Larissa Reinhart Interviews Todd McIntosh (Portrait of a Dead Guy)



Interview of Todd McIntosh from PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (Henery Press, 2012)

Today we welcome Todd McIntosh, described by his friends as “tall, blonde, and more cut than a Calvin Klein model”; “the idiot savant of poker”; and “the Golden Retriever of ex-boyfriends.” Those quotes didn’t help me to understand Todd, particularly the last comment, so I thought I’d learn more about the mild-mannered, small town delivery driver through this interview.
Hello, Todd. I understand you’re a friend of the artist Cherry Tucker. Do you live in Halo, Georgia, as well?

I do live in Halo. Went to Halo High. Go Fightin’ Angels! And Cherry’s my wife, not just my friend.

Wife? I didn’t realize she was married. Did Cherry keep her maiden name for artistic reasons?

Well, I guess we’re not actually married anymore. Cherry annulled it when we were still in Vegas. Don’t remember that part, but she says I signed the paperwork. She was pretty ticked and I was pretty hungover.

I’m sorry to hear that. That must have been some wedding night!

I won the poker game if that’s what you mean. But landed in the hoosegow after the fight. I guess that’s what ticked her off. But she gets ticked off a lot. Threw her ring in the fountain at Caesar’s Palace. You may not know this, but they don’t like you wading in that fountain, even if you’re looking for a ring. Don’t try it.

Point taken. Let’s talk a little about your hobbies. I hear you’re a talented guy. You’re a drummer?

Yeah, I’ve got my own band. It’s called Sticks. You know, because I’m a drummer. Get it?

Some might call that clever, I suppose. And you play poker? That infamous trip to Las Vegas with Cherry was to play in an amateur poker tournament, right?

Yeah and I didn’t get to keep the pot even though I won.

Isn’t that the definition of amateur? You don’t play for money?

That’s just not right. And I don’t play poker anymore. Cherry doesn’t like it.

Sorry, I thought I heard differently.

Oh yeah? Is someone getting a game going? Wait, don’t say anything, but maybe after the interview you can, you know...

I thought you said you don’t play anymore.

That’s right.

Are you winking? Or blinking? Let’s just move on. I understand there’s been a murder in Halo and you were friend’s with the victim.

Who? Dustin Branson? We weren’t friends. That guy was a fry short of a Happy Meal. But he was friends with my roommate, Pete. Cherry calls him Creepy Pete, because he’s, you know--

Creepy? How was Dustin murdered? Do the police know who did it?

Now I’m not so sure about that. He was found in Curtis Mather’s garage. Was popped on the head while changing the oil on his Malibu. Have you seen that Malibu? Beauty. Buttercream. Swivel bucket seats. Landau top...

That’s interesting, but I really want to know more about this murder.

I’m sure Sheriff Thompson’s looking into it. And I heard the Bransons are fixing to get a final painting made of Dustin. Isn’t that disgusting? Don’t tell Cherry about that. She’s desperate enough for money these days. I wouldn’t put it past her to paint a dead dude. She’s a little crazy like that.

Thanks for your time, Todd. It’s been...interesting. Good luck with your drumming. And non-poker playing.

Thank you. And talk to y’all later. This has been fun.

Contest:

I’d like to encourage readers to enter my giveaway contest. Up for grabs is an e-copy of PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY, book one of the Cherry Tucker Mystery Series. Leave a comment and you're automatically entered. Include your email addy so I can get in touch with you should your name be selected at random. The winner will be announced on my blog (http://theexpatreturneth.blogspot.com/) on December 12, 2012. Good luck!

Blurb:

In Halo, Georgia, folks know Cherry Tucker as big in mouth, small in stature, and able to sketch a portrait faster than buckshot rips from a ten gauge -- but commissions are scarce. So when the well-heeled Branson family wants to memorialize their murdered son in a coffin portrait, Cherry scrambles to win their patronage from her small town rival.

As the clock ticks toward the deadline, Cherry faces more trouble than just a controversial subject. Her rival wants to ruin her reputation, her ex-flame wants to rekindle the fire, and someone’s setting her up to take the fall. Mix in her flaky family, an illegal gambling ring, and outwitting a killer on a spree, Cherry finds herself painted into a corner she’ll be lucky to survive.

Buy Links:
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Larissa Reinhart

 Bio:

Larissa considers herself lucky to have taught English in Japan, escaped a ferocious monkey in Thailand, studied archaeology in Egypt, and survived teaching high school history in the US. However, adopting her daughters from China has been her most rewarding experience. After moving around the Midwest, the South and Japan, she now lives in Georgia with her husband, daughters, and Biscuit, a Cairn Terrier. 

She loves small town characters with big attitudes, particularly sassy women with a penchant for trouble. PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (Henery Press, August 28, 2012) is a 2012 Daphne du Maurier finalist, a 2012 The Emily finalist, and a 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial winner. STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW, a Cherry Tucker Mystery #2, releases in May 2013. When she’s not writing about southern fried chicken, she writes about Asian fried chicken at her blog about life as an ex-expat at theexpatreturneth.blogspot.com. She and her writing friends also chat weekly about books on their Little Read Hens Facebook page and littlereadhens.com. You can find Larissa chatting on Facebook; Twitter; and Goodreads. You can also find more information on her website at larissareinhart.com


Thank you for stopping by, Larissa. I enjoyed learning about Todd.

Marilyn

Comments

Jake said…
Date Says December but I am going to take a chance and try to enter for a copy. Sounds like an interesting read.
cmgren said…
Great interview, Larissa. Thanks for having this contest.
Thanks for having me on, Marilyn! This was a lot of fun.

Thanks for stopping in Jake and cmgren! Hope you enjoyed a little peek at Todd, one of the three men in Cherry's life. He's not real bright, but real sweet.

I'll be checking in on and off today, everyone! I'm out of town at a family Christmas and driving back to Atlanta today. But I hope y'all enjoy Todd's interview!
M.M. Gornell said…
Todd is quite the character! I could just see and hear him through your questions and answers. Wonderful post, and a lot of fun reading. Started my day with a smile!

Madeline
Anonymous said…
No need to enter me in the contest, I've already read and loved Portrait of a Dead Guy, but had to say, Larissa, that this was a cute interview. Ah, faithful Todd. So glad you decided to toss the Golden Retriever of ex-boyfriends a bone.
I loved this interview, Larissa. Thanks for visiting today.

Marilyn
Earl Staggs said…
That was fun, Larissa, but I seriously question Cherry's taste in men.

HehHehHeh
Earl Staggs said…
That was fun, Larissa, but I seriously question Cherry's taste in men.

HehHehHeh
Terri L. Austin said…
I read Portrait of a Dead Guy and LOVED it! That interview with Todd was hilarious! Congrats on your success, Larissa. It's well-earned. You've written a very funny, quirky mystery and I can't wait to read more from you!
Jake said…
I am back with high hopes of a win this time. You are definitely on my TBR list. Have been enjoying your blog postings.
I read and loved every minute I spent with Cherry and her friends and family in Halo! I can't wait for the next book.
Jean Henry Mead said…
A fun interview, Larissa. Todd's a cool character in more ways than one.
Anonymous said…
That was a fun interview. I really enjoy the character interviews. Fun blog.
roya-clan@sbcglobal.net
Thanks so much everyone. I love Todd, maybe more than Cherry does, unfortunately for him. He's one of those side characters that end up insinuating themselves into a greater part of the story.

Jake, make sure you check my blog on Tuesday for the winners. That's when I'll announce them!
Marja said…
Terrific interview, and it gave me a feel for the character. Can't wait to read the book.
Marja McGraw
WS Gager said…
Todd is great marriage material, wink, wink, or was it a blink. Loved that part!
Wendy
Anonymous said…
This part made me laugh: "Threw her ring in the fountain at Caesar’s Palace. You may not know this, but they don’t like you wading in that fountain, even if you’re looking for a ring. Don’t try it."

Todd sounds like a fun guy, never a dull moment. Not sure about being married to him, though!
Julie said…
Todd sounds like a true character. GREAT interview, I loved it!

Julie Gallo
Editorial Intern
Henery Press
Thanks Anna & Julie! Glad you liked it! Todd is a fun guy. Not the quickest wit, but a fun guy.

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