Crime has become all too prevalent in Walker City. Detective Frank Salvato, who grew up in the small steel mill town, has seen it all-petty theft, drug trafficking and family violence. But Salvato's lieutenant drops a case involving two missing school girls on him that knocks this veteran crime fighter on the canvas. What starts off as a routine missing children case turns into one involving child molestation, murder and the surfacing of a secret satanic society in the working-class town.Salvato-a divorced, middle-aged man who drinks a little too much-has more than a few personal demons of his own. He's doesn't hesitate to break a few rules to solve this case and prevent more child kidnappings.
It's not often I get to talk with a judge, thankfully. However, in Gino Brogdon's case it has been a pleasure. He has served as a judge and trial attorney for more than two decades and is now pursuing his literary passion. Demons in the Crawlspace is the first in an audacious plan of 11 books in his new crime/thriller series.
In his years behind the bench Brogdon heard many disturbing cases. However, it is the tragic stories of child abuse that form the basis of his first novel. Weaving elements from cases he has studied Brogdon introduces us to his flawed but strong-willed hero, Frank Salvato. Although he insists that his main character is not autobiographical it soon becomes clear that the author has real passion and knowledge about his subject matter. It did not surprise me in the least to see that he works as a mentor and on councils to help victims of abuse.
Demons in the Crawlspace is hard-edged and gritty and oozes with confidence and authority. I caught up with Gino and managed to get a deeper insight into the man behind the bench.
Your biography is certainly impressive; lawyer, judge, legal scholar and painter. What brought you to writing?
I have always been a right brain person in search of the perfect vehicle for creative expression. After having published poetry, legal articles and other technical writing, I wondered about writing a novel based on my experiences as a lawyer. I quickly discovered that there were too many lawyer books so I decided to write about a homicide detective. I fell in love with having found my life's work.
Have you always written or is this your first attempt?
This my first attempt at fiction novels but I have written many articles, a book chapter and other things.
Was the move from a judge's perspective, one of balance and adherence to the law, to that of a detective, where justice over the letter of the law is sometimes an enticing option, a difficult one?
The transition from judge to detective perspective was not difficult at all. The roles are similar in the information gathering mission and the need to be a good listener and a curious person. Although the judge is usually a decision maker, the judge must wade through the irrelevant to get to the salient. A detective's job requires this same navigational sophistication.
'Negligent parents, mentally handicapped felons, Borderline mental health professionals, ambitious but incompetent prosecutors, showboating defence attorneys, and compromised judges.' Where have all the good guys gone?
The good guys are there right beside and inside of the flawed folks. We all have challenges and "demons" which manifest in deception, mental illness, vices, anti-social behaviour and ultimately criminal conduct. Inside the world of a homicide cop's life, the underbelly is much more apparent. Good people wrestling with going bad is the essence of these stories.
I see that Frank Salvato's story is set to continue. Was that always the plan or did the character evolve during the writing of the first book?
Salvato's richly dark life and salt-of -the-earth personality are too big to be contained in one book. The sequel, Inside She Waited is ready for publication. Numbers 3-7 are well under way.
How do you write? Do you have a ritual, do you plan out every detail or do you see where the story leads?
I have a general idea where the story is headed but I have great faith in the creative process. It's exciting to write and live the story as it develops right before me.
If you were given one paragraph to convince people to buy your novel what would it say?
The Salvato Murder Series is "faction," i.e. fictionalized facts where the murders are the canvass upon which I paint the stories of the human journey. Frank Salvato represents every man or woman who ever faced conflict and his or her demons of the past. Child torture, murder, violence, crime and corruption are relalities that most people only read or hear about through news sources. In the Salvato series, these phenomena are the vehicle which challenge the reader to ponder the larger life issues. Gritty, insightful, colorful and at times horridly realistic, Demons in the Crawlspace is a perfect debut to this unique and exciting homicide series.
When you're not writing do you read much and who do you enjoy most?
Writing is the love of my life. When I am not writing, I read Baldacci, Morrell and Walter Mosley. These are great story tellers who create life inside the mind of the reader. I love these guys.
Demons in the Crawlspace is available now in Hardback from Total Recall Publications and has already garnered incredible praise. There are eight chapters on Gino's website for free, so head on over there immediately and have a look. You won't be sorry.
Derek Gunn lives in Dublin, Ireland with his wife and three children and is the author of the post-apocalyptic thriller series, VAMPIRE APOCALYPSE, widely praised on both sides of the Atlantic. The first two books in the series are; A WORLD TORN ASUNDER (2006) and DECENT INTO CHAOS (2008). The third Vampire Apocalypse book, FALLOUT, is due out in 2009. An adaptation of Derek's first book is under option and is currently in active development as a major movie.
