Blog Archives
Twists and Turns
Once Upon a Crime follows a veteran homicide detective who needs to find a vigilante serial killer before she kidnaps her daughter. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Once Upon A Crime came from my reading about the hunt for the Son of Sam. He’d sent a taunting message to an NYPD detective threatening the detective’s daughter.
Another part of the inspiration came from a criminal case I worked on when I was a police officer about the sexual assault of a young lady.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
In writing Once Upon A Crime, given that most sex crimes have women as victims, I wanted a female character hunting for sexual offenders to be the antagonist. At first, she was a disgruntled police officer whose back story was about her being dispatched to do a preliminary investigation of the brutal sexual assault of a young girl. A news item gave me the idea for a different antagonist: Penny Grimes.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
When I started writing Once Upon A Crime, I had fairly good idea of where I was going with it. As the story took root, several ideas came to mind for the twists and turns used in it.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Detective Madison Chase and the direction of the next book?
At this time, I haven’t decided whether to write a sequel to Once Upon A Crime.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
In a twisted game of cat and mouse, Detective Madison Chase must outwit a serial killer targeting sex offenders—before her own daughter becomes the next victim.
October in Fort Worth takes on a sinister hue for Penny Grimes. She’s not just a vigilante; she’s a poetic executioner, leaving headless pedophiles as her gruesome calling cards. Each murder scene is adorned with a chilling rhyme, taunting the police and, in particular, haunting veteran homicide detective Madison Chase.
But Penny has a darker agenda. She’s set her sights on Chase’s daughter, Emily—a blonde, blue-eyed four-year-old, living image of the child Penny has always yearned for. Unbeknownst to Chase, while she’s hot on the trail of Fort Worth’s most elusive serial killer, Penny is plotting to kidnap Emily.
Once Upon A Crime
Once Upon a Crime by Alan Brenham dives into the complex world of vigilante justice, illuminating the perils of taking the law into one’s own hands. The narrative centers on Madison Chase, a detective entangled not only in a harrowing hunt for a serial killer targeting sexual predators of children but also in a personal custody battle, adding layers to the already intricate plot.
The story unfolds with Madison chasing a serial killer known from the outset as Penny Grimes. This unconventional approach of revealing the killer’s identity early in the story intriguingly shifts the focus from the ‘who’ to the ‘why’ and ‘how,’ pulling readers into a deeper engagement with the narrative. Brenham skillfully balances the revelation of information, providing just enough to propel the story forward while peppering the plot with sufficient twists to maintain suspense. Brenham’s narrative prowess shines as he weaves complex characters and tightly knit plot elements without leaving any loose ends. Detective Chase is portrayed with a blend of professional acumen and personal vulnerability, making her character both compelling and relatable. The addition of her daughter to the storyline does more than just add a personal stake; it enriches the narrative, offering a poignant glimpse into the personal drives that fuel Chase’s professional endeavors.
For aficionados of crime thrillers and readers drawn to stories of justice and ethical dilemmas, Once Upon a Crime offers a gripping, well-paced read. Alan Brenham’s knack for detailed storytelling is evident as he deftly navigates the moral complexities of vigilante justice, making this book a notable addition to the genre.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0CJLXT8ZW
LITERARY TITAN 