Danny C. Estes Author Interview

Braxton Snow P.I. is a thrilling mystery romance novel that follows an anthropomorphic wolf, Braxton who is trying to find a missing archaeologist in an increasingly complex case. What was your inspiration behind the mystery in this novel and how did you develop it?

I was surfing the net exploring images to tweak my imagination when I came across drawing of animal/people or furries. The drawing details are amazing. I especially liked wolves, foxes and rabbits. Considering what type of world they might live in and how they came about lead me to an old story I’d yet written. With a bit of reworking of characters I came upon an idea. Mankind had vanished, but how did animals take over? This is the mystery. An archaeologist seemed needed to dig up these facts but telling the story by his view point seemed lacking in adventure. Thus Braxton was born. Yet again a simple private eye left the story dry. This is where Joann arrived and his family, making Braxton interesting. As the story evolved with these three main characters so did the complexity which opened new doors to where the story could go. The first book, Braxton Snow P.I. would involve a small group of animals who would forge a path to book two, The Infinite Wisdom.

Braxton’s character was meticulously developed and his relationship with his fiancee is heart warming. Did you plan their relationship or did things happen organically as you were writing?

I always like to put some love interest in my stories, though Charlotte Soul, is an exception. For Braxton, a wolf partner seemed common place while not really helping out the world building. So Joann was born. She aided the story in more ways than one. As I worked her out on paper her role deepened, giving Braxton more depth. Vulnerable and strong, I thought she complemented him.

I find that there is often a lot of symbolism in stories where animals are anthropomorphized. Was there anything that you felt worked better in your story with animals then it would have with humans?

This story needed characters who are not human. In later books this will become more apparent. Besides, I thought writing up animals a new challenge. One which would hold more in-depth thinking as animals have far better sense then we have.

What is the next story that you are working on and when will it be available?

The next story is the continuation of The Snow Adventures. The Infinite Wisdom. If luck holds this second book in this series should be out by October. I’ll give a shot out on my webpage before it does.

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Braxton Snow P.I., a big city arctic wolf, follows a missing-persons case to his detriment. The fox he’s hunting is an archaeologist digging into the mystery of where the hairless apes of centuries before disappeared to. When Braxton gets too close to his quarry, his jackrabbit fiancée becomes the prey.

Braxton walked away from life in the savage glacial wolf clan—now his past comes back with a howling fury. Will he find the fox and the answers? Will he save his fiancée from the stewpot?