In his youth, Jerry Farnham wanted to be a novelist. Storylines came to him while he was out lobstering. That desire was realized with the publication of “Red At Night” in 2022 that became the start of a series. It was followed by “Red in the Morning” in 2024. The third book in the series, “First Light,” has an Aug. 30 publish date. A book release party will be held on the 30th at Brady’s in Boothbay Harbor, Jerry’s hometown.

Reader questions about characters in the books prompted him to write “First Light” to give readers insight into the main characters in the series – the unlikely sweethearts: Jack Finn and Melissa Andrews (an alias for a Hollywood actress escaping from damaging publicity), Jack’s parents Anne and Russell – how did they meet? What were their growing up years like? What’s the story with Melissa ... why does her mother hate her so much? And what about Jack’s first serious girlfriend, Stephanie, and why is he so guilt-ridden about her death? These questions and more are answered in “First Light.”

Jerry was right into fleshing out the backgrounds of the characters in his books – and remember, many are based on people Jerry grew up with including classmates and lobstermen, friends of his dad, Fred, including Clive Farrin, Bill Hallinan and (the late) Charlie Begin among others. Lobstering is a centuries-old livelihood in Boothbay Harbor and the rest of coastal Maine. “First Light” also gave Jerry an opportunity to explain how people start out in the business, some from a very early age – like Jerry.

“Readers could better understand that lobstering is a lifestyle not just a job, and a choice that gets made before high school graduation,” he said. “One of my fondest memories growing up is going out in my skiff and hauling traps by myself and having my dad call me on the radio and stuff like that ... I felt like I was one of the big guys. People don’t know what it's like to be a 13-year-old out on a skiff and your parents have no idea where you are other than the fact that you're out on the water. Many of them may wonder how does that happen .... Well, it happens a lot.”

Writing “First Light” Jerry did a bit of time travelingthrough his past while writing that of his main characters, and one of the most difficult for him was Stephanie. He said, “Writing about a character, a person you know that is going to die ... It just sucked. I couldn’t change that.” And hers wasn’t the only death he couldn’t change – but I’ll stop there for those of you out there who have yet to read one or both books.

Another character he couldn’t change, and from what I’ve learned about him over these last few years, is Boothbay Harbor. And, he wouldn't want to. From local businesses to the “circle wall” at the Boothbay Region Elementary School entrance, from lobstering to boat building, Jerry’s novels convey his affection for his hometown. However, the storylines in “Red At Night” and “Red in the Morning” deal with subjects on a global scale: drug smuggling and child trafficking. Weaving these abhorent realities into Maine lifeserves to remind usthat small towns like ours are not immune.

I asked Jerry how he feels about leaving these characters behind. “Here's the thing,” he began. "The fourth book is the end of the “Red At Night” series. As far as I know now, who knows what happens later on in my life, I'm ending the series. I think after the fourth book, enough has happened between Jack and Melissa. Let's leave them alone.”

OK, Jerry, but what’s next? He already has 17-plus chapters of the final book written – oh, and did I mention between this current series “Maine’s Blue Collar Author” completed that science fiction novel he started a few years back, “Synths” – cover by his wife, Marty? Well, check this out: He already has a new series in the works based on a character named Lizzie Williams, an up and coming FBI agent in the fourth book.

Cover work for books three and four are/will be by Morgan Kirkland Maurer, who grew up here with Jerry. The cover and synopsis of “First Light” can be seen on Jerry’s website, https://jerryfarnham.com/

Ever wonder where that “handle” Jerry has, "Maine’s Blue Collar Author," came from? It was a co-worker when he realized the Jerry he worked with was the same one writing the books he enjoyed reading. Perfect, isn’t it? 

“I want to give a big shout out to Brady's for hosting the (book release) party again. The books really wouldn't have happened without so many people: My first editor Joanne Allen, my father-in-law, now the second wave in (the) editing (process); Darrell Gudroe, Kaler’s, they really helped. There are so many ... I really just want to send a shout out to the entire community for the support.”

Remember: Get the book launch on your calendar: Aug. 30 at Brady's 25 Union St., at 1 p.m. Hardcovers and paperbacks will be available for purchase. Jerry will be autographing the books as well. And remember: Books will also be available on all digital platforms.