by J.M. Landon

This week we have a review of the thriller Beyond the Veil by Lawrence Kelter, along with an interesting interview with Lawrence. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Beyond the Veil by Lawrence Kelter
Reviewed by J. M. Landon

I’ve never seen a book that starts with, “Uber Dave eyed me in the rearview mirror…”. Beyond the Veil starts with a wild seventy-five-mile Uber ride up the New York State Thruway with a crazy lady wearing a wedding dress in the back seat screaming “Faster, faster!” Destination? The mental institution that houses her run-away groom’s sister.

At this point, the reader needs to lean back, elevate their feet above their heart and buckle up for the ride of your life. This book includes a marriage between a Muslin and a Jew that is usurped by an arranged marriage, two murders, and a terrorist plot. The Jewish family consists of former military Special Ops dad; a mom that could give Betty Crocker a run for her life in baking, and a sister in a perfect (then not-so-perfect) marriage. They all want to know WHY the groom didn’t show.

This is a fast-moving book with dad calling in favors from his Special Ops friends to cover the PI and lawyer needs and an appearance by the Keystone Cops. In addition, the reader gets a look into the Muslim side of the story, through the groom’s point of view. This helps the reader understand a little bit about Muslim culture and how it so differs from ours, even in today’s world.

Lawrence Kelter is the author of more than 30 mystery and thriller novels including the Stephanie Chalice Mystery series that topped the best-seller list in multiple countries. Kelter has also penned several humorous thrillers including My Cousin Vinny and is currently working on the sequel, Back To Brooklyn. This read is time well spent. Enjoy!

J.M. Landon is retired and blissfully at work on the ‘great American novel.’ She’s worn many hats through her career including: wife, mother, piano teacher, middle school teacher, university professor, painter, jewelry maker, and dragon tamer. She has eight published short stories.

Interview with Lawrence Kelter:

KRL: How long have you been writing?

Lawrence: Literally decades, long enough to know that there’s no limit to advancement. When I revisit one of my old books, I end up thinking, Gosh, I thought I was better than that! The good news is that if I persist long enough, I will be. It’s hard to say where the next years will take me or how much I will grow as a writer, but I fully hope to be surprised.

KRL: When did your first novel come out, what was it called, and would you tell us a little about it?

Lawrence: Don’t Close Your Eyes was released as a mass market paperback in 2005. It’s the first book in the nine-book Stephanie Chalice Mystery Series. Chalice, a NYPD detective, is a force of nature. She’s feisty, funny, and oh so ready for just about anything. Ann Loring, the former president of AFTRA New York, said, “Chalice is Plum and then some.”

Lawrence Kelter

KRL: Have you always written mysteries/suspense and if not, what else have you written?

Lawrence: Oh. My. God. I’ve dabbled in so many genres I’ve lost count. Although mystery/thriller is my jam, I’ve written literary fiction, paranormal, historical, and fantasy fiction. I’ve enjoyed writing in these categories and expect to brave even newer frontiers in the coming years.

KRL: What brought you to choose the setting and characters in your latest book/series?

Lawrence: That’s a tough one. I can’t say that I have a formula for developing settings and characters. The actual process takes place more in the background than on the conscious level. Once I have the idea for a story, I let it percolate for a few weeks, then slowly, subconsciously, the elements fall into place. I visualize a hero and a villain, as well as the time period and locale that make the most sense to me.

KRL: Do you write to entertain or is there something more you want the readers to experience from your work?

Lawrence: Foremost, entertainment should be the primary focus of every fiction writer. I won’t tell you there isn’t a message buried in the story, but I never want it to impede the reader’s enjoyment. Whether the reader wants to delve into the story’s significance is up to the individual.

KRL: Do you have a schedule for your writing or just work whenever you can?

Lawrence: I treat writing as a job, full-time. I get up, have a cup of good strong java, and get to work. Life will always get in the way if you let it. There will always be a distraction vying for your attention. So, I knock out a chapter or two before I allow myself to be swept off course.

KRL: What is your ideal time to write?

Lawrence: Morning. Morning. Morning. It seems I’m most focused after the first tidal wave of caffeine. As the day ebbs away, so do my brain cells. I can practically hear them gasp and die off one by one. By nightfall I’m incapable of stringing together a single cohesive sentence.

KRL: Do you outline? If not, do you have some other interesting way that you keep track of what’s going on, or what needs to happen in your book when you are writing it?

Lawrence: I’m neither a plotter nor a pantzer but a combination of the two. I’m usually off to a quick start and will dash off as much as fifty pages. After the initial data dump, I sit back, review the early pages, and decide where I go from there. I try my utmost to let the story evolve organically but there are times when I need a bit of a roadmap to keep me on course. When that happens, an old fashion legal pad is the instrument of choice, with boxes, bullet points, squiggly lines, and arrows. It’s not sophisticated but it works for me.

KRL: Did you find it difficult to get published in the beginning?

Lawrence: That’s not the way it happened for me. Everyone’s path is different and mine was no exception. I found a representation at a substantial New York agency for my very first book. That doesn’t make me better or worse than any other writer who has embarked on this crazy journey we call publishing. It turned out that large agency representation was not the answer for me. Although I’ve had my share of success with literary agents, a fair share of my work found a home with smaller players and independent publication.

KRL: Do you have a great rejection/critique or acceptance story you’d like to share?

Lawrence: Yes, and it’s almost too painful to divulge. My initial foray into the publishing world was a short story I submitted to Coppola’s Zoetrope ezine. The first reader critiqued my work with the comment, “Don’t quite the day job.” Fortunately, I had the last laugh.

KRL: Ouch! Most interesting book signing story-in a bookstore or other venue?

Lawrence: I met the recently departed Nelson DeMille at an event on Long Island and started up a conversation with the master thriller writer. Some time later, I wrote my first novel and asked him if he’d look it over. Much to my surprise and delight, Mr. DeMille not only read the book but also provided editorial notes. Well before he said, “Lawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum,” he said, “Kid, your work needs editing, but that’s a hell of a lot better than not having talent. Keep it up!”

KRL: Nice! What are your future writing goals?

Lawrence: I intend to produce the highest quality books I’m capable of writing for as long as my brain cells continue to fire. Writing is who I am, and I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t wake up each morning with my fingertips itching to hammer at the keyboard.

KRL: Who are your writing heroes?

Lawrence: My writing heroes are any individuals with the courage to create a work and publish it. So many obstacles stand in the way of success. It’s easier to be elected to public office than it is to write and publish a bestseller. But if you want names, Nelson DeMille for his tough guy characters and uncanny wit. Thomas Harris for creating the most frightening villain in modern literature.

KRL: What kind of research do you do?

Lawrence: While I always try to visit an actual setting and speak to living, breathing people, the internet makes researching so darn easy. Of course, we have to be vigilant. Not everything (or much of) what you read on the web is accurate and there’s as much misinformation as there is fact. The web is a good starting point but it shouldn’t be more than that. As a writer, I have the responsibility to vet each and every detail to ensure accuracy.

KRL: What do you like to read?

Lawrence: I’m a thriller junkie. I read all the Reachers, Ryans, Cross’s, and so on. That’s not to say I don’t read lesser well-known writers. I actually prefer them as their work is less formulaic and as such less predictable. Who doesn’t love a surprise?

KRL: What are your favorite TV shows or movies?

Lawrence: Favorite TV shows float on and off my horizon with the passing of each season. There’s just so much out there it’s hard to pin down the exceptional choices. Comedy-wise I’m enjoying Shrinking with Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. The Old Man, based on the exquisite Thomas Perry novel is fantastic. Moreover Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow provide the kind of on-screen chemistry that’s hard to find elsewhere. Movie-wise Goldfinger is my favorite thriller movie of all-time. My Cousin Vinny, my favorite comedy.

KRL: Have you any advice for aspiring or beginning writers?

Lawrence: Absolutely. Develop a thick skin. The path ahead is arduous and filled with rejections and stumbling blocks. Every great writer you’ve ever heard of has been rejected more times than you might think. Continue to hone your craft, then read, write, repeat until your work is amazing. Be persistent and believe in yourself.

KRL: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Lawrence: I wrote the studio-authorized sequel to the iconic movie comedy My Cousin Vinny. I’m frequently asked why there was never a Vinny II movie. The story goes that a sequel was written but never produced. Dale Launer, the screenwriter always wanted Vinny and Lisa to have more of a legacy and asked me if I’d consider novelizing the movie and writing a sequel. It turns out that he’d read and enjoyed one of my books. He said that he envisioned Vinny and Lisa as a modern-day Nick and Nora, with Lisa investigating and Vinny litigating. I have to say that writing those stories were the most fun I ever had sitting in front of as keyboard. To-date, there are three books in that series, the movie novelization, Back to Brooklyn, the sequel, and a third book entitled Wing and A Prayer.

KRL: Do you have any pets?

Lawrence: Not at the moment but the memory of my black Lab Thunder lives forever in my heart. I have a grand dog named Loki who’s a real rascal. Having a grand dog is a real treat—it’s all the fun without any of the responsibilities. I’m the soft touch, the one most likely to toss Loki something from the table. We get along famously.

KRL: Is there anything you would like to add?

Lawrence: In these days of uncertainty and stress, it makes me feel good knowing I provide readers with a few hours of escape.

KRL: Where can our readers find you online?

Lawrence: Sweet and simple, the easiest way to find me online is at my website lawrencekelter.com.

You can click here to purchase this book.

To enter to win an ebook copy of Beyond the Veil, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “veil” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 23, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address as well in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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