Gregg Olsen Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Photo Content from Gregg Olsen

Throughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, Olsen has written nine nonfiction books, nine novels, a novella, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Dateline NBC, William Shatner's Aftermath, Deadly Women on Investigation Discovery, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News, CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen's Snapped, Court TV's Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E's Biography.

In addition to television and radio appearances, he has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People,Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington's Secretary of State for the book's contribution to Washington state history and culture. His Young Adult novel, Envy, was the official selection of Washington for the National Book Festival.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife, twin daughters, three chickens, Milo (an obedience school dropout cocker spaniel) and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).

Publisher: Splinter
Series: Empty Coffin
Hardcover: 288 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402789580
ISBN-13: 978-1402789588

Praise for BETRAYAL

“Gregg Olsen's Envy is a riveting page-turner that I could not put down. Like Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, Envy explores a serious topic--cyberbullying--in a fantastic, well-crafted story. Can't wait for the next Empty Coffin novel!”―Nancy Holder, New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked saga, Dear Bully contributor

“Gregg Olsen's Envy offers an interesting view on the devastating effects bullying can have, not only on the individuals involved from both sides, but on the community at large.”―Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine trilogy

"Sure to spice up your reading repertoire!" ―GirlsLife.com

"Olsen's characters jump to life and his plots are so intricate you never see the killer coming….a definite hit!" ―RT Book Reviews

“Dark and addictive…” ―Jordan Dane, critically acclaimed author of In the Arms of Stone Angels

“Olsen writes with authority, drawing inspiration from actual headlines and crime…” ―Publishers Weekly

Why is storytelling so important for all of us?

Storytelling brings people together, provides an exchange of information and emotion that unites rather than divides. Think about it for a moment. Because we’ve read the same stories (even though we’re all over the world) we share some of the same memories.

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about you?

That I’m not half as serious as my books.

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?

That everyone has a story worth telling, even if they don’t think they do.

For those who are unfamiliar with Taylor, how would you introduce her?

Brilliant, not conceited. Loving, but not clingy. And always ready to try to do the right thing, at the right time.

Do you have a favorite quote that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire you?

No, but I have one that my mom used to say: Whatever you do, do the best you can.

If you could introduce Hayley & Taylor to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

Katniss Everdeen! Who wouldn’t want to meet her?

Where is the best place in the world you’ve been?

The place is always home.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

How many hours of TV do you watch?

Most horrifying dream you have ever had?

Not horrifying, but last night’s was kind of funny. I dreamt that Katy Perry was sitting on a swing reading Betrayal! Wonder how that popped into my head?

What’s your most missed memory?

I miss the times when my girls were really, really small. I was talking with Marta today about how I used to meet her and her sister Morgan at school at the end of the day – I brought spoons of frosting with sprinkles on them. Weird when I think of it now, but a good memory.

Who was the last person you hugged?

My daughter, Marta. She lives in Portland and came up for the launch for Betrayal.

What's the worst summer job you've ever had?

Best and worst was gutting salmon on a boat off Kodiak, Alaska. So cold!

When was the last time you cried?

A real hard cry? When my mother died two years ago. But the truth is, I tear up now and then. When one of my girls is going through a hard time, I can’t help but feel her sadness. Being a dad is like that.

In this action-packed thriller sequel to Envy, foreign exchange student Olivia Grant is stabbed to death after a party--and the prime suspect is her best friend. As twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan get pulled into the aftermath of this Amanda Knox-like crime, they realize nothing is what it seems. Could it be betrayal of the ultimate kind?
Betrayal features real-life crime-solving techniques, heart-stopping suspense, plenty of red herrings, hard-hitting ethical questions, and information about the Amanda Knox case that inspired the novel. As the crime unravels, so does the twins' past…and they must face off against a family member who may unexpectedly have carried out the worst betrayal of all.

Gregg Olson’s second book in the Empty Coffin series, Betrayal, follows twins, Hayley and Taylor, into another murder mystery. When Brianna finds a foreign exchange student, Olivia, horrifically murdered in her bed during a Halloween party, she and her boyfriend become prime suspects. The twins, however, sense something is not right and use their special abilities to try to solve the murder. Soon, the twins find themselves in a mystery debacle while also unearthing more secrets of their family, specifically their mother.

Having more experience with their abilities, the twins are able to use this important asset to solve it. If solving a mystery for their fellow classmates is not enough, they have their own with their absent mother. Finding more information about her actually opened more questions.

The murder mystery is gripping and truly interesting. The fact that the mysteries in the Empty Coffin series are based off real cases, it heightens the suspense and realness to it. Even with the twins’ paranormal-like facets, it still felt realistic. Gregg’s ability to intertwine the murder mystery, the twin’s abilities, and the secrets of their family all came smoothly and played well along with the plot. The murder within Betrayal opens with questions and closes with full answers. However, the story of Haley and Taylor continues as readers get more insight into their secretive family. In the first book, Envy, readers experienced the talented writing etiquette of Gregg. Betrayal continues to shine upon his brilliant crime writing skills and the third book, Guilty, is certain to maintain the attributes of its predecessors.

You can purchase Betrayal at the following Retailers: