Brian Cohn Picks the Soundtrack for The Last Detective
If readers were listening to music as they enjoyed your book, what song would be playing with
the opening scene? Why?
REM: "It's the End of the World As We Know It"
The book literally starts with the end of the world. Detective Adrian Grace is standing at the scene of
his last case, staring down at a dead body while a crowd gathers around, when the skies darken and
people start running in all directions. It's an ominous moment that foretells the frenetic chaos that's
about to come as aliens conquer the Earth.
his last case, staring down at a dead body while a crowd gathers around, when the skies darken and
people start running in all directions. It's an ominous moment that foretells the frenetic chaos that's
about to come as aliens conquer the Earth.
What song do you think best illustrates your protagonist’s emotional state during the first part of
your book? Why?
Tom Waits: "Cold Cold Ground"
It's a very dark and moody song. Detective Grace has watched the world fall to an alien invasion,
separating him from his wife and children, and he's stuck living in a crappy motel on the edge of town.
His life is in shambles, and the depressing tone of this song mirrors how he feels.
separating him from his wife and children, and he's stuck living in a crappy motel on the edge of town.
His life is in shambles, and the depressing tone of this song mirrors how he feels.
Are there other songs that you imagine would be really fitting for specific scenes in your book?
If so, feel free to share the songs and a little about why these songs would be fitting for your
soundtrack. (For example, they can illustrate the emotions of your protagonist, antagonist, or
another character, or fit thematically with an event in the story or the plot.)
There's a post-apocalyptic cult in the story called the Abandoned, whose basic tenet is that humanity
was abandoned by God because of our sins, and hence left to suffer whatever fate our occupying aliens
see fit. Hozier's song, "Take Me to Church" would start playing in my head every time I wrote about
the Abandoned. While the song is actually about sex, it's tone nonetheless made me think of the
unbridled fanaticism I associated with the Abandoned.
was abandoned by God because of our sins, and hence left to suffer whatever fate our occupying aliens
see fit. Hozier's song, "Take Me to Church" would start playing in my head every time I wrote about
the Abandoned. While the song is actually about sex, it's tone nonetheless made me think of the
unbridled fanaticism I associated with the Abandoned.
What song do you imagine playing at the climax of the story?
There's a point at which Detective Grace figures it all out (who killed the dead alien, why, and what it
implies) and it's a very bittersweet moment. Sure, he's solved the crime, but the solution changes
everything, including his relationship with the one person he has finally learned to trust. I heard this
song called "The God Fearing Devil" by Dazie Mae, and it's haunting beauty has that same bittersweet
feel to it. It's a slow, sad song, but there's a heartbeat to it that somehow manages to be uplifting.
implies) and it's a very bittersweet moment. Sure, he's solved the crime, but the solution changes
everything, including his relationship with the one person he has finally learned to trust. I heard this
song called "The God Fearing Devil" by Dazie Mae, and it's haunting beauty has that same bittersweet
feel to it. It's a slow, sad song, but there's a heartbeat to it that somehow manages to be uplifting.
What song would be suitable for the conclusion of your novel?
The end of the novel is meant to be cleansing. Everything ties up neatly, and while the answers Grace
has found aren't quite the ones he was hoping for, he nonetheless feels cleansed by the horrid truths he's
discovered. For that, Ricky Koole's version of Peter Gabriel's "Washing of the Water" provides just the
right amount of uplifting cleansing sensation to mimic what Grace feels.
has found aren't quite the ones he was hoping for, he nonetheless feels cleansed by the horrid truths he's
discovered. For that, Ricky Koole's version of Peter Gabriel's "Washing of the Water" provides just the
right amount of uplifting cleansing sensation to mimic what Grace feels.
Do you have any special events coming up? Where can people catch up with you in person or on
a podcast?
a podcast?
The best way to keep up with my work and projects is on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/BrianCohnWrites), Twitter (twitter.com/briancohnMD), or at my
website (http://www.briancohn.org). I love engaging with readers, so please feel free to leave
comments at any of the above options and I will be guaranteed to respond.
(http://www.facebook.com/BrianCohnWrites), Twitter (twitter.com/briancohnMD), or at my
website (http://www.briancohn.org). I love engaging with readers, so please feel free to leave
comments at any of the above options and I will be guaranteed to respond.
Check out Brian's recent interview about his new book here
Find out what's on Brian's To Be Read pile
Return to Online Issue 9 menu
Find out what's on Brian's To Be Read pile
Return to Online Issue 9 menu
Brian shares what's on his To Be Read pile here.
Comments
Post a Comment