Peter Leonard

Hey there! I'm Peter Leonard, and if that last name sounds familiar, you're probably thinking of my father, Elmore Leonard. But don't let that fool you – I carved my own path into the world of gritty crime fiction, just with a few more detours along the way.

For twenty-six years, I ran an advertising agency in Birmingham, Michigan. (Yeah, I know what you're thinking – how does an ad guy end up writing crime thrillers?) Truth is, storytelling was always in my blood, but I had to find my own way to it. Growing up with a legendary crime writer for a father meant I either had to run far away from writing or figure out how to do it on my own terms. I chose the latter, but not before spending decades crafting award-winning ad campaigns and raising a family.

When I finally sat down to write my first novel, "Quiver," I knew I wanted to create something that would grab readers by the throat and not let go. The story of Kate McCall, a woman whose husband is killed in a tragic hunting accident by their own son, came to me like a punch to the gut. Set against the backdrop of Detroit (because some cities just have crime and redemption written into their DNA), it's a story about family, guilt, and what happens when your past comes roaring back into your life at the worst possible moment.

My writing style? Let's just say I learned from watching the master, but developed my own voice. I believe in lean, mean prose that cuts straight to the heart. No fancy flourishes, no unnecessary words – just raw, honest storytelling that keeps you turning pages well past your bedtime. (My dad always said if it sounds like writing, rewrite it. Solid advice I took to heart.)

While some authors plan every detail, I'm more of a "let the characters lead the way" kind of writer. Sometimes they take me to places that surprise even me. Dark places. Complicated places. Places where good people make bad choices and bad people sometimes do good things. That's where the best stories live.

Detroit plays a huge role in my work – it's more than just a setting, it's practically a character itself. There's something about this city's resilience, its grit, and yes, its darkness, that keeps pulling me back. Maybe it's because I've spent my whole life here, watching it fall and rise and fall again. Or maybe it's because cities with scars tell the best stories.

When I'm not writing, you might find me fishing (great way to plot murders, by the way), spending time with my family, or occasionally giving talks about the craft of writing – though I still find it funny that anyone wants writing advice from a guy who spent most of his career selling cars and beer in thirty-second spots.

To my readers: expect stories that don't pull punches. Expect characters who feel real enough to walk off the page and sit down next to you at your local bar. Expect plot twists that'll keep you guessing, and endings that might not always tie everything up in a neat bow – because that's how life works, isn't it?

I write for people who like their crime fiction served straight up, no chaser. For readers who appreciate the gray areas between right and wrong. For anyone who's ever wondered what they'd do if their past came knocking at the worst possible moment.

If you're picking up one of my books, buckle up. It's going to be one hell of a ride. (And yes, Dad would probably roll his eyes at that line, but sometimes you just have to go for it, right?)

So that's me – advertising guy turned crime writer, proud Detroiter, and storyteller who finally found his voice after a few decades of practice. Welcome to my world. The water's fine, but watch out for sharks.

P.S. If you're wondering whether having a famous writer for a father made this easier or harder – the answer is yes. To both.