One fun aspect among the multiple glories of the Billy Boyle World War II mysteries, written by Hadlyme’s James R. Benn, is the author’s clever and creative way of interjecting actual historical figures into the plots.

But, wow! With “The White Ghost,” the 10th novel in the series, Benn ups the “real-life figure” ante considerably when Boyle and his sidekick Kaz are assigned a case in which they’re asked to clear a Navy Lieutenant accused of murder in the Solomon Islands. The under-suspicion sailor? Why, one John F. Kennedy.

Not only does the situation dictate that all of the considerable Kennedy power and influence come into play, but there’s also the issue that Boyle and JKF actually knew each other in pre-war Boston — and the future president proved to be something less than an honorable pal.

Things get darker when more homicides follow, and further elements — the sinking of Kennedy’s PT-109, Chinese criminal gangs and constant shelling by Japanese artillery — all make life even more complex for Billy and Kaz.

Fans will also note that “The White Ghost” is the first of the Boyle novels to take place in the Pacific Theater rather than in Europe, a narrative element requiring a totally new approach — and not a small amount of research — by the author.

“The White Ghost” officially hits bookstores Tuesday, and Benn celebrates with a Launch Party on Sept. 11 in the Lyme Town Hall Meeting Room. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Lyme Public Library. All proceeds from book sales benefit the library.

Earlier this week, Benn answered five questions about “The White Ghost.” 

Q: You’ve had a lot of fun mixing real-life figures into the Boyle novels. But to bring in John F. Kennedy — and have him a murder suspect — is pretty delicious. Aside from the felonious accusation, the whole history of the Kennedys is complex and controversial and presumably required some delicate maneuvering. At any point, did you think, “This is just gonna be too hard?”

A: “As soon as I started reading biographies of the Kennedy family and the young Jack Kennedy, I knew the only problem was going to be deciding what to leave out. Having Joe Kennedy as a domineering, power-hungry father and Rose Kennedy as an aloof and cold mother produced quite a complex set of sons — the two oldest, Joe Junior and Jack, who went off to war. The post-war political climate was never far from their minds. And it got Joe Junior killed, but’s that’s for another book ...

“Jack Kennedy was a charmer, so much so that often people didn’t realize — or mind — that everything was about him. He and Billy have a backstory from their Boston days, based on a real-life incident that involved Kennedy’s life-long pal Lem Billings. Jack once left Lem to take the blame for something he’d done — something very wrong and foolish. I transferred that to Billy, who doesn’t take it as easily as Lem did.” 

Q: A lot of privileged folks like JFK didn’t (or don’t) go to war. What do you think being in World War II taught him?

A: “Well, Jack tried to join the army in 1940 and flunked the physical. He was categorized as 4-F due to a variety of illnesses, including venereal disease. In 1941, his old man arranged for a private doctor to do the physical, and oddly enough Jack passed with flying colors. That’s how he got into the navy — plain old corruption and political influence. He started with a desk job in D.C., and it was only after a disastrous affair with a married woman (and suspected Nazi spy) that he got a combat command with the PT boats.

“It was the first time in his life that he associated with working-class guys, and it definitely widened his view of the world. When PT-109 was sunk, two men died. Jack felt tremendous guilt over that, and I think that was a major turning point in his life. All the hoopla notwithstanding (much of it manufactured by his father), Jack always knew he was responsible for those deaths. The Jack Kennedy who returned from the South Pacific had sobered up to some of life’s realities.” 

Q: After nine Boyle books set in Europe, “The White Ghost” takes place in the Pacific Theater. We’ve discussed in the past how much you’ve learned about the European front over the course of writing the novels. Was shifting to the Far East a bit like going back to college with a whole new major?

A: “Yes, in terms of getting the feel of the Solomon Islands. It’s not like writing about the terrain of France or Italy. I was lucky enough to be able to interview a fellow who served with the Marines on Guadalcanal. He gave me a good idea of what it felt like — the humidity, mud and rain. Not to mention Japanese battleships shelling you. Some of the stories he told made it into the book, only slightly altered to fit the circumstances.” 

Q: Billy Boyle fairly screams for a television series. Has there been any interest and — yes — we have to ask: which actor would you like to see play Billy?

A: “When I started writing the series, I visualized Matt Damon, circa ‘Good Will Hunting.’ Poor Matt, he’s aged out by now. As far as a series, there have been nibbles of interest along the way from Hollywood, but nothing’s panned out yet. I keep telling people — enough of the Brits and ‘Foyle’s War’! It’s time for Boyle’s War.” 

Q: You’ve gotten consistently positive reviews from the industry publications such as Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly, as well as from heavyweights like The New York Times. But what’s it like when bestselling colleagues like Lee Child and Joseph Finder chime in? Is it cool when your agent calls and says, by the way, Lee Child loves you?

A: “Damn straight it is. Good reviews are wonderful, but getting respect from guys like that is a tremendous lift. The crime fiction community is very supportive. Even though a lot of us only see each other at a conference once a year or on the road, there is a surprising lack of competitiveness. Lee Child has been helpful since the first book, and I always try to pass that kind of support on whenever I can.” 

Q: Bonus sixth question. What’s Billy up to next?

A: “I’m about to send in the manuscript for next year’s book. The working title (since changed to ‘The Blue Madonna’) was ‘The Court-Martial of Billy Boyle.’ Our man is in hot water...”