Jim and the Brinker Novels
With the publication of his debut novel, LOVERS CROSSING, two-time Shamus Award nominee James C. Mitchell was hailed as a crafty plotter and creator of appealing, realistic characters. The narrator of the story, the Tucson private investigator Brinker, was described as "instantly likeable" and full of surprises.
In CHOKE POINT, Mitchell returned to the border area where his strong sense of place won praise from critics. The second Brinker novel also was nominated for a Shamus Award, this time for Best Novel.
Mitchell's first venture into fiction followed years of work in journalism and law. His short story writing has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. He is an award-winning writer on law topics. His commentary on media issues and topical events has appeared in newspapers nationwide, including The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
Jim spent much of his former life as a television news broadcaster in Louisville, Kentucky, Los Angeles, and New York City. He earned his law degree at the University of Louisville. He served as a prosecutor in Mohave County, Arizona. Combining his law and journalism backgrounds, he taught for years in the School of Journalism at The University of Arizona in Tucson. He now lives in Portugal.
The third Brinker novel is OUR LADY OF THE NORTH. To get a feel for Los Angeles and for flying helicopters, as one of the characters does, Jim hitched a ride with his friend Chuck Street. Commander Chuck, the well known TV and radio pilot, gave Jim an aerial tour of L.A. landmarks in his JetRanger. The picture at the top of this page was taken on that flight. Helicopter pilots love to hover near the Hollywood sign.
OUR LADY OF THE NORTH is available as an e-book and in trade paperback. It's also included in the Kindle compilation of all three Brinker novels.