J. Alexander Greenwood is the author of the award-nominated John Pilate Mystery Series; including "Pilate's Cross," "Pilate's Key," "Pilate's Ghost," "Pilate's Blood", "Pilate's 7," "Pilate's Rose," and the novella "Pilate's Shadow." The follow-up to the series, "Pilate's Faith," hit the shelves in Fall 2021.
"Greenwood pulls many tricks from his writer’s satchel...has a quirkiness and energy and snappy/snarky dialogue that keep things moving briskly...A well-handled mystery with the appropriate twist at the end." --Kirkus Reviews on "Pilate's Faith."
Greenwood co-wrote and edited "Big Cabin and Dispatches from the West" with the late Robert E. Trevathan. He also wrote the nonfiction Amazon bestsellers "The Podcast Option" and "Kickstarter Success Secrets."
"Pilate's Cross" follows newly transplanted college instructor John Pilate, his sardonic imaginary pal Simon and new friend Kate as they investigate the unsolved mystery of a murdered president of Cross College. In too deep to wash his hands of the mystery, he risks his life to get to the truth of what really happened in 1963 and why it's just as deadly more than 40 years later. Available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback formats.
The sequel, "Pilate's Key," was published in January 2012. The book garnered positive reviews and was named a Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller.
"Pilate's Key" follows John Pilate to the sands of Key West, Florida. On the mend from a near-death experience in the snowy Midwest, John Pilate is taking it easy on the sun-soaked beaches of Key West. Umbrella drink in hand, Pilate is writing a book and getting some much-needed therapy to deal with his imaginary friend Simon. He's also pondering the future with his new love, Kate. Life is looking up for John Pilate...until he is drawn into a world of murder, pirates, conch fritters and smart-aleck remarks from invisible men.
One reviewer stated that "The book has an even better cast of characters than Greenwood's last book, "Pilate's Cross." Pilate befriends a quirky, local character, Taters, who joins up on his exploits. Taters adds humor and a nice balance to Pilate's neurotic charm. Of course, Simon (the voice in Pilate's head) continues to have a starring role in this book." Available in ebook and paperback formats.
A third book in the series, "Pilate's Ghost," was released on Halloween 2012. It was named a 2013 Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller.
From the book jacket:
When a shadowy enemy seemingly rises from the dead, and the heavy hand of a guilty past begins weighing on his marriage, John Pilate must master his own fear and marshal all his resources to defend his family and his life. But he discovers that he isn't the only one fighting a desperate battle and that not all of the ghosts from his past are hostile... Available in ebook and paperback formats.
Book four, "Pilate's Blood" rejoins John Pilate as he reluctantly returns to tiny Cross Township...a place resembling a mutated Mayberry packed with guns, a serious lack of anti-depression meds, a rampaging crime boss and an imaginary friend who won't shut the hell up. Available in ebook and paperback formats.Once a hero, now Pilate is broke, bored and forced to take a job imbued with more authority than the dogcatcher but far less respect. What's worse is there's criminality afoot and nobody to deal with it but Pilate. Sure, things could work out just fine...then again, it may come down to spilling "Pilate's Blood." Available in ebook and in paperback formats.
Book five, "Pilate's 7," represents a departure for the John Pilate Mystery Series. Instead of a full-length novel, it is a compilation of seven short stories spotlighting characters in the world of the series. In this unique installment, John Pilate isn't the center of attention, but his presence is keenly felt in stories featuring his friends, family and even a few enemies. "Pilate's 7" promises bite-sized new insights, backstory, and even a few "Easter eggs" for the veteran John Pilate Mystery fan and new readers alike. Available in ebook format and exclusively in paperback from Amazon.
Book six, "Pilate's Rose," returns to a John Pilate beset with issues with his past. Awash in insecurity, restlessness, and booze, Pilate is ripped from his quiet home life by a voice he never expected to hear again. Dark figures from his past want payback, and Pilate's own indiscretions are catching up to him, threatening to destroy his marriage and blow his world apart.
A special 10th Anniversary Paperback Edition of "Pilate's Rose" (celebrating a decade of John Pilate Mysteries) featuring a new John Pilate novella, "Pilate's Shadow," was released in October 2019. The ebook version of "Pilate's Shadow" was released in November 2019.
The critically-acclaimed eighth book in the series, "Pilate's Faith," finds Pilate, after surviving a recent attempt on his life, in Cross Township, where a bizarre string of shootings has paralyzed the tiny college town. Pilate joins forces with the law to find out why people are being terrorized in his name and stop it. Unfortunately, when he turns to his family for support, he finds only hardened hearts. People are dying, accusing fingers are pointed his way, and he has nowhere left to turn.
Everything John Pilate believes in: family, sanity, and even himself.
Notable Awards:
2011 Global Ebook Award Nominee ("Pilate's Cross")
2011 Shelf Unbound Short Story Award: Best Story ("Obsidian")
2012 Kindle Book Review Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller ("Pilate's Key")
2013 Kindle Book Review Award Semi-Finalist for Best Mystery/Thriller ("Pilate's Ghost")
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Shelf Unbound Magazine Page Turner/Notable Book Awards for John Pilate Series
2015 Books Go Social Finalist for Best Book ("Pilate's Blood")
"Greenwood offers a fresh take on the mystery thriller with his John Pilate Series. His novels are populated with flawed and neurotic--yet instantly-likable--characters who find themselves thrown into maddeningly entertaining situations. Greenwood writes fun, accessible fiction that leaves readers asking for more."
- Jason McIntyre, author of On The Gathering Storm and Thalo Blue
www.TheFarthestReaches.com
Book jacket blurb from "Big Cabin and Dispatches from the West": Twenty-five years ago, noted, award-winning Western author Robert E. Trevathan hung up his spurs for the last time and retired, leaving "Big Cabin", his final manuscript, uncompleted. Now his grandson J. Alexander Greenwood has finished this Oklahoma cowboy's last ride for your enjoyment. Presented together with a classic Trevathan short story of familial love and conflict during the Oklahoma Land Rush, along with a trove of his later essays, wit, and correspondence, "Big Cabin and Dispatches from the West" is a breath of history, fiction, and lore of the Old West.
Since 2016, Greenwood has hosted and produced the award-nominated Mysterious Goings On podcast featuring writers of all stripes. He also hosts the business podcast, PR After Hours and his alter ego can often be seen on the YouTube comedy/cocktail series ‘Tuesdays with Tiki Ted.’ Alex is also co-host of the monthly chat podcast Chica and the Man.
In 2021 Alex was commissioned by award-winning, veteran film producer and writer Michael Pellico to write the treatment and screenplay for Saharan Ice. The feature film was in preproduction at the time of Mr. Pellico's untimely death and will not be produced.
Alex is also an internationally-recognized speaker focusing on topics including writing, podcasting, indie publishing, public relations, and marketing communications.
The Oklahoma native resides with his family in Kansas City, Missouri.
For more information and for book club discounts and appearances, visit JAlexanderGreenwood.com, or email Team(at)AlexGPR.com.
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