Inside the Mind of a Killer: Researching your Antagonist by DV Berkom author of Leine Basso Thrillers

Inside the Mind of a Killer: Researching your Antagonist 

by DV Berkom

So there I was, minding my own business writing one of those truly twisted novels that grabs hold of you and has to come out when I came to the killer's debut. I'd never attempted to write a character quite so creepy and wasn't relishing that first passage. In fact, I continually wrote around him, putting off the scene until I felt I could do justice to him instead of creating a killer cliché. Yes, I could have abandoned the effort and gone on to something else, but a disturbing dream I'd had several months prior provided the inspiration for the story and I felt compelled to follow it through. The result was my novel, Serial Date.

How do you write a fresh psychopath? Readers today have been clubbed over the head with serial killers (pardon the pun) to the point that it's become a joke in many literary agencies and publishing houses. The only way I could think to do it was to go to my default: research. I love learning new things. Researching has a way of surprising you with oddball connections, often to be used in ways you'd never expect. A reference here, a notation there, it's similar to a treasure hunt. Like I said, I love research.

Until I started to investigate killers.

Now, I haven't lived what anyone would call a sheltered life, but I'd so far avoided learning specific details about the habits of serial killers. The information I came across in my search made my skin crawl.

Reality is so much more frightening than fiction.

The information creeped me out to the point I'd find myself vacuuming the living room, unsure how that Hoover ended up in my hand. One thing to understand about me: I don't like housework. I'll let dust and dirt accumulate until I can't find the couch or someone decides to visit. Apparently, I found something I like even less.

I followed this routine whenever I delved into the bizarre world of a psychopath, and though you could eat off my living room floor, my manuscript was going nowhere. No closer to fleshing out my killer, (I know- another pun. Sorry) he wouldn't budge from the twisted caricature of a human being I'd created and I was close to giving up. Sure, I could give him odd quirks and mannerisms, but it felt as if I was making him play dress up: all show, no substance.

That is, until I dug a little deeper and discovered the science behind the psychopath. A series of articles on NPR.org (http://n.pr/vVfWlF ) discussing the biological basis for psychopathic behavior led me ever deeper into the complexities of a killer's mind. Fascinated, I began to read white papers on personality disorder, multiple personalities, cannibalism and the like. Where once I'd been stymied by what motivated someone to kill, an ocean of ideas began to form around what my antagonist's early life was like, his taste in music, food, what made him tick.

Soon, I had seventeen pages of articles, notes and sketches, all revolving around my antagonist. I knew him, knew what made him get out of bed in the morning, why he chose the victims he did. Most importantly, I knew how he justified killing. That was my 'eureka' moment.

Understanding my antagonist helped me move past the visceral recoil from the heinous crimes I read (and wrote) about and gave a more human face to the killer. I learned there's an entire area of scientific inquiry emerging that uses genetic testing and MRIs to map the brains and biological processes of psychopaths, on occasion admitting the results of these tests as evidence in court trials.

Can the fact that a person has the genes and/or brain structure associated with violent behavior be enough to reduce a defendant's culpability in a trial? It's a new take on an age-old question.

Whatever the answer may be, for now I can't wait to write my killer's scenes and try to work in some small kernel of research to help the reader understand him or her better. Yeah, still pretty creepy, but it worked.

Now, where the heck is that couch?

A Killing Truth

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 1

by DV Berkom

Genre: Thriller 

Now available: the chilling start to the high-octane, can't-put-it-down Leine Basso thriller series.

A deadly assassin. A perpetual target. A double-cross she never saw coming…

They say the truth will set you free, but what if it kills you first?

Leine eliminates terrorists for a living. After a routine assassination almost gets her killed, she chalks it up to a fluke. Her lover and fellow assassin, Carlos, has another idea altogether. He thinks their boss is setting them up for a fall.

When Carlos goes missing and a bombing thwarts another mission, Leine suspects the stakes are far higher than she could ever imagine, and wonders if the man in charge might have it in for her after all.

If you like no-nonsense heroines, page-turning plots, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love D.V. Berkom’s tension-filled series.

Download A Killing Truth to find out how the story began…

"[Leine Basso] is a sassy, kick-arse, no-nonsense, I'll-eat-your-balls-for-breakfast type of woman. She simply rocks. Berkom's books are ones when you almost forget to breathe. They're fast-paced, taut with tension and sheer joy from start to finish." ~Cath'n'Kindle Book Reviews

"[A Killing Truth] introduces one of modern fiction's deadliest heroes..."~Reviewer Charles A. Ray

"This is my third Leine Basso, and like the others, the action never lets up. Leine is the female Jack Reacher only she does it all without being 6'5" and weighing 265 pounds, so that makes her more incredible. If you like page-turners, you'll love this book." ~ Polly Iyer, bestselling suspense author

"A Killing Truth would make an excellent introduction to D.V. Berkom's writing...she's one of my favorites... love how she just puts you right in the pages and you just don't want to end." ~Hornfan2

"The Leine Basso series by DV Berkom is jam-packed with action and adventure and Leine Basso is one bad*** protagonist..." Fundinmental Book Reviews

"As someone who has read all of the other current Leine Basso books first, I can say that A Killing Truth had me in suspense the entire time." Maranda, Amazon Reviewer

"Non-stop twists and turns. An excellent thriller that pits Leine against not only international criminals but her own boss." ~USMC-Mike

"What the world needs now is more female characters like bad ass Leine Basso. Bought the trio of books that follow this one because of how much I enjoyed the plot and twists along the way." ~shzann

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Serial Date

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 2

A former assassin is drawn into the twisted game of a serial killer who may be a grisly remnant from her past.

What happens when a reality show turns deadly?

Determined to leave her old life behind, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a job working security at one of television's most popular reality shows, Serial Date. When a contestant is found dead in the prop closet, it appears the killer is one of the 'bachelors' on the show- an ex-con billed as a serial killer- but the detective in charge of the case isn't so sure.

When Leine's estranged daughter is abducted by a man claiming to be the real killer, she's forced to rely on old skills to find her. She soon realizes the murderer may be a grisly remnant from her past and she'll need to use all of her cunning to stop him...

...and rescue her daughter.

If you like black humor, no-nonsense heroines, and heart-stopping action, you'll love Serial Date. Download it today!

"If you like fast-paced action, great lead characters, and don't mind a few F-bombs and the occasional gore, DV Berkom is the author for you." ~ BloodWrites

"Serial Date has everything a mystery/thriller needs to be successful, fast-paced and action packed, strong and memorable characters and a story that will grab you from beginning to end..." ~ Confessions of a Reader

"Why should you read it? In a nutshell it's a fast-paced, non-linear story with some creepy elements mashed together with a splash of romance and dark humour. What's not to like?" ~Indie eBooks

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Bad Traffick

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 3

Dangerous obsessions take center stage when a former assassin and a homicide detective race against the clock to find a missing girl before she's sold to the highest bidder.

Identified as a person of interest in three cold case murders she didn't commit, and required to stay in L.A., retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a temporary position as a security specialist for A-list actor Miles Fournier. Soon, a woman contacts Miles, claiming to be his long-lost sister. Her twelve-year-old daughter, Mara, has been abducted and she's desperate to get her back. 

Leine learns from a contact that Mara escaped, but the traffickers are determined to track her down and deliver her to their powerful client. Running out of time, Leine must find Mara before they do, or she will be lost forever.

Praise for BAD TRAFFICK:

"Utterly gripping, compelling, edge-of-your seat writing." ~ Cath 'n' Kindle Book Reviews

"...I was thrilled with this book. I did not want it to end. I was on the edge of my seat at the end! Seriously a nail-bitter!" ~ April Holgate, Amazon Top 50 Reviewer

"Tight dialogue and nonstop action marks a novel that establishes new benchmarks for action thrillers. This is a solid five-star novel that you won't want to miss." ~Ray's Ramblings

"An intelligent thriller worthy of the Big Screen..." ~ BloodWrites

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The Body Market
Leine Basso Thrillers Book 4

***Bonus short story, Privilege included***

A retired assassin is called in when a celebration south of the border turns into a nightmare.

Everything's for sale...

Former assassin Leine Basso is hired by a wealthy Beverly Hills power couple to find their missing daughter, Elise, last seen partying with her boyfriend at a club in Tijuana. At first, police believe the two teenagers are the victims of a carjacking. But when Leine finds their missing vehicle with a mutilated body inside, and the local cartel warns her away, she knows if Elise isn’t already dead, she will be soon, or worse.

In the lethal world of organized crime, there’s always a worse.

As Leine races to uncover the reason behind Elise Bennett’s disappearance, she must also battle the powerful interests fighting to keep her from the truth.

Praise for the Leine Basso Thriller series:

"Now this, this is what thrillers are made of: grit, spunk, and no-nonsense unputdownability...Quite simply: Brilliant " ~ Cath 'n Kindle Book Reviews

"...Ms. Berkom gives us a badass heroine that's fun to root for. Once Leine discovers what is happening, there is no stopping her...an edge of your seat thriller that delivers!" ~ Night Owl Reviews

"Without a doubt one of the most engaging, complex and enthralling mysteries that had me totally in its grip..." ~ Confessions of a Reader

"Taken fans will be overjoyed with this gritty thriller...following Basso as she works her tradecraft is a pleasure..." ~ BestThrillers.com

"A really exciting heroine for action thriller fans everywhere, but a long overdue tough and plausible literary role-model for women."~ Ajoobacats Book Reviews

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Cargo

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 5

An adventurous young backpacker, captured and sold. A black market merchant who will stop at nothing to amass the power he craves. The one woman who can stop him before he destroys everything…

Haunted by memories of an op gone bad, former assassin Leine Basso travels to Bangkok in search of a missing backpacker. With help from an old contact, she discovers the man responsible for the girl’s disappearance is connected to a violent Hong Kong triad and is the linchpin of an extensive trafficking network—both animal and human.

Making enemies isn’t new for Leine, but making one in the triad is—she soon finds herself a prisoner on board a cargo ship headed for sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure her survival and to continue her hunt for the missing girl, she must join forces with Derek, an ivory poacher who promises to help her.

For a price.

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The Last Deception

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 6

Ready to stay up all night? Everybody's favorite assassin is back with a vengeance in this high-octane, can't-put-it-down espionage thriller.

Espionage. Deception. A nation on the brink of war…

Just when former assassin Leine Basso thinks she’s free from the business of death, a desperate call from a friend drags her back into the dark world of espionage and arms dealers.

"Sucks you in on page one and doesn't set you free until the end. Another sure-fire winner in a spectacular series." ~Tim Tigner, International Bestselling Author of the Kyle Achilles series

"D.V. Berkom has created one kick-ass heroine in Leine Basso--a woman who can do it all in the dog-kill-dog world of international espionage." ~ J. Carson Black, New York Times Bestselling Author

"Warning: once started, The Last Deception is difficult to put down...[T]he globe-trotting Leine uncovers acts of international espionage that lead her on a desperate hunt for an elusive spy that could bring down the world." Midwest Book Review

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Dark Return

Leine Basso Thrillers book 7
A former assassin, battling her demons. A sinister enemy, determined to destroy her. A wily street kid caught in the middle.

Former assassin Leine Basso is fresh off an assignment rescuing an American teenager from a terrorist group in Libya when she thwarts the murder of a street kid in Tripoli. Leine agrees to help the girl, but must first visit a refugee camp to uncover the reason behind a rash of mysterious abductions.

Leaving the camp, Leine comes under a surprise attack--but only a handful of people knew her true mission. The more she discovers about the abductions, the more of a target she becomes, forcing her to revisit a dark and violent past she thought she'd left behind. But it's easy--too easy to fall back into her old ways. 

And that could get her killed.

Will Leine be able to survive a dark return?

If you like gritty, fast-paced, can't-put-it-down thrillers with an action-packed story ripped from the headlines, then you'll love Dark Return. Download your copy today!

Praise for Dark Return:

“I couldn’t put it down. My entire Saturday has been spent reading Dark Return.” ~Sharon Simms

“One of the best reads to come out in this genre in quite awhile. You won’t want to put this book down.” ~Yvonne Reddy

“Excellent. There is no other way to describe it. I read it in one go it was that good. Leine is one hell of a badass.” ~Silver Surfer

“Dark Return was a thrill-a-minute, page-turning suspense that never lets up with action and intrigue. The author, DV Berkom, is a master when it comes to character development and the story line.” ~ Paula Lopez

"DV Berkom has honed her skills as writer to such a fine art that it is indeed very difficult to tear yourself away from any of her books." ~Manie Killian

"Fast paced and full of action, this book will keep you both entertained and intrigued from start to finish. Highly recommended!!" ~Derek Williams

"This book will captivate you from the first paragraph to the last. It is full of action and non-stop adventure..." ~txdoc

"Best book in the series, they just keep getting better and better!! Read them from the first in the series or just jump in here. Brilliant read." ~ Sally Sanders

"Berkom has matured as a solid writer with similarities to Mark Greaney, Mark Dawson (John Milton series), and a whisper of Barry Eisler." ~Library Champion

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Absolution

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 8
There’s only one sure way to stop a terrorist…

Former assassin Leine Basso has severed ties with everyone she loves to keep them safe while she hunts for the ruthless terrorist, Salome. There are rumblings that the French-born assassin is planning another attack and Leine’s determined to stop her before it’s too late.

Can Leine thwart her plans, or will Salome’s own twisted vengeance mean the end for Leine and everyone she loves?

From London to Edinburgh to the City of Angels, Salome’s making a comeback—and that comeback includes killing Leine.

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Dakota Burn

Leine Basso Thrillers Book 9

A kidnapped girl. A ruthless criminal who preys on the innocent. Two killers who will stop at nothing to bring him down.

Former assassin Leine Basso was supposed to be in sunny LA, watching the first class of operatives graduate from the new anti-trafficking academy. Instead, she’s in North Dakota in the middle of a brutal winter, helping old friend Derek van der Haar track down and eliminate a deadly group of criminals hell-bent on providing young girls to the highest bidder.

The closer Leine and Derek get to the organization, the more dangerous the mission becomes. Soon, it’s evident that the traffickers are playing for keeps—and don’t care who they kill.

In a story ripped from the headlines, Dakota Burn reveals the dark underbelly of the Bakken oil fields, where human life is a commodity and outlaws still rule.

If you enjoy books by Mark Dawson, Barry Eisler, and Mark Greaney, you’ll love D.V. Berkom. Download this gritty, action-packed thriller today!

And you thought the Wild West was dead…

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DV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of two action-packed thriller series featuring strong female leads (Leine Basso and Kate Jones). Her love of creating resilient, kick-ass women characters stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, mysteries, and thrillers, and longing to find the female equivalent within those pages.
Raised in the Midwest, she earned a BA in political science and promptly moved to Mexico to live on a sailboat. Several years and many adventures later, she wrote her first novel and was hooked. The Kate Jones adventure thriller, Bad Spirits, was first published in 2010 as an online serial, and was immediately popular with Kindle and Nook fans. Dead of Winter, Death Rites, and Touring for Death soon followed before she began the far grittier Leine Basso thriller series in early 2012 with Serial Date.
DV currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do.

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