Who I based Mac on

When I was writing the physical description of Detective Mac Volpes, I used this picture as my inspiration. I wanted someone who looked a little unkempt but still very handsome. This is the actor Sam Trammell. I first saw him on the series True Blood over a decade ago. I always liked that he had this wholesome, All-American look to him. He just has a certain kind of charm to him. He seems like the kind of guy you'd want to share a beer with.

Now the attitude and swagger, I based a little bit of that on Penny from The Magicians. The thing I always enjoyed about Penny is that he hated everyone but the few people he cared about. The people he deemed worthy to care about, he put the full depth of his devotion towards them. Willing to die for them. But he was such a dick to everyone else. I thought that dynamic would be fun to explore. Where Mac's attitude toward Sophie morphed from dislike to intense devotion. Can't wait to see where I take their relationship in the next book. I don't plan to make it entirely easy for them!

I choose the name Volpes because it means fox in Latin. I often choose Latin words when I am naming something. For example, Domus means house in latin and that is what I decided to name the vampire coven houses.