Inspiration can come from anywhere. Author K. Robert Campbell, speaking to a full
house at Barbee Library on Friday, January 23rd, said the inspiration for his first mystery
novel came from a song he heard in his car while on a long drive. It was an eerie,
suspenseful tune, and he found himself creating a scene to match it. Fast forward a few
years, and Campbell’s first book, The Fifth Category, was published! Today there are
seven books in his terrific “Cameron Scott Mysteries” series.
As a boy growing up in NJ, Campbell was an avid reader and a natural storyteller.
Reality led him to NC State, where he earned a degree in Park Administration. He
worked at Morrow Mountain State Park as a ranger for several years, but eventually
went on to law school. Upon earning a law degree from Campbell University in 1984, he
practiced family law in Southport until his retirement in 2020. Then Campbell began his
third act as a full-time writer.
Campbell practices the writing idiom “write what you know.” His protagonist, Cameron
Scott, is a lawyer who used to be a park ranger! Readers will recognize familiar scenes
and places in this adventurous series, like the towns of Riverport (aka Southport) and
Wittington (aka Wilmington), or an old shop on Rt. 211 with a sign that says “Worms &
Coffee.”
In a clever twist, the titles in Campbell’s series are all numeric, but in reverse order. His
first book was The Fifth Category, which revolves around a brewing hurricane, followed
by The Fourth Estate, The Third Degree, Second Hand, First Class, and Zero
Tolerance. Not ready to end things, Campbell moved on to fractions with his latest
book, Three Quarter Time!
The Cameron Scott book covers are Campbell’s own artwork. That’s right – this park
ranger turned lawyer turned author is also an accomplished artist! And that’s not all.
Campbell is a lifelong community theater actor and a multi-talented musician who plays
in a Wilmington Oktoberfest band called “Harbour Towne Fest.” Despite his many
accomplishments, Campbell is an extremely down-to-earth guy. By the end of this MTA,
everyone in the room felt like a friend. Now that’s a talent!
K. Robert Campbell’s books can be found at Barbee Library on the “local authors”
shelf. You can purchase Campbell’s books at Needful Things in Southport and online.