Go inside the mystery-writing mind of Joe Congel on an archived edition of Meet The Author Broadcast and Podcast, hosted by Rob and Joan Carter of Indie Book Source.

Joe Congel grew up in Syracuse, New York, and currently lives in beautiful Charlotte, NC. He got his first break in the world of publishing when he illustrated the humorous book, Housetraining Your VCR, A Help Manual for Humans, published by Grapevine Publications back in the early ’90s.

A few years after Housetraining set the world on fire, Joe decided that he was better suited as a writer rather than as an artist, so he began by crafting short stories that allowed the reader to use their own imagination to add the visuals to the narrative.

He figured that if a picture was worth a thousand words, he’d rather write the thousand words.

Since he’s enjoyed reading murder mysteries and PI detective stories all his life, he felt he had a pretty good grasp on how to create an engaging character in the world of private detecting.

The Razzman Files – Tony Razzolito PI series is the result of that creative effort. The series is set in Syracuse, New York and Charlotte, North Carolina, with future books in the series focused more in and around the Charlotte area.

Joe is uniquely qualified to write about both areas of the country since he lived in Syracuse for 36 years and has lived in Charlotte for the last 23 plus years.

As much as Joe loves figuring out how to create and solve crimes of murder in his PI Detective series, he is equally passionate about writing short stories.

The shift in style between plotting out a full novel versus the tighter plot points needed to develop a good short story helps keep Joe thinking outside the box.

When Joe is not writing he can be found spoiling his grandkids.

Dead Is Forever

Tony Razzolito, AKA the Razzman, is tired of dead-end sales jobs and refuses to get another, despite a huge blowout with his wife. Instead, he decides to pursue his dream of becoming a PI.

He just has to figure out how to get started. Just hours later, Tony receives a phone call from his friend, Detective Joe Humphrey – his wife has been murdered.

The devastating news sends Tony’s emotions on a roller coaster ride he didn’t expect. Yes, their marriage had issues, what marriage doesn’t?

But now… now he would never have the opportunity to work things out, to make amends, or to say he’s sorry.

Shocked, pissed off, and emotionally overwhelmed, he is determined to find the killer and insists on helping Joe with the investigation.

When clues to another woman’s death tie the two crimes together, Tony may discover that some secrets about his wife are better left hidden.

Dirty Air

Crossing the finish line from the dark side of the track can make it hard to find the winner’s circle.

The adrenaline rush is real.

So is the danger.

Stock car or modified. Track or street. One can make you famous… the other can make you dead.

Tony “Razzman” Razzolito is in way over his head as he works to solve the most challenging case of his career.

An up-and-coming NASCAR driver is found shot to death in an alley in uptown Charlotte. When the widow of the victim asks Tony and his partner at McHenry Investigative Services to find out why her husband was killed, the Razzman gets a quick education in a sport he knows nothing about.

His investigation soon leads him to the world of illegal street racing where he tangles with a crew led by a maniac that doesn’t like to lose.

Mix in a healthy dose of tension between Tony and a certain Homicide Detective assigned to the case and tempers as well as egos are bound to get in the way.

Please click HERE to find out more about Joe Congel and his books on Indie Book Source.