J.J. Cagney
This Behind the Manuscript was an enjoyable one for me because I got to dig into a genre I don't read as often: thrillers! I picked up The Kill Line expecting a tense survival story, but what really hooked me was how J.J. Cagney layered the danger. Of course there's the killer, but also the snow, the isolation, the animals, and the slow psychological pressure of being pushed past what you think you can handle. Yellowstone was such a cool setting.
In this interview, we talk about building suspense, balancing physical and psychological tension, using setting as an active source of danger, a main character’s connection with the wildlife around her, and what changes (and what stays the same) when J.J. switches between thriller and romance.
J.J. also shares the questions she returns to at the start of every story: Who wants what? Why now? What happens if they fail? And what happens if they walk away? Hearing how those four questions shape her plotting was a favorite moment for me as an editor. Thank you, J.J., for such a thoughtful look at the craft behind The Kill Line. Hope you enjoy our conversation…
The Kill Line is an immersive, tension-filled Yellowstone wilderness survival thriller. What was the initial spark for this story, and did you know from the start what kind of story it would become?
My uncle Paul Hart provided the initial spark for the setting; he was a Yellowstone park ranger. I’d read a tragic story about a teenage boy who was lost in the woods after his father died, and I knew I wanted to tell that type of survival story. So, yes, knew it would be a survivalist thriller, and I knew the setting. Getting to know Jane took longer, and Colm, with his storyline, was a surprise!
As a reader, I was trying to figure out who I could trust and what I should believe. How do you approach creating that sense of uncertainty while still giving the reader enough information to feel grounded in the story?
I wanted to write this novel with an unreliable narrator, but Jane was too sensible for that—and already struggling with guilt and doubt—so I had to create that unreliability outside of her. Each person in Jane’s life has their own motivations for wanting to find her, which helped to create an unreliable support network. The suspense grew from the uncertainty of others’ desires, and I loved how that increased the tension (even though Jane wasn’t aware of it). Then, it was about seeding enough truth and doubt in each other’s point of view to propel the narrative. Bringing in Detective Tara Fremont helped because she’s the outsider, and her whole job was to suss out truth from lies.
The Kill Line
by J.J. Cagney
There's a lot working against these characters at once: physical danger, the environment, and psychological pressure (including their own thoughts turning against them). How do you balance those different sources of tension, so they build on each other instead of overwhelming the reader?
Well, this was a challenge because the pressure had to escalate with the tension, but it couldn’t become so overbearing that the characters (and the reader) collapsed. Basically, I had the environment and the emotional weight feed Jane and Colm’s thoughts. Those two did their best with their skills, but they doubted their abilities more than they should (seems like a pretty normal reaction). We humans have a strong desire to live. Because of that, we manage to solve a lot of tricky situations that might otherwise be deemed impossible.
Yellowstone becomes part of the danger itself here: the snow, the weather, the isolation, the animals, all alongside a killer hunting them. What was it like writing an environment that's not just a backdrop but an active source of suspense?
I loved writing Yellowstone as an antagonist, and I hope to do so again soon because I think it really added to the characters’ psychological pressure. Yellowstone is indifferent to human suffering, and it can’t be reasoned with. Not only did Jane and Colm struggle to outpace and outwit a killer, but they also had to do it in a place that showed no mercy.
“I loved writing Yellowstone as an antagonist.
Yellowstone is indifferent to human suffering, and it can’t be reasoned with.”
I loved the small details of Jane's connection to animals. Moments like her interactions with the badger and the wolves feel like they’re telling us something about her that the plot itself doesn't state outright. What were you hoping that relationship would say about her, especially set against the danger she's in?
Ah. The badger scenes were my favorite to write! I won’t spoil anything, but I kept returning to how hard it must be to be alone in an unknown place. Jane needed connection, and the animals needed something, too. For a time, their needs aligned. I liked that Jane doesn’t take that for granted because her understanding shows maturity and adaptability. Hopefully, readers noted that about Jane.
You write across genres, including romance under other names. How does your approach shift when you're writing a survival thriller like this compared to romance?
I do. I write steamy contemporary romance under the pen name Alexa Padgett. I enjoy the challenges of each genre—and I’m never bored!
Thrillers take me longer to write than romance because I like to ruminate on my plot points to ensure escalating suspense.
No matter what type of story I’m telling, I return to my basic questions: Who wants what? Why now? What happens if they fail? And what happens if they walk away? If I can answer those, I’ve crafted a strong narrative. Then, I have to consider the genre promise I’ve made to my readers to make sure I’ve answered the questions in a way that’s satisfying to them. I take that reader-writer contract very seriously. After all, readers are giving me both money and time.
About J.J. Cagney
J.J. Cagney writes twisty, atmospheric mysteries and thrillers where every clue is a risk and every secret comes at a price. Her award-winning books follow smart, determined protagonists as they face danger, both in the wild landscapes of New Mexico and Yellowstone and in their own lives.
Cagney is best known for the acclaimed Cici Gurule Mysteries. A Pilgrimage to Death was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of 2018, won the National Indie Excellence Award, and became a Goodreads Best Mysteries reader favorite. An Artifact of Death was called “an exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series” (Kirkus Reviews) and was a BookLife Award quarterfinalist. Her newer books, like Bayou Venom, have also earned her Judge’s Top Pick for both the Claymore and Silver Falchion Awards at Killer Nashville 2025.
Before becoming a full-time storyteller, Cagney worked as a literary agent and as a marketing director for elite athletes. These jobs helped her develop a sharp sense for high-stakes drama and character-driven conflict. She now lives in northern New Mexico with her family, two mischievous dogs, and a small but suspiciously well-organized tank of fish.
Cagney’s next thriller, The Kill Line, is a gripping cat-and-mouse survival story set deep in Yellowstone. It released on August 25, 2026, by City Owl Press.
Buy The Kill Line
Thank you for reading Behind the Manuscript. I hope these conversations help readers discover the creative decisions behind the books they love and give writers a deeper appreciation for the craft behind amazing stories. Until next time. Happy reading!
