On September 17, at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Mr Andreas Fiorentinos, the author Jeffrey Siger will present his new book “Νot Dead Yet”. I met him and i have a very interesting conversation about the 14h book and his relationship with the Lalaounis family.
Exclusive interview with bestselling author Jeffrey Siger before the presentation of his new book in Athens!
On September 17, at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Mr Fiorentinos, your book “Νot Dead Yet” will be presented. Why did you choose this specific venue, and how important is the support from the GNTO?
J.S I owe eternal thanks to the entire Lalaounis family for their unwavering support of my work. Indeed, Aikaterini Lalaouni published my debut novel (Murder in Mykonos) in both Greek and English, gaining #1 best-selling ranking in Greece and leading to its publication in the US where it also achieved best-seller status. I can think of no better venue for such a celebration than the family’s magnificent museum and birthplace of its patriarch, Ilias Lalaounis.
I deeply value GNTO’s support. My overall goal as a writer has always been to explore issues confronting modern day Greece in a fast-paced entertaining manner that touches upon its ancient roots and reflects my commitment to highlighting the natural beauty, extraordinary culture and historic treasures that Greece and its people offer the world. My commitment is in keeping with the message of sustainable tourism the GNTO promotes around the globe through its Secretary General, Andreas Fiorentinos. I’m honored that we each in our own way spread the same message to the world: Come share the soul of Greece.
“Not Dead Yet” is described as one of your most complex cases yet for Chief Inspector Kaldis. Can you give us a glimpse into the specific challenges he faces in this book and what makes it so different from his previous investigations?
J.S “Not Dead Yet” isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a whydunit exploring the motivations behind the crimes as much as the mechanics of their execution. While its plot twists and turns offer the suspense of a classic thriller, it’s the insightful exploration of Greek culture and nuanced character development that captivates readers on their journey through the maze confronting Andreas and his team in “Not Dead Yet.”
Dimitris Onofrio is a ruthless Greek crime boss. When his chartered plane crashes in the deepest part of the Mediterranean with no survivors, many are relieved, but a week later Onofrio is found alive, though catatonic, beside the body of his beloved wife. Was it an accident or sabotage that killed his wife? The answer to that question strikes fear in Onofrio’s perceived enemies, for he is legend at taking brutal revenge on anyone he thinks may have wronged him. When Andreas learns that his own wife and her wealthy father owned the plane that crashed, he realizes his entire family is at risk if he cannot solve what happened before Onofrio regains consciousness. But Kaldis’ boss forbids him from participating in the crash investigation. Faced with official obstruction, Andreas formulates a plan for communicating with comatose Onorfrio and for continuing to participate in the investigation through the wiley assistance of others–both comrades new and old.
The synopsis mentions that Kaldis’s wife, Lila, is more involved in the case than he would have liked. How does this personal element affect Kaldis’s professional judgment and the overall dynamic of the story?
J.S Over the course of the series Andreas’ wife, Lila, has evolved as much more than the scion of one of Greece’s wealthiest and most respected families. She is a loving mother and wife, who speaks her independent mind and keeps her husband focused on what really matters in life. She’s also not afraid to take chances for what she believes a just cause. The potential threat to the lives of his entire family, galvanizes a willingness in Andreas’ to do whatever he deems necessary to protect his family, including directly confronting their potential killer with the truth.
Reviewers have praised the book’s intricate plotting and how it weaves together Greek crime, politics, and family. What was the most challenging aspect of crafting this particular story?
J.S How do you get an utterly comatose ruthless crime boss who regards police as his enemy to cooperate with a chief inspector seeking to learn what put the patient into his coma? And how do you find independent expert investigators who will join in an investigation that police authorities have ordered not proceed? But perhaps most challenging was finding a technically probable explanation for why the plane crashed and all that followed.
You’ve been writing the Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis series for many years, with “Not Dead Yet” being the 14th book. How have you seen the character of Kaldis evolve and mature over time?
J.S As a second-generation cop and honest observer of his times, Andreas has evolved as a uniquely enjoyable and compelling protagonist; not your typical world-weary detective. He’s a man deeply rooted in his culture, grappling with the complexities of his homeland while navigating the treacherous waters of Greek politics and corruption. He’s a refreshingly complex character. He’s not a superhero; he’s a flawed, relatable man with his own demons and vulnerabilities. His struggles with bureaucracy, his loyalty to his friends, and his deep-seated love for his country and family make him a compelling and empathetic figure. Perhaps most significant for purposes of my stories, he has unfettered access to all levels of Greek society, be it the seamy underbelly of its most degenerate bottom rung, or the glittering lifestyles of its movers and shakers.
You are known for portraying Greek life and culture with a deep understanding. What is your process for researching the specific locations and cultural nuances that you include in your books, and how do you ensure their accuracy?
J.S I spend at least as much if not more time researching the cultural, historical and physical elements of the locations for my books as I do in writing about them. That research includes on-site visits to each location and serious conversations with locals offering their unique and often captivating insights into their communities.
I’ve been blessed with great praise from the Greek media on what I’ve had to say about Greek society, some even call me “prophetic.” Unquestionably all of that is a great honor, but to be honest, how I do that is a phenomenon I don’t fully understand. Perhaps because I’m a foreigner writing in a land where I did not grow up, I have the advantage of viewing things without the preconceived notions and biases that come with being native to a culture.
But, but most importantly, when people offer me information that they think might be relevant to a story I’ll want to tell, I listen.
You’ve chosen Greece as the setting for your entire series. What about Greece, its history, and its contemporary issues makes it such a rich and enduring setting for crime fiction?
J.S Greece is the birthplace of the gods, the cradle of European civilization, the bridge between East and West. Spartan courage, Athenian democracy, Olympic achievement, and Trojan intrigue all call it home, but what tantalizes me most as a writer working on the edge of societal change, is how many of the great issues confronting the modern world are centered in Greece’s Mediterranean neighborhood. Indeed, I’d venture to say no western country is closer to what challenges our planet than Greece. And many of the players directly involved in all of that somehow find their way to Greece, bringing their unique energies with them, and with any luck, into my books. Or at least I try to get them in there. But at times it’s hard making the truth sound as believable as fiction!
The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum is a unique and significant cultural institution in Greece. Can you speak to the significance of presenting your book here, and what, if any, connections you see between your work and the artistry and history of the museum?
J.S My relationship with the Lalaounis family goes back to my earliest days on Mykonos. There I learned of the deep respect the family is held in by all who know them. I share in that feeling and treasure our relationship. As for similarities between my work and the artistry and history of the Museum, I feel presumptuous to put us on the same footing for although we each in our own way seek through art to capture the beauty and majesty of Greece, the Museum goes far beyond that. It is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and studying ancient and contemporary goldsmithery and jewelry-making techniques through educational initiatives in Greece and abroad; aimed at examining the history of ancient Greek art through shared cultural activities offering educational and professional programs, scholarships and exchanges.