Brad Spencer was born in DeKalb, Illinois, but lived a decade of his life in Arizona before returning to the Midwest. After a four-year stint in the corporate world, Brad followed his passion for writing and has now worked in the profession for more than fifteen years. He spent twelve years as an editor/writer in the newspaper business, winning several Illinois Press Association awards before stepping out on his own as an independent author, freelance writer, journalist and editor. The Upshot, a suspense/crime thriller, is his first novel and available in Paperback and Digital formats at Amazon.com as well as other outlets. As children, Sam McElroy, Holly Karlan, and Jimmer Cuddy were inseparable. Growing up on the same block, the trio became best friends. All three seemed on the cusp of bright futures. But their indelible bond unraveled after a tragic incident during their teen years. Forced to keep a secret that changes who they are, the friends travel down unintentional paths, riddled with guilt and shame. They are weakened emotionally by the tragic event of the past and conflicted about how to ultimately avenge it. In his debut novel, Brad Spencer evokes a hard-edged Elmore Leonard-style in his writing to produce a riveting and harrowing thriller complete with explosive action, a wickedly evil villain, and troubled but endearing heroes.