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INTRODUCTION
Striking a balance between Silicon Valley and Mayberry, Grand Rapids
Michigan proves an eclectic jurisdiction for police detective Nelson
Brady. Between thwarting antiquities capers and solving crimes of
urban legend, Brady’s job never leaves him wanting. And in the
rare moments he finds time for a breather, his ex-wife Erin is there to
fill the void, disrupting his life on a whim. For Brady, felons
are easy. He knows what to do with them. As for Erin, well,
he still hasn’t quite figured out what to do about her.
Brady's stomping grounds consist of the greater Grand Rapids area and
the surrounding farm country, which covers the gamut from high-tech
industry to plow and hearth homestead. Western Michigan has its
artistic side too. From the breathtaking Van Andel Museum Center
to the 30-foot tall reproduction of Davinci's Stallion at Meijer
Gardens, art and culture are on prominent display. Agriculture and
industry, rural traditions and cutting edge culture, it's a compelling
mix. Vibrant enough for any detective to ply his trade. I
think Detective Brady will have his hands full for quite some time.
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DEAD RECKONING
THE STORY:
The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit has come to the Van Andel Museum Center in
downtown Grand Rapids. Historians and theologians have anticipated
the event for a long time. But when the museum is gutted by fire
and the scrolls are lost, it's up to Detective Brady to find out who
sparked the match.
Physical evidence at the crime scene leads Brady to arrest an arsonist
he has crossed paths with before. An open and shut case. But
when an official with the Israel Antiquities Authority gets involved the
investigation is revitalized. Brady realizes that the Dead Sea
Scrolls have become an obsession to people with much more power and
influence than a two-bit Grand Rapids arsonist, and before the case is
over, he learns the extent to which these people will go to claim a
piece of ancient history.
PUBLICATION INFO:
I
wrote "Dead Reckoning" to enter into the Writers' Digest 72nd Annual
Writing Competition and immediately
fell in love with Nelson Brady's character. I knew I'd be working
with him again. And I did, in "Half Measure." Read up on that tale below.
As for "Dead Reckoning," download the PDF version
here and get on board with Nelson from the
beginning.
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HALF MEASURE
THE STORY:
There's been a murder in Allendale, just outside of Grand Rapids.
Killed by a shotgun blast, the victim is found at the edge of a local
farmer's corn field. He's a stranger, an outsider, without an
identity. Though Detective Brady struggles to determine a motive
for the murder he's sure of one thing. It must have something to
do with the cryptic list of numbers he has found at the crime scene.
Assisted by an Allendale police deputy, Brady centers his investigation
on the crusty farmer who owns the field, his beautiful daughter, and the
mysterious list of numbers. His legwork uncovers a link between
the victim and a legendary crime committed thirty years ago. The
stakes in the murder are higher than he had imagined. Under
threatening storm clouds Brady confronts a clutch of potential conspirators,
hoping the murderer among them doesn't kill again to keep
their lucrative secret hidden.
PUBLICATION INFO:
"Half Measure" is featured in the May-June 2005 issue of Futures Mystery Anthology
Magazine.
Click on the cover art graphic below to link to Futures Website
and either download a copy of
the E-zine version or order a copy of the print issue.
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RARE VINTAGE
THE STORY:
It's time to let go. Nelson Brady has finally decided to cut loose
the baggage he carries for ex-wife Erin. But his therapeutic plan
for a weekend on Lake Michigan is rudely interrupted. First, he
gets snagged into investigating the theft of a vintage bottle of wine from a group
of visiting connoisseurs. And second, Erin shows up at the inn with
Paul, her new man. Brady can hardly contain himself.
A silver lining appears when a witness reveals that Paul might be involved in the wine's disappearance.
Vowing not to let personal feelings cloud his judgment, Detective Brady
jumps headlong into investigating the case of the missing Bordeaux.
But dark undercurrents are swirling among the connoisseurs at the inn,
and when murder is attempted Brady realizes there's more going on than
meets the eye. His investigation weaves through the eccentric group
of wine tasters, and his frequent run-ins with Erin test the mettle of
his deductive concentration. In the end Brady uncovers truths he
never expected to find, about the missing Bordeaux and about Erin as
well.
PUBLICATION INFO:
"Rare Vintage" is featured in the
2006 March/April issue of Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine.
Click the cover art image to order your copy and keep up with
Nelson Brady.
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