Work with crime victims helped inform, shape work in fiction.

Elen Bradley’s debut novel, “Breach of Trust,” walks readers through local Savannah haunts and echoes historical lore. Longtime residents may also notice similarities to events involving the Attorney’s office. While Bradley certainly borrowed from her 20-

SMN: How and when did you first become interested in criminal justice, particularly working with victims?

Bradley: I had been a journalist at a few papers before moving to Savannah with my husband. That was when I discovered that Chatham County was building the first crime victims-witness program in Georgia. I applied and, fortunately, they hired me. There were three of us at the start. We learned on the job and by attending conferences. You’d be surprised how little professional training and development there still is for victimology.

SMN: What is the key role of the Victim’s Assistant in the DA’S office?

Bradley: To provide emotional support, assistance and guidance to crime victims as they navigate the confusing labyrinth of the criminal justice system. This includes making referrals, accompanying victims to court, keeping them informed of court proceedings, and advocating for their rights.

SMN: How much of your own experience factors into the book and how did you approach handling any parallels to real events or people?

Bradley: Well, Anne Gardener (the protagonist) and I both attended Clemson and wrote for The Tiger but that’s where major similarities end. Anne faces situations, particularly in her backstory, that I never experienced. Charisse is a compilation of several victims who I assisted over the years. Some people have read the book and say they sort of recognize attributes of real people from the DA’S in the characters, although I fictionalized a great deal. In truth, I did worry that a story about domestic abuse, murder, political corruption, and sexual harassment might be a bit dark, but initial readers told me the book has a good deal of humor, too.

SMN: How would you describe your writing process?

Bradley: I don’t really have a set process. I started by writing scenes about 10 years ago and sharing them with the women of the Wednesday Writers group that I attend. They pushed me to keep writing even when I didn’t know what I had. Their regular encouragement and feedback held me accountable as well as improved the story. I’m definitely not

District a plotter writer. I focus on characters first. Most of the book’s structure came during revisions, especially when working in backstory.

SMN: As a first-time author, what was your journey to publication like?

Bradley: I queried a lot of agents and publishers but didn’t get far. At the Broadleaf Writers Association annual conference, I heard that Moonshine Cove Publishing was set to release a debut novel by Dawn Major. I figured, hey, I’m another debut novelist, so I researched Moonshine. I also reached out to Dawn directly. She connected with me and graciously guided me through the publishing process. Without the support of my writing community, this book wouldn’t exist.

SMN: Set in the late 2000s, what makes Breach of Trust relevant to readers today?

Bradley: Sexual harassment and political corruption are always relevant topics. Domestic violence has been all over social media recently because of Tina Turner, who suffered through an abusive relationship earlier in her life. One reader emailed me that my book parallels current allegations against a Texas legislator. I hope awareness and education will help victims feel comfortable enough to speak out about these injustices. Then we need to listen and do the right thing.

SMN: What projects lie ahead for you?

Bradley: I am thinking through another novel that will incorporate other aspects of my life, including being a mother to my grandson. Nothing specific yet, but I still meet every Wednesday with the group.

SMN: What is a question no one has asked you about this book that you wish they would?

Bradley: What it’s been like to be publishing for the first time as an older person. Early on, I wondered if people would love the book. Would they hate it? I got over that through the encouragement of the writers’ group and many beta readers. People of any age should follow their dreams and put themselves out there. It’s never too late.

SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS Helen Bradley (right) talks about her first novel, “Breach of Trust,” for which she draws on more than 20 years in victims assistance work.