House of Mystery Radio Interview: Dwayne Brenna
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
By Alan R Warren and Michael Hawley
Q: Welcome to the House of Mystery. Who are we speaking with today?
A: We’re joined by author Dwayne Brenna, whose new historical crime novel, The Laundryman, explores murder, secrets, and frontier life in 1883 Saskatchewan.
Q: Dwayne, where did your journey as a writer begin?
A: I first got into writing in high school, thanks to a teacher named Terry Chamberlain. He encouraged me when I wasn’t particularly good at anything else. I published my first story right out of high school in The Western Producer.
From there, I pursued English degrees, explored creative writing, and eventually found my way into theater for about 30 years before returning to writing full-time.
Q: What inspired your storytelling style and genre?
A: I’ve always loved history and murder mysteries. I was inspired by works like the Longmire series and storytelling styles similar to Taylor Sheridan. I enjoy blending historical realism with crime fiction—building a world that feels authentic while telling a compelling mystery.
Q: Tell us about your new book, The Laundromen. What’s the premise?
A: The story is set in 1883 and follows two very different Northwest Mounted Police officers traveling to Prince Albert to investigate the murder of a laundryman. When they arrive, they find a town divided by land disputes, economic change, and hidden tensions. Soon, another murder occurs, revealing that the town is full of secrets.
Q: Does the setting play a major role in your storytelling?
A: Absolutely. In historical fiction, the setting is almost like another character. I spent a lot of time reimagining what Prince Albert was like in 1883. It became personal for me—my grandfather was born around that time, so I wanted to understand the world he came from.
Q: Did your grandfather influence your writing?
A: Very much. He was a storyteller and shared stories about homesteading and life on the land.
I worked alongside him growing up, so those experiences shaped how I imagine the past.
Q: How do you handle historical accuracy in your work?
A: Research is essential. I try to capture the language, lifestyle, and social norms of the time. That includes how people spoke, behaved, and even joked. While I may adjust details slightly for storytelling, I aim to keep the world believable.
Q: Your characters feel complex—how do you develop them?
A: I used to focus on plotting first, but now I prioritize character. I build characters around their values—what they believe in and what they’re willing to fight for. For example, in this novel, one character values violence as a tool, while another is a surgeon sworn to preserve life. That tension drives the story.
Q: Are your characters based on real people?
A: Sometimes loosely. For instance, one character was inspired by a real Mountie surgeon named R.B. Nevitt.
I also draw from people I’ve met or personal experiences, but the characters themselves are fictional.
Q: What about writing villains—do you enjoy that?
A: Yes, but it’s challenging. A good villain needs depth and some level of sympathy. In a mystery, you also need multiple suspects and subtle clues so that, in the end, readers feel they could have solved it.
Q: Is there a deeper theme behind The Laundryman?
A: Yes—the idea that justice isn’t equal. The novel explores how wealth and status influence outcomes, especially in frontier societies where power dynamics are stark.
Q: How demanding is the writing process for a novel like this?
A: It’s intense. This book took about two years. There’s a lot of research, planning, and rewriting. The hardest part is what I call “the muddle in the middle”—figuring out how to get from the beginning to the end in a satisfying way.
Q: How does writing a novel change you?
A: Hopefully, it makes you a better writer each time. But it can also be exhausting. That’s why I’m currently working on a memoir—it’s a different pace and less about invention.
Q: What are you working on next?
A: I’m writing a memoir about my time teaching in northern Saskatchewan. It was a transformative period in my life and offers a different kind of storytelling.
Q: Where can readers find you and your work?
A: You can find me at DwayneBrenna.com, on LinkedIn, and through my publisher, Shadowpaw Press, which shares updates across social media platforms.
Q: Any final thoughts for readers?
A: Just that I hope they enjoy the journey—both the mystery and the world it takes place in.
Connect With Dwayne
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