If you've read any of his stories, you already know who he is as a person. But you know little about how he became who he is as a man or what shaped the conduct and convictions he's so proudly carried throughout his life.
Essentially, what makes Turner, Turner?
Instead of my answering that question, I figured it would be more intriguing to hear from the man himself. So he and I sat down recently for a conversation, and I must say, he was much more forthcoming with his answers than I thought he would be.
Brandon Turner is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.
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Me: I've got to tell you, Brandon, your cabin is really nice. The upgrades you've made are very impressive.
Turner: Thanks. But all the credit goes to Joyce. She's the brains behind the renovation. She turned this place into a home. If it hadn't been for her, we'd probably be sitting on two wooden stools in the middle of an empty room right now instead of these comfy recliners.
Me (chuckling): Well, I appreciate you agreeing to us having this conversation at your home. I've been wanting to see the inside of this place for a while.
Turner (smiling): That's funny coming from the guy who writes all the scenes.
Me: Yeah, well, once it leaves my head, it all belongs to you. I just wanted to see it in person. Now, how about we get down to business?
Turner: All right, shoot.
Me: You were a narcotics detective in New York before moving to Magnolia Bluff. What made you want to be a cop?
Turner: My mother's father, my grandfather, was a cop. An NYPD gold shield detective, first grade. He spent thirty years on the job. When I was a young boy, I was fascinated by the stories he would tell me. Of course, he cleaned them up since I was twelve at the time. I loved my grandpa. He was a great man. I thought becoming a cop like he was would make me a great man too.
Me: So, it's generational? Were either of your parents in law enforcement?
Turner: No, they weren't. And being on the job wasn't really generational in my family. Besides me and my grandfather, the only other cop in our family was on my dad's side. My Uncle Jimmy. But I never met him. He died in the line of duty before I was born.
Me: How about your parents? Were they supportive of you wanting to follow your grandfather and uncle into police work?
Turner (slowly shaking his head back and forth): Far from it. Even though my grandfather had a storied career, like I said, my dad's brother passed before I was born. He'd only been on the job two years at the time of his death. He and his partner answered a domestic violence call. A woman's ex broke into her house and was threatening to kill her. (He paused) Anyway, the guy had some sort of death wish and started firing at them. A bullet struck my uncle in the chest. He died on the way to the hospital.
Me: That must have been hard on your father.
Turner: It was. But it all happened before he and my mom got married. They were dating at the time. My dad's always said it's something he never got over, and he credit's Mom for getting him through that period in his life. As the daughter of a cop, she could offer him the kind of support only someone who understands, and I mean really understands, the dangers those men and women put themselves in to keep the rest of us safe.
Me: But you still became a cop. How did you come to that decision knowing what happened to your uncle?
Turner: It took a while. (smiling) Like a lot of young men, I played baseball when I was in high school. Thought I was going to be the next Willie Randolph. He was a five-time all-star second baseman for the Yankees back when I was on my high school team. Well, I was convinced I was going to be drafted by the Yankees right out of school.
Me: Were you good enough?
Turner (laughing): I thought so. But alas, it was not to be.
Me: So when the Yankees didn't come calling, you went into the police academy.
Turner: Not immediately, no. I thought about it, but my parents wanted me to go to college and pursue forensic science instead. They felt that if I really wanted to be in law enforcement, it would be safer to enter the profession as a crime analyst. So I applied to Syracuse Univesity and got in. I ended up earning a BS in Forensic Science and Biochemistry.
Me: Impressive. But you didn't become a crime analyst?
Turner: No. After I graduated, I decided I would rather be on the front lines. I wanted to make a difference like my grandfather did. So, after a long conversation with my parents, they finally gave me their blessing. I took the NYPD police officer civil service exam, passed the physical, medical, and background checks, and the department selected me to enter the academy in College Point, Queens. (grinning) The rest, as they say, is history.
Me: You ended up having a long career. Twenty-three years total. First as a beat cop, then as a homicide detective for fifteen years before transferring over to narcotics. And now, you're retired here in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Turner: I am. Sort of. True retirement has been a little hard to achieve since I moved to Magnolia Bluff. I quickly found out that this town is practically famous for the number of murders taking place here every year. Didn't you even have a reviewer dub Magnolia Bluff the murder capital of the world?
Me: Yup. Sure did!
Turner: It's been tough on the citizens in this town. And the police department here is lacking in talent when it comes to solving most of the murders.
Me: And that's where you come in?
Turner: Yes. It was hard for me to sit back and watch the police struggle. I knew I could help. I was reluctant at first. Sergeant Detective Reece Sovern and I are like oil and vinegar. We see things differently. He's the traditional small-town cop, and I come at things from a big city perspective. And, of course, we both feel our way is the best. So, it's been a challenge, to say the least.
Me: But you guys seem to get along better during your most recent investigation.
Turner: Our relationship has grown over the years. We are better at tolerating each other. Although I will say he surprised me during this last case. I was going through quite a bit of turmoil, as you know. Joyce's kidnapping left me completely overwhelmed. Sovern was less of a pain in my ass during this investigation, which helped... a little.
Me: You've been called a knight in shining armor by some of the town folk. Do you believe that's an accurate description?
Turner: I don't know if I'd go that far, but I enjoy helping the people in this town. The folks who live in Magnolia Bluff are a tight-knit group. Like most small towns, there is a high level of curiosity. (smiling) To put it bluntly, they're nosy. Everyone knows everybody else's business. That took me some time to get used to. The grapevine in this town is amazing. Being from New York, I was used to everyone minding their own business. Your problems were not their problems. But I like getting involved in other people's problems. It's one of the reasons I became a police officer. Now that I've been living here a while, I feel like I'm better suited to small town life. So, I'm willing to pitch in and help whenever and wherever I'm needed. Not just on police investigations and crime cases, but on other things too. If someone needs help mending a fence or needs a ride to the doctor, or being on a town committee, I'll make time for it. If they want to call that being a knight in shining armor, who am I to argue? (laughing)
Me: I could talk to you all day, Brandon. But we're running out of time. Maybe we can do this again sometime, and we can delve into other aspects of what makes you, you.
Turner: I'd be up for it. That being said, the best way for people that haven't read the books to get to know me better would be to start with this interview. Hopefully, this will intrigue them enough to read the books. Then they can learn how and why I chose Magnolia Bluff for my retirement. They can discover how I met Joyce and follow the growth of my relationship with her and her son Jason throughout the stories. And they can learn why I decided to open my own PI business and how I juggle that with retirement and family. And best of all, they can get lost for a few hours in a good mystery.
Me: That's a good idea. And there are four to choose from: Second Chances, Catch a Tiger by the Toe, Blood is Thicker than Money, and the latest - The Clock Strikes Dead. They can be read in order, but since they are all written as standalone novels, they can also be read in any order someone chooses.
Turner: You put me through the wringer during the investigations in those four books, but in the end, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Me: I'm glad you're okay with it. I love the Magnolia Bluff stories that have been written by all the members of the Underground Authors. There are some great characters in the series, but to tell you the truth, Brandon, and maybe I'm biased, you're my favorite. I enjoy writing about you and my take on that small town in the Texas Hill Country.
Turner (mischievous grin): Good... then I'm guessing you have more stories to write. Get back to work!
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Learn more about the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles and the authors behind the series by going to our website: undergroundauthors.com
You can find all my books here: JoeCongelAuthor
As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. And of course, your thoughts and comments are always welcome. 😊
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