Follow You Down by Michael Bradley

New York attorney Neil Brewster has everything he’s ever wanted: an expensive Manhattan apartment, a gorgeous fiancée, a forthcoming partnership in his law firm, and a reputation for winning even the most hopeless cases. His utter ruthlessness and bullying–both in and out of the courtroom–are legendary, and have been since his childhood.

With a new high profile court case looming, a camping reunion with his old high school cronies becomes just the distraction he needs, especially after he discovers a former lover is staying nearby.

But Neil’s weekend plunges into disarray when he’s confronted with the sins of his past. After learning about the suicide of the boy he bullied relentlessly as a teenager, Neil is tormented by ghostly voices and apparitions. Frantic, Neil descends into a frenzied search for answers, only to discover that things aren’t always what they seem.

Author Michael Bradley took time out of his busy schedule to discuss his latest thriller, FOLLOW YOU DOWN, with The Big Thrill:

Was there anything new you discovered, or that surprised you, as you wrote this book?

If there was one thing that surprised me, it was how much I hated my main character by the time I finished writing the book. I had intended him to be the kind of person you love to hate, but I was shocked at how hard it was to write such a despicable person and how much I would hate him by the end.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

FOLLOW YOU DOWN contains a subtle tribute to one of my favorite British TV shows, Red Dwarf. Although it is an obscure reference, it plays an important part in the book. But, you’d have to know Red Dwarf inside and out to pick up on the reference.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

Many of my influences come from classic mystery and suspense writers, such as Raymond Chandler, Agatha Christie, and Ian Fleming. I love the no nonsense way they write, as well as their ability to keep me engaged throughout a story. I also have a fondness for Leslie Charteris and his Saint series, which is just so fun to read. P.D. James is a favorite as well. She was such a genius at creating elaborate scenes and twisting plot lines.

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Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Michael Bradley is an author and software consultant, whose frequent travels have brought him in touch with a variety of people throughout the United States. In his “day job,” he has presented on a variety of subjects at several IT conferences, both in America and in Europe. When he isn’t on the road, working, or writing, Michael hits the waterways in his kayak, paddling creeks, streams, and rivers all over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.

Before working in information technology, Michael spent eight years in radio broadcasting, working for stations in New Jersey and West Virginia, including the Marconi Award winning WVAQ in Morgantown. He has been “up and down the dial” working as an on-air personality, promotions director, and even program director, providing a wealth of fond, enduring, and, sometimes scandalous memories that he hopes to some day write about.

He lives in Delaware with his wife, Diane, and their three furry four-legged “kids,” Simon, Brandy, and Preaya. To learn more about Michael, please visit his website.