Created by E. Michael Terrell
Pseudonyms include Jaden Terrell, Bethany Chandler
“I first saw Jared McKean leaning against a wooden fence. His arms were crossed, and he was wearing jeans and a brown leather bomber jacket that I knew had once belonged to his father. He was waiting for me to give up trying to write a novel featuring a feisty female detective I didn’t understand, come to my senses, and give him a series of his own. It makes not a whit of difference that this encounter occurred entirely in my mind.”
— E. Michael Terrell (straight from the author’s mouth)
Here’s one Nashville cat who may just be worth watching.
Despite the presence of such modern-day trappings as AIDS, Goths, DNA forensics and a decidedly sympathetic view of his Downs Syndrome child, Nashville private eye (and horse whisperer) JARED McKEAN‘s debut, Racing the Devil (2009), is in other ways simply an old-fashioned hard-boiled private eye yarn. With just a dash of Dick Francis horsiness…
You’ve got your classic femme fatale, a murder frame and of course a heart-on-his-sleeve private eye with a messy personal life (ex-cop — wrongfully dismissed, still in love with his ex, daddy issues, etc.) who makes the perfect patsy.
Since then Jared has appeared in a few more novels, under the Jaden Terrell pen name.
.In fact, in 2012, Racing the Devil was re-released as by “Jaden E. Terrell” and presented as a brand new book, and was subsequently nominated for a Best First P.I. Novel of 2012 Shamus Award, even though it was initially published three years earlier.
Turns out it’s not only Jared who bears watching…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
E. Michael Terrell (the “E” stands for Elizabeth, but she answers to Beth) is a member of the MWA, the PWA, Sisters in Crime, the Tennessee Writers’ Alliance and probably the AAA. She’s also a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, so if your horse needs a rubdown… Then again, at the other end of the spectrum, she also writes cat mysteries, writing as Bethany Chandler. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple anthologies, and she is a contributor to International Thriller Writers’ Big Thrill magazine and Now Write! Mysteries, and offers live and online workshops, coaching, and courses for writers.
NOVELS
- Racing the Devil (2009) | Buy this book | Buy the 2012 reprint | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
- A Cup Full of Midnight (2012) | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
- River of Glass | Buy this book | Buy the audio | Kindle it!
- A Taste of Blood and Ashes (2016) | Buy this book | Kindle it!
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- Elzabeth Terrell’s Jared McKean Mysteries
The author’s official site, now known as the Jaden Terrell’s web site, where she refers to herself as “A writer, a teacher, a compassionate editor.” - As Clear as Country Water…
Tennessee and Nashville Private Eyes.
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
Interesting profile—Jared McKean comes across as a classic, hard-edged detective with a strong sense of atmosphere. The write-up does a good job highlighting his tone and style without overexplaining. Definitely makes me curious to check out more stories featuring him.
AI much?