Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., an independent publisher with more than 5,000 titles, contracted with Chester County author Bruce E. Mowday to write a book on the escape of convicted murderer Danelo Souza Cavalcante from Chester County Prison in August 2023.

“My book will encompass more than just a prison escape of a murderer,” Mowday said. “The book will capture the terror felt by those living in the community around the prison. The capture of Cavalcante didn’t end the nightmare for many residents. Some are still traumatized.”

Schiffer wrote in the Nov. 16 contract offer, “I am pleased to be sending the contracts for Escaped Murderers in the Neighborhood. We’re pleased to be working with you on this new project.”

Mowday’s previous true-crime book is Small-Town Cops in the Crosshairs: The 1972 Sniper Slayings of Policemen William Davis and Richard Posey, published by Schiffer Publishing. Schiffer published two other Mowday books, J. Howard Wert’s Gettysburg and Six Walking Tours of West Chester.

“Schiffer is an exceptional publisher,” Mowday said. “I’m looking forward to another excellent experience with Schiffer.”

The book has many fascinating aspects, according to Mowday. Cavalcante viscously murdered Deborah Brandao by stabbing her 38 times in front of her children at her Schuylkill Township home. Cavalcante is also wanted in his native Brazil.

“Cavalcante is an international criminal,” Mowday said.

A number of local and federal law enforcement agencies took part in the search for Cavalcante and utilized advanced search techniques. “Cavalcante hid in some of the same country that murderer Norman Johnston roamed when he escaped from a state prison in 1999,” Mowday said. “My book will examine the similarities and the differences in the two escapes.”

The use of search dogs will be documented, including K-9 Yoda’s apprehension of Cavalcante.

An essential part of the book will be the condition of the county prison at the time of the escape. Cavalcante’s escape took place on the first day on the job for Acting Warden Howard Holland. The facility was understaffed and was using outdated procedures, as one county official voiced at a public meeting. Chester County officials held multiple public meetings after Cavalcante’s capture to answer public questions and outrage.

“Escaped Murderers in the Neighborhood is an exciting project,” Mowday said. “I’ve conducted interviews with principals and their experiences are fascinating.”

Mowday authored three other true crime books based on his time as a newspaper reporter for The Daily Local News of West Chester. Besides Small-Town Cops in the Crosshairs, Mowday wrote Jailing the Johnston Gang: Bringing Serial Murderers to Justice and Stealing Wyeth for Barricade Books of New York.

Mowday has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including Counter Culture, a PBS Emmy-winning show, the Discovery ID channel, ReelZ network, C-SPAN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Hollywood and Beyond, Our American Heritage, Whatcha Got, Journey into the Civil War, Chronicles of the American Civil War and local television and radio stations.

He was a guest on the Massachusetts Historical Society’s Revolution 250. He was twice featured in the Authors of the American Revolution Congress hosted by Nathan’s Papers. Mowday is a frequent speaker at various civic and historical groups. The Congress of Civil War Round Tables has named Bruce a “5-Star” speaker. Mowday has hosted his own radio shows, has been editor of magazines, was chairman of the Chester County Historical Society, and president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates. He is a former board member of the Valley Forge Park Alliance and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

A member of the American Friends of Lafayette, he is the Chester County Coordinator for the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration in 2024 and 2025. He is also a member of the county’s 250th committee planning for a celebration of our nation’s founding.

A recent comment from a reader: “This man reigns from Chester County and always seemed to present a balanced view in his early career covering the Courts. I have watched him blossoming into a highly respected author and has not written a boring one yet. We now have another budding celebrity hailing from the region. If you are a book enthusiast, order his books. They are polished and interesting. I’m not usually a big history reader but I’ve enjoyed his work. They are interesting as well as informative His name is Bruce Mowday. I like Bruce because he is talented and a gentleman. I would not push his product if I did not believe it was good work.”