Picture a Southern storyteller who spins heart-pounding thrillers from the heart of Alabama’s swamps—meet Bobby Cole! Born in Montgomery in 1964, Cole is a crime novelist whose gripping tales, like The Dummy Line, blend high-stakes suspense with the rugged authenticity of his lifelong passion for hunting and wildlife management. As president of Mossy Oak BioLogic, Cole’s unique blend of outdoor expertise and literary flair has carved him a niche in contemporary Southern literature, captivating readers with stories that pulse with the rhythm of the wild.
The Making of Bobby Cole
William Robert Cole, Jr., grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, where the call of the outdoors shaped his early years. A self-described avid hunter, Cole honed his love for nature at Auburn University at Montgomery and through years spent in Alabama’s backwoods. His career took root at Mossy Oak in 1995, where he rose to lead its BioLogic division, championing wildlife conservation and sustainable hunting practices. A camping trip with his daughter, Jessi, sparked his writing journey, inspiring his debut novel, The Dummy Line, and igniting a passion for storytelling that thrives in his spare time.
Bobby Cole’s Unforgettable Stories
Cole’s novels are adrenaline-fueled thrillers that marry the intensity of crime fiction with the vivid detail of Southern hunting culture. His debut, The Dummy Line (2008), follows stockbroker Jake Crosby and his daughter, Katy, as a peaceful hunting trip turns into a desperate fight for survival against a gang of ruthless drug dealers in Alabama’s Noxubee River swamp. Critics praise its relentless pace and authentic setting, with readers hooked by Cole’s ability to make the wilderness a character in itself.
The sequel, Moon Underfoot (2013), picks up with Jake facing the vengeful fallout from his past, weaving themes of family and retribution. Cole’s third novel, The Rented Mule (2014), shifts to a new cast, exploring betrayal and ambition through Cooper Dixon, a businessman caught in a deadly scheme. Cole’s style—taut, immersive, and rich with Southern grit—reflects influences like Greg Iles and John Grisham, but his deep knowledge of the outdoors sets him apart, grounding his stories in a world he knows intimately.
Why Bobby Cole Matters
Bobby Cole’s impact lies in his ability to bridge the gap between Southern outdoor culture and mainstream crime fiction. His novels resonate with hunters and thrill-seekers alike, offering a fresh perspective on the genre by rooting it in the landscapes and traditions of the rural South. As a supporter of the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, Cole’s commitment to terminally ill children adds a layer of heart to his legacy. His work, appearing on multiple bestseller lists, has earned a loyal following, proving that authentic, place-driven storytelling can captivate a wide audience.
- Born: 1964, Montgomery, Alabama
- Key Works: The Dummy Line, Moon Underfoot, The Rented Mule
- Notable Role: President of Mossy Oak BioLogic
- Passion: Wildlife management and hunting
Ready to dive into a thriller that’ll keep you up all night? Snag The Dummy Line and let Bobby Cole’s Southern suspense sweep you into the wild!