This month on the MRC, we’re interrogating Author Eric Eichinger! We met Eric Eichinger after reviewing his book Blood of the Mazzaroth, a twisty mystery you should definitely put on your reading radar.
About Eric Eichinger
Rev. Eric Eichinger is an ordained minister, part-time Old Testament professor, and accomplished author who writes at the intersection of ancient mystery and modern suspense.
Drawing on years of theological training, pastoral experience, and rigorous research, Eichinger brings profound depth, rapier wit, and intellectual precision to the thriller genre. He’s written three previously published books, and his work is best known for casting theological light into human darkness with captivating technique.
Eichinger lives and works in the greater Los Angeles area with his wife, three children, and one feisty dachshund who could box out Lebron James for a rebound if dinner morsels fall from the table.
The Interrogation begins for Eric Eichinger…
*Affiliate links are used in this article. The Mystery Review Crew is an Amazon Affiliate and, as such, earns from qualifying purchases. See our privacy policy and disclosures for more information.
Q: “Mazzaroth” is a biblical term referring to the constellations of the Zodiac. How central is that ancient spiritual layer to the story, and did your research into it surprise you in any way?
A: The concept of tackling the question, “Did God leave a secret story in the stars?” serves as a great backdrop for a thriller. And the answer is incredibly more amazing than one might think and will stay with readers far beyond the last page. The Mazzaroth plays a key role, and the research was fascinating, to be able to zoom in with telescope focus, revealing clues that still connect to our modern culture. It is a fun mind-bender that will have people talking and researching themselves…
Q: Is Blood of the Mazzaroth the beginning of a series for Chase Fischer, or does this story stand complete on its own?
A: This is my debut novel and the most gratifying writing project I’ve worked on to date. It was so fun in fact, and the character so enjoyable to work with, that it would be a shame not to see what other troubles Chase Fischer might get into in the future…
Q: Did you always know you wanted to be a writer, or did your passion for storytelling develop over time?
A: I always enjoyed absorbing inspirational stories and telling them theatrically but never thought seriously about writing them. When I realized the true voice of inspiration was in the power of the pen, writing the story, that’s when everything changed.
Q: Are you a planner or a “pantser” (writing by the seat of your pants)? How do you approach structuring your stories?
A: Stephen King famously writes with no road map, whereas James Patterson is borderline scientific about a precise outline. My style is probably a hybrid between the two. I love and need to have a high concept idea and general path to tell the story I want to tell, but it is equally exhilarating to discover what happens chapter by chapter to my characters. It is the private epiphanies of creative joy that bubble up in the writing process where the magic happens. It is hard to conjure from just a blueprinted outline, and challenging to convey the full delight of it to one who doesn’t know the joy as a writer themself.
Q: Are there specific themes or recurring motifs that you find yourself exploring in your writing?
A: I love theology as there are infinite things to learn and many “aha” moments to be had. At times, I will get geeked out about certain realizations, finding them so cool. The trick then is pondering how best to share that joy, asking myself why I get so excited about certain nuggets of scholarly delight, and attempting to convey that same joy to others, hoping they see it too.
Q: How do you approach writing dialogue to make it feel authentic and engaging for readers?
A: My publisher initially told me it felt like reading a movie when he sat down with my manuscript the first time, which I really appreciated. Dialogue must flow organically. It’s fun experimenting, speaking out loud, hearing it sound audibly, although I’ll spook a family member occasionally, which makes us all laugh. I enjoy the layering dialogue with the detailed minutia of life, which helps make it sound even more authentic and hit the zeitgeist.
Q: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being an author, and how do you navigate those challenges?
A: Many people often assume the motivation of writers is some form of a quest for personal fortune and glory. In reality, some people just like to tell stories. They are inside, and have to come out. It’s a cathartic realization on many levels.
Q: How do you balance between creating stories that resonate with you personally and writing for a broader audience?
A: Indiana Jones is probably my favorite character, however, the stories I enjoy the most are the ones that have to do with real historical artifacts, especially the Biblically themed ones, which draws in interest from many sectors. I like kicking up the dust on certain topics that are grounded in truth, yet shrouded in just enough of mystery creating an ideal backdrop for a story that will stick with the readers soul, as opposed to a well told, but invented fantasy.
Q: Can you share a funny or heartwarming anecdote related to your writing journey?
A: The first book I wrote, The Final Race, I worked with a seasoned writer who served as the “with” author. I learned a lot from her! Towards the end of the project, she kept asking me for my “dedication.” I kept reading her request in emails, thinking “I’m pretty darn dedicated to this project Eva, if you don’t know you have my dedication by now, what gives?” Finally, in a phone conversation, I nicely said that, and she clarified she wanted my “dedication page” (who I was dedicating the book to) and we had a long hard laugh over it.
Q: What do you hope your literary legacy will be? How would you like to be remembered as an author?
A: That my body of work ultimately will help inspire people to serve others, thinking less about themselves and more about Christ.
About Blood of the Mazzaroth, an MRC Recommended Read!
By Eric Eichinger
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
A clergyman becomes precariously involved in the murder of a college student whose remains have traces of the way the infamous Zodiac killer terrorized Southern California – and the nation. But wasn’t that case solved years ago? The startling fact: No, it was not!
LAPD investigators, who badly need Rev. Dr. Chase Fischer’s expertise in ancient history, form an unorthodox arrangement with him to lure the killer out of hiding, and end a potential spree. Will this unlikely alliance finally be able to solve an ancient mystery? Leave it open as they found it? Or is something new and more sinister disturbingly afoot?
Find it on Goodreads, Amazon, BookBub, and Barnes & Noble.
