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About the Genesis of Blackwell Ops
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About the Genesis of Blackwell Ops
It was one day back in June or July 2018. I don't remember what I was doing, but I was away from my writing desk.
I live in the US in the southeast Arizona desert, so I was probably setting up the sprinklers or repairing a fence or something. There are always more chores to do.
And a name popped into my head: TJ Blackwell.
I'm an old poet, so the sound of that name, the rhythm of it, grabbed me, and it never let go.
But beyond that, the name seemed special somehow. I wasn't quite sure why.
The name sounded stunted and dark, yet very human. Very "normal." TJ Blackwell sounded like a guy who might live just down the street in my neighborhood.
A month or so later, TJ Blackwell himself popped into my mind. I could see him and I could hear his voice.
TJ was a little guy, about 5'5" or 5'6" and he was old. He was also skinny, and his body was twisted from something that happened in his past. He was dressed in simple black trousers, black shoes, and a long-sleeved white shirt with a black tie.
He was sitting behind a massive mahogany desk in a large office and leaning forward in his chair. His elbows were on the desk, his hands clasped beneath his chin, the tips of his index fingers touching in front of his lips.
And he was gazing straight at me.
He moved his fingers away from his mouth, leaned back in his chair, and said, "Good, you're finally here." His voice sounded like a heavy chain being dragged over gravel.
He said, "Okay, here's the thing, Harvey. I own a world-wide, multi-national network of assassins. I call it Blackwell Ops. We offer real-time solutions to real-world problems—" He cackled. "If you get my drift."
He cleared his throat. "I have operatives on every continent. In exchange for more than adequate compensation, they do my bidding.
"Other companies and nations and even well-heeled everyday citizens contact me directly and pay substantially to have certain problems, uh, rectified.
"Then I contact one of my operatives and give him or her the assignment. It's all very secretive—" He paused, and his brow wrinkled slightly. "And it isn't fiction. You know this stuff goes on every day, right?"
He shifted in his chair. "So that's it. I'd like you to tell the stories of my operatives." He smiled slightly. "At least those who are willing to come forward." He paused. "But one already has. His assigned name is Jack Tilden, and he will be in touch with you soon. Any questions?"
I could only shake my head. Questions? Are you kidding me?
"Good. That is all. Be faithful to my operatives' stories." He flicked a hand. "You may go now."
Yeah, I left.
But the next morning, I sat down at my desk, put my fingers on the keyboard of my laptop, and listened as Jack Tilden told me his story.
Thus far, the Blackwell Ops series has told the stories of 18 separate operatives and numerous "contacts," the folks who provide what the operatives need when they need it, over a span of 28 novels and several short stories.
If you would like to see any of the short stories, email me at harveystanbrough@gmail.com and I’ll send it to you free.
I suspect there are many more novels and stories to come.
New Releases
I finished Blackwell Ops 28: Ariana Ramos only a couple of days ago. It will be available for sale in the next couple of weeks.
My fiction is available everywhere. But buying direct is the way to go.
For substantial discounts or to see all of my current novels across several genres, visit StoneThreadPublishing.com.
Thanks for being here! I'll talk with you again in a few weeks.
Harvey