This week I'm in conversation with bestselling author Russ Thomas , offering a glimpse into his juggling act of writing and balancing "proper" jobs to cover bills.  Russ sheds light on the realities of publishing and the notorious "second book syndrome"—a struggle known to many authors. Listen in for tips on setting daily writing goals, the challenges of weaving complex themes, and why every book feels like a challenging yet rewarding child.

It's a candid look at the hurdles and triumphs faced by writers at all stages. chat uncovers the inherent drive to write, despite the struggle, the unexpected joy found in bookselling and Russ's latest book, in the DS Adam Tyler series, Sleeping Dogs.

Sleeping Dogs

THE LIES OF THE PAST . . .
 
When an anonymous tip lands on his desk, DS Adam Tyler is intrigued in spite of himself. The disappearance of a young mother twenty-four years ago was big news, but the case was never solved – this tantalizing new lead is something he simply can’t ignore. But the letter has set in motion a dangerous chain of events, and Tyler’s search for the truth soon leaves him fighting for his life.
 
. . . LIVE IN THE PRESENT

With Tyler out of action, DC Mina Rabbani must step up to lead the Cold Case Review Unit in his absence, retracing Tyler’s steps and uncovering his secrets to figure out what he was working on. But as she begins to put the pieces together, the case starts to hit frighteningly close to home. Without DS Tyler to protect her, Mina realizes that now she’s the one with hard choices to make.

And this time she’s on her own.

Follow Russ Thomas

Send us a text

Support the show

"Enjoying 'The Conversation'? Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee ☕️! Every contribution helps keep the show going.
https://ko-fi.com/nadinematheson

Don't forget to subscribe, download and review.

You can purchase books by the authors featured in our conversations through my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. By using this link, you’ll be supporting independent bookstores, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Follow Me:
www.nadinematheson.com

BlueSky: @nadinematheson.com Substack: @nadinematheson Instagram: @queennads
Threads: @nadinematheson Facebook: nadinemathesonbooks
TikTok: @writer_nadinematheson