“Grey File” is now available on Amazon

This is a project that I’ve been excited about for quite some time.

I grew up reading detective novels from great authors like Robert B. Parker’s “Spencer for hire” series or “To the Hilt” by Dick Francis. Pour on top of that all of the buddy cop and police procedurals I’ve watched over the years, and it felt like it was only a matter of time before I had to try my hand in this genre.

The idea of working on a near-future sci-fi was born from another classic movie. “Blade Runner” was so ahead of its time in terms of effects, and yet the very human questions of the storyline made it a film that connects on various emotional levels.

The natural conclusion to my interests was to delve into the future to draw out a story that I feel touches on both of these waypoints. From the mystery side, looking at the motivations of the protagonist, Castor Bohr, for how and why he’s dedicated himself to bringing order into a disorderly world was an enriching opportunity to engross myself in writing in a first-person voice. Giving the reader access to how Cass navigates his job, relationships, and the case was a rewarding process to flesh out.

Conversely, imagining a world in the not too distant future, where the effects of the amount of data that we generate are used against us, was not a difficult task. We already carry self-tracking GPS units that record our movements, conversations and actions in the name of convenience. What was more interesting to me was the concept of what I believe is the inevitable societal self-correction as people become less enamored of being manipulated through access to our data.

So many books have been written about our American dedication to the First Amendment or the Second Amendment, but how many times have you considered the daily intrusions on your life in the area of the Fourth Amendment?

” The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

How many lines does the government cross in the manipulation and use of our private and public data?

My story is hardly exhaustive on the subject, but I enjoy touching on it, and I look to continue poking the idea with a stick to see what it yields in the future.

Until then, I hope that you enjoy “Grey File.” I look forward to the conversations and doing another book signing or two. Thank you for your continued support.

Remember the Alamo,

Rob