Ethan Cross

Ethan Cross is an American author of suspense thrillers. He writes novels about serial murder and crime investigation. His debut novel, The Shepherd (2011), became an international bestseller. He is an award-winning author published in several countries and languages.

Ethan Cross is a pen name. He wrote a screenplay at school. He considered moving to California to pursue a career in film. However, he ended up spending all his time on music, playing as a lead singer and guitarist all over the Midwest. He recorded CDs and opened for nationally renowned artists.

A friend introduced him to Star Wars books, and he discovered a love for reading. After reading three to four books a week for a while, he decided to write a novel. He started writing The Shepherd. It was based on a short story he had written at university.

He attended Thrillerfest in New York City. This was a writer's conference. He pitched his novel to agents. He generated interest from most agents. He also attended classes taught by major authors. He realised his book needed more work. He made contacts within the publishing industry. One contact referred him to Lou Aronica. Aronica had been head of several big publishing houses.

He headed Bantam Spectra and came up with the Star Wars books idea. Cross began working with Aronica to improve his work. Aronica referred him to agent Danny Baror. Aronica later started a new publishing imprint. He invited Cross to be one of the first authors. Cross signed with Random House in the UK. He has deals in other countries including Russia and Bulgaria.

His first published book was The Cage in 2012. This is Book 0 in the Shepherd Series. A father returns home to find his family kidnapped. The only way to save them is to kill another innocent person. This begins a journey for Special Agent Marcus Williams. He must question all he believes. He must unearth his family's dark legacy. He must sacrifice everything to save those he loves. Williams must stop the Coercion Killer. He enlists help from serial killer Francis Ackerman Jr. Ackerman is one of the world's most infamous and wanted men.

I Am The Night was published in 2020. This is Book 1 in the Shepherd Series. It was also titled The Shepherd. Marcus Williams and Francis Ackerman Jr. both have a talent for hurting people. Marcus uses his abilities to protect others. Ackerman uses his gifts to inflict pain and suffering. Both men become unwilling pawns in a conspiracy.

The conspiracy reaches the highest levels of government. Marcus finds himself in a deadly game. He is trapped between a twisted psychopath and a vigilante. The vigilante has seemingly unlimited resources. Marcus is aided by a rogue FBI agent. He is also helped by the vigilante's beautiful daughter. He falls in love with her. Marcus must expose the deadly political conspiracy. He must confront his past whilst hunting down Ackerman.

I Am Fear was published in 2020. This is Book 2 in the Shepherd Series. It was also titled The Prophet. Francis Ackerman Jr. is one of America's most prolific serial killers. He is ready to return to work. He is more brutal, cunning and dangerous than ever. Marcus Williams must focus on catching the Anarchist. This new killer drugs and kidnaps women before burning them alive.

Ethan Cross has also served as Chief Technology Officer for a national franchise. He is an active member of the International Thriller Writers organisation.

The author lives in Illinois with his wife, three children and one Shih Tzu.

Photo credit: www.ethancross.com