39 Clues author Jude Watson interviews upcoming Clues author Jenny Goebel

Hi clue-hunters! We are thrilled that you’ve joined us for the next installment of our interviews featuring the new authors in The 39 Clues: Doublecross series arc. Yesterday, Jude Watson interviewed C. Alexander London, author of book 2 in this new series.

Today, Jude will be interviewing Book 3 author Jenny Goebel.

Jude and Jenny, you’re up!

Greetings, OOM Readers! The 39 Clues author Jude Watson here again, to announce that the secret is out. Get ready for The 39 Clues: Doublecross, a brand new four-book The 39 Clues series, hitting shelves in March 2015.

I’m kicking off the series by writing the first Doublecross book. We searched high and low for new great authors to bring in to the series, and we found them. Today, I’m introducing – and interrogating – Jenny Goebel, author of Grave Images, who will write Doublecross Book 3.

Step on up, Jenny.

Besides being an author, you’ve also had an unusual job that requires you to spend a lot of time around gravestones.  Can you explain what this job was and tell us why it isn’t creepy?

Wow, Jude, you start right in with the tough ones, don’t you? That’s okay. I’d expect no less from a fellow agent. I have spent a lot of time around gravestones. For nearly ten years, I laser-engraved headstone portraits for monument companies. It wasn’t creepy because my focus was always on the living and doing what I could to help bring peace during a difficult time. I also found designing the portraits to be a wonderful outlet for my creativity, and when you can bring someone a bit of solace through your art, it’s powerfully rewarding.

The Cahill network has informed me that you have three sons, and they are all in the Tomas branch.  Yet you are a Janus.  In addition to being unusual, this is also suspicious.  Should we trust you?

Ha! I can’t blame you for being suspicious. Suspicion keeps us on our toes. But think about it, Tomas and Janus traits are really quite complementary. Why else would Jonah Wizard and Hamilton Holt be such great friends? I find the same sort of harmonious existence living as a Janus surrounded by Tomas. For instance, my boys like to satisfy their endless thirst for adventure climbing fourteeners, peaks that exceed 14,000 feet in height, and I enjoy hiking right alongside them because of all the breathtaking scenery. Nature tests their endurance and, at the same time, works to fuel my imagination.  Lucky for us, our home state of Colorado has more fourteeners than any other state with 53 peaks. So we won’t be running out of fresh terrain anytime soon. As for whether or not I can be trusted, I’ll give you the same advice I’d give to anyone daring to delve into the backstabbing, double-crossing Cahill world: Trust no one.

Do you have a favorite Cahill character? 

Nellie Gomez. She’s fiercely protective of her kiddos. I can relate.

What is your favorite kind of book to read?  What is your favorite kind of book to write?  What is your favorite kind of book to give to a friend?  An enemy?

I love ALL the books, but I do have a particular penchant for reading and writing mysteries. Yep, I totally have a thing for clues. My favorite type of book to give to a friend is one with many dog-eared corners and highlighted lines, and my favorite type of book to give to an enemy is one with missing pages—preferably the ones containing the best parts.

At the beginning of DOUBLECROSS, Ian believes he is doing a great job as head of the Cahill family.  Do you think you’d make a great Cahill leader?

 I consider myself a reluctant leader, and I can certainly understand why Amy and Dan would choose to turn the reins over to Ian. I’d rather not shoulder all that responsibility either. However, when it comes right down to it, I won’t hesitate to step up if I’m needed.                      

Do you realize that in addition to being a 39 Clues author, you will be plunged into the peril and skullduggery of being a Cluehunter?  Do you think you’re prepared for that?

I’m not sure anyone can ever truly be prepared for the peril and skullduggery of being a Cluehunter.  But maybe I’m a little more Tomas than I let on, ‘cause for this one I’m going to have to go with what my boys and Hamilton Holt would say. Bring it.

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for Jude’s last interview with Sarwat Chadda!