Narayan Radhakrishnan's Interview with
Ray Dix
Author of
Death Row Defender

Narayan:
As an attorney for the State of Florida, Ray Dix lived in the high-stakes world of providing the last line of defense for those sentenced to die. He came to the work after a stint in Army Intelligence & the Coast Guard Reserves. He recently published his debut legal thriller, joining the likes of lawyer-novelists Grisham & Turow.
     Mr. Dix, how did Death Row Defender come into being?

Ray:
I've always been a storyteller, one of those people who sit around & tell “war stories” of what we have done & seen. On one particular day, a couple of lawyer friends commented, half-joking, “You should write a book.” The suggestion struck a chord in me, & within the week, I'd started. The characters in the story seemed to have been lurking in my mind waiting for the opportune moment, & once I started, they played out the story for me -- often in the middle of the night when I really would rather have been sleeping.

Narayan:
The book plot reminded me a lot of Robert Traver's Anatomy Of A Murder. Were you highly influenced by that book, or am I reading too much into it?

Ray:
This is a little embarrassing to admit, but I've never read, & know nothing of Anatomy Of A Murder. For Death Row Defender I wanted to tell a story showing how the justice system works in Florida. Woody Thomas, the protagonist was based on two characters: 1) what I perceived John D. MacDonald's character, Travis McGee, would be like if he had gotten a law degree; & 2) Bogart's portrayal of Rick Blaine, the night club owner in Casablanca. I took the resulting character & gave him a post-conviction death row appeal, restricting him to real-life laws.

Narayan:
In the last decade a lot of lawyers have taken up fiction writing, what prompted you?

Ray:
Reality, especially within the legal system, is often too strange to be believable. As a storyteller, I wanted to tell a good story, & the truth as I see it. I believe fiction is often the best way to tell the truth.

Narayan:
Then again, how far is Death Row Defender different from other works in the legal thriller genre?

Ray:
I think all good writers try to plot a good story, & some do a better job than others. What sets us apart are the characters. Long after the story ends, they are what remain with us, & it's the characters that continue on in a series. I think Woody Thomas is unique: an alcoholic lawyer who takes on horrific cases against great odds is not special -- I've known a few. But an alcoholic lawyer who is in AA & sober, who prays, who is cynical but still an optimist... he's a little different than other characters you'll find in the genre. As for the rest of the cast, in many cases I started with a name & a trait or flaw, & the characters seemed to build themselves. Thus, for me, the real story is not the plot, but how the characters relate to each other & react to the events of the story.

Narayan:
Is there any similarity between Woody Thomas your protagonist & yourself other than the fact that you both are lawyers? Is Woody your alter-ego in any way?

Ray:
I gave Woody Thomas a lot of my background -- the good & the bad. Woody is the light or white side of my personality. Another character, Tiny, is the dark or black side of my personality. However, both are a lot more than just pieces of me. Like children of my mind, I birthed their characters & they grew into someone I hadn't anticipated. Actually, I'd like to be a little more like Woody.

Narayan:
Do you still actively practice law?

Ray:
I was a judicial staff attorney handling post-conviction death row cases for the past year. I'm on sabbatical for the next few months, deciding what I want to do next & where I want to do it. I would love to be a full-time author & work part-time in law.

Narayan:
What's next for Ray Dix? Can we expect other thrillers?

Ray:
I have two more Woody Thomas novels in first draft. In Tampa Bay Blues, Woody's best friend from AA is murdered & Woody must represent the murderer. Tampa Bay Blues delves into police interrogation practices & the relationships & practices of AA. The third Woody Thomas novel, tentatively named Panama Jump, continues the story line of Death Row Defender, & will be a suspense thriller involving vengeance & betrayal.

By the way, Death Row Defender was just reviewed by the Florida Bar Journal, the official publication of the Florida Bar. They seem to agree completely with Narayan's review & I suspect the Bar reviewer has not seen it. I wanted you both to know that you aren't the only one to see the book as a great read, & more important as sort of an educational read. I wanted to write a good book - a mystery legal thriller, & I also wanted those who read it to understand that the system is not working. The next time a reader spends time in a courtroom as a juror or observer, things will look different. Apparently, the book has done that. To me, the book is a miracle -- a gift.

Narayan:
Thanks Mr. Dix, for taking the time out of busy life & I'm Looking forward to further Woody Thomas adventures.

Do catch my review of Death Row Defender - I hope it makes you go out & buy yourself a copy!

Narayan Radhakrishnan
2006©Narayan Radhakrishnan
Published 04/09/06