Interview with James B. Cohoon, Author of Bad Medicine

What can you tell us about your new release, Bad Medicine?

Bad Medicine is the sequel to last year’s Do No Harm, which won the 2020 American Fiction Award in the medical thriller category. Bad Medicine can be read as a stand-alone novel, but it continues the story of Matthew and Torrey, two young doctors who make it their mission to dole out vigilante justice to bad doctors practicing bad medicine. In this page turning suspense sequel, Matthew and Torrey learn of a friend’s young niece who has fallen victim to a doctor who is running a phony cancer treatment center. Putting their careers and their new marriage in jeopardy, they agree to help their friend’s family seek the ultimate revenge. 

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I always aspired to write a thriller novel, but 35 years of practicing law and a wonderful family got in the way. After retirement, writing the novel and having it published by a traditional publisher were high on my bucket list. 

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

I love all of Michael Crichton books and early John Grisham. And of course, Lee Child and James Patterson. 

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

I would have loved to ask Crichton how he thought of the premise for Jurassic Park. 

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing thrillers is figuring out how all the pieces will come together in the end. The overarching challenge in Bad Medicine was to balance the relative darkness and moral ambiguity of vigilante doctors with the goal of a light entertaining read. My favorite part about writing this book was when I figured out how to achieve, I hope, that goal. 

What is a typical day like for you?

My typical day is to hang out with family, walk, and write. Until the last 100 pages, I seem to spend more time thinking and outlining than writing–maybe 2-3 hours per day. In the last 100 pages, I know how everything is going to play out so I write as many hours as possible until I have a good draft. Then comes the editing. 

What scene from Bad Medicine was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write in Bad Medicine was the last one where all the loose ends are tied up. I like clarity when I read thrillers so I try to give that to my readers. 

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Everyone in my family knows that I do not let grass grow under my feet. I want to be productive every day doing something. If not writing, then playing with my grandchildren, mowing the lawn, or anything that will give me a feeling of accomplishment. 

James B. Cohoon is the author of the new book Bad Medicine

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