Discover the Mystery of Cabal of the Westford Knight with David S. Brody

We´re speaking with Boston Globe bestselling author David S. Brody. David was named Boston´s Best Local Author by The Boston Phoenix. We´re going to talk to David about his latest release, Cabal of the Westford Knight.

Welcome David. It´s great to have you with us. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thanks for having me. I´m one of those lawyers who always wanted to write fiction. "Cabal" is my fourth novel, and it´s really sparked my interest in pre-Columbian exploration of North America. So now I drag my wife and two daughters around New England looking at medieval sites and artifacts.

You make your home in Massachusetts and all your books are based in New England. What is it about the area that intrigues you?

There´s such a rich history in New England, which makes it fertile ground for fiction. Plus I think in general that readers like to read about places they´ve lived in or visited—sometimes it seems like half the country went to college in Boston, or at least walked the Freedom Trail.

Historical fiction can be a challenge because you´re blending historical facts with fictional characters and events. What is it about your books that history lovers will enjoy?

I was very careful in writing "Cabal" to make it clear that the sites and artifacts in the book are real and authentic. That´s why I broke the mold a bit and included actual images of the sites and artifacts within the text. I wanted readers to understand that, although the story is fiction, the history behind it is both real and fascinating. When I read historical fiction, I like to be both entertained and educated. I think readers will enjoy learning about and exploring this "secret" history of North America.

Do you believe that history often finds a place in current events?

One of the characters in "Cabal" quotes a saying that I think is relevant to this question: "Legend is more historical than fact, because fact tells us about one man but legend tells us about a million men." So I think our "hidden" or "secret" history, which is often reflected in legend and oral history and art, is often very helpful in trying to understand current events.

Can you tell us a little about Cabal of the Westford Knight?

Numerous artifacts and sites around New England evidence a history of discovery and exploration of North America a century before Columbus. Specifically, the evidence points to a group of Northern Europeans island-hopping across the North Atlantic in the late 1300s. Who were they, and why did they come? Well, that's where the fun—and this novel—begins. The modern-day protagonists in the story race around New England, visiting stone towers and ancient inscriptions, as they uncover the secret history of the Knights Templar and the Jesus bloodline here in America. One reviewer summed it up nicely: The Da Vinci Code meets National Treasure.

What is the inspiration behind this story?

I didn´t set out to write a modern-day thriller based on medieval exploration of North America. But the history is so fascinating, and the evidence supporting it so compelling, that I was blown away. It really is a story that could change the way we think about the history of our country.

How challenging is it to present faith in fiction without having your characters preach to the reader?

My characters are actually questioning (rather than defending) many of the tenets of established religion, so I actually have the opposite problem: How to question faith without offending readers? That´s one of the reasons I included notes and attributions at the end of the story, to show readers I´m not just making stuff up when I point out things like how "paganism" still plays a prominent role in religious worship and custom.

What can you tell us about attorney Cameron Thorne? Does he get pulled into this bloody tug-of-war willingly or does he put up a fight?

Cam is at the stage in his life where he´s sort of looking for a fight. So when his cousin gets attacked, he´s ready to jump into the fray.

Does the storyline tie into any current events?

It ties into the fact that the research on the subject of pre-Columbian exploration is ongoing. Year-by-year more scholars and historians are recognizing that the existing assumptions—that no Europeans visited America in the 500-year gap between the Vikings and Columbus—don´t make a lot of sense. What, did European explorers forget how to sail for five centuries?

You included several photographs and maps in Cabal of the Westford Knight. Why was it important to include these?

When I read The Da Vinci Code, I was constantly putting the book down to go to my computer to find pictures of the things Dan Brown was talking about. I found it distracting, and I know later on his publisher released an illustrated version of the book. Well, I didn´t want my readers to have to put my story down to go check out the sites and artifacts I was describing. Plus, I think having images in the book reminds the readers that the history I´m describing is real, not fictional.

You also included a prologue and an epilogue with this book. It is often said that readers don´t read prologues and epilogues. Without asking you to give anything away, will readers miss something important if they don´t take the time to read these?

The prologue sort of sets the scene, going back 600 years. A reader could skip that and not miss much. But the epilogue really ties everything together nicely. And from what I´ve heard from readers, they are hungry for more when the book ends, so I´d be surprised if anyone skips the epilogue.

Where can readers purchase a copy of Cabal of the Westford Knight?

It´s in every Barnes & Noble on the east coast, plus most of the larger B&N stores nationwide. Many Borders stores also have it, as do many of the independents. And of course it´s available on Amazon.

What is the link to your online home?

www.davidbrodybooks.com

What is up next for you?

There are lots of sites and artifacts around the country that evidence pre-Columbian exploration of America. Cam and Amanda may be going on a road trip!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

As you can probably tell, I´m very passionate about this story. If readers would like to see the sites and artifacts that I talk about in the book, they can go to my blogspot: http://westfordknight.blogspot.com/ . Many so-called experts believe these are all modern-day hoaxes or forgeries. I strongly disagree, and invite readers to reach their own conclusions.

Thanks for joining us today, David. We wish you continued success in your writing career.

Thanks for having me.