August/September 2026..BOTM...OPEN CASE..The Mississippi Serial Killer..by Terry Anderson > Likes and Comments

Closed until July 31st 2026...

A TOWN SHROUDED IN FEAR... A SERIAL KILLER ON THE LOOSE... In the eerie town of Natchez, Mississippi, darkness has crept in. Bodies are being pulled from the river, and whispers of a brutal serial killer spread like wildfire. As families lock their doors and fear takes hold, the town teeters on the edge of terror. The Parker family soon finds themselves trapped in a nightmare after relocating from Chicago. Aron Parker, his wife Vivian, and their teenage children are thrust into a community gripped by fear. When the body of a young waitress is discovered, it becomes clear they have landed in the heart of a town hiding a sinister secret where every shadow could be the killer lurking. Detectives on edge. A town in panic. A ruthless killer moving in the dark. Natchez may never sleep peacefully again. A gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller. A must-read for fans of dark and intense crime fiction.

This book is now open for discussion.........

Good morning, Stephanie! Thank you so much for the amazing intro and for kicking off August with Open Case: The Mississippi Serial Killer! Seeing your post this morning made my day.
​Welcome to all the readers in the Psychological Thrillers group! I’m honored to have Open Case: The Mississippi Serial Killer featured here, and I can't wait to hear your theories as the story unfolds. I'll be popping into the thread to follow along with everyone and answer any non-spoiler questions you have as you read.
​Thanks again to Stephanie and the mod team for making this happen let's dive in!

Terry, a non-spoiler craft question: what made Natchez the right setting for this story rather than a fictional town? A real place brings its own history and atmosphere, especially when the plot depends on a community feeling watched and unsettled.

Thanks for asking this, Vera! I went with Natchez because a real town comes with its own built-in shadows and history that you can't really fake. When a killer shows up in a place with that kind of deep, quiet setting, that feeling of a tight knit community being watched becomes so much more grounded. It just made the tension feel a lot more real on the page.

BIG QUESTION...So are you a native of Mississippi, or Chi-Town? Now what I like about this book is that my ex husband is from Vicksburg MS, and when I went there for the first time, I can relate to the neighbor who is nosey...But this book is one of those books that makes you stay up for a minute AFTER you read a few chapters....

Terry, without giving away any spoilers, did you know the killer’s identity and the final resolution from the beginning, or did parts of the mystery change as you wrote? I’m always interested in how thriller authors balance careful planning with discoveries made during the drafting process.

Yes, Stephanie, I'm actually a native of Centreville, Mississippi! Knowing that your ex husband is from Vicksburg means you know firsthand how real those small-town Mississippi dynamics and neighborhood characters can be. I'm so glad to hear it kept you up late turning pages that's the ultimate compliment for a thriller writer! Thanks so much for reading along.

Thanks for asking, Vasyl! To be honest, I didn't even know who the killer was when I first started writing I'm definitely more of a write as I go kind of author. As the story continued and developed, a much clearer picture started coming together of who the killer should actually be. Discovering it organically along with the characters made the writing process a lot of fun!

Terry, thank you for sharing your insights into this book. I look forward to the discussions with your book.

Thanks so much, Jimmie! Really glad to have you in the discussion, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts as you read through it.

Okay Terry, so I am one to open a can of worms here, and wanting to know about the names in this book. Now we all know that a year or so ago, it was on local news about people naming their kids with the names that they cannot pronounce. In this book, I know for a fact that the kids are all black American kids, just by the way you named them all. Do you, think that it was necessary to bring the reader to the point where they know they are reading about black kids? I mean if you would have called them Karen, or Becky, Roger or Barbara, do you think that the story would be just the same or not? I hope you can understand what I am saying. In other words, why did you make sure that we knew that the Kids were black? The names that you used, automatically told me that they were black kids, and I don't know why you used those specific names...Just nosey...Thank you Terry....

Hey Stephanie! Yes, you’re spot on they are a Black family, and I intentionally chose names that reflect their culture and background. To me, culture isn't something you hide or dilute with generic names. Using authentic names grounds the family in who they actually are and makes them feel like real people on the page. Thanks for diving into the book and asking!

That makes sense. A real place carries social memory before the plot even begins, and in a tight-knit community the tension can come from what everyone already knows but avoids saying. Thanks for answering.

Thanks Vera! You nailed it that shared history and unspoken tension in a tight community adds so much natural suspense. Really glad that resonated with you!

OMG, You all remember the old movie with Arnold called Predator?...Just don't do what I did and release all my red beans and rice while reading this book..There is a section,,hold your tummy.....

Hi Terry! I know you said you are more of a discover as you write kind of author. Do you still have a general outline in mind? (view spoiler)[ For example, what drove the decision to bring Aron's family into the immediacy of the killer's actions through the creek party? Had you considered other events? (hide spoiler)]

Hey Christopher! I usually just let the story guide me as I go. With the creek party scene, I wanted to put Aron's family directly in the crosshairs early on to turn up the tension and make the threat feel immediate. Thanks for reading and digging into the story! 👊

Hi everyone, I really don't want to say anything about the entire book because I can give Alot away, so I kinda stay back until close to the end of the book. Very good book I must say,,,Now Terry, what's on YOUR agenda for a follow-up or another story say in Aspen Colorado ( killer ) or Telluride ski killer,,do tell

Thanks so much, Stephanie! I'm really glad you liked the book! Man, a killer at a ski resort in Aspen or Telluride sounds awesome I might have to steal that idea! But for now, my next release is actually dropping right on Halloween (Oct 31st). It’s a supernatural horror thriller called Get the Hell Out That House. Mark your calendar, because it’s gonna be a wild one! 🎃"

Hahaha..Okay...

I have a question for all........If grown folks or teenagers go out and investigate on their own, is that really "Street Justice" or acting like "Nancy Drew"?

Investigating....Nancy Drew. Imposing punishment themselves....Street Justice.

But in this book, what about the Teens that wanted to find Jonathan's car....? Nosey or wanting Street Justice..?

So I know it's late, but here is my take on this book and the situation. First off, who buys a home without checking the neighborhood? No way would I buy something that I haven't seen. This was my major concern. Now for the neighbors, well I am not going to spoil that part but here in Colorado we have that MAKE MY DAY LAW...Someone wouldn't have made it thru the book. My issue is with the family, yes the entire family, so they came from Chicago, and it seems to me that the father wasn't a lot of street smart to me, TO ME,,,Why he gave up his gun in the first place, we don;t know. They moved to Mississippi for a reason and I think the father could have really said a few things to Charles, because sometimes, you have to put your foot down on folks who test you. The teenagers, well I am going to shut up about that part. I was hurt about Jonathan...Maybe I was rooting for him.

Stephanie, I agree with you about Jonathan. Maybe I was rooting for him too.

(SAD)

So, to me Aron and Vivian seem very loose in their parenting style. To what degree is this a benefit to the plot? To what degree might it make it harder to suspend your disbelief?

Thanks for the question, Christopher. Yeah, Aron and Vivian’s parenting style does play a part in the story. They’re not perfect parents, and some of the decisions they make end up making things harder for the family. I wanted them to feel like real people, not perfect parents who always make the right choices. As the story goes on, you’ll see how their choices affect everything that happens to the Parker family. I appreciate you asking!

Being a retired high school teacher, I can definitely say that Aron and Vivian come across as realistic in many ways. I could have talked to them at any time in my career

​Thank you so much for that, Christopher! Hearing that from a retired teacher means a lot to me. That realness is exactly what I was aiming for with Aron and Vivian!

WELL,,let me tell ya, since that family was from Chicago, I would have kept my gun and then have it when I moved to Mississippi. Terry, was there a reason why you didn't have a section about them visiting that area or home shopping-neighborhood area? I'm telling you, if it was me, your book would have ended in Chapter 5 when the neighbor lady seems to just glide on in Aron's home,,,that would have been the end of the story.

Girl, you ain't lying! 😭 If they brought that Chicago energy with them, the whole book would’ve been over by Chapter 5! I skipped the whole house-hunting scene to drop them right into the chaos, but you're so right the second that neighbor lady glided into the house uninvited, things should've gone down differently. I appreciate you reading and keeping it real!

stephanie wrote: "So another thing, not giving it away, but why is it that the son couldn't talk? Have a sentence or could he? Why did only 1 person know who he was? I mean the body frame that you set reminds me of another Jason..."

Haha, you're on a roll, Stephanie! I definitely wanted him to have that heavy, imposing presence, so the Jason comparison is a huge compliment. 🤐 The silence and the fact that barely anyone knew who he was was all about building that eerie, isolated feel. I wanted readers asking those exact questions! Thanks for reading so closely!

Terry wrote: "Haha, you're on a roll, Stephanie! I definitely wanted him to have that heavy, imposing presence, so the Jason comparison is a huge compliment. 🤐 The silence and the fact that barely anyone knew wh..."

I took it as one of those people in a small town who just gets absorbed in the history of the place. He's there, but he is a fixture. People know him but he doesn't register.

I started this book this week, but I’m taking my time as I’m on a cruise. But I’m enjoying the book so far.

Thank you so much, Jimmie! Hope the cruise is fantastic and the book keeps you hooked all the way through!

Following this thread with real interest as a fellow thriller writer. The way you've made Natchez itself feel like a character is such a good reminder of what a real setting can do for dread that a fictional town can't fake. Looking forward to seeing how it wraps up.

Hang in there Miles, the ride is fast and THRILLER at the end...

The premise sounds intriguing, particularly the idea of a killer hiding within an apparent ordinary community. I also like stories where the suspense comes not only from what is happening, but from the uncertainty of whom the characters can trust. I'm interested to see how the Parker family becomes drawn into the investigation.

Thanks, Miles North! Using a real place like Natchez made all the difference that atmosphere just does heavy lifting all on its own. Glad that setting hit the mark for you, and I hope you enjoy where the ride ends up!

I’m approaching the climatic conclusion of Serial
killer. I have to say, reading the phrase, Back at…reminds me of a Scooby Doo investigation. I know, a bit over the top for Scooby Doo, but I like the reference.

Yeah Jimmy, so when you get done, please let me know what you thought of the entire book.....

I just finished Serial Killer. I loved the story, the buildup, the character development and the pace. I especially enjoyed the title of each chapter.

I knew something was up with the neighbors as the author led the reader towards that clue. In a way, this book reminded me of Stephen Kings book, IT, as the teenager characters had to work together to protect each other. I also liked how the author changed the story as the police and town started to catch on about the white pickup truck. Finally, I liked how the author kept the story open as to why the killings happened. I feel that was left up to the reader to make that conclusion. I have my thoughts on the motive of the killings.

I watched a traveling show in my town called Serial Killer Speakeasy where a story was told about three serial killers with themed cocktails given to the audience before each story. I highly recommend the play if it is showing in your area.

Thank You Jimmie for your input. I will check out this play if it comes towards Colorado.