The promise of peace can be the most dangerous illusion. Serves You Right by Orion Gregory takes readers inside a world where a detective’s badge makes her both protector and prey.
Sydney Livingstone thought she was leaving chaos behind when she traded tennis courts for a badge in Walsh County. Newly engaged to her fiancé Enzo, she pictured quiet mornings, manageable cases, and a steady new rhythm. But her hopes are shattered when The Enforcer, a faceless vigilante, unleashes a bloody campaign against criminals and the justice system. Sydney is thrust into the center of his twisted crusade, and every move she makes could be her last.
Meanwhile, the department she trusted begins to crumble from the inside. A stalker torments one officer, colleagues whisper in suspicion, and damning evidence points toward betrayal close at hand. Sydney must pick apart truth from deception before the vigilante strikes again. With the media swarming the town and the pressure rising, she faces a chilling question: is she hunting the killer, or is he already hunting her?
For Orion Gregory, crime fiction has always been more than stories—it’s a lifelong fascination, sparked by his first Agatha Christie novel. After earning a Communications degree at Wright State University, he carved out an award-winning career in journalism and advertising and contributed to a national sports magazine. While raising a family with his wife, Fran, Gregory also coached tennis and worked for decades in sales. Today, he brings that discipline and storytelling passion to his thrillers, writing from his home in Southwest Ohio. Visit his website for more.
Author Interview
How did you research your book?
Fortunately, I have several friends who are doctors and another who is a police officer. With the internet today, so much information is at your fingertips on virtually any subject. I do know, however, that if the authorities ever examine my search engines, I’m going to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless if they have any proof.
What’s the hardest scene or character you wrote—and why?
The most challenging scene and character was Rex Cutter, the person who assaulted Frank McBride at the amusement park. Here, a redneck, hillbilly character attempts to play a tough-guy role against a person who has committed a cold-blooded murder. If it had just been the two of them together, Cutter more than likely would have been seriously injured or killed. As it was, he emerged believing he vanquished his opponent.
Where do you get your ideas?
I’ve loved the thriller/mystery genre since I was a kid. Sometimes when I’m simply experiencing life, I find myself plugging in “what-ifs.” What if a mysterious note appeared on a picnic table at a reunion? What if I saw my picture on a most-wanted list? What if those three people on the street corner were assassins? Most of those ideas never lead to anything, but there’s always a few that stick with you and have the potential to bloom.
What sets your book apart from others in your genre?
A vigilante who attracts attention on the dark web becomes very interesting when the reader understands that he or she has ties to the police department. When a flawed rookie female detective seeks to find the culprit while dealing with the precinct’s “good-ol’-boy network”, you’ve got yourself quite a story.
What helps you overcome writer’s block?
I don’t know if many of the so-called cures really work. I think you must place your butt in the chair and write, whether you feel like it or not. Once you begin working, good things begin to happen.
What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?
Several people have told me that they couldn’t put the book down. Another said that it “doesn’t let you breathe.” Those are probably the biggest compliments, especially since I strive to never, ever bore the reader with extraneous details. If someone finishes your novel, you probably did something right along the way.
Serves You Right: A Novel (Sydney Livingstone Detective Series)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gEGWTZ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237696808-serves-you-right
Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase a product, we will receive a small commission for the sale at no additional cost to you. Chapter Break is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Leave a Reply