Xavier Bradshaw: GHOSTWRITER: some stories don't let you walk away... (Xavier Bradshaw Crime Files Book 1)
by W. M. LeesmanPublish: Sep 15, 2026 Series: Xavier Bradshaw Crime FilesCrime FictionThrillerMystery
Book Overview
Twenty years ago, a series of unsolved, unconnected brutal murders rocked the town of Livingston, Alberta.
Now, a city councilor is found crucified in a local church. A young woman is found dumped at the river’s edge.
Investigative reporter Xavier Bradshaw and his new partner, Jessi, need to find out who is behind these echoes of the past. Evidence points to Xavier as the prime suspect, and Livingston PD is intent on wrapping up the case. Xavier fears his mentor, a famed horror author, has too much interest in the deaths and could be the serial killer.
Bradshaw must find the truth before the killer strikes again and police seal his fate, making him the next headline.
“I suspected everyone at one time or another throughout the book.”
“I liked Xavier. He’s kind of a grumpy a$$ but you still want him to come out on top.”
A psychological crime thriller about identity, control, and the cost of knowing too much.
BIOGRAPHY Bill spent time in both Alberta and Oregon while growing up. The two divergent cultures led to a well-rounded view of the world.
Baseball was a passion with opportunity. Bill played in several national championships at different levels and at 18, pitched for a team representing Canada in a World Championship. He continued playing baseball at college until a serious injury prevented him from continuing at the same level.
An independent, entrepreneurial spirit contributed to opening a bookstore in his early 20s. Later he was drawn into the numismatics world by a friend and baseball colleague, where he worked successfully for 10 years. During that time, he started writing a book and met the love of his life.
The next several years included a Small Business Services business, work in Human Resources and finally Real Estate. During those years Bill and his wife welcomed two special individuals to their family.
You can find Bill volunteering as a Special Olympics coach at many of the kids’ sports games.
He has also spent time studying the DISC personality protocol and has spoken to small boards and businesses about the importance of understanding and implementing it, to further benefit their business interactions.
All of these things have brought a breadth of experience to finish the novel he started in his 20s, with a depth that only comes from living it.
Bill currently lives in Calgary, AB with his family, where they enjoy events centred around movies and sports.