Scene of the Crime with Author John Enright!

John Enright

Pago Pago Tango was a stand-out book for me in 2012, and I'm really looking forward to reading more of the adventures of Detective Sergeant Apelu Soifua on American Samoa. Author John Enright spent over 25 years as a resident and American Samoa Historic Preservation Officer. In doing a bit of research for this interview, I learned that Enright isn't into social media (I oftentimes admire those who aren't), but I did find him on Goodreads, so you can take a look at all the books he's written. (He's also a poet.)

Without further ado, let's get to the interview!





What was the very first book you remember reading and loving? What makes that book so special?

My earliest passions—the books I read in bed by flashlight beneath the covers when I was supposed to be asleep—were Sherlock Holmes and Horatio Hornblower adventures. Hey, I’m a guy.


Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?

When I was younger the answer was easy—hiking and bird watching. But these days arthritis seriously compromises my mobility. I do like to cook, and if I’m not at my desk I am probably in the kitchen.



If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)

I live now in Jamestown, Rhode Island, on Conanicut Island, the rude tongue that Narragansett Bay sticks out into Rhode Island Sound. If you visited during the day, I’d take you out to the lighthouse at Beavertail on the ocean end of the island, one of my favorite spots for doing nothing.

On Friday or Saturday nights we would go to the Narragansett Café in the village and catch some good blues.


You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?

Sean Connery

Sean Connery.


Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?

Philip Marlowe.












If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?

Yeats’ Collected Poems. I wrote my masters thesis on Yeats as a folklorist, and I keep going back to his poetry. I have visited his grave in Drumcliffe. He is iconic for me.


How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore? 

I splurged on a bottle of Blanton’s Bourbon.

I moved it so that everyone could see it.





Name one thing on your Bucket List.

Another trip to the west of Ireland.



You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for?

I’d probably head over to D. Kelley Fine Used Books in Newport to look for old books on New England maritime history, a new interest. It’s also on the way to my favorite local pub, The Fastnet.

ON SALE NOW!

Thank you so much for spending this time with us, John. It was a pleasure to be able to get to know you a little better.

May your book sales do nothing but increase!