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Segment of One
Marketing analyst Nick Vanderoff, newly retired from his successful career in business, lost his wife last year to cancer. Now he just wants to rest, relax, and repair family relationships. To accomplish this, he's been spending time with his math-genius granddaughter, Holly, and his estranged daughter.
But a serial killer is on the loose in Dallas, and traditional forensics have produced nothing. Nick has consulted for the police department before, but not on anything like this. Can he trust the algorithms that worked so well in the corporate world to flush out a madman?
The answer becomes personal when Nick's projections thwart the killer's plans, and he realizes the police are closing in on him. The sniper attacks escalate, and the killer turns toward Nick and his family. Will Nick be able to use his marketing skills to target a lethal segment of one to reveal himself?
But a serial killer is on the loose in Dallas, and traditional forensics have produced nothing. Nick has consulted for the police department before, but not on anything like this. Can he trust the algorithms that worked so well in the corporate world to flush out a madman?
The answer becomes personal when Nick's projections thwart the killer's plans, and he realizes the police are closing in on him. The sniper attacks escalate, and the killer turns toward Nick and his family. Will Nick be able to use his marketing skills to target a lethal segment of one to reveal himself?
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2022
2 people are currently reading
5380 people want to read
About the author
Michael Grigsby
3 books99 followersI've worked in the corporate world of marketing analytics for over 20 years. My PhD is in marketing science (and no, that is NOT an oxymoron).
I've published two non-fiction books, Marketing Analytics and Advanced Customer Analytics. Marketing Analytics has also been translated into Chinese and Polish (yes, Polish.) I used those texts in teaching my graduate school classes.
My first novel, SEGMENT OF ONE, is an analytic thriller that uses marketing analytics as a plot device which seemed unique, exciting, and very fun.
My second novel, MISSING VALUES, is another analytic thriller, this time about human trafficking and how to stop it with marketing science.
My third novel, FORECASTING ERROR, is an analytic thriller with a large dose of action / adventure.
I've published two non-fiction books, Marketing Analytics and Advanced Customer Analytics. Marketing Analytics has also been translated into Chinese and Polish (yes, Polish.) I used those texts in teaching my graduate school classes.
My first novel, SEGMENT OF ONE, is an analytic thriller that uses marketing analytics as a plot device which seemed unique, exciting, and very fun.
My second novel, MISSING VALUES, is another analytic thriller, this time about human trafficking and how to stop it with marketing science.
My third novel, FORECASTING ERROR, is an analytic thriller with a large dose of action / adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 18, 2022
Using math and analytics to solve problems and understand patterns is not new to crime/mystery books but doing so with such detail and knowledge is a refreshing new intricacy I don’t often see in this genre. It’s clear that Grigsby has a background in analytics and uses it well to supplement and drive the story forward.
Nick is an interesting character with a lot of depth. His desire to live a normal, peaceful retirement is something we all strive for, but of course, he doesn’t get it. He becomes involved in a dangerous investigation with a serial killer during his journey to rebuild his relationship with his daughter and granddaughter. As Nick unravels the pattern and the police close in, the danger becomes personal, and he must use his skills more than ever to help the police catch the killer.
It’s a great tale, well worth the read!
Nick is an interesting character with a lot of depth. His desire to live a normal, peaceful retirement is something we all strive for, but of course, he doesn’t get it. He becomes involved in a dangerous investigation with a serial killer during his journey to rebuild his relationship with his daughter and granddaughter. As Nick unravels the pattern and the police close in, the danger becomes personal, and he must use his skills more than ever to help the police catch the killer.
It’s a great tale, well worth the read!
April 16, 2022
‘Numbers always helped Patterns always helped’ – a new and exciting approach to crime!
Texas author Michael Grigsby earned his PhD from Century University, Albuquerque in marketing science and served in the corporate world of marketing analytics (Dell. HP, Sprint, Gap, etc), publishing two books – MARKETING ANALYTICS and ADVANCED CUSTOMER ANALYTICS. He now opens the gate of applying marketing analytics to criminal forensics as a plot device in this, his first novel – SEGMENT OF ONE.
Incorporating the tactics and elements of marketing analysis into a mystery thriller may seem like an unlikely approach, but Grigsby makes it more than just an additive aspect because of his innate ability to sculpt mysteries. He opens his story with a man in the trunk of a Honda, obviously equipped as an assassin – ‘A single target tonight. So, a single bullet in the gun…David pulled the trigger. The back of the guy’s head exploded. A massive wound…David pulled the trunk lid back down. Clicked and locked…David’s breaths came fast, almost pants…When he pulled the trigger, he orgasmed. Always did. The first time he had no clean underwear and the whole thing surprised him. Now it was a process…’ Unique character, unique murder, and the story lifts off!
The plot is complex, in a good way, and ha been condensed as follows: ‘Marketing analyst Nick Vanderoff, newly retired from his successful career in business, lost his wife last year to cancer. Now he just wants to rest, relax, and repair family relationships. To accomplish this, he's been spending time with his math-genius granddaughter, Holly, and his estranged daughter. But a serial killer is on the loose in Dallas, and traditional forensics have produced nothing. Nick has consulted for the police department before, but not on anything like this. Can he trust the algorithms that worked so well in the corporate world to flush out a madman? The answer becomes personal when Nick's projections thwart the killer's plans, and he realizes the police are closing in on him. The sniper attacks escalate, and the killer turns toward Nick and his family. Will Nick be able to use his marketing skills to target a lethal segment of one to reveal himself?’
This is an involving, fascinating new approach to crime investigation, made all the more successful by Michael Grigsby’s imaginative and skill writing style. This novel could very well become a best selling, award winning debut novel! Very highly recommended.
Texas author Michael Grigsby earned his PhD from Century University, Albuquerque in marketing science and served in the corporate world of marketing analytics (Dell. HP, Sprint, Gap, etc), publishing two books – MARKETING ANALYTICS and ADVANCED CUSTOMER ANALYTICS. He now opens the gate of applying marketing analytics to criminal forensics as a plot device in this, his first novel – SEGMENT OF ONE.
Incorporating the tactics and elements of marketing analysis into a mystery thriller may seem like an unlikely approach, but Grigsby makes it more than just an additive aspect because of his innate ability to sculpt mysteries. He opens his story with a man in the trunk of a Honda, obviously equipped as an assassin – ‘A single target tonight. So, a single bullet in the gun…David pulled the trigger. The back of the guy’s head exploded. A massive wound…David pulled the trunk lid back down. Clicked and locked…David’s breaths came fast, almost pants…When he pulled the trigger, he orgasmed. Always did. The first time he had no clean underwear and the whole thing surprised him. Now it was a process…’ Unique character, unique murder, and the story lifts off!
The plot is complex, in a good way, and ha been condensed as follows: ‘Marketing analyst Nick Vanderoff, newly retired from his successful career in business, lost his wife last year to cancer. Now he just wants to rest, relax, and repair family relationships. To accomplish this, he's been spending time with his math-genius granddaughter, Holly, and his estranged daughter. But a serial killer is on the loose in Dallas, and traditional forensics have produced nothing. Nick has consulted for the police department before, but not on anything like this. Can he trust the algorithms that worked so well in the corporate world to flush out a madman? The answer becomes personal when Nick's projections thwart the killer's plans, and he realizes the police are closing in on him. The sniper attacks escalate, and the killer turns toward Nick and his family. Will Nick be able to use his marketing skills to target a lethal segment of one to reveal himself?’
This is an involving, fascinating new approach to crime investigation, made all the more successful by Michael Grigsby’s imaginative and skill writing style. This novel could very well become a best selling, award winning debut novel! Very highly recommended.
June 9, 2022
Segment of One by Michael Grigsby is truly a unique thriller written from a different angle. Here, we have Nick Vanderhoff the main character, freshly retired from marketing and trying to cope with the recent death of his wife. He just wants to relax and enjoy his life from here on out. But now there is a serial killer, and Nick's background in consulting for the police department might be needed again. However this time it might take more than traditional police investigative procedures to figure out what is going on. In this book, the basics of numbers and patterns begin to take on new meaning and substance as Nick figures out the crime. The pace of the book is fast, the plot is complex and the style of writing compelling. The originality of concepts here truly sets this book apart, giving the story more depth and nuance. Certainly an interesting and entertaining read. Recommend.
June 21, 2022
Segment of One by Michael Grigsby is one of the most memorable crime thrillers you will read. Nick Vanderoff is a retired marketing analyst who is working with the Dallas police. They initially wanted a crime analyst done to target the areas that needed more money in the budget. Nick began to notice an unusual crime pattern. Could a serial killer be hunting the Dallas area for years? Meanwhile, his granddaughter Holly is facing pre-teen drama. Nick unknowingly draws the attention of the killers to Holly.
I found Segment of One not only thrilling with the pursuit of assassins but humorous as Nick tries practicing empathy. He is clueless about social cues and often makes the wrong comments as he reads emotions incorrectly. I highly recommend this novel to any who enjoys the crime genre.
I found Segment of One not only thrilling with the pursuit of assassins but humorous as Nick tries practicing empathy. He is clueless about social cues and often makes the wrong comments as he reads emotions incorrectly. I highly recommend this novel to any who enjoys the crime genre.
September 23, 2022
Well written with an interesting premise and interesting characters. Warning to squeamish readers about sexual violence descriptions. Style wise I wished there was one change. The story is told from the view point of three different characters. Two in third person and one in first person. Each switch needed a heading for whose viewpoint we were now going to be reading rather than just a chapter change. It took a few paragraphs in to figure out whose viewpoint we were now reading and that was unneccesarily confusing.
September 5, 2022
Nick Vander Roth since the laws of his wife has realized The time he’s wasted not being close to his family. When he starts to rectify this with his granddaughter Holly he also decides to use his analytical skills to solve crimes in the first stop is the serial killer going around Dallas, but will he get so involved that the yearn to become closer to his family become mute? This story was so original I love how it starts and is fast pace right out of the box from page 1 and doesn’t let go until the conclusion I also love the real intelligent way he solved the crime I thought the characters were great and if you love crime fiction with the original plots and great characters you definitely love this book. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews