The 1980 Gray Murders
It was a black December night in 1980. Trooper Earl Nicholson sped to the scene of a reported automobile accident. Arriving at the scene, Nicholson expected to see mangled steel and broken glass. Instead, he was met with the sight of a young woman dressed in pajamas - and a small, shirtless, boy - laying under a tree in the front yard of the house facing the street. Scanning the bodies with his flashlight beam, it was evident to the state trooper that the victims had died from multiple stab wounds. Leading away from the stiffening corpses were two frozen trails of blood - one in the direction of the front door, the other in the direction of the railroad crossing down the road.
Nicholson radioed for back-up and cautiously made his way toward the house.
A List of Characters
Henrietta Thomas - murdered by her son, Riddle C. Thomas, Junior.
Howard Sisk - 14-year old relative murdered by Riddle C. Thomas, Junior.
Charlotte Haynes - Howard's mother. Seriously injured when Riddle C. Thomas, Junior attacked her with a butcher knife.
Riddle C. Thomas, Junior - Known as "Junior" by family and friends. 20-year old who went on a murderous rampage in his mother's house on a cold December night in 1980.
Earl Nicholson - Kentucky State Trooper who was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene of the murders.
An Interview with Steve A. Reeves:
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
A: When I was working on my undergraduate degree at Cumberland College.
Q: Where do your ideas come from?
A: From real life events that are action packed and potentially dangerous.
Q: What do you think makes a good story?
A: Always leave the reader wanting to turn the page.
Q: Which of your characters would you most like to invite to dinner, and why?
A: I'd invite any of the crew members from Squawk 7500. And I'd like to sit down with Charlotte Haynes from The 1980 Gray Murders.
Q: Which of your characters would you least want to dine with?
A: I wouldn't want to have dinner with the dirt bag who attempted to hijack my plane in Squawk 7500.
Q: Did you have any mentors who helped you along the way?
A: I'm eternally grateful for the assistance and guidance provided by Bruce Moran.
Q: Where did the idea for (Book Title) come from?
A: From the date of the actual crime and its location.
Q: Why did you want to write about (Your Subject)?
A: . There were so many unanswered Q: s. I wanted to see if I could find the answers. I found some, others will never be known.
Q: Was it difficult to write this style of book?
A: Very difficult. The deeper I got into the writing, the more I began to empathize with the victims.
Q: What other (articles, books etc) that you have written have been published?
A: My other book: Squawk 7500
It is about an airline pilot's dilemma when an unruly passenger takes the stewardess hostage. Wait until you read the ending.
Q: What's your next project?
A: I am working on a short story adventure series for TotalRecall Publications. Contact them if you have a manuscript as they are looking for good stories.
Q: If you could do anything, what would you do?
A: Ride a bull for the full 8 seconds.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for this book?
A: I'd always been intrigued by the mysteries surrounding this crime.
I grew up in the area and actually new some of the people involved in the story.
Q: If you could give any advice to beginning writers, what would it be?
A: Don't give up. Don't ever give up.
Steve A. Reeves is a native Texan who now calls Tennessee home. After graduating from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky, he spent 28 years as a commercial pilot before retiring to spend more time with his family. He's now pursuing a second career - writing. When not sitting at his computer, Steve can usually be found with his wife and two daughters or fly fishing in one of the many east Tennessee trout streams.
