What's Happening with James Beck #3?
- John Clarkson
- Feb 14, 2017
- 3 min read
After readers finish one of my new James Beck books, many of them want to know if there is another book planned. Or, even better, they encourage me to keep writing more sequels.
So – for those of you who are curious about the next sequel – here’s what’s happening with Book #3.
Naturally, the work on Book #3 has been shaped by Books #1 and #2: AMONG THIEVES and BRONX REQUIEM. I want each book to be its own type of story, and add another dimension to James Beck and his tightknit crew.
Among Thieves
The first Beck book, AMONG THIEVES, introduced the characters, the broad themes, the milieu, the setting, etc. – all revealed through action as much as possible. I do not like a lot of exposition, particularly in thrillers. In terms of story type, AMONG THIEVES is a survival against overwhelming odds story.
As the title suggests, Book #1 exists in an insular milieu, among thieves. Beck’s guys are outsiders, ex-cons, living in their own world. The various enemies they face inhabit their own insular worlds: finance, war criminals, arms dealers, a secret government agency, and law enforcement. AMONG THIEVES does not take place in normal, civilized circles.
Bronx Requiem
With BRONX REQUIEM, I wanted to bring Beck and his men more out into society. I also wanted to fill-in a bit of Beck’s background. In terms of story type, at its core BRONX REQUIEM is a murder mystery. And, although I’m not sure everyone gets this, while AMONG THIEVES was ultra-masculine, BRONX REQUIEM is much more feminine. Women characters are more present. Not surprising since the novel evolved out of outrage against sexual exploitation of women and girls.
With BOOK #3 (I’ve got a title, but I’m not revealing it just yet) I’m going to continue broadening the scope of the series. Themes will include guilt, family, loyalty, how sins of the past affect actions in the present, as well as the overall theme of all good crime thrillers: justice.
Of the three novels in the series, BOOK #3 will have Beck acting more on his own, partly to protect his crew from repercussions that threaten them because of a decision Beck makes early in the story. In term of story type, BOOK #3 will be a serial killer story.
As for my progress, I’m three-quarters through with what I consider the penultimate draft before it goes to the editor. After this draft, I will have the story worked out completely.
There will be one more draft when I try to polish everything and get it ready to submit to the publisher. After that, (in case you’re interested) there will be at least two drafts based on the story edit, then a review of the copy-edited manuscript, and finally a review of the typeset manuscript. Lot more work to be done, but not much of the core creative will change.
I don’t know if that’s a satisfactory update on “what’s happening with Book #3”. I can tell you it’s much more than I ever discuss or reveal about a work in progress. I never say much at all to anybody about anything. For instance, the first time my wife knew I was writing a novel is when I told her I’d signed a contract with the publisher. The first thing she saw was the printed hardcopy. This isn’t because I’m secretive or superstitious. It’s because I believe talking about a book I’m working on is dangerous. I believe if you talk about a story, your subconscious thinks you’ve already written the story and it stops working on it.
Other than that, all I’ll say is that, yes, there will be a Book #4. I have a rough idea of what kicks off the story, nothing more. Check back in a year or so.
February 2017 James Clarkson Newsletter
This was a very interesting and informative read that I truly enjoyed. The practical examples and clear explanations made the content enjoyable from start to finish. As a student, I often look for educational articles like this to strengthen my understanding and improve my academic skills. During my search for reliable learning resources, I also found Assignment Help UK, which has become a familiar term among students seeking academic guidance. Posts like this inspire learners to remain motivated and continue improving their knowledge.
I frankly casually say, it’s always interesting to follow the creative process behind a book series and see how characters and themes continue to evolve with each new installment. The way James Beck’s story expands through different challenges, deeper themes, and new conflicts makes readers excited for what comes next. Whenever I get overwhelmed waiting for updates or deadlines in my own tasks, I say for joking, "Take My Online Class," but nothing compares to the satisfaction of following a story that is carefully crafted with patience and dedication.
As a huge fan of Among Thieves and Bronx Requiem, I absolutely love getting this behind-the-scenes look at your writing process, John! It’s fascinating to hear how you structure each book to have its own unique identity, and a serial killer storyline for Book #3 sounds incredible.
Honestly, reading about the sheer number of drafts and the intense discipline you put into your work makes me realize how much effort goes into true craftsmanship. It definitely puts my own workload into perspective. Between my job and my current course load, I’ve been so overwhelmed that I literally looked up how to pay someone to take my online class just so I could free up some time to actually sit down and read!
Really enjoyed this update! It's fascinating to see how each James Beck novel explores a different style while expanding the characters and themes. The insight into your writing process and why you avoid talking about works in progress was especially interesting. Looking forward to seeing how Book #3 unfolds and can't wait for Book #4 as well. By the way, I came across the phrase MathXL Answers recently, and it reminded me how much careful planning and problem-solving goes into crafting a great story like this. Best of luck with the upcoming release!
The update gives a fascinating look into the creative process behind building a thriller series, especially how each book explores a different theme while expanding the protagonist's journey. Best wishes for Book #3 and the future installments. For authors sharing their work with international readers, NAATI Translation services can also be a valuable way to make compelling stories accessible across different languages and cultures.