Learn How Passick’s Upbringing And Experiences Shape Her Unique Cross-genre Novels
Betty Brandt Passick discusses her journey from retirement to authoring historical novels, blending fact and fiction, and exploring themes of crime, morality, and small-town dynamics.
Betty Brandt Passick is a masterful storyteller whose works transport readers to the heart of small-town America, weaving intricate tales that blend historical fact with compelling fiction. Since retiring a decade ago, Passick has dedicated herself to the craft of writing, producing four remarkable books that delve into the rich tapestry of history, particularly that of her hometown, Fairbank, Iowa. Her debut novel, “Gangster in Our Midst,” is a testament to her ability to transform local lore into gripping historical crime fiction, capturing the enigmatic presence of a man with alleged ties to Al Capone. Passick’s writing is infused with earthy soul, faith-isms, and Midwestern values, reflecting her own upbringing and experiences. Her characters, like Marshal Sweeney Delaney, embody the universal truths and struggles of communities facing dramatic social changes.
Passick’s literary prowess extends beyond her debut, as seen in “The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse,” where she skillfully balances historical context with the psychological complexity of a pioneer physician drawn to the darker side of humanity. Her meticulous research and unique cross-genre approach allow her to seamlessly blend historical facts with fictional elements, creating narratives that are both educational and entertaining. As an inspirational speaker and teacher, Passick’s engagement with readers and writers further enriches her storytelling, making her a beloved figure in the literary community. Her ability to connect with audiences, whether through her novels or public speaking, underscores her commitment to exploring themes of crime, morality, and the human condition. Betty Brandt Passick’s works are a treasure trove for those who appreciate the art of storytelling and the exploration of history through a fictional lens.
Betty Brandt Passick captivates readers with her masterful storytelling, transforming historical events into compelling narratives rich with depth.
Your debut novel Gangster in Our Midst was inspired by real-life events and figures from your hometown. What was it about this mystery man with supposed links to Al Capone that fascinated you enough to turn his story into historical crime fiction?
My primary family moved into the small town of Fairbank, Iowa (called “Oxbow” in the book) in the mid-1950s when I was 10 years old. Within days, a neighbor whispered to me, “The town has a gangster.” We’d just moved into town from a farm, and I had no idea what a gangster even was. Over the coming years I heard stories about the gangster—though I never met him, not to my knowledge anyway, even when I worked at the local café all during high school. Still, the stories I heard continued to pique my interest. Allegedly, he’d told people he “worked for Al Capone as bookkeeper for his charities.” Another piece of my personal story is that also around age 10, I’d begun to think of myself as a writer. “When I grow up, I’m going to write books,” I wrote in my diary. Fast forward to 10 years ago when I retired from a Fortune 500 company and finally had time to make that dream come true. Researching the town’s gangster was on my short list of ideas for a first novel… Almost 100 years later no one in the town still knew if La Cava’s role in Capone’s outfit was fact or fiction. I wrote Gangster in Our Midst: Bookkeeper, Lieutenant, and Sometimes Hitman for Al Capone, using a unique cross-genre that utilizes elements of fiction and nonfiction, to tell the chilling story of an Italian American gangster, Louie La Cava, who arrives in a small midwestern town in the 1920s, and soon announces he works for Chicago Kingpin Alphonse Capone. He resides in the town off and on for the next sixty years.
You’ve mentioned that Gangster in Our Midst is infused with earthy soul, faith-isms, and Midwestern values. How did your own upbringing and experiences influence the themes and characters in your books, particularly the small-town dynamics and Sweeney Delaney’s character?
The town of “Oxbow” was unique in that those of Roman Catholic faith lived on one side of the river and Protestants on the other side. I was raised Missouri Synod Lutheran, and we Lutherans were taught to proudly stand as representatives of the Protestant Reformation and break from Catholicism led by Martin Luther in the 16th century. Growing up in the town, at some point I realized Protestants and Catholics were still in a religious war in the 20th century. Prohibition created another war across the nation in the 1920s, those on the side of ‘wet versus dry’. Marshal Sweeney Delaney’s character represents the very soul of the town in its struggle to deal with the dramatic social changes brought about by Prohibition—more so, when a Chicago mobster appears on the town’s doorstep in the person of Louie La Cava. Sweeney’s character demonstrates a universal and fundamental truth: the deep-seated ideologies and beliefs that often divide a community, can also unite.
In The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse, the protagonist is a pioneer physician with a dark attraction to murder. How did you balance the historical context with the psychological complexity of a character who is both healer and potential killer?
Dr. Alexander Wiltse is a pioneer country doctor who, like many before him, finds himself drawn to the darker side of humanity to extract explanations behind crime, particularly the killing of one person by another. He quickly realizes his black bag provides him with a front row ticket into the fascinating world of murder investigation and 1850s forensic science…where he finds good and evil exist side by side.
Your novels span different time periods, from the Prohibition era in Gangster in Our Midst to the mid-1800s in The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse. How do you approach research for these distinct historical settings, and what challenges have you faced in blending historical facts with fictional elements?
My technique is to use a unique cross-genre that utilizes elements of fiction and nonfiction. Quite simply, I outline the factual story, then blend in fictional pieces to tell the ‘rest of the story’ as I imagine it might have happened. The challenge, of course, is keeping characterizations and language appropriate to the era and timeline. The most daunting challenge in writing Gangster in Our Midst was identifying those who were part of Al Capone’s outfit (including Louie La Cava), when every mobster used an alias instead of his real name. Writing the novel, The Black Bag of Dr. Wiltse, as the title indicates, required getting the medical practices, terminologies, drugs, and jargon historically accurate. A bookstore owner and friend provided me with a 3-inch thick 1850s medical book, which proved very helpful indeed.
With the third novel in your Gangster Series due soon, can you share how the story will expand on the themes of crime and morality from the first two books? Will we see familiar characters evolve or new faces introduced?
The first two novels in the gangster series are stand-alone books. Each tells a story from a vastly different era; thus, each introduces new characters. The third book tells another piece of the NE Iowa gangster story from the 1870s, though it includes a couple characters from the first book—albeit younger versions—plus, new characters whom I believe readers will really enjoy. A sharp-witted, high-strung embattled woman and pillar in the community, along with a young vagrant boy, are at the center of this story of love, addiction, sacrifice, and murder.
As an inspirational speaker and teacher, how do your experiences engaging with readers and other writers influence your writing process? Have there been any standout moments during your workshops or author talks that shaped how you approach storytelling?
My most standout moment to date happened when I spoke at a high school Honor Student induction ceremony a few years ago for students and their parents. The theme of my talk was: “You are responsible for your life. Don’t wait until the last day to figure it out.” I grew up in a household with an alcoholic father, and keeping a journal greatly aided me in getting through difficult days… It was a time before school counselors or kids were encouraged to talk about abuse to the clergy, a relative, or teacher. I felt I had no choice but to keep the secret to myself. Today, students are encouraged to use several avenues available to them in seeking help. Several pairs of parents came up to me after the ceremony and said my words were especially appropriate for those young adults to hear. The affirmations meant a lot to me.