Charles Reynolds, criminal justice senior, didn’t plan to write an entire book by the end of 2025. However, he published his debut psychological thriller “Still Mine” on Jan. 20, all while being a full-time student.
Pulling from the criminal justice and forensic psychology principles he studies at Texas State, Reynolds used this book as equal parts creative outlet and case study, funneling it all into his 500-plus page novel.
“I wanted to show the community that you can do more, you’re not just a student full-time,” Reynolds said. “With the New Year, I kind of wanted to try new things … I was like, ‘You know what, let’s be creative, let’s put something together and go for it.’”
The novel follows Cassandra Blake, a college student who is haunted by the legacy of her killer father and the presence of a possessive ex-lover who was thought to be dead. Later, she finds herself the prime suspect in a murder case and must uncover who framed her to clear her name.
When he was young, Reynolds watched classic shows like “Law and Order” and “Criminal Minds.” This began his long-standing interest in true crime, leading him to documentaries and podcasts. Though he had no writing experience, Reynolds felt a novel would be the best avenue to explore his creativity and all he’d learned at Texas State.
“I’m not a reader, I never have been, but I think I’ve always had this part of my brain that is creative that I never knew how to fully express,” Reynolds said. “I think being interested in true crime and criminal justice, I was like … ‘What if I wrote a book? What if I put these ideas on paper?’”
Reynolds’ mother and social work alumna, Heidi Reynolds, was initially surprised that her son was penning a novel. After the shock wore off, she said she felt pride and joy as she watched her son move through the writing process and eventually self-publish his first book.
“The greatest joy in my life has been watching my son grow into the man he is destined to become,” Heidi said. “Every parent wants their child to be not only successful but to find what brings them joy. It looks like he has found his passion, and I could not be more pleased [or] proud.”
For Reynolds, writing a novel during a busy fall semester was no easy task. He said his sudden passion for writing was strong, and it really mattered to see this novel through.
“There were times where my friends wanted to go out, and I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m not really feeling it, I want to stay home and write,’” Reynolds said. “I would be up until 4 a.m. sitting on my couch writing, throwing ideas on the wall, seeing what sticks, then waking up for an 11 a.m. class … Sometimes I’d be writing during class like, ‘I can’t put this down!'”
Not only did Reynolds self-publish “Still Mine” this January, he also started a club called “True Crime Collective” (TCC), where Bobcats can engage in evidence-based discussion of real cases. He hoped taking the initiative to create his club would inspire other students to make the college life they want real, but he also did it to show himself that it was possible.
Jaymi Elsass, TCC advisor and Reynolds’ media and crime professor, said she was impressed with his ingenuity to “fill a gap” by starting his club and with his penchant for research.
“Students will say, ‘Yeah, I like that podcast’ … [Reynolds] goes beyond that and researches the background of these cases,” Elsass said. “He looks into stuff that didn’t get published. How many people listen to a podcast on their commute and take the time to look at the show notes and look at the links provided, and use those links to find other links that are relevant? He does all that on his own accord.”
Reynolds said he hopes this will inspire other students struggling with identity within the monotonous work and school cycle. He wants other students to see how much more they can be.
“If you have some ideas, you can definitely accomplish them,” Reynolds said. “It’s going to take time, it’s going to take resources; however, it’s doable if you put your mind to it.”
“Still Mine” is book one in the Cassandra Blake Series and is available for order on Amazon. True Crime Collective meets at 6:30 p.m. every other Wednesday in Hines 206.
