By Krystle J Bailey
Local author James McCusker released his fourth novel, The Edge, this week. His series of books, inspired by his fascination with true crime and local mob life of the 1980s, includes titles such as Atlantic City Nights, Left in the Sand, and Black McCool. In his 2023 release, The Edge, McCusker introduces readers to a new character, Ricky Royal.
Royal, the veteran male revue dancer, has spent years working in the mob-owned nightclub but is ready to move on to a less chaotic lifestyle off-stage. Throughout the story, he is faced with the delicate balance between the life he lives and the one he craves. Royal is a regular guy surrounded by the wrong people in a town where he is perpetually faced with a series of moral dilemmas. Readers are taken on a journey that will have them on “the edge” of their seats as they follow Ricky Royal’s thrilling adventures.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the true crime genre,” shares author James McCusker. “I use a lot of my imagination combined with in-depth research to tell these stories.”
The Brigantine native began writing at a young age after the passing of his father. Looking for an escape, he crafted carefully-woven stories that would take him on a journey outside of himself. As a student-athlete, McCusker wrote for his high school newspaper while focusing on wrestling and other sports. It wasn’t until college that inspiration struck, and he was driven to bring a novel to life.
His first book, Atlantic City Nights, released in 2013, featured a South Philly mob boss that found his riches in the booming Atlantic City casino empire of the 1980s. The publications that followed continue down a similar storyline, including his 2016 release, Left in the Sand, and Black McCool, released in 2018. McCusker has also written five children’s books that tell stories of alien invasions and noble nights who come to save the day.
The 35-year-old father and husband has captured the hearts of many readers with his plot twists, complex characters, and in-depth attention to detail.
“I just love entertaining people,” shares McCusker. “That’s what keeps the spark in me going.”
In addition to being a celebrated author, McCusker is an advocate for early literacy. A portion of the proceeds from his book sales goes to Reach Out and Read – a national organization that works directly with pediatric care providers to share the lifelong benefits of reading together.
James will be selling copies of The Edge at the weekly Brigantine Farmers Market throughout the rest of the summer. All of his books are available on Amazon.
Learn more about James McCusker and his other books at booksbymccusker.com.
