EP 310: 5CQ for Bryan Gruley, Author of River Deep, A Bitterfrost Thriller

*River Deep* explores the complex moral landscape of a mother accused of drowning her two infants in a river, challenging readers to find empathy for a character facing a double first-degree murder charge. Author Bryan Gruley, a former journalist, draws inspiration from a 1989 Detroit case to ground the narrative in psychological realism. The discussion highlights the transition from his career in journalism to fiction writing, specifically the necessity of abandoning ego to incorporate editorial feedback and the "pantser" approach of writing organically without a rigid outline. Gruley emphasizes the importance of the fictional town of Bitterfrost as a foundational element of his series, while reflecting on the discipline required to maintain a consistent writing schedule and the value of collaborative editing in refining a story's emotional impact.