Interview: Ken Harris | Crime Fiction Lover

After serving 32 years in the FBI, Ken Harris retired, sat back for a moment or two, and realised he had stories to tell. He wanted to use his experience as an intelligence analyst, but wasn’t interested in all-action hero stories like James Bond. He wanted something more grounded, not the big picture federal work that occupied him for three decades. And it’s clear, if you’ve read any of the books in his Steve Rockfish series – The Pine Barrens Stratagem, See You Next Tuesday and A Bad Bout of the Yips – that he wanted to have fun while casting an eye across some of the big issues we face in modern society.

The fourth book in the Steve Rockfish series, The Ballad of the Great Value Boys, is about to launch. So, we asked Ken to tell us more about his burgeoning new career in crime fiction and the private detective’s latest dilemma…

What will crime fiction lovers love about The Ballad of the Great Value Boys?
Readers will love the fast-paced, ripped from the headlines plot with a healthy dose of realistic danger, and a solid coating of humor. Who doesn’t love a sarcastic private eye? Those who have followed along with series will be glad to see the gang is back busting balls and kicking militia ass. My stories are fast-paced and not heavy lifting. Perfect for relaxation.

Who is Steve Rockfish and what inspired his creation?
Rockfish is a combination of all the 1970s investigative shows I grew up watching with my dad, to include The Rockford Files, Quincy, Barnaby Jones and Columbo. I added the humour angle from the Bruce Willis PI show Moonlighting. A part of Rockfish’s personality, his dry sense of humour and constant sarcasm, is a personality trait I proudly carry.  

What is he investigating in the Ballad of the Great Value Boys, and who are your antagonists?
Rockfish and McGee try to assist a friend whose plan to grift a violent militia goes awry. Once on scene, the partners uncover a devious plot by a terror cell to ignite the next insurrection. The bad guys, known as The Penn Forest Patriots, are given the nickname The Great Value Boys by Rockfish as they relate more to him as a Walmart version of the Proud Boys – a North American far-right, neo-fascist militant organisation that promotes and engages in political violence. Great Value is the Walmart tagline, hence The Great Value Boys. 

Readers love his partner Jawnie McGee. Tell us about her and what she brings to the series?
Jawnie McGee is the complete opposite of Steve Rockfish. She’s a gay African Amercian, technically savvy, and tends to think and methodically plan as opposed to Rockfish’s shoot first and answer questions later mentality. Readers of the series have seen her character grow and become a true partner to Rockfish as opposed to playing second fiddle.

What are the themes or issues you wanted to explore in the story, and why are the important to you?
I’ve always wanted any theme or issue I’ve addressed in the four-book series to be relatable to the reader. Something they could read in the newspaper. In this book, I wanted to address the increasing division within American that has moved past political parties and now pits neighbour against neighbour. In this country, supporting your ‘team’ whether it be Liberal or Conservative is quickly becoming the number one personality trait. Long time friendships and families are being torn apart by those picking sides. 

In the past, your books have covered issues like child trafficking, crypto fraud and homophobia, and here domestic terrorism. How do you ensure a good balance between a captivating story and commentary on such big issues that are vexing America today, and how have readers responded?
If I said I fall ass over elbows in accomplishing both, would you believe me? Responses from readers have run the gamut. With the first in the series, The Pine Barrens Stratagem, I had a prospective publisher tell me that no one would want to read about the pandemic. Like I said, I hate to have people suspend belief and felt you couldn’t write a story based in 2020 without addressing COVID. One strange point is a few readers complained about my use of alcohol and hard language. Go figure. It’s not like they picked up a romance novel to read. 

The tone of your work is sardonic and cynical, but also playful and funny. Where does this come from and how do you channel it when the plot gets serious?
I am a very non-serious person. I joke a lot, am very sarcastic and have a dry sense of humour. Crime fiction is serious business, but so is life. Life has a ton of laugh-out-loud moments occurring almost daily. Why shouldn’t a good thriller? I also think use of humour as a diversion is a well-placed tool. I tend to pull out that brush when the reader might be getting a little squeamish due to the subject matter. It might be enough to stop them from putting the book down. 

Which crime fiction authors and books have inspired you and your work, and what are you reading at the moment?
Anytime I’m asked about inspiration, I bring up Peter Straub. He’s mostly known as a horror writer, but his Blue Rose Trilogy fits the crime fiction bill. The second novel in the series, Mystery, is one of my all-time favorites. Currently I’m on a non-fiction kick and am reading Life’s Work, A Memoir, by David Milch. The writing and dialogue on his television show, Deadwood, was top notch. 

What’s next for Mr Rockfish and Mr Harris?
Mr Harris is enjoying retired life, coming up on five years this month. He’s also 40,000 words into the fifth Rockfish novel, entitled The Weight of Regret. The story is the most serious and dark tale in the series and he hopes to have it in readers hands sometime in late 2026. Additionally, he’s completed a whodunnit short story, The Butterfly Stroke Effect, for the Mysteries to Die For Podcast. The episode will air this summer and be available in an anthology come September. 

You can grab a copy of The Ballad of the Great Value Boys using the buttons below, or listen to the Rockfish short stories Ken has written for the podcast Mysteries to Die For.