Blog Archives
When They Investigate A Crime
The Dusty Road to Homicide follows a seasoned investigator and his team searching for a man who killed two people in a robbery before he can act on his threat to rob another restaurant. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story is based on an actual homicide that was investigated by the police department I work for. I’ve taken liberties with the characters, their backgrounds and current lives but the homicide and police investigation are based on fact. The killer was in custody within 24 hours.
What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
I did a lot of research into the homicide itself but then I built the characters’ backgrounds to fit the needs of the story. I created the main character’s background in order for the reader to understand why Dusty became a killer. From the time he was little and witnessed his parent’s arguments, he struggled, and hopefully, the reader could envision the world around him.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As a police procedural, I tried to keep to the actual facts and how the detectives conducted their investigation. I had someone recently say that they liked the way I explained the police procedures because, as a layperson, they had no idea how an investigation was conducted. It not only helped them understand the story, it also helped them understand why police do what they have to do when they investigate a crime.
When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
I’m currently working on book three and I’m about 2/3 of the way through it. I’m hoping it will be published by about this time next year, as long as the current publisher will accept it. This book, tentatively called Five Roses for Walter, is about a man that kidnaps women and holds them captive in an underground bunker to be his sex slaves. The same police characters as the other two books are involved in this book as well, so I’m hoping the reader feels comfortable with the detectives, their personalities and who they are.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
Left to his own devices, Dusty eventually gets into drugs and alcohol. When his mother has had enough, he finds himself kicked out of her house, and forced to float from couch to couch. Consistently unemployed and out of money, Dusty decides to rob a restaurant for some quick cash but shoots two people in cold blood on the way out.
Sergeant Steve “Mac” MacIntosh and his team of investigators follow the trail that they hope will lead to the killer. But they soon realize that time is of the essence when they read the killer’s Facebook messages and discover that he has plans to rob another restaurant the next night.
This is the second book in The Thin Blue Line Series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
The Dusty Road to Homicide
LeeAnne James’s novel The Dusty Road to Homicide chronicles the challenging life of Dusty Samson, a character whose early family struggles set him on a difficult path. The narrative explores Dusty’s descent into criminality, shaped by his environment and limited opportunities. His journey is marked by attempts at redemption that are often thwarted by his circumstances, painting a poignant picture of a life grappling with societal and personal hurdles.
James’s portrayal of Dusty offers an exploration of the stereotypes often associated with criminal characters. With limited education and fewer opportunities, Dusty’s choices, though understandable in his context, lead to short-term gains with long-term detrimental effects. The most impactful moments in the story are when Dusty encounters chances for change, especially those presented by his mother and friends, only to see them slip away. The book’s narrative style is straightforward, almost clinical, mirroring the report-like recounting of Dusty’s life events. This approach effectively conveys the tragic and disheartening nature of his experiences. In this storytelling approach, the focus on exposition provides a straightforward, direct narrative, although it does somewhat curtail deeper reader engagement. The book certainly has poignant moments, yet there seems to be room for a richer exploration of its themes, potentially heightening the emotional impact.
The Dusty Road to Homicide presents a clear-eyed look at the ramifications of a life constrained by difficult circumstances. The narrative style is familiar, and it successfully captures the resonant story of navigating life’s complexities and the challenging choices faced in adversity.
Pages: 200 | ASIN : B0C5RY6XPJ
LITERARY TITAN 