Brian Benson

Most authors start writing at a young age, and mature into seasoned writers. I waited until retirement, and began writing the stories that had been brewing in my head for over 30 years. As a native New England-er, my detective novels take place in the eastern United States where I, myself worked as a private investigator for many years. I have also served on the board of directors for Citizens in Community Service, and Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Fulton County, New York. Additionally, I have served as a police chaplain in Johnstown and Gloversville New York.

I now reside in Alexandria, Virginia. My first novel, Cob Search For A Serial Killer was published in July of 2012. I have written two other detective novels in the series and am currently working on a fourth. I enjoy my retirement with my dog Blake, who is a great writing assistant! I have recently opened a publishing house Dog Days Ink Publishing, where I hope to help younger authors get realise their dreams and take the plunge towards being published.

     If you're scared of the dark, put this book down now. If you like fairy tales, go read Alice In Wonderland. If you like things nice and tidy, then go check out a Good Housekeeping Magazine. This book is about the pit of darkness that exists in the human psyche. It's about the twists and turns that can happen in human nature, and turn a child into a psychopathic killer. Somewhere in this story, you might find a little bit of yourself--hopefully in one of the characters on our investigative team. When I was a kid, there was a television program that started out with the words, "The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent." The story you are about to read is written through the eyes and language of an investigator. Every person herein, is actually someone from real life. Their names I have fictionalized to protect their true identities. My name is Brent Dulac. I'm a private investigator writing about a serial killer, named Richard Michael Minton. The hunt for this killer began in my early teens, and continued well into my thirties. If you're ready to take this ride, then let's begin. You may not be the same after this journey, but such is life. You never know what lies beyond that bend in the road, or on the other side of the door. I'll release your hand now and point you toward the darkness. Hopefully, you'll find a light on the other side. 

It was the summer of 1981. President Ronald Reagan had just fired 11,000 striking air traffic controllers. Major League Baseball was in the midst of it's fourth work stoppage since 1972, and Raiders of The Lost Ark was the top grossing film of the summer.
On the streets of our nation's capitol, the infamous serial killer Richard Michael Minton was once again stalking members of our investigative team.
My name is Brent Dulac, an investigator with Beltway Investigations Inc. in Washington, D.C. Just when we thought the summer couldn't get any hotter, our boss Stephen Martine decided to throw more kerosene on the fire. The Metropolitan D.C. Police and the FBI were working a high profile serial killer case, they had dubbed 'The Yellow Rose.' Six mutilated male bodies had been found in cemeteries in D.C. and nearby Northern Virginia. The brother of one of the victims hired our agency to help search for his brother's killer.
See what happens when the two cases intertwine. They will test not only our investigative skills, but our survival skills as well. Jump in, fasten your seat belts, and enjoy a reading thrill-ride.

 My  second Benson masterpiece, my second review.  Outstanding realism in writing from driven experience as a PI who has worked in some very dark  yet real places pursuing evil.  Fiction is not a proper category:   Notional.  The real life of a forward leaning PI in an aggressive PI  firm that cuts in deep  to get evidence, motive and location of the  suspect.  That the notional firm works alongside the feds is an added  plus of reality.  Great author, great mind.  It is time someone picks  these up for a Netflix series.  Seriously.   

 This  book is the second in a series from Brian Benson. The first "Cob, The  Search for a Serial Killer, is one of my favorite psychological killer  novels. This book continues the search, but with a twist of twin  killers entering the saga. Absolutely one of the best psychological  thrillers I have read in a long time. This is a must read. The  characters are authentic and phenomenal.  

Twin  Killing has our private detectives working on two separate serial  murder cases. With each, we know who the bad guys are and we watch while  the detectives put all the pieces together. There are no shades of gray  here. The bad guys are twisted, psychotic killers. We want the good  guys to bend the rules, because the bad guys really need to be caught.  
One  of the cases here is an extension from the plot in [book:Cob: Search  For A Serial Killer|25216537], the first book of the Brent Dulac series.  Because of that, I'm not sure this one would work well as a  stand-alone.  
While Brent Dulac is essentially the main character, Twin Killing features a variety of characters. We get to know all the  associates at the detective agency, giving many of them equal weight  throughout the story. I would have liked a stronger connection with  Brent, but that's my own preference.  
Benson's personal experience  as a PI adds plenty of insight to his characters and the way they work. These books take place before the internet took over the world, so it's  also fun to return to the 'old school' investigative methods.  

It was late summer 1983. Cujo was scarring movie screen audiences across America. The Baltimore Orioles defeated Philadelphia in the I-95 World Series. Four months later, our investigative agency Beltway Investigations Inc. was hired to look into the death of a local, named Chet Hosey. His body was found inside the Hancock Hotel in downtown D.C. The Metro D.C. Police initially ruled his death as accidental. His brother thought otherwise. It was later ruled as a homicide. Join the Beltway team as they attempt to handle one of their toughest cases to date. A case that leads to a nation-wide manhunt, and lands lead investigator Brent Dulac into the cross-hairs of the alluring best selling romance author, Lilith Vettmore. 

 This  story takes you down the trail of a very seriously demented woman that is being sought after for several murders.  The author uses relevant clues throughout the plot to keep your mind engaged in the story.  Although this novel is heart racing and serious, the author slips in  little bits of humor that is refreshing and fits well with the plot. This story has a true authentic feel and you can tell the author knows  what he’s putting into words. This is the third installment in this  Brent Dulac series, and each story holds your attention.  Although it’s part of a series, the author does a fantastic job allowing this to be a stand alone story as well.  I cannot wait for the fourth story in this  series!   

 Brian  Benson knows about investigations. He does his research and he combines it with his own on-the-ground experience as an investigator to bring  insider details to his stories. Red Ink is a terrific tale of how a team  of investigators tracks down a heinous murderer. Parts of the book may  not be for the faint of heart but for readers who like a good mystery  thriller, this is your book.  

 l love Dulac in these books he gets in situations that sometimes he can't get out of. The book was an easy read and to follow. Some new  characters are introduced which made the story really interesting. I have to say other than Dulac I loved Talia in the story. There was just one  part of the book that didn't sit right with me but then again it  explains how cold these killers are they don't care who you are if you  got close that's it. You know the old saying never judge a book by its  cover.   

Contortionist is currently in production. The sensational circus star The Amazing ZerinA is being stalked by the deadly assassin: A. Random Poet, (aka Edward Cahill). Cahill, has already successfully assassinated three high profile celebrities. Our agency is hired to protect ZerinA and hopefully identify the assassin before he can take her out.