Q&A: Elise Hart Kipness, Author of ‘Close Call’

We chat with author Elise Hart Kipness about Close Call, which is a hard-hitting thriller where reporter Kate Green courts danger once again when the famous subject of her next story is kidnapped during the US Open. PLUS we have an excerpt to share with you at the end of the interview!

Hi, Elise! When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

My love for writing fiction came later in life. But I think it was always there. Recently I found a journal I kept in my twenties and there was an entry where I wrote that I wished I had more time to do the things I love—like writing.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• The one that made you want to become an author: Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

Close Call is the third installment in your Kate Green series and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Hmmm, let me see…Rivalry, kidnapping, intrigue, tennis, secrets

What can readers expect?

CLOSE CALL is a little different than the first two Kate Green books because it’s a thriller about a  kidnapping that takes place in real time. The US Open seemed a perfect place to set the story; a high stakes, high profile event. In CLOSE CALL, my main character, Kate, is working on an expose featuring two of the top female stars in tennis; the young upstart and the brash veteran. One goes missing and the other starts getting ominous messages from the kidnapper. What connects these two women is just one of the secrets Kate must uncover to solve a crime and save a life. This was a really fun book to write and a super quick, fast-paced read.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further?

Yes! Kate’s biological father, Liam Murphy. I love writing about him. He’s one of those tough, grizzled NYPD detectives with lots of layers. I loved exploring his complicated relationship with Kate and then finally getting to the bottom of  why they were estranged for most of Kate’s life.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I had never written a book with a timeline as compact as CLOSE CALL. The story starts two days before the kidnapping and then proceeds with a race against time to save the abducted player. That was new for me. I had a bunch of false starts before I found my rhythm.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on a new series, and it’s been really fun creating a different world with a new main character.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I really enjoyed Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson and Look Closer by David Ellis. I can’t wait to read Sara Pekkanen’s The Locked Ward and Tessa Wegert’s In the Bones.

Will you be picking up Close Call? Tell us in the comments below!