Why Serial Killers? →
Where did the idea for A Killer’s Daughter come from?
In 2018, I was sitting in a workshop by crime writer Lawrence Block when he said this about a serial killer. “Once you meet him, you can’t unmeet him.” Around the same time, I read Dangerous Ground by M. William Phelps. One of the topics of this non-fiction book deals with his ongoing relationship with the Happy Faced Killer, used as an unnamed resource for his television series, Dangerous Minds. Before entering into this relationship he was cautioned that “there will be a psychological…price to pay.” These two observations warned about the cost of having such a dark force enter your life and served as a springboard for me. I wondered what would happen if you couldn’t avoid a relationship with a serial killer because that person raised you. That idea sent a chill straight down my spine.
Once I decided to write a thriller, I began the hunt for my protagonist. I recall thinking of how many stories involve the past victim of a crime or someone with a spouse, child or parent who has been murdered. I started thinking of how to expand the idea of who is victimized by the crimes of a killer. The less touted victims include the killer’s family who often bear feelings of guilt, loss and shame. I had not seen a story about this protagonist. It was something the same, but different and I found this appealing and began my research. During that work, it occurred to me that someone experiencing emotional trauma might seek psychology as a means to understand themselves better and combine that field with law enforcement. I attended every workshop I could find given by forensic and criminal psychologists as my protagonist took shape.
Then, I read the most current research on the FBI website from the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) and learned that “Due to the lack of submitted cases…this study did not include female offenders.” This inexplicably infuriated me, and in that instant my male protagonist and his father changed to a female profiler and her serial killer mother. Researching female killers, I have to disagree with the FBI. There are more than you would think.
My original idea was that the only thing that separates my protagonist from serial killers, was that she has managed to suppress the impulse to murder but struggles with her longing. I later changed the longing to a fear, which works better. I’m still tantalized by a character that helps society but never quite fits into society, who wants to be like other people and knows that she will never be like them.
The idea has morphed and evolved from its origins but remains a story about secrets kept and exposed, about struggling to protect your vulnerabilities while finding purpose and belonging.
Oh yes and hunting serial killers!
An absolutely addictive mystery and suspense novel (Nadine Finch Book 1) by Jenna Kernan. It's out February 11th but you can pre order now!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/35XJeLj
Apple: https://apple.co/2HqnWMK
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3fnyubY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3kWwMQf