Narrated by: Michael Harrity
A Detective Al Warner Suspense Novel
Mystery / Suspense
Too many infant boys of Palm Beach gentry are dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Only obstetrics nurse Casey Jansson is suspicious.
Al Warner, crack Miami homicide detective, is inactive, languishing on medical leave from a deadly shootout with the Angel of Death. He’s in the best physical condition of his life, but struggling to convince the department’s shrink he is not suffering from PTSD.
Warner meets Casey at a local pub. They are attracted to each other, but misreading the other’s body language, remain reserved. Learning of the SIDS deaths from Casey, Warner concedes it sounds more than coincidental, agreeing to help investigate and hoping romance develops later.
Then Danny O’Brien, a resident doctor and Casey’s best friend, whose research on the deaths is coming to a stunning conclusion, is killed when his little Honda is pushed into the path of a speeding tractor-trailer.
Casey is shattered, but stubbornly continues her search for a culprit for these SIDS deaths. She receives Danny’s notes, mailed to her just before his death. Eager to investigate, she leaves Warner a message, and then follows her suspect deep into the Everglades. Getting Casey’s message, Warner races after her, sure that she put herself in danger. But unlike Casey, who had an unwitting guide, he is uncertain where to look. Casey’s obsession tangles her up in mortal danger. Only Warner can save her - if he can figure out where she went, and get there in time.
Interview with George A Bernstein
How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?
This is the 6th of my Detective Al Warner novels, and frankly, my wife, Dolores, often comes up with plot ideas. The idea for the secondary plot re: the surrogate parent and how it occurred, came top us almost simultaneously while watching an episode of “Criminal Minds.” And an article about human trafficking, forcing women into prostitution, was the basis of the other part of the plot. Once I start outlining the novel, the theme sort of takes on a life of its own.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I try to come up with unique plots, where things get worse, then more worse, and then almost unbearably bad, before they get resolved. That was the advice of famous fiction agent, Donald Maass, at his seminar, and I’ve gotten pretty good at it. I also try for surprise ending, which, according to reviewers, I’ve succeeded at quite well in all my Warner novels. Even my editors seldom guess my endings.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
I don’t really struggle with much, once I come up with a plot. If I have any problem, it may be a tendency to use some terms and language from my earlier years, which my critique partners often call me on. Seldom do I have that authors’ devil, “writer’s block.”
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Finishing it 😊 Actually, I tend to “get into the head” of my characters, and they often “talk to me” at night as I lay in bed, awaiting sleep. I often learn outrageous things about them I never before imagined. That especially happened in two previous Warner novels, The Prom Dress Killer and Sniper. I learned a lot about my killers from them, before finally falling asleep. It’s kinda weird. I also like taking time to polish my work and make it eloquent but not pretentious. I’ve become known as something of a wordsmith.
Where there alternate endings you considered?
Always, but as the book develops, the final ending usually falls into place.
Can you share some stories about people you met while researching this book?
The only “people” I met were my characters, talking to me, as I outlined above. And a small critique group of other published authors, as we review and comment on each other’s work. Other than that, almost all research is done on line, with no real contact with actual people.
What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
Almost entirely suspense and thrillers. I tend to be drawn to strong female protagonists. My favorite author is Dean Koontz, especially his less supernatural work, like “The Husband” and “Intensity.” He’s a great wordsmith, and reading his work has helped me polish mine.
About the Author
George A. Bernstein, now living in south Florida, is the retired President of a modest, publicly held appliance manufacturer. He spent years attending writing seminars and conferences, learning to polish his work and developing a strong “voice.” George is acclaimed by his peers as a superb wordsmith and a crafter of surprise endings no one expects. He works with professional editors to ensure his novels meet his own rigorous standards, and all of his books are currently published by small indie press, GnD Publishing LLC, in which he has an interest.
Taken is the sixth of his Detective Al Warner Suspense series, with the first five; Death’s Angel; Born to Die; The Prom Dress Killer; White Death; and Sniper, all garnering rave reviews. His Detective Al Warner has attracted many fans, with readers likening Warner to James Patterson’s Alex Cross. Four of his novels are also now available in Audible.
Bernstein’s first novel, Trapped, was a winner in a small Indie publisher’s “Next Great American Novel” contest, and received high praise, gaining many mostly 5-star reviews, reaching “Top 100” status. His second novel, A 3rd Time to Die (A paranormal Romantic Suspense) has also garnered mostly 5-Star & 4-Star reviews, with one reader likening him to the best, less “spooky” works of Dean Koontz & Stephen King.
Bernstein is also a “World-class” fly-fisherman, setting a baker’s dozen IGFA World Records, mostly on fly-rods. He’s written the popular Toothy Critters Love Flies, the complete book on fly-fishing for pike & musky.
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