Bookpleasures.com once again welcomes as our guest Michael J. Merry. Michael has published nine novels. Michael is here today to talk about his most recent novel, Magician in Black. 

Norm: Good day Michael and thanks once again for participating in our interview. 

 
What would you say is the best reason to recommend someone to read Magician in Black?


Michael: At a time when neo-nazi groups are pushing their ideas out to the public again, this may serve as a reminder of Germany’s dark days when almost the whole population succumbed to a strange madness. Hopefully the book will stir memories of these terrible happenings and act as a restraint.    



Norm: What served as the primary inspiration for the book? 

Michael: I was reading for the third or fourth time about the investigation of the murders in the wake of the ‘Great Escape’ which Wing Commander Wilfred Bowes and Squadron Leader Francis MacKenna conducted and how the brutality of the Gestapo was exposed. Fifty, of seventy-six escapers put to death. Where does that kind of brutality come from? Answering my own question, it some from the knowledge that whatever you do, it will go unpunished, and in many cases, rewarded. Unfortunately this type of thing still thrives today in our world.   

 
Norm: What are some of the references that you used while researching this book? As a follow up, what was the time-line between the time you decided to write your book and publication? What were the major events along the way?    

Michael: There are many references available as the the formation of the SS and SD in the ‘30’s. I read as many as I could and I decided that the mid 30’s was such a turbulent time for Germany that a simple story of one of the actual characters involved, would allow me, through him, to explain much of the infighting and corruption in the Government at that time.     

 
Norm: What was the most difficult part of writing Magician in Black? As a follow up, what did you enjoy most about writing this book? 

Michael: Difficult parts were tracing sights in Berlin 80 years ago. It was interesting researching the hotels and restaurants that existed then and still survive today. I enjoyed visiting these old places and imagining how they looked during the 1930’s.  

 
Norm: Did the characters of the story come first or the story?   
 
Michael: The story first. The absolute power to terrify people and the absolute lack of assumption of innocence. Then I needed someone to show how this was done. Dieter Goff became my tool and proved that information could be obtained without reverting to physical torture. Moral responsibility is another thing.   
 
Norm: How did you go about creating the character of Dieter Goff?  Is he based on any historical person? 
 
Michael: Dieter is a figure if my own imagination. I tried to make him human enough to realize that the Nazi’s were heading for disaster with their policies. However, his unique talent with interrogations is something I find fascinating.  
 
Norm: Did you know the ending of your novel at the beginning? 
 
Michael: No. I was not sure how Dieter Goff and Ilse Sint would eventually come to their senses but Max Wisen, the Jewish tailor, gave me the answer.  
 
Norm: Where did the title of the book come from? 
 
Michael: Goff was nick-named ‘Magician in Black’ for his unrivalled way of extracting information and his black uniform.  
 
Norm: What has your other work taught you that you have been able to apply to Magician in Black? 
 
Michael: EDITING! PROOF READING. You need to have someone proof read your work. I was fortunate to find a gentleman who had attended my old school and he kindly tidied up the German references in the book.  
 
Norm:  If Magician in Black were to be made into a movie, who would you like to play the part of Dieter Goff? 
 
Michael: If I were forty years younger, myself! Yes indeed! However, there comes a time in one’s life when one realizes that age has won the battle and survival takes over. Once you accept that fact, it’s easier to have a care-free existence.  
 
Norm: What do your plans for future projects include?    

Michael: Another book later this year. Perhaps something more historic. Elizabeth I perhaps and her relationship with Sir Francis Walsingham, the spy-master.   

Norm: What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? 

 
Michael: No one ever asks ‘how did you dream that up?’ - Well, little in this world has not been written about. It’s just that some things are better known than others. Also, I lived in Latin America for many years and heard many strange tales about power and corruption.     
 
Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Magician in Black? 

Michael: My AMAZON AUTHOR'S PAGE

Here all of my eight books can be seen and my bio.  

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with Magician in Black and all of your other novels?

FOLLOW HERE TO READ NORM'S REVIEW OF MAGICIAN IN BLACK