Douglas Corleone

Douglas Corleone is the winner of the 2009 Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award. A former New York City criminal defense attorney, he now lives in the Hawaiian Islands with his wife and son. His new novel is One Man's Paradise.

From Corleone's Q & A with Julia Bodeeb:

How Did You Get the Idea for the Novel?

The seeds for "One Man's Paradise" were planted with the Natalee Holloway story in Aruba, specifically with the sensational, around-the-clock national news coverage surrounding Natalee's disappearance. The modern media, and one cable commentator in particular, play a role as antagonists in "One Man's Paradise."

The media essentially chased Kevin Corvelli out of New York, and they continue to work against him once he arrives in Hawaii. Fortunately, the events that led to Kevin's move to Hawaii were nothing like the events that led to mine. Still, much of the plot is based on my own experiences as a criminal defense attorney in New York City, and as a newcomer to the Hawaiian Islands.

Is the Protagonist in "One Man's Paradise" like You at all? If So, How?

I'd like to say no, but people who know me would probably disagree. In many ways, Kevin Corvelli is an exaggeration of me. He's more neurotic, more impatient, and more impervious to threats. Like most protagonists, Kevin is larger than life. The thing is, he knows...[read on]

Visit Douglas Corleone's website.

--Marshal Zeringue