Simon Gervais
Author Interview - Simon Gervais
Author of The Second Son
Soldier-turned-sommelier Chase Burke may have traded his rifle for bottles of wine, but violence and conspiracy aren’t through with him yet. First, his intelligence analyst brother is killed in a covert op gone wrong and branded a traitor. Then a brutal ambush at the Michelin-starred restaurant where Chase works leaves the woman he is romantically involved with—a congresswoman—clinging to life.
Scrambling to clear the family name and protect his secret love, Chase teams up with NYPD Detective Alice Doyle, a single mother fighting battles of her own. Together they uncover a powerful criminal syndicate whose unscrupulous influence sweeps the globe—and strikes painfully close to home.
As elite mercenaries close in, Chase is dragged back into the dangerous world he thought he’d escaped. Facing a mother losing her memory and a past that never forgets, he fights to win a zero-sum game where trust can be lethal. But when all seems lost, an unlikely ally could help turn the tide…
Author Interview - Simon Gervais
Author I draw inspiration from:
There are a lot of authors I admire, but one I always highlight is David McCloskey. In my opinion, David is the best spy novelist writing today. And I swear I'm not just saying this because he's a friend of mine. His prose his sharp and elegant, but completely unlike anything else in the genre.
I've also always loved Robert Ludlum. I've read all of his books several times over the years, and his work played a huge role in shaping my love for thrillers. That's why it was such a tremendous honour when his estate and Penguin Random House reached out to me to write a book set in the Jason Bourne universe. It felt like things had come a full circle.
And of course, I'm a big fan of Mark Greaney, Jack Carr, Brad Thor, and Don Bentley. Each of them bring something unique to our genre. But again, McCloskey's work is so refined and immersive that it pushes me to elevate my own craft. While I enjoyed all of his books, I'd say my favourite is MOSCOW X. This book is a reminder of what great espionage fiction can be.
Author Interview - Simon Gervais | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Honestly, just give me a comfortable chair, and maybe a glass of wine—preferably a Puligny-Montrachet or Gevrey-Chambertin—and I'm set. But if I had to pick one spot, I'd choose our ski cottage in Mont-Tremblant.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I'm probably supposed to name a super famous character here, but I'm gonna plead the fifth. Because if I answer honestly, there's a good chance readers will assume my choice says something about me... or that the character I pick is a little too attractive for a scenario that involves being trapped in a small space. So I'm dodging the question, but only because answering honestly would reveal a bit too much about the kind of scenes I sometime enjoy writing... ;-)
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
That's difficult to answer because for me, there wasn't a single lighting-bolt moment. I've always enjoyed reading, and I still do, so I guess it came to me naturally.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I enjoy all formats, but for different reasons. If I had to pick a favourite, I'd say audiobooks. My wife and I love listening to them together—especially rom-coms, even the ones that get a little spicy. It's become one of our favourite things to do on long drives. When I'm at the beach or on a plane, I prefer to read on my Kindle, simply because it's light and convenient. At the cottage, though, that's where I turn to hardcovers. There's something about the feel and weight of a hardback that feels just right. The downside is the price... Here in Canada, after taxes, hardcovers can get close to $50, and I completely understand why readers sometimes hesitate. I'm perfectly happy reading trade paperbacks. They're affordable, easy to hold, and still look great on a shelf.
The last book I read:
I'm listening to David McCloskey's THE PERSIAN. While it sure is a slow burn, I'm loving it!
Author Interview - Simon Gervais | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
My handwriting is terrible. I guess I spent too many years taking fast notes in the field as a police officer. I write all my books on a laptop, always in Microsoft Word. I know there are a lot of fancy writing apps out there, and they might work for some, but they're not for me. I find they create more work than they solve and end up distracting me from what matters most: writing the story.
That said, I do still use pen and paper at certain points. When I'm outlining a new book, I'll grab a notebook and sketch things out. There's something about physically writing ideas down that helps me see the big picture more clearly.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I think I'd be best friends with Sergeant Matthew Payne from W.E.B. Griffin's Badge of Honor series. Payne has always been one of my favourite characters. He's smart, dedicated, a bit rebellious, and he approaches police work with the right mix of courage and common sense. He's the kind of guy who takes the job seriously but doesn't take himself too seriously, which is exactly how a police officer should be. Given my background, I think Matt and I would have plenty to talk about.
Author Interview - Simon Gervais | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I'd probably still be working in the world I came from—protective operations or counterterrorism. I loved that work, and it shaped a big part of who I am today. There's a real sense of purpose in those roles that stays with you. But if we're talking dream careers, I'd say sommelier—my wife and I did our WSET I and II together—of food show host, something like Knife Edge on Apple+. I'm a big foodie, and the idea of traveling, meeting chefs, and trying incredible new dishes is super appealing to me.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I'm not tied to any particular decade in fashion. I think style is at its best when it makes someone feel confident and comfortable. As long as the clothes look good and the person feels good wearing them, I'm all for it. That said, I've never been a fan of underdressing. I think there's still room for a bit of decorum in how we present ourselves. You don't need to be formal all the time, but putting in a little effort doesn't hurt. It shows respect for yourself and for the people around you.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I'm very fortunate to have traveled to most parts of the world, so the places I still want to visit are the ones I haven't had the chance to see yet. At the top of my list are Antartica and Argentina. I've never been to either, and both fascinate me for completely different reasons. Antartica feels like the ultimate frontier, and Argentina has been on my radar for years—and not just for the wine! My son and I have even talked about doing Barc Europa someday. Wouldn't it be cool to cross the notorious Drake Passage aboard a historic, three-masted tall ship?
My signature drink:
I'll have a glass of Puligny-Montrachet please, preferably from the Domaine Leflaive, which my wife and I visited.
Favorite artist:
I'm a huge fan of music composer Hans Zimmer.
Number one on my bucket list:
Number one on my bucket list is an adventure with my son. My wife and daughter often travel together, but he and I prefer trips that are a bit more adrenaline-filled. So we've booked a one-week scuba diving liveaboard in The Bahamas next summer, and we'll be using the trip to complete our PADI Advanced Diver Certification. After that, the next goal is to take things even further...maybe another week-long liveaboard in the Philippines or the Red Sea?
Find more from the author:
X: @GervaisBooks
IG: @SimonGervaisBooks
Facebook: SimonGervaisAuthor
About Simon Gervais:
Simon Gervais
Simon Gervais is a former federal agent specializing in protective operations and counterterrorism. He spent nearly twenty years in the military and in law enforcement. His assignments took him all over Europe and the Middle East. He's the New York Times and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 15 exciting thrillers, one of these titles—Robert Ludlum's The Blackbriar Genesis—was written for the Robert Ludlum estate. Simon's Clayton White series is presently being adapted for TV by CBS Studios with Jerry Bruckheimer TV attached to produce, and his Pierce Hunt series is being adapted for TV by Sobini Films.
