Brian Brady is the talented author behind the gripping crime novels that bring the streets of San Francisco to life. With a rich background in law enforcement and corporate security, Brian's stories are infused with authenticity and compelling characters that keep readers on the edge of their seats. His debut novel, Oh, What A Tangled Web, introduced us to the dynamic SFPD Homicide Inspectors, and now, in his latest book, Hiding in Plain Sight, he continues their thrilling adventures.
With a career that also includes executive positions at NBC Universal and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Brian's multifaceted background further enhances his storytelling prowess. Currently residing in Sonoma County with his wife, Brian continues to draw inspiration from his surroundings and experiences, promising more exciting tales to come.
Continue reading for an exclusive interview.
Hiding in Plain Sight is your second novel, do you see the two books as part of a series?
It will be part of a series. Oh, What A Tangled Web was book one, Then Hiding in Plain Sight, is the second. Book three is currently in the final chapters. Working on a title and the final edits.
What was the impetus for writing your new book?
I think it’s the characters and their placement in the story. How they make the nuts and bolts of the investigation come to life. As you write and develop the main characters you can see where there is room for additional characters. Then you have the opportunity to create their interaction with the main characters. I like all the characters and it’s exciting to see their development in each book.
You have a background in law enforcement. Can you share any personal anecdotes or experiences that found their way into the book?
In each book, although each is a work of fiction, there are pieces of real cases and real people throughout. Former SFPD Homicide Inspector Jack Cleary was the source for some cases, and his vivid recollection of suspects and witnesses made developing those persons easy. Hiding in Plain Sight is loosely based on a real abduction and murder case.
Are there any characters in the book that you particularly resonate with or enjoyed writing the most?
Originally it’s the interaction between Inspector O’Neill and Donnelly. I like their friendship and their ability to, as they say in New York, "break each other's balls.” Now the budding romance between Sullivan and Donnelly is the most enjoyable part. Also, having the stories set in my home city of San Francisco is fun. I love San Francisco, and I get to share my favorite City with the reader.
What surprised you most about writing the book?
I think there were two takeaways. First, several successful authors, Connelly, Siegel, Grisham, and Wambaugh, all write from a position of “having been there.” They make it look easy and they’re prolific. It’s not easy, and it’s time-consuming. While the writing is certainly pleasurable and frequently fun, it’s still a job and you have to put in the hours. The second would be just how much pleasure you can derive from the antics of your characters. You get to speak through them, and sometimes they say just what you wish you had said in a certain situation. So, it’s a job and it’s fun.
What do you hope readers take away from your book?
I really hope they like the characters. I hope they appreciate the research and dedication that goes into making the stories technically correct and believable, and still keep you turning pages to find out what’s next. I want them to read slowly so the story lasts longer. Book three is a slight departure from books one and two. There is an international element in book three and some additional characters. The Inspectors delve into an area that is really out of their depth. You’ll just have to wait.
Is there anything else about Hiding in Plain Sight that you would like potential readers to know?
As I said earlier, the story is loosely based on an actual case; however, using the wonderful literary license tool, the story can be expanded and characters added to enhance the whole experience. I hope the reader enjoys the story, the characters, the City…the whole book.
"Hiding in Plain Sight" promises to be a page-turner that true-crime fans definitely won't want to miss, and with book three already in the works, there's much more excitement to come. Be sure to check out Brian's latest novel and stay tuned for the next thrilling installment in this series.
For info on Brian Brady please visit https://www.goldengatetales.com/
