Welcome to the Foggy World of Historical Intrigue
If you're a history buff or you enjoy historical thrillers, you've come to the right place. I'm JJ Harrigan, and I focus on stories that bring the past to life. I'm especially drawn to the intrigue behind crises of the past hundred years that did so much to shape our lives today. When stories of this sort show up, I read them, and when I'm not reading them, I write them.
I picked up this fascination with intrigue as a young soldier deployed during Cold War, a U.S. Foreign Service Officer stationed in Latin America, a professor of Political Science, and a popular speaker for the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decision Program.
So what I do today is bring the past to life by writing thrillers about people caught up in critical moments of our recent history. Feel free to take a peek at some of these stories below.
I picked up this fascination with intrigue as a young soldier deployed during Cold War, a U.S. Foreign Service Officer stationed in Latin America, a professor of Political Science, and a popular speaker for the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decision Program.
So what I do today is bring the past to life by writing thrillers about people caught up in critical moments of our recent history. Feel free to take a peek at some of these stories below.
PATRON SAINT of DESPERATE SITUATIONS (2007) is a thriller built around the plane crash that killed progressive U. S. Senator Paul Wellstone in 2002. Politically neutral Jake falls for an impassioned Brazilian immigrant single mom, Sonia, who is convinced that Wellstone was murdered. They investigate her suspicions and are quickly sent fleeing for their lives across the frosty landscape of Minnesota."
"an exciting debut novel," St. Paul Pioneer Press
"a stunning debut mystery . . that deals with sophisticated cultural issues and is anchored by a realistic crime story." Amazon reviewer.
"The detailed characterization of Sonia as a Brazilian woman making her life in Minnesota is spot on." Amazon Reviewer.
JEEPTOWN SOCK HOP (2012) takes a fresh look at the home front during the Korean War. A black and a white teen-ager in a gritty industrial town become infatuated with each other against the advice of every adult in their lives. They seek to overcome this opposition by starting a dance band and organizing a bi-racial Sock Hop that will bring people together. But bad things happen as the night of the Sock Hop nears and events come to a life changing climax.
"A captivating story of America's past."—Bonnie Jo Davis, Book Worm Reviews.
"A chilling and poignant story . . . told by an accomplished writer."—Terry Faust, Amazon Reviewer.
"Charlie is so likable and real that it makes this more than just a historical or a coming of age novel."— Deb, The Book Shop.
"a dance through a period of time that is memorable . . . and I don't even have to stress the emotional feelings he sends us. Good book!"—Billy Joe Hobbs, Amazon Reviewer.
"A captivating story of America's past."—Bonnie Jo Davis, Book Worm Reviews.
"A chilling and poignant story . . . told by an accomplished writer."—Terry Faust, Amazon Reviewer.
"Charlie is so likable and real that it makes this more than just a historical or a coming of age novel."— Deb, The Book Shop.
"a dance through a period of time that is memorable . . . and I don't even have to stress the emotional feelings he sends us. Good book!"—Billy Joe Hobbs, Amazon Reviewer.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE is a chapter excerpted from The Jeeptown Sock Hop. It was published as a short story in the journal Workers Write in 2019. You can download it for free by clicking here.
COMING SOON
The publisher Bronzewood Books has contracted for a series of three historical thrillers in which an American family comes face to face with a critical moment of the twentieth century.
The first, set during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, will debut in August 2022.
"The ending is explosive," Fran Lewis, Just Reviews blog.
The second focuses on Bobby Kennedy and the Vietnam War. It is slated for publication in Spring 2023.
"Classic historical fiction, a great story," Timya Owen, former president MN Chapter Sisters in Crime.
The third focuses on the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-1881 and is scheduled for release in Fall 2023.
"an excellent novel, masterful," Dale Vee, MN author.
To follow these stories as they move toward publication, signup for my newsletter.
The publisher Bronzewood Books has contracted for a series of three historical thrillers in which an American family comes face to face with a critical moment of the twentieth century.
The first, set during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, will debut in August 2022.
"The ending is explosive," Fran Lewis, Just Reviews blog.
The second focuses on Bobby Kennedy and the Vietnam War. It is slated for publication in Spring 2023.
"Classic historical fiction, a great story," Timya Owen, former president MN Chapter Sisters in Crime.
The third focuses on the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-1881 and is scheduled for release in Fall 2023.
"an excellent novel, masterful," Dale Vee, MN author.
To follow these stories as they move toward publication, signup for my newsletter.