Blog Archives
One of Ours
In One of Ours, author Lynn-Steven Johanson crafts an exhilarating mystery that follows the astute Chicago detective, Joe Erickson, as he delves into a complex cold case on the verge of retirement for Captain Vincenzo. However, when the captain himself falls victim to a fatal shooting, the stakes are raised, and Joe, alongside his partner Sam, find themselves embroiled in a web of intrigue and deception that expands far beyond a single murder. With each new revelation, the line between coincidence and connection blurs, leaving the detectives—and the readers—questioning who can truly be trusted.
A must-read for aficionados of the mystery and true crime genres, One of Ours deftly keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Johanson skillfully unravels the layers of suspense and uncertainty. Just when you think you have solved the enigma of Captain Vincenzo’s murder or connected the dots, the narrative takes an unexpected twist, challenging your assumptions and inviting you to delve deeper into the investigation.
While the novel’s third-person narrative may prevent readers from fully immersing themselves in Erickson’s perspective, it does offer a comprehensive view of the unfolding events. This storytelling choice, though somewhat distancing, does not detract from the overall impact of the novel. The introduction of Joe’s life partner, Destiny, and glimpses into the personal lives of the characters add depth to the story and enrich the investigative process.
One of Ours is a compelling and engaging true crime novel that will captivate readers with its intricate plot and well-crafted suspense. Highly recommended for those seeking a thrilling literary experience that challenges their deductive skills and keeps them guessing until the very end.
Pages: 259 | ASIN: B0BWP996JD
Close To Becoming An Obsession
Corrupted Souls follows a detective that is investigating a murder that appears to be a hate crime, and in the process uncovers a massive conspiracy that could get him killed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I read a story about hate crimes perpetrated against the Jewish community in New York City, and it really bothered me. The memory of those attacks stuck in the back of my mind, and it came out when I was considering an inciting incident for Corrupted Souls. I find hate disgusting, and this heinous act in Corrupted Souls fills my main character with disgust in the same way it would me. Sadly, such an incident could easily happen today.
Joe has been through a lot and this case pushes him to his limits. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Joe has a strong moral sense, and that comes from his small-town, Midwestern upbringing. He has the best solve rate of any of the detectives in his area because he drives himself to close a case. He is creative, intuitive, and his lieutenant has described him as a bulldog because once he grabs hold of a case, he won’t let go of it. It comes close to becoming an obsession, and he once learned the hard way that he cannot drive himself beyond what is physically and psychologically possible to solve a case.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This may seem odd to some people, but I don’t think in terms of themes when I write. I approach a story by concentrating on plot and character, and if themes develop out of the story, so be it. To me, themes clutter my thinking about the story, and they don’t help me write the book. So, I leave themes up to people who read and interpret the story.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I just completed the first draft of One of Ours, and it will be published next year. It tests Joe in ways he has not been challenged before because the crime strikes close to home.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Corrupted Souls
Corrupted Souls by Lynn-Steven Johanson is a page-turning police procedural novel that takes readers on a nail-biting journey full of murder and mystery. We begin by meeting Chicago Detective Joe Erikson, who is fighting for a chance to return to duty after a traumatic case. With a new psychiatrist’s approval, he re-joins the force alongside his old partner, Sam Renaldo. Not missing a beat, they begin investigating the high-profile hate-crime murder of 24-year-old Jewish graduate student Daniel Silverman, who was found on the shore of Lake Michigan with a swastika carved into his back.
As it turns out, this initial murder was only the beginning of a fast-paced and unpredictable expedition that would lead to uncovering a dangerous and corrupt conspiracy linked to organized crime led by Vincent Scalise. First, we meet the Fielding family, owners of a large interstate freight company where Daniel Silverman was interning. Next, the detectives unravel an odd array of potential suspects, including neo-Nazi white supremacists tied to the company and members of the Fielding family themselves. This case takes every ounce of Erickson’s skills and intuition to solve, but not before several more murders, risky love affairs, and uncovering unthinkable family betrayals that almost get him killed.
This was one of the best police procedurals novels that I’ve read. It was easy to keep track of the different characters and their roles in the crime and investigation, yet it was nearly impossible to predict what would happen next. As a reader, I couldn’t help but root for Joe as he fought through old traumatic events to move forward with his life and continue the career he was so passionate about. There was even a little love story that’s deftly inserted into the story with his supportive girlfriend, Destiny.
Corrupted Souls is a riveting crime thriller novel that will take readers through an intense homicide investigation. This page-turning mystery will have readers guessing till the end.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B09TRVW7MX
What Drives the Serial Killer
Havana Brown follows detective Erickson on a bloody case to find a serial killer preying on women in Chicago. What were some sources that informed this novels development?
Since this was a prequel to my novel Rose’s Thorn, there were only a few references to the backstory in that novel: Joe’s prior relationship with Destiny, his nervous breakdown, and the serial killer. So, when I decided to write a prequel, I had to construct the story around those things. But the story itself came strictly out of my imagination.
What were some new dimensions of detective Erickson’s character that you wanted to explore in this book?
Joe won’t let go of a case and will do whatever it takes including working himself into the ground to solve it. A paradox exists in that he decides to make a life change and begin taking good care of his physical health while at the same time ignoring his psychological health. And he begins a romance with a woman who is an intellectual and physical match for him. She will be a recurring character in subsequent mysteries. In addition, I wanted to explore his relationship with his father, since it was only touched upon in Rose’s Thorn.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Oddly enough, I don’t think of themes in my writing. I focus on characters and telling the story but not so much on theme. Now that I think about it, I guess I would say that obsession is the main theme. Joe’s fixation with catching the serial killer leads to his self-destructive behaviors. And obsession is what drives the serial killer to continue murdering young women.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I recently finished the first draft of the third installment in the Joe Erickson Mystery series. It should be published by Level Best Books next spring.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Havana Brown: A Joe Erickson Mystery
![Havana Brown: A Joe Erickson Mystery by [Lynn-Steven Johanson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vsG6r3XhS.jpg)
Havana Brown, written by Lynn-Steven Johanson is a fast-paced mystery suspense novel that is part of the Joe Erickson mysteries. The novel has well developed characters, is well structured and has an interesting setting. All the elements of a great read!
The characters in this novel are well developed and authentic. Characters are described in detail, from their physical appearances to their personality traits. Homicide detective Joe Erickson is the main character in the story. He is supported by his partner Sam Renaldo on a hunt to find a serial killer. Joe meets someone along his journey and starts to develop a romantic relationship with her. Joe’s character is kept grounded and relatable by the way in which he deals with difficulties both in his work and personal lives.
Havana Brown is a compelling crime novel that kept me coming back to see the unique ways in which Joe pieces the mystery together. The dramatic opening ensures readers will be immediately engaged in the story and perpetually guessing as the novel twists in wild directions. There are almost two story lines in Havana Brown – the journey to catch the serial killer and Joe’s journey as he navigates his personal life. There are plenty of twists in both storylines to keep the reader engrossed, but the combination of these two parallel stories serves to provide a respite from each one when needed, provide more depth to Joe’s character, and ultimately keep the reader immersed in this riveting story.
This is a contemporary crime thriller set in Chicago. Buildings such as apartments, gyms, medical offices, basements, police stations and funeral homes all feature in the story and feel real and like they are part of the story, rather just the background.
Havana Brown is a murder mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy police procedurals, or anyone looking for a dramatic crime novel with authentic characters. This book was difficult to put down! I look forward to reading more books in the Detective Joe Erickson series.
Pages: 288 | ASIN: B09138DYHC
A Joe Erickson Mystery
Rose’s Thorn follows a homicide detective that’s thrown into an enigmatic murder case that turns into a race against time once the killer strikes close to home. What was the inspiration for the setup to this riveting novel?
Fifteen years ago, I wrote a screenplay which is the initial story for Rose’s Thorn. It sat languishing in my database for years, and one day my wife suggested turning it into a novel. I scoffed, saying I could never write anything that long. Then one day a few years ago, I had dried up on ideas for a new play and remembered what she said. So, I pulled up the screenplay and began adapting the opening scene into the first chapter. I found I could do it. Then I moved on to the second chapter, then the third, and thirty-some chapters later, I had the first draft.
Joe is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
You know the old adage, “write what you know.” I’m from Marathon, Iowa, a small town in the northwest part of the state. So, I made Joe from there, too. As a result, I instilled in him the same values and ideals I grew up with. His parents raised him to be honest, moral, sincere, and with a positive outlook on life. But I am far from the tough, intense guy he is.
I enjoyed the mystery at the heart of this story. Did you plan the story before writing or did it develop organically?
I use the same three-act structure for outlining a novel that screenwriters employ. And I outline the story in detail before I ever start writing chapters. That way I know where all the major plot points exist and all the minor events that lead to them. I am one of those writers who needs structure. But it has to remain flexible because if something changes while I am writing a particular chapter, I go back to the structure and make changes.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next novel, Havana Brown, is the second in the Joe Erickson mystery series. It is a prequel to Rose’s Thorn, and it is due to be published by Level Best Books in March. I am presently working on the third book in the series, but I have just begun writing it. It is scheduled for release in March of 2022.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
But when he learns two teenage girls in neighboring towns have been abducted, murdered, and found posed nude along a riverbank, he takes notice. And when his former lover and criminal profiler is brought in to consult, she talks him into joining the investigation.
Known for employing unorthodox methods, Joe throws himself headlong into a case that will test his mental stamina. But when his neighbor’s daughter is abducted, his razor-sharp intuition and keen investigative skills kick into high gear as he races against time to find her before she becomes the killer’s third victim.
Rose’s Thorn: A Joe Erickson Mystery
![Rose's Thorn: A Joe Erickson Mystery by [Lynn-Steven Johanson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/316CHsWEQfL.jpg)
Rose’s Thorn is a wonderfully suspenseful and creative murder mystery. The plot centers around everyone’s worst nightmare: a seemingly quiet town turned into a hunting ground for a dangerous predator. Someone is violently abducting, raping, and killing the town’s young women, but there are so many clues that are missing. Not even the town’s police force is exempt from suspicion. Joe Erickson and Destiny Alexander must work together to create a profile of this vicious killer and put him away. But they have some chemistry of their own to spice up the plot.
Rose’s Thorn is fantastically woven with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and on the edge of their seat. Each character is introduced in an artful and believable manner that gives the reader a sense of who they are right away. Even if that character does not stay in the story for very long. The action scenes as well are very compelling; it comes quickly and with heart-pounding intensity. There is also an element of dramatic irony that will make the reader want to shout at the characters and tell them what is going on! The characters are realistic and most are likable and relatable which makes the story that much more enjoyable.
It is a funny coincidence that a lot of these characters have names beginning with “J”. Joe himself is a unique take on the hardened cop in that he is not overly so. The audience is able to relate to Joe and see how he is affected by events and emotions unlike the common version of the trope, but we still get the sense that he is a tough guy who will get the job done. Even the minor characters who make small appearances are unique and realistic which draws the reader into the book even further as it appears to be completely plausible.
Rose’s Thorn is a riveting crime fiction that lures you in with a seemingly simple yet complex murder mystery and delivers an absorbing investigation for those that love police procedurals. I loved the plot, the characters (especially the strong female co-lead, Destiny), and the twists and turns. Author Lynn-Steven Johanson has written an thriller that anyone, teenage and up, could enjoy at any time. Just be sure to lock the door!
Pages: 271 | ASIN: B085SX5WNN
LITERARY TITAN 