Taylor Moore
Cold Trail
In the fourth pulse-pounding thriller in the series, DEA Special Agent Garrett Kohl must find out what’s truly tainted in the energy industry and uncover a deep-rooted plot in order to protect his new business, beloved ranch, and family. Perfect for fans of C. J. Box and Jack Carr.
Dossier Update 9/17/2024
Taylor Moore was one of the original eight authors who helped launch The Dossier on 7/28/2024, and I’m so glad he’s a part of this special group. He’s always exceeded my expectations in so many ways, from his books to his personal insights about novel and screenplay writing, Taylor is truly one of the kindest people I’ve met in this business. I’m so happy to have finally met him at Bouchercon 2024, and I wish I would have spent more time with him! If you ever get the chance to attend a signing or a conference, definitely introduce yourself!
Pure gold for writing
DOSSIER: With your new book, COLD TRAIL (out on 9/17/2024), you’ve got Garrett Kohl going up against some bad actors in the energy industry, and this pleases the folks at The Dossier very much. Not because Kohl is a badass who sets wrongs into rights, but because of the topic in general. What did you find out in your research for this book that made the energy sector a can’t miss topic?
MOORE: The energy sector is pure gold for thriller authors because it has a little bit of everything. To begin with, the oil and gas business is dangerous, simply because you’re dealing with highly flammable hydrocarbons. But it also touches on so many hot button topics that play out every day in the media and in politics. And with billions of dollars at stake, there’s an obvious financial component that leads to greed and corruption, as well as power and influence grabs on both sides of the political spectrum.
CIA or work experience
DOSSIER: How much did you rely on your personal experience in this subject matter to create a Garrett Kohl scenario, and which was more relevant, your first-hand knowledge of classified intelligence or the ins and outs of land management?
MOORE: I would say it’s evenly split. My experience working in oil and gas certainly helped me to paint a picture of how the players in the energy sector look and act. But my time in the intelligence community allowed me to connect the dots geopolitically. I think the melding of both worlds allows for a story that is authentic and true to life, but still has enough of the clandestine operations, covert influence, and backdoor deals that readers come to expect in good military and spy thriller novels.
Getting out of his head
DOSSIER: You’re doing some great things with a new medium that sounds very exciting. What can you share with us about that?
MOORE: I like the novel writing process because it’s just me and my characters and I get to do a deep dive into their worlds. It’s very personal. Screenwriting is a bit different because it’s usually collaborative, at least for me. Working with one or two others allows me to get out of my own head and enjoy the back and forth of planning and crafting, which can be a lot of fun. It’s also nice to have someone else to share the victories and defeats with. Book world can be a bit lonely at times.
Taylor Moore’s first Dossier release: 7/28/2023:
DOSSIER: Garrett Kohl, Walt Longmire, and Porter Beck walk into a bar. Whose drink has an umbrella in it?
MOORE: I think you might’ve forgotten a none of the above option. Maybe the real question is what would happen if someone dared to bring it up, or what if they had to team up to take on the whole bar. You know, we might be on to something fun here.
A harder book to write
DOSSIER: Out of FIRESTORM, DOWN RANGE, and RICHOCET, which one was the hardest to write?
MOORE: FIRESTORM was definitely the hardest. It’s the classic second book problem. I was writing this novel while waiting for DOWN RANGE to debut. At that point, you’re flying blind because you don’t have any reader feedback yet. And the looming deadline doesn’t help either. Nice to have that one behind me.
Poker and the CIA
DOSSIER: CIA and cowboys … who’s better at poker?
MOORE: My kneejerk response would be cowboys, simply because they get so much practice. Of course, no one can top the CIA when it comes to cunning. But put those two together and you’re really on to something. I guess that’s why Garrett Kohl is a little Doc Holiday, and a little Mitch Rapp.
Play it loud!
DOSSIER: When and where do you write, and what kind of environment do you prefer?(Music/silence/closet?)
MOORE: When I’m writing, I prefer to be out and about in a lively place like a coffee house. Crowd noise and loud music actually energizes me. I can somehow focus in and really get a lot done. When I’m editing though, I like to be in my office, usually with some quiet instrumental music playing.
Let’s subvert the system
DOSSIER: How was the CIA pre-publication review process and what was your plan to subvert it?
MOORE: To this point, I really can’t complain. The process has been easy, and they’ve always reviewed and approved the manuscripts in a timely manner. Never planned to bypass the PCRB. In fact, I can almost hear the black helicopters circling overhead at the thought of subversion.
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