Peekskill resident Chris Jones is a retired lawyer and professor who will be on hand at the city’s Field Library on Saturday, June 14, at 1 p.m. to talk about his debut novel, Shadow Islands (Moonshine Cove Publishing).

Novelist and geopolitical forecaster Don Mayland said of the book, “When a Vietnam vet turned lawyer embarks with his clients on a high-stakes quest for justice, he encounters explosive conflict, a dash of romance, and the moral complexities of revenge. The result is an exhilarating thriller that blends the intrigue of a Caribbean treasure hunt with electrifying action and historical insight.”

Filling out the synopsis of his story, Jones adds, “A political scandal, stolen millions, and a cryptic map lead four Vietnam veterans to an abandoned CIA base on a remote Caribbean island. The only obstacles to finding the loot: modern-day pirates, a local naval garrison, and some well-armed ex-CIA agents.

Q+A with Chris Jones

Peekskill Herald (PH): How long have you been writing?

Chris Jones (CJ): Well, I wrote a play in eighth grade that was performed for the school assembly… I was a member of the Fordham Law Review. My article on First Amendment issues involved in FCC regulation of broadcast news was published in 1980. Over the years I’ve had professional articles published regarding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Freedom of Information Laws (FOIL).

PH: Is this your first published book? 

CJ: This is the first work of fiction I’ve had published.

PH: How long did it take to write your book?

CJ: I have notes dating to 1990. I began writing in earnest in mid-2020.

PH: What is your writing process?

CJ: When I’m fully engaged in writing I try to set a goal of between 500-1000 words a day. However, sometimes it’s fine to be satisfied with just a few quality words in a given day. 

PH: Any advice for those who may struggle with writers’ block or other writing challenges?

CJ: Frankly, I’m not sure I’m a deep enough thinker to have writers’ block. However, when I do encounter a plot point which seems difficult, I find a walk in the woods or along a beach can do wonders. A short nap can also prove therapeutic.

PH: Is your book self-published?

CJ: No.

PH: Do you have a literary agent?

CJ: I did have a literary agent for a prior novel, but I do not have an agent for Shadow Islands. (I’m currently re-working the prior novel.) I submitted the manuscript for Shadow Islands directly to the publisher.

PH: What attracted you to this region to raise a family?

CJ: I grew up in northern Manhattan (Inwood) and so have always had an affinity for the Hudson River. My wife and I have also lived in Dobbs Ferry and Ossining. We spent nearly 30 years in Ossining, where we raised our four daughters.

PH: Do you have favorite local hangouts to dine, shop, socialize, escape, chill …?

CJ: I’m a big fan of the Peekskill waterfront and Blue Mountain Park. I enjoy stopping by the River Outpost, Copperhead Club, and Birdsall House.

PH: Do you belong to any local civic or social or volunteer organizations? 

CJ:  I served on the Chapel Hill Orchards Board of Managers between 2020 and 2022.