Publisher: Synergy Books
On the eve of announcing his run for Congress, a charismatic Chicago politician causes a deadly accident. Panicked, he frames his best friend, a good-hearted alcoholic, and flees the scene. As one man tries to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, the other embarks on a meteoric rise to political stardom. But when a dogged detective digs deeper into the case, the political superstar must decide just how far he is willing to go to keep his dark secret and avoid an explosive scandal that could ruin him and rock the entire nation. In this suspenseful thriller, author Joseph Hayes asks, is "the greater good" just a lie we tell ourselves to justify the sins we commit when no one is watching?
My Thoughts: When No One is Watching is a well written and intriguing book. It explores the issues surrounding morality and friendship. I did enjoy the book, however, I had a hard time liking Blair. I was angry at him for what he gets away with for so long. While the incident did help "save" Danny's life, I'm not sure he would have been grateful once he learned the truth. The ending left me wanting more because I felt it was a bit unfair and I felt let down. It wasn't the HEA that I was hoping for. Despite that, I do recommend this one. I think that is will affect everyone a bit differently. It is a novel that really makes you think.
Mr. Hayes was kind enough to answer some questions for us. Enjoy!
Kari: What inspired you to
become a writer?
Joseph: I've wanted to become a writer almost as long as I can remember. I was a voracious reader when I was young and really took great pleasure in a well written and engaging story, so I think it was a fairly easy leap to make from reader to writer. I remember being in college and thinking that it would be great fun to write fiction for a living. However, there were two problems with that plan: (1) I didn't know whether I could make a living at it, and (2) at 19 years old, I didn't have any compelling stories to tell. As a result, the idea of becoming a writer was put on the back burner, although it remained on my bucket list. By the time I got into my mid-forties, I had a wealth of experience to draw from based on my personal and professional experiences. In addition, I felt that clock ticking, so a few years ago I just decided that there was no time like to present to turn this dream into a reality. Therefore, I sat down and wrote every day until I completed my first novel. Almost immediately after finishing that one, I began my second novel.
Joseph: I've wanted to become a writer almost as long as I can remember. I was a voracious reader when I was young and really took great pleasure in a well written and engaging story, so I think it was a fairly easy leap to make from reader to writer. I remember being in college and thinking that it would be great fun to write fiction for a living. However, there were two problems with that plan: (1) I didn't know whether I could make a living at it, and (2) at 19 years old, I didn't have any compelling stories to tell. As a result, the idea of becoming a writer was put on the back burner, although it remained on my bucket list. By the time I got into my mid-forties, I had a wealth of experience to draw from based on my personal and professional experiences. In addition, I felt that clock ticking, so a few years ago I just decided that there was no time like to present to turn this dream into a reality. Therefore, I sat down and wrote every day until I completed my first novel. Almost immediately after finishing that one, I began my second novel.
Kari: Where did you come up
with the idea for your book?
Joseph: The story was inspired by my father's life. He was an alcoholic who drank for the first 30 years of his adult life and then spent his remaining 30 years devoting his life to helping fellow alcoholics find lasting sobriety through the AA program. He was a real world hero who touched many lives and really made a difference, in a very quiet humble way. I dedicated this book to the multitude of quiet heroes just like him who who selflessly devote their lives to this cause. Because most of them do it in a very unassuming manner, I tried to make the story more interesting and suspenseful by weaving it into a political thriller. In addition, since my professional responsibilities include the role of chief ethics officer for a large company, the subject of ethics is near and dear to my heart. Therefore, I also wanted to create something of a morality tale dealing with ethics, personal responsibility and making a difference.
Joseph: The story was inspired by my father's life. He was an alcoholic who drank for the first 30 years of his adult life and then spent his remaining 30 years devoting his life to helping fellow alcoholics find lasting sobriety through the AA program. He was a real world hero who touched many lives and really made a difference, in a very quiet humble way. I dedicated this book to the multitude of quiet heroes just like him who who selflessly devote their lives to this cause. Because most of them do it in a very unassuming manner, I tried to make the story more interesting and suspenseful by weaving it into a political thriller. In addition, since my professional responsibilities include the role of chief ethics officer for a large company, the subject of ethics is near and dear to my heart. Therefore, I also wanted to create something of a morality tale dealing with ethics, personal responsibility and making a difference.
Kari: What exciting
projects are waiting in the wings?
Joseph: I hope to publish my next novel in the very near future, perhaps by year-end. It is a legal thriller entitled Consequential Damages. Among other things, it explores some of the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of our legal system, including trial by jury, and the far-reaching consequences that can result from an erroneous verdict.
Joseph: I hope to publish my next novel in the very near future, perhaps by year-end. It is a legal thriller entitled Consequential Damages. Among other things, it explores some of the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of our legal system, including trial by jury, and the far-reaching consequences that can result from an erroneous verdict.
Kari: Who is your favorite
literary character and why?
Joseph: That's easy: Atticus Finch, because he personifies both integrity and courage. I really like the quiet, humble type of hero. That is one of the reasons I have great fondness for Danny Moran, the protagonist in When No One is Watching. He is very much cut from the same cloth.
Joseph: That's easy: Atticus Finch, because he personifies both integrity and courage. I really like the quiet, humble type of hero. That is one of the reasons I have great fondness for Danny Moran, the protagonist in When No One is Watching. He is very much cut from the same cloth.
Kari: Just for fun, if you could be any
animal, what would it be and why?
Joseph: Hmmm ... that's a tougher question. I
guess I would say a dolphin. I love the ocean. I really enjoy snorkeling
because it provides a window to the magnificent world undersea. I also love
surfing, a sport that I took up at the age of 30 after moving to San Diego.
Seems to me that being a dolphin would provide the opportunity to constantly
enjoy both of those pastimes. I'm not big on seafood, though, so that could be
a problem!
Joe Hayes is a native of Chicago. He grew up in a family of eight children in the Beverly neighborhood on Chicago’s Far South Side, where the Irish-Catholic heritage and influence was strong and visible. Joe attended St. Barnabas Elementary School, Brother Rice High School and De Paul University before leaving Chicago to attend law school in California, at UC Berkeley. Since graduating from Berkeley, he has practiced law in Chicago, San Diego and Houston. Joe currently serves as chief ethics officer and assistant general counsel for a large, publicly held company based in Houston, Texas, and is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in his field. In his professional capacity, he has written extensively about legal and ethical issues and frequently speaks about such issues before employee and industry groups. When No One is Watching is his first work of fiction. His second novel, a legal thriller entitled Consequential Damages, is expected to be published next year.
Joe currently resides in The Woodlands, Texas, with his wife, Susan, and their three children, Amy, Sean and Erin.
Thank you for a great review. I really enjoyed your interview and interesting questions.
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