It's been a while since my last note. I've been deep in the bones of my new book, and I wanted you to be the first to hear about it.
For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to dark, philosophical crime thrillers that pit deeply flawed investigators against complex, almost mythical villains. I yearn for that rare story that marries incredible depth of character with a relentless pace. Ten years ago, long before I imagined writing a book, I went looking for a novel that wove together all my favorite elements. I posted on reader forums, describing what I was looking for and asking for recommendations. I started a lot of books, many of them wonderful stories, but nothing really clicked. The book I was searching for didn't seem to exist. Now, a decade later, I've decided to write it.
My next book (still untitled) is a psychological crime thriller about a haunted young woman who joins the FBI to protect herself and prove to the world she's not a monster. As she wrestles with her darkness, she gets drawn into the gravity of a monstrous evil, a deeply unsettling villain who has given me nightmares. The story is a love letter to The Silence of the Lambs, my favorite book and forever my north star. If it ends up half as good as Thomas Harris' masterpiece, I'll be overjoyed.
It's been six months since I opened a blank document and typed the story idea that's been whispering to me for three years. Now I have a digital folder overflowing with character bios, research files, plot timelines, scene sketches, and more. The characters are fully drawn. The story is plotted. The themes are layered. And I've begun to write - four chapters so far.
If you're a fan of crime thrillers, I think you're going to love it. But if you're a die-hard post-apocalyptic fan who adored The Posh Prepper trilogy, this may be a big shift. Here's my promise: the genre may be different, but the DNA will be the same. Deeply human characters. A relentless pace. Fascinating new settings. Obsessive research. Heavy moral questions. A beating heart. It will all be there, stronger than ever.
There's a ton of story to tell, so it's going to be a long book (not as long as The War Saint, thank God). I'm writing as fast as I can, squeezing sessions into the tiny cracks of an overstuffed life (chaotic day job, three energetic kids, a needy house). There's a long road ahead. But I'm tingling with anticipation - every single day - about this story.