Ali Schmitz
In Motion Staff Writer
Amber Boutot/In Motion
Sean Robbins, 28, is a current student at Daytona State College and a former music promoter. Charlie Brandt started classes at DSC over 20 years ago. They have never met, but Robbins’ life has been forever altered by Brandt’s actions.
On September 30, Robbins’ first book, co-written with local author Diana Montane, was released. Titled “Invisible Killer: The Monster Behind the Mask,” it is a discussion of Brandt’s life as a serial killer who lived throughout Florida, spending his teenage years in Ormond Beach.
“I was sitting at a bar attempting to write a novel when a buddy of mine, Jim Graves, came up and started talking to me. He said that if I ever needed a story, that he had one,” Robbins recalls.
After a few drinks, Graves and Robbins got to talking. At that moment, Graves uttered a sentence that changed Robbins’ life, “Did I ever tell you that I was related to a serial killer?”
Robbins, who has been mesmerized by stories of true crime since the age of 12, put his novel on pause and started to listen to Graves tell the story of his former brother-in-law. For Brandt, a man connected to at least six homicides, his first murder at age 13 was personal — his own pregnant mother.
Robbins contacted Kathy Kelly, then a crime reporter for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, after reading her book “I Would Find a Girl Walking” that was also co-written with Montane. He wanted insight on how to tell this story. Kelly passed along Montane’s information and Robbins repeatedly tried to contact her. He didn’t receive any calls back. On the verge of giving up, he received a call from Montane.
After some convincing, Montane decided it was fate. They were going to tell Brandt’s story together.
Sometimes the writing got difficult. Robbins, who refers to himself as “not a team player,” was writing with a partner for the first time. The more than 30 year age difference between him and his partner initially caused a few conflicts.
“In the end, we were on the same page and we both have the same drive. She’s got wine, I got whiskey.”
Robbins has advice for student writers who want success in life. He’s currently searching for new projects while promoting Invisible Killer.
I’m kind of a reckless individual so I don’t know if my advice would apply to most people. Stop studying and start thinking.
Invisible Killer is available through Amazon.com and has a Facebook page at facebook.com/InvisibleKillerTheMonsterBehindTheMask. Robbins is also available to contact through his Facebook.com.