What's something you discovered during your research that you hadn't previously known? Did it make you change direction for the plot or add a subplot?

This book was unusual for me because I began the research without ever meaning to write a book.  I reached a point in my life where I was no longer comfortable having only a vague notion of the origins of my own country.  I decided to pick up Joseph Ellis's biography of George Washington  -- and I've since found Ellis to be one of the best writers about this period for large audiences - and I was astonished to discover just how vivid and human and flawed so many of the founders were.  We have a sense of this period as being dry and colorless, but nothing could be further from the truth.  I kept reading more books just out of personal curiosity, never thinking I would write a novel set in this period.  When I started reading about Hamilton, and in particular, the Panic of 1792, however, I began to think in terms of story, and without even intending it, I began to draw up characters, plot points, and I was hooked.

One example of the kind of thing you are talking about might be the distances characters had to travel.  I came across many references of the "express coach" between New York and Philadelphia, but they never mentioned how long it took.  I turns out that it took almost a complete day, which presented some plot problems for me, because as the Panic of 1792 resolves, the major actions happen in New York, but the major players are in Philadelphia.  With no mass communication, how could I make these events seem immediate and important?  In the end, I decided to use the distance to advantage, though I don't want to say more than that since I'm talking about the climax of the novel.

Romance readers are always looking for a new historical read and it sounds like you might have an interesting relationship going on. Will readers' hearts go pitty-pat with a happy ending for the (potential) couple?

There are two principal characters in this novel, both of whom we might perceive as good, if flawed, people, and who are on opposite sides of history, which means in terms of conventional story telling, one of them is the hero, the other the villain.  Joan Maycott is a woman who suffers horribly because of the greed and injustice of men in power.  Her romantic plot is fairly on in the novel.  Ethan Saunders has suffered before the novel begins, and he has lost the love of his life, but his is more of a redemptive trajectory, and I think readers who enjoy a romantic sub-plot will enjoy  his relationship with his now-married former fiancée.

Does most of the action happen in Philadelphia or on the frontier (or somewhere completely different?) Do you live in the area or did you wind up doing some traveling to get a "feel" for the region?

The bulk of the novel is set in Philadelphia, with large portions taking place in New York City and the "western frontier" of the areas surrounding Pittsburgh.  I no longer live there, but I did live for many years in New York City, which helped me surprisingly little in my research.  There is almost nothing left of 18th century New York.  In doing research, I visited both libraries and historical sites in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and both of those cities have far more original spaces.  I always like to visit a place I'm writing about when I'm almost done with the book, so I can visit places I've read and written about, and so I know if I am asking the right questions.

Historicals are interesting because often readers don't realize that a lot of things happened that never showed up in history books. My own first book was historical fiction and I know how much fun it is to bring the past to vivid detail. How much of the events of your book REALLY happened--whether plot or subplot? How about people (other than the founding-father-types?)

In my previous historical novels, I've kept the number of actual historical figures to a minimum.  I usually am much more interested in writing about the feel and texture of a time period, not taking readers on a tour of facts and characters they already know.  In this book, however, I felt it was important to bring out some historical figures, and I think my portrayals of Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and Washington (who appears only briefly) are accurate.  I may have taken more liberties with minor historical figures.  In one section of the book I used a real, if minor figure, but when the plot got in the way of historical fact, I had to write him out.  

As far as events go, many of the important historical events and threads are all accurate: the fraught origins of the Bank of the United States, Hamilton's political difficulties with the Jeffersonians, the "secret" about him that is revealed in the end, and the machinations of the greedy speculator William Duer.  Ethan Saunders and Joan Maycott are, however, fictional characters.  Many of the people they encounter are real, but more importantly, I believe their concerns, their way of understanding the world, and the decisions they make feel real to me.  I have tried to make them complex and extraordinary, of course, but also very much rooted in their historical moment.

Is this intended to be a stand-alone, or will there be other books involving the same characters in the future?

When I had lunch with my editor this summer, that was just about the first question she asked me.  I have one character (Benjamin Weaver from A Conspiracy of Paper, etc) who appears in multiple books.  I often get email from readers asking for a sequel for another novel, The Coffee Trader, but I've never "felt" a sequel for that one.  I do think the protagonists from The Whiskey Rebels could be brought back, and I even have a very interesting historical event in mind to bring them into.  On the other hands, I have no immediate plans to get to work.  This book took me longer to research and write than anything I've ever done, and I'm not eager to jump back in quite yet.

Is there anything you'd love the readers to know about the book that didn't quite make it into the author letter in the front of the book?

For readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly novels about the early republic, the subject matter probably sells the book.  For other readers, I suspect it has the opposite effect.  I know I was never drawn to this period - until, of course, I was.  I think the thing I would emphasize about The Whiskey Rebels is that it is, beyond historical fiction, a thriller meant to entertain readers.  It is also a story about two very human characters who are at cross purposes.  Both of them are patriots, both drawn to, and betrayed by, their most idealistic notions of the American experience.  For one, circumstances have brought her to seek revenge, for the other redemption.  Also, though it is a seious tale, I think the book is often very funny.  I don't write stuffy historical fiction.  Humor was not invented in the 1950s.

Any tours or signings planned? Where can readers find out about you and your other books on the web?

Yes, I have a tour planned, and I am always available on the web: information on dates, locations, and other contact information is at www.davidliss.com.  I try to respond to every message I get from readers.  I'm also on Facebook, MySpace, Goodreads and LibraryThing.  

Thanks so much for talking to The Big Thrill today, David! Your book sounds fascinating and I'm sure our readers will love it.

You're very welcome.

David Liss is the author of five novels, most recently The Whiskey Rebels. His previous books include A Conspiracy of Paper, winner of the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, The Coffee Trader, A Spectacle of Corruption and The Ethical Assassin. His novels have been national and international bestsellers and have been translated into two dozen languages. He lives in Texas with his wife and two children.

Contributing editor and USA Today bestselling author Cathy Clamp has co-authored nearly a dozen award winning paranormal romantic thrillers for Tor Books with C.T. Adams, along with multiple short stories and outdoor articles for magazines and anthologies. The duo's next urban fantasy thriller, MAGIC'S DESIGN, under a new joint pen name of CAT ADAMS hits the shelves in February, 2009. She and her husband live in the Texas hill country where they raise goats--which (usually) keeps them out of trouble.