My Literary Inspiration
If you’ve picked up one of my books, you’ve met Detective Marcus Brogan — tough, determined, a little haunted, and not exactly your typical hero. He’s the kind of character who sticks with you, and I have to admit, part of his DNA comes from one of my all-time favourite authors: Sir Terry Pratchett.
I’ve always loved Pratchett’s ability to build characters who feel real, flawed, and utterly human, even in worlds full of magic and chaos. One character in particular, Commander Vimes from the Discworld series, left a lasting impression on me. His relentless sense of justice, his dry wit, and the way he carries his own moral compass through messy situations — that’s exactly the kind of nuance I wanted Brogan to have.
Brogan isn’t a copy of Vimes, of course — he’s got his own secrets, quirks, and burdens — but the inspiration is there: a grounded, thoughtful character navigating a world that’s sometimes far too dangerous. When I write him, I try to balance grit with a touch of humanity, the same way Pratchett gave Vimes a beating heart beneath all the cynicism.
I like to think that reading about Brogan is like stepping into a shadowy, thrilling corner of that moral grey area, a place where choices matter, and consequences are never far behind. And honestly? I think Vimes would probably approve.