice made me see what the story was missing.
As we talked about it more, we ended up writing it together.
I’m a massive fan of the National Parks, and I admire everyone who works to keep the history, landscapes, and monuments the same, whether you visit today or 100 years from now.
Leave No Trace introduces Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service. What would you like readers to know about him?
Michael works for the Investigative Service Branch of the National Park Service, the park version of the FBI.
He is a man who is still haunted by an incident on Mount Rainier National Park when he was a Law Enforcement Ranger, and a prosthetic foot is a reminder. He literally has to wear his grief every single day.
What was the writing process like for Leave No Trace? Any surprises working together?
Jon and I would meet over Zoom to discuss the details for the first 50 pages. He would type it up, and then I would edit and add the details from my research and contacts.
We would do a couple more passes together and then keep going.
You do a lot of work with the International Thriller Writers, tell us about that organization and your role with them:
I have been attending and volunteering at every ThrillerFest since they have been in New York. I’m now a co-executive director for ThrillerFest, so I work with the various committees and the ITW board on organizing all the details to make the conference a terrific event for everyone.
ITW and ThrillerFest have changed my life and career, and I’m blessed to be part of such a fantastic group.
What can we find you doing when you aren’t reading and writing thrillers?
I walk with my wife, spend time with my family, and visit National Park sites.
What are you working on now?
Jon and I are working on COLD BURN, the next adventure featuring Michael Walker and Gina Delgado.
I’m also under contract for a nonfiction companion book for Grand Central Publishing. I write book reviews for Criminal Element, First Clue, and Library Journal, so I’m always reading!
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers:
Publishing is “Hurry up and wait.” Be patient, kind, and open to alternate avenues. Pursuing your dream might take different forms and methods.
Great advice!
Author Pet Corner
We are huge dog fans in our household but don’t own one.
Our next-door neighbors have two sweet doggies, and the gate between our houses helps them visit.
Jeff Ayers
A. J. LANDAU is the pseudonym for two authors, Jon Land, the award-winning, bestselling author and co-author of more than fifty books, and Jeff Ayers, reviewer, former-librarian, and author. Land lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and Jeff Ayers lives in Seattle, Washington.
Jon Land is the USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty books, over ten of which feature Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong. The critically acclaimed series has won more than a dozen awards, including the 2019 International Book Award for Best Thriller for Strong as Steel.
He is also the author of Chasing the Dragon, a detailed account of the War on Drugs written with one of the most celebrated DEA agents of all time. A graduate of Brown University, Land lives in Providence, Rhode Island and received the 2019 Rhode Island Authors Legacy Award for his lifetime of literary achievements.
To learn more about Jeff, click the following links: Criminal Element, Podcast and Facebook
To learn more about Jon, click the following links: Facebook & Twitter/X
Elena Taylor/Elena Hartwell
Header image from Pixabay
