A.M. Holloway - A Pulse-pounding Christian Cyber-thriller

A.M. Holloway is an author of clean murder mysteries where crime and suspense take hold. Her catalog spans multiple series. A.M., who is married, relies on her husband's expertise in the CSI field to ensure accuracy in her books. She was born and raised in Georgia but now lives in Central Florida. When not writing, you will find her with her family, enjoying the outdoors, or sitting in her favorite chair, daydreaming about her next book.  As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, Silent Intruder.Silent Intruder plunges readers into both cybercrime and a crisis of faith. What first sparked the idea for combining those two worlds—digital warfare and spiritual struggle?Several fans asked for FBI agent Mason Hillers’ story with Nina. Out of that came Silent Intruder.Nina Dutton is such a layered character—brilliant, haunted, fiercely independent, yet deeply uncertain about her faith. What part of her came to you first: the agent, the skeptic, or the survivor?Agent. She evolved from there.The line “We know who you are” is chilling. How did you approach writing a psychological threat that feels personal rather than just procedural?I needed her threats to tie in with her parents’ deaths—and what better way to do that than to threaten their daughter?You write “clean murder mysteries” with Christian undertones, yet Silent Intruder never shies away from tension or danger. How do you strike that balance between faith and realism without softening the suspense?Even Christians face tension, and as long as you keep your faith, you stay grounded for whatever the outcome.Your husband’s background in CSI clearly adds authenticity to your work. What’s the most surprising or fascinating detail you’ve learned from him that found its way into this series?Starla bit her attacker. Evidence found by the CSI led the agents to a murder charge for Starla’s killer.The hacker’s attacks and digital breaches feel technically believable. How much research went into the cybercrime element, and how did you ensure it felt real to modern readers?A lot of research on my part. This wasn’t the easiest book I’ve written, just because of the technical issues behind the story.Nina’s relationship with Mason Hillers adds a strong emotional pulse. How important was it to you to weave romance into such a high-stakes thriller—and what do you think it reveals about Nina’s spiritual journey?The romance was a fan’s request. I hope I got it right. For me, I think Nina returned to the fold. She watched Hillers pray, and she started praying again too. They make a great pair.Faith in Silent Intruder isn’t presented as simple or easy—it’s tested, doubted, and rebuilt. How do you hope readers wrestling with their own beliefs will connect with that struggle?Every Christian struggles with faith at some point in their journey. It’s inevitable.The story suggests that faith can act as a “firewall.” Was that metaphor part of your concept from the start, or did it evolve as the plot developed?It evolved, fitting perfectly. I’m not the author who writes out an outline—every time I do, I change it. So I roll with the flow and keep notes of every chapter as I write them.This is Book 3 in the FBI Tampa Mystery series. What threads connect all three books—and what makes Silent Intruder stand apart as a turning point or finale?The same premise: agents find love, second chances, and renewal in a harrowing tale with Christ as their center point. Who knows—this might not be the end. I’ve had a request to write a book for Maxwell, so we’ll see.Readers have praised how “gripping” the book feels right to the end. When you’re writing, do you plot everything in advance or follow the suspense as it unfolds?I have an idea of how I want it to go, but mainly I write as it unfolds.You’ve built multiple mystery series with different tones and locations. What draws you to setting stories within law enforcement—and what keeps the genre fresh for you?The cities in my books can handle different scenarios—small towns or large cities.You’re based in Central Florida now, but your roots are in Georgia. How has Southern culture influenced your storytelling voice or the way you portray community and faith?I would have to say a lot on both accounts. Southern culture doesn’t fade from your upbringing just because I moved to Florida. I doubt it ever will.When you’re not writing or fact-checking with your husband, what helps you recharge creatively? Do you ever find story ideas creeping in during your downtime?I’m laughing at this one. My husband and I were at dinner last night and I ran an idea by him, so I took notes on a napkin. And before you ask, I have a folder full of napkins with notes at my desk.Finally—without spoilers—what can readers expect next from A.M. Holloway? Is there more coming in the Tampa series, or will you be launching a new mystery world soon?Book 4 is a possibility featuring Maxwell. I have a new series, DEA Miami, coming in early 2026.