Interview with Mystery Author Jon Foyt

Jon Foyt is 81 years old, an octogenarian prostate cancer survivor, a marathon runner (60 completed), hiker, and political columnist. He lives in a large active adult retirement community near San Francisco. Jon is the successful author of 11 fiction books.

Hello Jon. Wow! You have accomplished quite a bit in your life. To run 60 marathons is fantastic. Nothing holds you down. Now you're writing mysteries and entertaining those around you at your retirement community. That's awesome.

Time to Retire is filled with mystery, romance, and adventure, as Willy and Sally explore the lifestyles of aging retirees. Things are not quite what they seem at Sunset Gardens, an active adult retirement community in California. The directors of the Homeowner's Association has been handling money in questionable ways, there's secret meetings occurring at The Silent Front, a former speakeasy, and an influential resident recently committed suicide. Reporter Willy Herbst, approaching retirement, is curious about what’s going on in the neighboring community “over the hill.” He and his eager intern, Sally Saginaw, team up to investigate. Their discoveries are surprising.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

The inspiration for writing Time to Retire comes with living in an active adult retirement community with so many people with amazing backgrounds and interests.

Now that really is “inspiration.” What kind of research did you have to do for this novel?

I’ve lived in three active adult retirement communities, and am quite active in the present one in Northern California. So, I’ve met hundreds of retirees and learned their stories and felt their concerns. All of which is inspiring to write about.

I can see how you can create some good stories with this atmosphere. Who is one of your favorite characters in this story and what do you love about him or her?

Willy Herbst is the local investigative journalist who, himself, is nearing retirement. So, he wants to investigate a mysterious death and learn about life in a retirement community because that’s the sort of place he may live one day soon. Having once been a reporter, I think I can empathize with Willy and his intern Sally. Willy is very human, believable and vulnerable.

Okay, Jon, now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I grew up in Indianapolis and dreamed of racing cars at Inde, but, of course, I never did. It was a fantasy. Maybe most novels are a fantasy of sorts, one’s imagination venturing off on a lark.

That is a great dream. My brother used to race cars at a figure eight track and he also entered several Demolition Derbies. Haha. But that’s nothing compared to the Inde. Thanks, Jon, for this awesome interview. I hope my readers will check out your mysteries.