Blog Archives
Life-Changing Moments
Every Silent Thing follows a shy and deaf twenty-three-year-old woman working in the U.S. Embassy in Paris who discovers a gunshot victim in the bathroom, where she is given a mysterious thumb drive. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Every Silent Thing involves several avenues: Claire and Megan’s characters were derived from my identical twin nieces. Having lived in Europe for a few years, I wanted to use a European setting for the story. Another niece had spent considerable time touring Paris (a city I never had the chance to include in my journeys) so with her support, I created the Paris settings. My own hearing impairment gave rise to exploring deafness in a fictional story. Desiring a deaf woman as my protagonist, I consulted a deaf female author I knew from Canada to obtain her perspective on deafness.
Claire is a young and excited woman who is starting her dream job in Paris when everything changes in a moment. Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
I absolutely do believe in life-changing moments, having had several such moments in my own life – traumatic and non-traumatic.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes of importance to me in the creation of Every Silent Thing were mistaken identity, the family dynamic, sibling love, a Phoenix Rising theme for both Claire and Megan, and personal growth.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Claire and the direction of the second book?
The second in the trilogy, Never Say A Word, is the story of a fanatical Italian millionaire’s kidnapping scheme to make Claire his wife. The story is set in Rome, Italy, and Paris, France, and involves themes of Stockholm syndrome, sibling love, mistaken identity, and aberrant behavior. The third book in the trilogy, Breaking Silence, will be released this summer.
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Ambitions, Emotions, and Flaws
Survive the Day follows a top-secret FBI task force who are on the trail of an international criminal organization that they suspect is dealing in human trafficking. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As I began my first “Crime Thriller,” The Other Side of Good, a friend suggested I read the book Filthy Rich, co-written by James Patterson. This non-fictional novel about the American pedophile and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein opened my eyes to the existence of human trafficking in our country and provided me the lowest of all levels for vile criminals. Research indicated traffickers targeted asylum-seeking immigrants at the United States’ southern border, making the first chapters of Survive the Day credible.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
Lots of research. My action-oriented experience in life comes from the military, not enforcement, so I have to source the expertise of friends with police backgrounds for the crime thriller novels I write. Too often contemporary literature and popular movies present enforcement officials who combat crime as comic-book-style “action heroes” who possess superhuman capabilities. I prefer to create more realistic characters with whom normal people can relate. Our heroes in life might be equipped with specialized training to perform unique skills, but they usually share the same ambitions, emotions, and flaws as the rest of us.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Quite honestly, retirement from full-time employment. While I’ve enjoyed writing since the fifth grade, the relentless demands of family and career consumed most of my available time before retirement. Anybody can put words on paper, but to write well takes time and effort.
What do you have in store for Special Agents Butnari and Hill in the future?
The two agents make good partners, and their next unusual assignment takes them to the Bahamas to assist a mysterious undercover enforcement resource in a case involving high-level corporate espionage. Readers of past E. A. Coe novels will enjoy the return of one of the most popular characters from The Other Side of Good, and Pastor Tom Burns makes a cameo appearance to continue his streak as the only common character in all six of my novels.
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WINNER: Firebird Book Awards – 1st Place (x2) – Crime Fiction + Thriller
WINNER: Literary Titan Book Awards – Gold Medal
FBI Special Agents Butnari and Hill join a task force charged with stemming human trafficking. They engage in a desperate battle with the criminals dominating the illegal trade, stalled by deceptions created by the mysterious genius who directs the well-organized syndicate, and hampered by compartmentalized intelligence within their enforcement group.
Not all is as it seems—on their side of the law… or the other. Random events and unrelated clues connect, leading to an inevitable showdown.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS a crime fiction adventure that features characters introduced in the multiple award-winning “Pedaling West” by E. A. Coe.
Every Silent Thing
Every Silent Thing by Alan Brenham immerses readers in the atmospheric setting of Paris, introducing them to Claire Deveraux, a determined twenty-three-year-old who has realized her dream of working as a foreign service officer at the U.S. Embassy. The narrative takes a suspenseful turn when Claire encounters a dying woman, who leaves her with enigmatic words and a thumb drive connected to a bank heist’s proceeds. This incident thrusts Claire into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with a merciless killer, testing her wits and survival skills.
Alan Brenham skillfully weaves suspense, intrigue, and action, ensuring the story grips readers from the start. The inclusion of Claire’s siblings, Megan and Boyd, adds a rich layer to the plot, particularly as themes of mistaken identity escalate the tension. Notably, Brenham sensitively portrays Claire’s experience as a deaf person, providing an insightful and representative portrayal of the challenges faced by individuals with hearing impairments. The novel thoughtfully balances Claire’s internal struggles and external conflicts, presenting her as a relatable and engaging protagonist. Every Silent Thing extends beyond the confines of a conventional thriller by delving into themes of family, identity, and redemption. The evolution of characters, especially Megan, enriches the narrative and lays the groundwork for subsequent installments in this trilogy. Brenham’s storytelling prowess is evident in his vivid descriptions, compelling dialogue, and steady pacing, which maintain the story’s momentum.
Every Silent Thing is a captivating mystery that will appeal to enthusiasts of the genre. Brenham’s combination of rich characterization and thematic exploration positions this novel as a significant contribution to the mystery genre. The blend of suspense, family dynamics, and personal growth makes for an engaging read, leaving readers looking forward to Claire Deveraux’s continuing saga.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0CJLT7G9C
Lifelong Love of Mysteries and Thrillers
Float the Boat follows a former aid worker who finds himself amid a global scandal after he finds his former colleague murdered and is accused of being an infamous serial killer. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Memories of days gone by inspired me.
In Float the Boat, half the story and the first of a series of murders take place in a former Vietnamese refugee camp in Indonesia. During the 80s, I worked in such a camp on Galang Island, Indonesia. We ran an educational program for refugees bound for the States and taught our students survival English, cultural orientation, and pre-employment skills, all to facilitate smooth assimilation into the US. Life in the remote island camp, located only a few miles from the Equator, was extremely stressful, with long work hours, a harsh environment, and the ever-present swirl of corruption and geopolitics. The maps I created bring some of this reality home to the reader. Of course, since the book opens in Washington, DC, some six weeks after Harvey Weinstein’s exposure, headlines from those days and after provided more raw material.
In summary, then, real life minus the tedious parts inspired me, and then I added in a dash or two of the extreme!
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
In real life, nobody is wholly good or bad. I modeled my characters on real people and placed them in realistic situations and conflicts. Nick Harmon, my protagonist, is a prototypical Everyman not without warts and quirks who finds himself in dire straits. Once before, he went all-in to save his life and now, confronted by dilemma after dilemma, he’s prepared to risk it to pursue the truth and save his skin. Adnan Sulaiman, my antagonist, is one bad cookie but has positive aspects, like personal magnetism, that rocketed him to fame and fortune. Even my serial killer has a soft side. Once I placed the characters in the arena, I let the famous quote from either Edmund Burke or John Stuart Mill, that “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” drive the plot.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I’d like to mention three experiences. First, a lifelong love of mysteries and thrillers determined my genre. Next, I’ve spent almost a quarter of my life living in Indonesia, Japan, and Korea, and that experience fuels the stories I want to create. Last, I came to writing late in life. This is my third career, following one in the NGO world and another in strategic purchasing, and I see the wisdom in Mark Twain’s quote “Write what you know.”
Is there a second book planned?
Yes, and thank you for teeing that up for me! Nick Harmon will return in a stand-alone Mystery-Thriller sequel. A new client has a unique need, and he gets entangled in another thrilling adventure filled with twists and turns and murder, and set in Ohio and Japan. The release target is Summer 2025, and I’ll make an update on my website later this coming spring.
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Adnan Sulaiman’s latest deal will make real estate history. But the Indonesian billionaire now stands accused of murder. Not by DC police, by a dead woman he never met and a cabal of media loudmouths. The bad news goes global fast. One partner bails, others waiver, and protesters mass at headquarters. He’s in the fight of his life and won’t back down.
Detective Steve Caine designates Nick the key suspect and Sulaiman a longshot. But is either man the elusive serial killer? Troubling inconsistencies mount, and unanswered questions dog him. Then a reporter breaks news about crucial evidence. One murderer or two? And if the Surf Club Killer’s in town, when will he carve another wave?
Industrial Espionage
The Repurposed Spy follows a retired linguistics professor as he accepts a translation assignment and is suddenly thrust into the world of espionage. What inspired you to write this novel?
Somewhat surprised by the success of my first book, which was a travelogue (There’s No Business Like International Business), I decided to write a novel. I love travel, and often when I visit somewhere different my mind wanders and wonders what interesting things might be going on under the surface. I know something about industrial espionage, love languages and food, and this was a great opportunity to let my imagination rip and combine all these elements.
Mr. Jones is such an interesting character. What were some driving ideals behind his development?
I grew up in a family of school teachers and met many others as a result. I dreamed up Ronald Jones as an amalgam of several real examples that I met years ago – some of whom taught me as a teenager. The linguistic side is personal – being able to speak Spanish and Portuguese, I am fascinated by the myriad variants of the same language in different countries and regions, especially when I travel around Latin America.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I’m guessing every author puts things from their own life in their novels! But there’s nothing autobiographical about The Repurposed Spy. What I did build in was my first-hand knowledge of all the places that Ronald Jones goes to and meetings similar to the ones he eavesdrops on. Oh, and the character Chameleon is inspired by a real life character – you’ll have to read my first book to guess which one.
Can fans expect to see more of Mr. Jones? What are you working on now?
I’ve had some reviews that have assumed that, after the end of The Repurposed Spy, there could be no sequel – but how wrong they are! The sequel – and what I hope will be the second in a series – titled Spies on Safari, comes out in November 2023. Not only does it explain what really happened to Mr. Jones, it reunites the other characters and introduces new cast members. Staying as true to life as an imaginary scenario can be, Spies on Safari is set in Africa, again all places that I have visited myself.
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After years spent teaching, Ronald Jones is ready to escape his chronic anxiety and distrust of others and resolves to explore the world. His first destination? Brazil – a place he once visited as a young man.
But just as he’s ready to embark on his adventure, the enigmatic Mr. Smith appears on his doorstep, turning his world upside down. Suddenly, Jones finds himself in a new and dangerous existence, surrounded by moody men in suits, shape-shifting female agents, spooks, and robotic controllers. With no apparent experience of this new world, Jones is in mortal danger and way out of his depth.
As you turn the pages of this gripping novel, you’ll be catapulted into a thrilling world filled with unexpected twists and turns. Will Jones cooperate with the mysterious figures surrounding him? And if he does, will they ever bring him back from the edge? Find out in this must-read book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the – unpredictable – very end.
Ronald Jones, The Repurposed Spy, is a spy like no other you’ve ever read about.
So what are you waiting for? Book your one-way ticket to adventure and join Ronald Jones on an unforgettable journey around Latin America and beyond that will leave you breathless.
The Repurposed Spy
In Oliver Dowson’s riveting novel, The Repurposed Spy, readers are invited to embark on an extraordinary journey alongside Mr. Jones, a retired linguistics professor with an undeniable thirst for adventure. With his sights set on South America, Mr. Jones is unwittingly thrust into a maze of intrigue when he accepts a seemingly benign translation assignment from the mysterious Mr. Smith. This assignment not only pulls him into the exhilarating world of espionage but also reveals depths and capabilities in Mr. Jones that neither he nor the reader anticipated.
Dowson’s masterstroke lies in his choice to present the narrative as Mr. Jones’ memoir, lending both authenticity and depth to the unfolding drama. Dowson’s vivid descriptions, particularly those detailing the myriad of cuisines encountered, add layers of richness to the tale, making it all the more immersive. While The Repurposed Spy might not be classified as a comedy, its moments of situational humor are both unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable. It artfully balances suspense with levity, ensuring readers remain riveted throughout.
The Repurposed Spy is a testament to Dowson’s storytelling prowess, plunging readers into a realm of subterfuge, disguise, and unexpected turns. For those with an affinity for espionage or simply a love for gripping narratives, this book is an unmissable treat.
Pages: 274 | ASIN : B0BVWPFFSK
LITERARY TITAN 