Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Greyson Bryan. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Greyson Bryan. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

A Conversation with Thriller Writer Greyson Bryan

Omnimystery News: Author Interview with Greyson Bryan

We are delighted to welcome author Greyson Bryan to Omnimystery News today.

Greyson's new first in series international thriller is BIG: Beginnings (Greyson Bryan; June 2016 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we had the opportunity to spend some time talking about it with him.

— ♦ —

Omnimystery News: Tell us a little more about some of the business strategies that are featured in BIG: Beginnings and in the next two books in the series. And were you really involved in a deal involving harvesting logs from an underwater forest?

Greyson Bryan
Photo provided courtesy of
Greyson Bryan

Greyson Bryan: Beginning in 2001, I began to advise U.S. financial institutions which were just starting to look to emerging markets as places of great opportunity. In fact, the acronym "BRIC," for Brazil, Russia, India and China, was coined in 2001 by a Goldman Sachs investment banker. Needless to say, emerging markets may offer great opportunity but they also present legal and reputational risks quiet different than North America or Western Europe. For the next twelve years, I advised Goldman, Sachs and other clients on literally hundreds of matters arising from their growing activity in emerging markets, including an investment in a company planning to harvest underwater timber from a lake in Ghana.

OMN: If you had been working on deals in emerging markets for more than a decade, what prompted you to start writing about them fictionally in 2011?

GB: I'm sure some desire to explore writing fiction had lurked in my subconscious for years. And for a number of years several friends with whom I shared some of the details of my practice in emerging markets found them fascinating and dared me to write a novel based on my work as an international business lawyer. But I just laughed. Who had the time? Then one day in 2011 I found myself on a flight to Washington, DC. Without really thinking, I took out my laptop and began to tap out a list of some of the more intriguing transactions I'd worked on. The list included the investment in the harvesting of underwater timber I just mentioned as well as the financing of a small Channel Islands company engaged in West African oil exploration and a Nigerien uranium concession. These real-life deals were eventually adapted into the backdrop for the three BIG novels.

OMN: Where did the title BIG come from?

GB: I know it sounds counterintuitive, but, for some reason I needed a title before I started to write. Something to make the project concrete, I guess. So, before I wrote a word, I took the name for the tentative title from the acronym for the organization many of whose talented members had become my friends and colleagues: the Business Intelligence Group at Goldman, Sachs or BIG, as it's called. Of course, in the book, BIG originally stands for the Bingham International Group, an investment firm specializing in high-risk emerging markets, and then at the end of the first book and throughout the series, the Bingham Intelligence Group.

OMN: As a lawyer yourself, why didn't you make a law firm the institutional center of the action?

GB: I wanted to make the story primarily about the business risks from investing in emerging markets not about the legal issues. Besides, having worked for more than thirty years in a law firm, I had a hard time seeing how I could make it interesting enough. Also, because I worked primarily with bankers and in-house lawyers doing deals in places like the BRICs and South Africa, Nigeria, Indonesia and Argentina, it seemed natural to make a small private equity firm specializing in emerging markets the backdrop for the story.

OMN: Why did you choose Los Angeles as the city where BIG is based instead of New York or Washington, where I would guess most of these types of investment firms are based?

GB: I know all three cities, of course, but I grew up in LA and had been living there for two decades when I climbed on the plane to DC in 2011. I know the business, cultural and social scenes in Los Angeles well and I felt placing Bingham in Los Angeles would make it standout more than if it were in New York.

OMN: And I would guess that having raised your children in Los Angeles played a role in basing the story there?

GB: Absolutely, I'm sure it did. One of the two main characters, Duncan Luke, and his autistic son, Sam, emerged from my own experience as a single father raising a daughter on the autistic spectrum in Los Angeles. Duncan is a high-priced, burned-out lawyer who decides to leave practice to teach so he can devote more time to his family, a decision that precipitates a family crisis and forces him to take one last lawyer job at the risk of losing his son's love. As a Los Angeles lawyer with a fascinating but demanding practice and from many conversations with other frustrated, exhausted individuals trying — and often failing — to meet the competing demands of their careers and families, it was easy to imagine and write about the emotional turmoil swirling inside Duncan.

OMN: We'd like to hear more about Duncan and the other main character, Ghislaine Bingham, and your decision to have two protagonists and make one of them a woman. Perhaps in a subsequent Q&A?

GB: I look forward to it.

— ♦ —

Greyson Bryan is an international lawyer who earned his B.A. from Stanford and a J.D. from Harvard, and taught at the Harvard Law School and UCLA. A longtime LA resident, BIG: Beginnings is his first novel and the first book in the BIG series.

For more information about the author, please visit his website at GreysonBryan.com and his author page on Goodreads, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

— ♦ —

BIG: Beginnings by Greyson Bryan

BIG: Beginnings by Greyson Bryan

A Duncan Luke Novel

Publisher: Greyson Bryan

Amazon.com Print/Kindle Format(s)BN.com Print/Nook Format(s)

Duncan Luke is no stranger to impossible situations. A high-priced lawyer and expert in business intelligence, he knows how to extricate his clients from sticky situations while saving — or making — them millions. To be the best, he's sacrificed everything, including his family, but now he wants out. He's quitting his lucrative practice for academia and time with his autistic son, Sam. But his wife isn't on board and files for divorce, forcing him to fight for custody. With mounting legal bills, the only way to keep his son is to take on one last client. He plans to do the job, get out and get home to Sam, but his client, Ghislaine Bingham, has other ideas.

Ghislaine has a crisis of her own. Her cheating husband died and left her in a turf war with her stepson over the family business, Bingham Investment Group. She stands to lose more than money. Her reputation and life's work are tied up in the company. Her self-worth is on the line and only Duncan has the expertise to see her to victory.

When Duncan and Ghislaine meet, sparks fly, but neither can walk away. Ghislaine sends Duncan to Tokyo to convince his old friend, Taro Takayama, that Ghislaine is the best person to run Bingham. But Taka first needs Duncan to fix his Panama problems. Duncan races to Panama where he is kidnapped and beaten, stumbles into a sex-trafficking ring and rescues a beautiful woman. Unaware of the danger in Panama City and frustrated by Duncan's unorthodox ideas, Ghislaine threatens to pull him off the job.

As Duncan flies across time zones doing battle for Ghislaine, risking his life and reputation, Sam slips further away. Duncan must finish the job to get Sam back, but time is running out.

BIG: Beginnings by Greyson Bryan

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Our Continued Conversation with Thriller Writer Greyson Bryan

Omnimystery News: Author Interview with Greyson Bryan

We are delighted to welcome back author Greyson Bryan to Omnimystery News today.

Late last month we spent some time with Greyson talking about his new thriller BIG: Beginnings (Greyson Bryan; June 2016 trade paperback and ebook formats) and we asked if we could follow up with a few more questions.

— ♦ —

Omnimystery News: We ended the last interview with my question about how you decided to have two protagonists, Duncan Luke and Ghislaine Bingham, and to make one of them a woman.

Greyson Bryan
Photo provided courtesy of
Greyson Bryan

Greyson Bryan: I'm a big fan of the Patrick O'Brien series of historical novels which features two very different, but equally strong characters, Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, serving in the British navy during the Napoleonic wars. You may have seen the movie starring Russell Crowe, The Far Side of the World, which is based upon those books. I enjoyed the way the two personalities of Aubrey and Maturin frequently clashed and yet over time came to appreciate the other's strengths and weaknesses. I wanted to create a similar dynamic in the BIG series only I wanted my Stephen Maturin to be a woman which adds, I like to believe, a whole new dimension to the relationship. So I created another strong character with a different background, values and personality to complement Duncan Luke. The strong-willed yet deeply conflicted Ghislaine Bingham, as elegant, cosmopolitan and passionate as Duncan is rough-hewn, taciturn and analytical, is a composite of some of the spirited women I've had the pleasure to work with.

OMN: They don't like each other very much, do they, at least at the beginning?

GB: No, they don't. Duncan doesn't appreciate Ghislaine's impulsiveness or her taste for the finer things in life and Ghislaine doesn't at all like Duncan's tendency to do what he thinks is best for his client — and then tell her later.

OMN: So there is tension between them from the beginning but each needs what the other has so neither walks away?

GB: Yes, that's right. To idea was to challenge Duncan and Ghislaine individually and yet ultimately draw them together. To do that, I wanted to create two conflicts over what they each held most dear. I had years before experienced the unending nightmare of a prolonged custody battle and so had no difficulty imagining Duncan in such a fight with his ex-wife over his son. Having watched many female colleagues struggle to overcome gender bias, I wanted a Ghislaine as devoted to her firm as Duncan is to Sam and in a fight with her stepson, the embodiment of many of those biases, for her legacy at work and the chance to prove herself as the leader of her firm.

OMN: So the man is fighting for his child, something that one would normally associate with a female character, and the woman is fighting for her legacy and a chance to prove herself at work, something that one would usually say is a male objective?

GB: Yes, exactly. And as the story unfolds, the reader will discover — spoiler alert — that Ghislaine understands Duncan's commitment to Sam much better than Duncan understands Ghislaine's devotion to her company.

OMN: Tell us a little more about the two characters threatening Duncan and Ghislaine, the soon-to-be ex-wife, Gracie, and the stepson, Ward.

GB: I admit the characters of Gracie and Ward took me a lot of thinking and many drafts to give them nuance. It just took me time to feel comfortable in their shoes. Ultimately, I came to understand that Gracie's fierce devotion to Sam and what she views as her critical role in caring for her son could lead her to choose to end her marriage, if she felt that staying in the marriage would jeopardize those values. As for Ward, he lost his mother at a young age and was left to deal with a severely narcissistic father whom he believes stole the company from his mother's family. He sees Ghislaine through that lens and will stop at nothing to undermine her and preserve what he believes is his birthright.

OMN: You mentioned that you have three books in the series planned, with BIG: Beginnings being the first, Have you started the other two?

GB: The second book is with the copyeditor now and I have a very good draft of the third book. The truth is that when BIG: Beginnings was with the editor, I couldn't stop writing. In the process of writing the second book, I created plot and character elements that required incorporation in the first book. And the same thing happened when the second book was being edited — I wrote the third book and then had to go back and revise the first and second books. I know it wasn't the most efficient way to proceed, but I didn't feel I had any choice — my characters demanded that I keep writing until I brought them to a place where they had evolved sufficiently to recognize their own strengths and limitations and were now free to look forward to the future.

OMN: Will the third book be the last in the series?

GB: I'm not sure. The third book ends more with a semi-colon than a period. I guess I'll just have to wait to see whether Duncan, Ghislaine and the others are content to retire or demand to be given voice again.

— ♦ —

Greyson Bryan is an international lawyer who earned his B.A. from Stanford and a J.D. from Harvard, and taught at the Harvard Law School and UCLA. A longtime LA resident, BIG: Beginnings is his first novel and the first book in the BIG series.

For more information about the author, please visit his website at GreysonBryan.com and his author page on Goodreads, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

— ♦ —

BIG: Beginnings by Greyson Bryan

BIG: Beginnings by Greyson Bryan

A Duncan Luke Novel

Publisher: Greyson Bryan

Amazon.com Print/Kindle Format(s)BN.com Print/Nook Format(s)

Duncan Luke is no stranger to impossible situations. A high-priced lawyer and expert in business intelligence, he knows how to extricate his clients from sticky situations while saving — or making — them millions. To be the best, he's sacrificed everything, including his family, but now he wants out. He's quitting his lucrative practice for academia and time with his autistic son, Sam. But his wife isn't on board and files for divorce, forcing him to fight for custody. With mounting legal bills, the only way to keep his son is to take on one last client. He plans to do the job, get out and get home to Sam, but his client, Ghislaine Bingham, has other ideas.

Ghislaine has a crisis of her own. Her cheating husband died and left her in a turf war with her stepson over the family business, Bingham Investment Group. She stands to lose more than money. Her reputation and life's work are tied up in the company. Her self-worth is on the line and only Duncan has the expertise to see her to victory.

When Duncan and Ghislaine meet, sparks fly, but neither can walk away. Ghislaine sends Duncan to Tokyo to convince his old friend, Taro Takayama, that Ghislaine is the best person to run Bingham. But Taka first needs Duncan to fix his Panama problems. Duncan races to Panama where he is kidnapped and beaten, stumbles into a sex-trafficking ring and rescues a beautiful woman. Unaware of the danger in Panama City and frustrated by Duncan's unorthodox ideas, Ghislaine threatens to pull him off the job.

As Duncan flies across time zones doing battle for Ghislaine, risking his life and reputation, Sam slips further away. Duncan must finish the job to get Sam back, but time is running out.

BIG: Beginnings by Greyson Bryan

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Today's Selection of Free MystereBooks for Saturday, March 17, 2018

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature a selection of Free MystereBooks found on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 7:00 AM ET …

Don't Feed the Rat! by Annie Appleton

Don't Feed the Rat! by Annie Appleton

A Jacob Hicks Murder Mystery

Publisher: FTK Publishing

Price: FREE!

Don't Feed the Rat! by Annie Appleton, Amazon Kindle format

Ending Big by Greyson Bryan

Ending Big by Greyson Bryan

A Duncan Luke Thriller

Publisher: Magneto Books

Price: FREE!

Ending Big by Greyson Bryan, Amazon Kindle format

The Sacrifice by Donna Collins

The Sacrifice by Donna Collins

The Hunted Series

Publisher: Willow Books

Price: FREE!

The Sacrifice by Donna Collins, Amazon Kindle format

The Missing Children by M. A. Comley

The Missing Children by M. A. Comley

A Kayli Bright Mystery

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing

Price: FREE!

The Missing Children by M. A. Comley, Amazon Kindle format

Brilliant Disguise by Mary Anne Edwards

Brilliant Disguise by Mary Anne Edwards

A Charlie McClung Mystery

Publisher: Sellem Books

Price: FREE!

Brilliant Disguise by Mary Anne Edwards, Amazon Kindle format

Young Guns by Remington Kane

Young Guns by Remington Kane

A Tanner Mystery Short

Publisher: Remington Kane

Price: FREE!

Young Guns by Remington Kane, Amazon Kindle format

Murder by Misadventure by B. T. Lord

Murder by Misadventure by B. T. Lord

A Twin Ponds Mystery

Publisher: B. T. Lord

Price: FREE!

Murder by Misadventure by B. T. Lord, Amazon Kindle format

Poetic Justice by H. B. Moore

Poetic Justice by H. B. Moore

A Novel of Suspense

Publisher: Mirror Press

Price: FREE!

Poetic Justice by H. B. Moore, Amazon Kindle format

Prize and Prejudice by Miranda Sweet

Prize and Prejudice by Miranda Sweet

An Angie Prouty Nantucket Mystery

Publisher: Hidden Key Publishing

Price: FREE!

Prize and Prejudice by Miranda Sweet, Amazon Kindle format

For a summary of all of today's titles, plus any that may have been added since this post was created, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

Friday, March 17, 2017

Today's Selection of Free MystereBooks for Friday, March 17, 2017

Omnimystery News is pleased to feature a selection of Free MystereBooks found on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 7:00 AM ET …

Special Agent Kandice by Mimi Barbour

Special Agent Kandice by Mimi Barbour

The Undercover FBI Series

Publisher: Sarna Publishing

Price: FREE!

Special Agent Kandice by Mimi Barbour, Amazon Kindle format

Big: Crisis by Greyson Bryan

Big: Crisis by Greyson Bryan

A Duncan Luke Thriller

Publisher: Magneto Books

Price: FREE!

Big: Crisis by Greyson Bryan, Amazon Kindle format

Wicked After Midnight by Olivia Jaymes

Wicked After Midnight by Olivia Jaymes

A Midnight Blue Beach Mystery

Publisher: Blonde Ambition Press

Price: FREE!

Wicked After Midnight by Olivia Jaymes, Amazon Kindle format

Shadow Hand Blues by Michael Kayser

Shadow Hand Blues by Michael Kayser

A Deke Jones Romp

Publisher: Virtual Pulp Press

Price: FREE!

Shadow Hand Blues by Michael Kayser, Amazon Kindle format

What the Cat Dragged In by Cyn Mackley

What the Cat Dragged In by Cyn Mackley

A Martha Garrett Mystery

Publisher: Cyn Mackley

Price: FREE!

What the Cat Dragged In by Cyn Mackley, Amazon Kindle format

Killer Clowns from Out of State by Cyn Mackley

Killer Clowns from Out of State by Cyn Mackley

The Ballardville Mysteries

Publisher: Cyn Mackley

Price: FREE!

Killer Clowns from Out of State by Cyn Mackley, Amazon Kindle format

Banshee by Michael McDonnell

Banshee by Michael McDonnell

A Dermot O'Hara Mystery

Publisher: Michael McDonnell

Price: FREE!

Banshee by Michael McDonnell, Amazon Kindle format

Congo Mission by Scott McPherson

Congo Mission by Scott McPherson

A Jack Sharp Mystery

Publisher: Esengo Publishing

Price: FREE!

Congo Mission by Scott McPherson, Amazon Kindle format

On Paid Leave by Beth Mikell

On Paid Leave by Beth Mikell

A Shawn Angel Mystery

Publisher: Beth Mikell

Price: FREE!

On Paid Leave by Beth Mikell, Amazon Kindle format

The Colour of Poison by Toni Mount

The Colour of Poison by Toni Mount

A Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery

Publisher: MadeGlobal Publishing

Price: FREE!

The Colour of Poison by Toni Mount, Amazon Kindle format

Beeline to Trouble by Deb Baker and Hannah Reed

Beeline to Trouble by Deb Baker and Hannah Reed

The Queen Bee Mysteries

Publisher: DB Publishing

Price: FREE!

Beeline to Trouble by Deb Baker and Hannah Reed, Amazon Kindle format

Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan

Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan

A Kiki Lowenstein Mystery

Publisher: Luminary

Price: FREE!

Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan, Amazon Kindle format

Trailer Trash by Stephen Stanley

Trailer Trash by Stephen Stanley

A Jesse Ashworth Mystery

Publisher: Stonefield Publishing

Price: FREE!

Trailer Trash by Stephen Stanley, Amazon Kindle format

For a summary of all of today's titles, plus any that may have been added since this post was created, visit our Free MystereBooks page. This page is updated daily, typically by 8 AM ET.

Important Note: Price(s) verified as of the date and time shown. Price(s) are subject to change at any time. The price displayed on the vendor website at the time of the purchase will be the price paid for the book. Please confirm the price of the book before purchasing it.

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