Fred Svoboda answers “im about 60 percent done with this book,...”

Colin asked this question about One Good Deed (Archer, #1):

im about 60 percent done with this book, and my question is - its safe to assume Archer is African American and the book takes place probably somewhere in the south? Alabama or some where? There is a PONCA CITY in Alabama. Not sure hoping someone may have some info on this? Thanks!

Fred Svoboda It's set someplace in the arid west, close enough to Las Vegas for one major character to spend time there and close enough to California for the main…moreIt's set someplace in the arid west, close enough to Las Vegas for one major character to spend time there and close enough to California for the main character to consider driving there. The mention of newly discovered oil fields might suggest Oklahoma, but Oklahoma is too far east. I would think. I am tending to think that it's a generic, fictional state that's a little like Wyoming or Montana. I think Baldacci is trying to keep it indeterminate. UPDATE: I just finished and it probably is Oklahoma, as one character drives to and from Texas in the last few pages.

BTW, the main character's interactions with others including several women suggest that he can't be African-American. These relationships would have caused a black character no end of trouble from others in 1949.(less)

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