Continuing the Journey of Joth Proctor: James V. Irving on Book Six, No Friend of Thine

In this interview, I’m thrilled to speak with James V. Irving, the former private investigator and practicing attorney behind the acclaimed Joth Proctor Fixer Mystery series. With the release of No Friend of Thine, the sixth installment, Irving once again blends legal suspense, historical intrigue, and sharp character insight to deliver a mystery that keeps readers on edge.

In our conversation, Irving shares the inspirations behind the novel’s rare-book mystery, the evolution of Joth Proctor, and the real-world experiences that inform his storytelling. He also reflects on the challenges and rewards of writing fiction and offers thoughtful advice for aspiring crime writers.

What follows is a deeper look into the mind of the author who continues to illuminate the fine line between justice, danger, and the secrets we carry.

---

No Friend of Thine centers on a potentially Shakespeare-signed sixteenth-century play. What first inspired you to weave historical literature—especially Shakespeare—into a modern crime mystery?

The immediate inspiration was The Maltese Falcon — the idea of the discovery a legendary artifact which would have enormous value if it is what it appears. As in Falcon, that apparent pot of gold can inspire fortune hunters from across the ethical spectrum.

The novel opens with antiquities dealer Micah Hornblower discovering a rare manuscript. What intrigued you about the world of rare books and antiquities as the catalyst for this story’s central mystery?

By virtue of their history and uncertain provenance, the discovery of lost antiquities creates a broad range of story possibilities and often generates interesting fortune hunters with complex motivations.

Joth Proctor continues to evolve as both a fixer and a lawyer. How has he changed for you from the first book to this sixth installment, and what new complexities did you explore in his character?

I think the most significant development is the evolving partnership between Joth and his landlord, private detective DP Tran. They have different backgrounds and complimentary skill sets, and their differing perspectives allow for more complex plot development as they cooperate to try to solve cases.

You introduce Hornblower’s niece, who inherits both the bookstore and the dangers tied to the manuscript. What role did you envision her playing in expanding or challenging the existing dynamic of the series?

I like the idea of a bookstore — and the vast store of information contained there — as a source of useful information applicable to some of the mysteries that might be presented to Joth in the future. I see Zeena as a useful resource for Joth in future stories.

Your career began as a private investigator and continues as a practicing attorney. How have these real-world experiences shaped the types of conflicts, characters, and legal dilemmas you bring into your fiction?

My time as a private detective and also as a trial lawyer exposed me to a wealth of interesting characters and odd fact patterns. None of these has been lifted directly from life to the pages of my books, but bits and pieces of people I’ve come across, and parts of actual cases I’ve worked on have proven to be the backbone of much of my work.

The novel hints at discoveries that could “alter history.” How do you balance historical speculation with the grounded realism of legal and procedural work?

One of my earlier books — Friend of the Devil — arose from the 1990 heist at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. Of course I can’t solve that mystery, even fictionally, because I can’t produce the objects that were taken. In this way, a writer is limited in what he can do. But working around that limitation is part of the enjoyable challenge of creating fiction.

Arlington, Virginia plays an important role in the series’ atmosphere. What makes this setting meaningful to you as a storyteller, and how does it influence the tone and texture of your mysteries?

Arlington is a rapidly developing suburb of a major city. Social patterns dating to the Civil War and earlier vie with a fast developing professional community to create a melting pot where almost anything is possible. This and other associated tensions create a complex landscape well suited to mysteries. 

Reviewers note that your writing exposes both “the courts of law” and “the dark byways of the human heart.” How consciously do you explore the moral gray areas your characters face, especially when justice and survival collide?

Joth adheres to a strong personal code, but that code contains certain moral ambiguities. Doing what is right is not always simple. Most of the characters in Joth’s world would describe themselves as ethical, but that is a self-defining term, and may be used to justify self-interested dealing. Perhaps this reflects the world we live in.

As an author with demanding professional experience, what has been the most surprising or rewarding aspect of your writing journey so far?

Writing fiction is a liberating and exciting experience. Lawyers — and private detectives — deal with the facts they are given. But a fiction writer creates his own world, within the bounds of credibility. You learn a good bit about yourself when you face creative choices.

And finally, for aspiring writers who admire your work, what advice would you give about crafting authentic, compelling crime fiction—especially for those without a legal or investigative background?

It helps to live it first. It’s difficult to create fiction without a solid grounding in the actual facts related to the topics you describe. Aside from that, I encourage aspiring writers to read broadly and with acute perception.

No Friend of Thine

Antiquities dealer Micah Hornblower acquires a rare copy of a sixteenth century play that may have been signed by the author—William Shakespeare. The evidence indicates that the signature is a phony, but a frightening demand for the book sends Hornblower to Joth Proctor for advice. Shortly after Hornblower persuades Joth to safeguard the book, the book dealer is found dead in suspicious circumstances and Hornblower’s home and business show signs of a hurried search. Unsure of exactly what they have or why it’s worth a man’s life, Joth and DP Tran retain the book in the face of both legal and extralegal efforts to obtain it. Meanwhile, Hornblower’s attractive and unmarried niece inherits her uncle’s bookstore and the deadly risk that comes with ownership of the book. When Joth and DP learn the true source of the book’s value, they realize both lives and the judgment of history are at stake.

About the Author

James V. Irving was born and raised in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary School of Law. His experience as a private investigator and criminal lawyer informs the authenticity of his fiction. He currently lives in Vienna, Virginia and Gloucester, Massachusetts.

No Friend of Thine is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information, visit

www.jamesvirving.com.