Author Brian Copeland is back with another installment of his Topher Davis series. I recently spoke with him about Shadows of Justice.
Tell me about Shadows of Justice.
White upper middle class suburban housewife Kristin Promes vanishes without a trace, and it turns into a Lacy Petersen–style international news frenzy. In the meantime in East Oakland, single mom Danica Walker has been missing longer that the Promes woman and neither the police of the media will do anything about it; Danica’s mother asks broadcast journalist African-American Topher Davis and his LAPD Homicide sister for help. What they discover is that somehow, these two different women from two different words are connected in life…and death.
What inspired you to write this story?
Two things. The Gabby Petito frenzy, and the story of Evelyn Hernandez. Evelyn was a South American maid in San Francisco who disappeared the same time Lacy Petersen did. Like Lacy, she was present, and her torso ended up in San Francisco Bay. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that they had written 2000 Petersen stories but only two on Evelyn. Her case remains unsolved to this day, 25 years after.
Who is your favorite character and why?
I love Lynn because she takes no prisoners.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I’ve written stories since I was old enough to hold a crayon in my hand.
What author would you fan over?
I already do. Jon Kellerman. I’d also add Stephan King and Scott Fitzgerald to that list.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I adored The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. I never knew where it was going!
Your publisher, Black Odyssey Media, is a huge proponent of script-to-screen. How do you envision the Topher Davis thrillers beyond the book?
We have seen few detectives of color on the screen. I see Topher as a striating show, six episodes a season, and Sterling K. Brown in the lead.
What do you hope readers gain from your work?
Entertainment first of all, education and social commentary next.
What’s next for you?
My next novel is call the The Burning Of Russell City. It’s based on the true story of how white city and county governments denied basic services to segregated black communities, then declared them “blighted” and sold them to white developers for tens of millions in the ’50s and ’60s
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Shadows of Justice by Brian Copeland.
To learn more about author, playwright, comedian, film actor Brian Copeland, visit his website.