Manhunt by Tyler Anne Snell

By Cathy Clamp

Eleven years ago, young Braydon Thatcher was unable to stop a tragic murder, one that hit painfully close to home. Now a detective, Braydon can’t help but notice the eerie similarities between that murder and three women who have suddenly gone missing in the small town of Culpepper. But he has to focus on the present and keep distractions of the past to a minimum. Distractions like Sophia Hardwick, who crashes into town like a Florida thunderstorm, demanding to know where her missing sister is. The attraction between them is nearly his undoing. But he has to protect her, because it’s clear someone is resurrecting ghosts in order to punish Braydon. And if he lets his emotions for Sophia get the best of him, she could become yet another victim…

ITW contributing editor Cathy Clamp sat down with the author of this intriguing new romantic thriller to find out more about the story.

Is MANHUNT intended to be part of a series, or is it a standalone novel?

MANHUNT is a standalone novel…though in my head I definitely continued it to follow the characters after its “The End!”

Are Braydon and Sophia people your readers will have met before, or are they brand new characters?

This is the first time Braydon Thatcher and Sophia Hardwick have been introduced! And boy what a way to start!

Please tell us a little more about the town of Culpepper.

Culpepper is your stereotypical small, quiet town but in the best way possible. Sure there’s no big mall or a plethora of restaurants or attractions. But, the community really makes it great. They are a close bunch, ready to have each other’s backs when everything starts to go sideways…Which it does in MANHUNT. Because like almost every small town or, even large city, there’s a past that can’t stay hidden.

Most authors research for books. What’s the most interesting thing you discovered during your research—whether or not it made it into the book?

Drugs! Without giving anything away, I will say that there’s a drug in MANHUNT that I sort of pieced together. Trying to walk that fine line between being overly specific or way too vague, I became a chemist to produce a totally fictional sort of weapon that I hope readers can accept!

What’s next on your slate? What can readers look forward to seeing from you—in Culpepper or elsewhere?

I have a four-book series releasing next year (tentatively starting March 2016) that follows three security group agents and their boss through four very different stories. Each book can be read as a standalone but, in my opinion, readers will enjoy the series more if they read them all since the same characters will pop up in each book! (Then again, I’m slightly bias!) I’m really excited for this series because I’ve fallen in love with all of the characters. Each book is infused with high stakes, fast pacing, thrills, and a mystery that needs to be solved ASAP. Plus some fun sexual tension and romance, of course!

Memorial Day is coming up. If Braydon and Sophia had the chance to get away for a long weekend, where would they go and what might they do for fun?

Oh this is a wonderful question! Well, Culpepper is near the beach so I feel like Sophia would try to change things up and not spend time there. She’d definitely try to convince Braydon to head up to the mountains for a change of scenery and fun. I could see the two of them getting competitive while skiing or enjoying a hike for some pretty views. Or Braydon would get a bit too cocky and sprain his arm or something that required doctoring from Sophia…which might have been his plan all along!

Will you be touring as part of the release of the book? If so, where can readers find you? Any conventions or such?

I definitely plan on going to some kind of convention but as for this year I’m only traveling via my computer! You can thank my wedding (last month!) for that! We might have spent a little too much money this year! But I’m always on social media and near my email so if any readers out there want to talk, I’m almost always available!

Anything else you’d like readers to know?

While I love Sophia and Braydon I have to say that the secondary characters in MANHUNT really are my favorites. They aren’t just floaters in the background, there to help move the plot along for the main characters. They each have their own stories, personalities, and motivations that help add depth to the overall plot. They matter and without them the story wouldn’t be what it is by the end of the book. My goal was to make each character real and relatable. That includes the antagonist…Which, to be honest, writing this person was my absolute favorite! (I don’t know what that says about me!) I only hope readers will enjoy reading MANHUNT’s cast of characters as much as I enjoyed writing them!

Sounds like a terrific read! I’ll bet readers will love this new reality.

*****

Tyler Anne Snell writes and reads a little bit of everything but has a soft spot for thrillers, mysteries, and sexual tension. When she isn’t writing or reading, she’s re-watching her favorite TV series or playing video games. Tyler lives in Florida with her same-named beau and their mini lions.

To follow her shenanigans, please visit her website.