Some stories entertain.
Others unsettle you, challenge you, and refuse to let you look away.
What If I Don’t is one of those books.
At its core, this novel is about a flawed, complicated, deeply connected and what happens when loyalty collides with violence, desire, and the unexpected.
Author Insight
What inspired you to write this book?
Tony Lindsay wanted to explore the idea of a family that truly works together, one that accepts each member despite their imperfections. Rather than presenting idealized characters, the story embraces flaws and tension as part of what binds the family.
How did you come up with the title?
Sometimes the best titles aren’t planned; they’re discovered.
What If I Don’t came straight from a kick-butt line of dialogue, one that captured the book’s tone and emotional weight perfectly.
Which character do you relate to the most?
Maxwell, an older man observing the actions of the “youngins,” is often amazed (and occasionally baffled) by what he sees. His perspective brings wisdom, humor, and reflection to the story.
What message do you hope readers take away?
Two things above all:
- Family first
- Expect the unexpected
This is a story that refuses to play it safe.
The hardest and most rewarding scenes to write
The most difficult scene was the bombing of the community center, a moment the plot demanded, no matter how painful it was to write.
The most rewarding?
The erotic scenes experienced by each sibling raw, intimate moments that reveal vulnerability and humanity beneath the chaos.
The Book Journey
When did you start writing this book?
The journey began in early 2022 and took nearly three years to complete, a testament to the complexity of the story and its characters.
How does this book compare to your previous work?
This novel stands apart due to:
- Shifting points of view
- Multiple protagonists
- A moral inversion where the bad guy is the good guy
- A storyline that naturally demanded a Book Two
Did you always know how the story would end?
Not at all.
“The plot took its own ending,” Lindsay admits, allowing the story to lead rather than forcing a conclusion.
Why did you choose to self-publish?
Traditional publishing showed limited interest, largely because the book didn’t fit neatly into expected boxes. While self-publishing gave creative freedom, it also came with challenges.
“I’m a writer, not a publisher,” Lindsay says candidly, highlighting the realities many authors face behind the scenes.
Advice for writers entering this genre
Read. The. Genre.
Mystery has many subtypes know exactly what you’re writing and where it fits before you begin.
Reader Engagement
Three words that describe the book:
Bold. Sexy. Shocking.
Most talked-about scene:
The community center bombing an unforgettable moment that stays with readers.
(And once you read the book, you may find the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.)
Synopsis
This story introduces **four family members, all therapists **who open a community mental health center on Chicago’s South Side. The much-needed center becomes a neighborhood cornerstone until tragedy strikes: one of the therapists is murdered.
Dissatisfied with the police investigation, the family takes matters into their own hands—launching their own search for the truth and uncovering far more than they expected.
From the Pages of What If I Don’t
The explosion was eardrum-shattering. Doris’s hands immediately went to her ears, but the force of the explosion slammed her to the sidewalk… She wanted to stay awake to understand, but her consciousness fled.
A moment of devastation. A turning point. A reminder that this story does not pull punches.
Connect with the Author
- Author Website: www.pen-4-hire.com
- Social Media: Tony Lindsay
Author headshot, logo, and book cover provided
Are you ready for a book that’s bold enough to ask and answer the hard questions?
