Versatile writer publishes mystery novel, scholarly works

By DEBORAH A. MILES
A long time ago, Robert Leslie Fisher read in The New York Times no one ever wrote a book with the protagonist being a member of the Peace Corps.

Not only did that statement intrigue Fisher, it germinated in his mind and finally prompted him to write “Vanilla Republic.”

The book, Fisher’s first suspense novel, was released in July 2009 and published by AuthorHouse. But this retired PEF member, who was a program research specialist 3 at the state Department of Correctional Services, is no stranger to the publishing world.

Fisher has penned three scholarly research books since his retirement and, now, the novel.

“Vanilla Republic” is a fun, fast-read with vivid characters surrounding a man named Richard Furman, who becomes a murder suspect when he signs up for the Peace Corps and ships to Sembeke, a fictive island nation off the east coast of Africa.

Fisher said the characters are based on real people in fictional situations and places.

“The characters deal with all kinds of problems people encounter in a foreign country,” Fisher said. “Some are English teachers at an elite high school. They are faced with labor demonstrations and whether or not to cross a picket line.”

Fisher said he decided to take a crack at writing a suspense novel, since he has always been an avid mystery fan. He feels people in PEF could easily relate to the situations posed in the novel.

At the same time, Fisher continues to pump out more scholarly works. In December 2009, “Crippled at The Starting Gate” appeared in book houses. Largely composed of tables and data, Fisher proposes the U.S. needs an education bill to send more Americans to graduate schools for science and engineering.

“I basically found there is a two-class system in science education,” Fisher said. “One is for white males who have the contacts needed to work in the sciences successfully. The other class consists of women and minorities. It’s a serious discrepancy.

“We have talented women and minorities, but our social arrangements are causing a very serious problem. I would like people to understand the future of our country in regards to wealth, prosperity and military security depends on gender equality and opportunity. There is a science and engineering shortage. It’s better to solve the problem by recruiting people in the U.S. and providing them with the proper tools to work here.

“We are not providing opportunity for people of all races and genders. That’s a serious problem for America,” Fisher said.

For more information on “Crippled at The Starting Gate” go to www.univpress.com.