LINE OF SIGHT
Paul G. Wright
GENRE: Mystery
BLURB:
It is 1995, and intelligence operative Lora Chandler, a.k.a. Agent Vogel, is tasked with investigating the claim that Professor Simon Blackmarr has cracked the invisibility problem. A mission that leads her back to the half-forgotten beach town of Lancaster, Florida. Home to estranged love interest, and newspaper reporter Richard Davis. Her feelings for him have never really died, and matters become even more complicated when Vogel learns that Blackmarr's breakthrough is legitimate. A scientific discovery that —in the wrong hands — could alter the balance of global power. The stakes become even higher when the professor is abducted from the university, forcing Vogel back into the shadowy realm of espionage to find out who and why. It will take all the skill and cunning Lora Chandler possesses to stop a threat that could have devastating consequences for her personal life — and the world at large.
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Excerpt:
The file lay in easy reach, on the conference table. The letters LMAR printed across the front. In another moment she would have it. She reached out.
“I think not.”
Mason. He was like a cat, with more lives.
“You think wrong,” said Vogel.
Mason’s hand slammed down on the folder, inches from hers. Their eyes met—his with that same arrogant smirk she’d seen a hundred times before, his dark hair perfectly in place. As always, he was impeccably dressed, his wine-red tie in a flawless knot. Vogel couldn’t deny it—under different circumstances, she might . . . But no, he was an international criminal and a murderer. And he kissed like a college freshman. The lines were drawn.
Mason looked at her through steely eyes. “Vogel,” he said coolly, “why do we always seem to have this same discussion?”
Vogel smirked. “Because, Mason, you’re terrible at losing.”
Mason nodded. “A character flaw, I’m afraid, that is permanent.”
She snatched the file away as Mason lunged for her. Instinctively, her hand went for her gun, and she pointed the sleek black barrel directly at his head. He froze, a smile playing across his face.
“Now let’s be practical,” Mason said. “There’s no way out.”
“You always say that.”
A door opened and men in dark fatigues entered, holding assault rifles. Mason’s henchmen. She should have known. They stood on either side of him, with their weapons trained on her like spiders. Vogel counted six in all.
Mason eyed her. “Really, Vogel. I mean, what are your options? Why don’t you just hand that over and we can all sit down?”
A bead of sweat ran down her back. Her shoes were tight, and she hadn’t showered since Wednesday. She felt gross. This was taking longer than expected. They were on the thirtieth floor, standing in front of a series of plate glass windows. Mason was right. There was no way out.
It was then she heard the roar of the helicopter.
Interview with Paul G. Wright
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
Absolutely. One book that changed the way I think about fiction is A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean. On the surface, it’s a story about fly fishing and family, but beneath that, it’s a beautifully woven reflection on life, love, and loss. What struck me most is how Maclean blends fact and fiction so seamlessly. It feels like he’s telling you a story over coffee, and by the time you realize how deep it’s cut, it’s too late. That book reinforced for me that great fiction isn’t just about plot; it’s about resonance. It’s about the truth you find in a story, even when it’s entirely made up.
Another eye-opening book for me was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. It was the first time I saw young, flawed, deeply human characters written with raw honesty. It shaped the way I think about character development—how the people in a story should feel real, with layers, contradictions, and emotions that stick with readers long after they’ve turned the last page.
How do you select the names of your characters?
Naming characters is part instinct, part strategy. Sometimes, a name just feels right—as if the character walks into my mind already introducing themselves. That happened with Shade in Line of Sight. I pulled her name from a mental list of names I liked, typed it into the manuscript, and suddenly, she was there—fully formed, with a presence that demanded attention.
Other times, I choose names based on meaning, sound, or even cultural significance. Agent Vogel’s real name, Lora Chandler, was carefully chosen. "Lora" felt strong but feminine, while "Chandler" carried a subtle noir detective vibe. But in the field, she’s Vogel—a codename that evokes precision, sharp instincts, and a certain detachment from her past.
For villains, I lean into names that evoke something deeper. Malachai, the antagonist in Line of Sight, has a biblical name that sounds dark and imposing. Fitting for a man who sees himself as the architect of a new world order.
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Absolutely. Easter eggs and hidden references are part of the fun of storytelling. In Line of Sight, there are nods to classic spy films, personal experiences, and even inside jokes that only close friends will recognize.
For example, some of the banter between Vogel and Richard Davis is directly inspired by conversations I’ve had with my friend who inspired Vogel’s character. If you know us, you’ll probably catch a line or two that feels suspiciously real.
There’s also a hidden reference to the song I listened to while writing the novel. I’ll leave that for readers to discover.
What was your hardest scene to write?
That’s a hard thing to pin down, but I will say that there is a moment when Vogel has to confront one of her fundamental fears, in order to save someone she cares about. That was difficult to tackle. I rewrote that scene multiple times, trying to balance Vogel’s reaction. She’s a professional, trained to keep her emotions in check, but she’s also human. It was a delicate dance between restraint and raw emotion.
I also found the scenes between Vogel and Richard challenging at times. Their history is messy—filled with unsaid things, unresolved feelings, and years of emotional armor. Every word between them had to carry weight, and that’s different than crafting a high-stakes fight sequence.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Initially, Line of Sight was meant to be a standalone. I simply wanted to see if I could write a spy thriller with a strong female lead. But as I wrote, I realized there was more to explore. Not just with Vogel, but with the world I’d built. Characters like Shade and Mason had stories that weren’t finished, and Vogel herself still had unanswered questions about her own past.
So now, I’m working on a sequel, and I see the potential for a full-fledged series. Each book will have its own complete story, but there will be threads that connect them. Recurring characters, evolving relationships, and challenges that carry over from one book to the next.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I had two main goals with Line of Sight. First, I wanted to write a spy thriller that felt fresh, with a female lead who was both formidable and deeply human. Second, I wanted to tell a story that balanced high-stakes action with real emotional depth.
I think I achieved that. Vogel isn’t just a spy—she’s a person with regrets, relationships, and conflicts that go beyond the mission. And while the book delivers on the action, it’s those character moments that, for me, make it stand out.
That said, no writer is ever 100% satisfied. There’s always something you feel you could have fine-tuned, a scene you wish had landed just a little harder. But overall, I’m proud of what Line of Sight became.
What inspired you to write Line of Sight?
It started one night while watching GoldenEye with my dad. As much as I love classic spy stories, I realized I’d never seen one where a female operative took center stage in the same way Bond or Bourne did. That felt like a gap, and I wanted to fill it.
The character of Vogel came to life almost immediately—partly inspired by a female friend from high school who had that rare mix of charm, toughness, and intelligence. I knew she would be the heart of the story, and once I had her, the rest fell into place.
Can you tell us a little bit about the next books in Line of Sight or what you have planned for the future?
The sequel to Line of Sight is already in the works. Without giving too much away, it dives deeper into Vogel’s world, revealing more about her past and pushing her into an even more dangerous conflict. Relationships will be tested, new threats will emerge, and certain characters will take on even bigger roles.
Beyond that, I’m also developing a completely different project—a coming-of-age story inspired by my own experiences as a long-haired, heavy metal-loving teenager. It’s been years in the making, and I’m finally figuring out the right way to tell it.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Line of Sight?
At the center is Lora Chandler (Agent Vogel)—intelligent, resourceful, and endlessly determined, but grappling with the emotional cost of her job.
Then there’s Richard Davis, the journalist who once meant everything to her. He’s the only person who truly knows Vogel beneath the spy persona, and that makes their dynamic both powerful and complicated.
The enigmatic Shade is a wildcard—an operative whose loyalties are never quite clear. And finally, there’s Malachai, the mastermind pulling the strings, whose vision for the world makes him as terrifying as he is fascinating.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The characters. The twists. The thrill of discovering the story as I wrote it. But most of all, bringing Vogel to life. Creating a protagonist who is as flawed as she is formidable, as human as she is heroic. That was a challenge I felt was worth tackling. I hope each of you truly enjoys the read and will be back for the next adventure.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Paul G. Wright is a native of Atlanta, GA. He has worked as a newspaper journalist, freelance writer, and screenwriter. He studied acting at the Warehouse Actors Theater and earned his degree in filmmaking from Columbia College Hollywood, in Tarzana, CA. He currently resides in the Atlanta area with his wife and their cat Dusty.
Connect with Paul G. Wright
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6 comments:
We appreciate you featuring LINE OF SIGHT today.
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like an interesting story.
I enjoyed the interview.
This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like an interesting read!
This looks like a good read
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