Mr. Brooks 2007

Earl Brooks recognized as 'Man of the Year'

Earl Brooks, a successful businessman in Portland, Oregon, is celebrated by the Chamber of Commerce for his achievements, earning the title of 'Man of the Year.' This public honor masks his darker side, as he is secretly known as the infamous 'Thumbprint Killer,' a serial murderer who struggles with a hidden addiction to killing.

Struggle to resist violent impulses

For two years, Brooks has been battling his violent urges by attending 12-step meetings. However, the pressure to kill intensifies as his alter ego, Marshall, becomes more insistent on carrying out their dark desires.

First brutal murder after two years

In a moment of desperation, Brooks succumbs to his violent tendencies and brutally murders a couple in their apartment. He meticulously leaves their bloodied thumbprints on a lampshade to further establish his signature style.

Brooks' daughter returns home

In a surprising twist, Brooks' daughter, Jane, returns home after dropping out of college. Her intention to join her father's company adds complexity to Brooks' already tangled life and raises new concerns about her future.

Mr. Smith finds incriminating evidence

While at work, Brooks is confronted by Mr. Smith, who blackmails him with incriminating photographic evidence from Brooks' recent murder. Despite his initial hesitation, Brooks becomes entangled in a deadly pact with Smith, leading them down a dangerous path.

Mrs. Brooks reveals Jane's pregnancy

As tensions rise, Mrs. Brooks divulges shocking news to Earl: Jane is pregnant. This revelation complicates both their lives, as Brooks becomes even more determined to protect his daughter from the dark fate he fears for her.

Detectives investigate potential links to Jane

Detectives from Palo Alto arrive to investigate a hatchet murder case linked to Jane's past at college. Brooks begins to worry about Jane's potential involvement in the crime, leading him to consider sacrificing her freedom to shield her from their shared legacy of violence.

Brooks plans to create a distraction

To protect Jane, Brooks devises a plan to commit another murder in Palo Alto, intending to create a separate serial killer myth. This strategy would shift investigators' attention away from Jane and provide her some respite from their dark world.

Brooks pretends to be terminally ill

As the weight of his crimes grows heavier, Brooks concocts a plan to fake a terminal illness. This ruse is designed to allow him to vanish completely, creating space between himself and law enforcement while ensuring his family's safety.

Brooks targets Detective Atwood's ex-husband

Researching Detective Tracy Atwood, who is undergoing a difficult divorce, Brooks sets his sights on her ex-husband and his attorney as potential victims. This move is both strategic and desperate, driven by a need to keep his own identity concealed.

Smith's mistake at the murder scene

In a twist of fate, Smith panics during a murder and accidentally leaves behind crucial DNA evidence. This blunder threatens to unravel their operations and lead the authorities closer to Brooks, placing them both in jeopardy.

Confrontation between Brooks and Smith

As tensions boil over, Brooks confronts Smith about his reckless actions. Utilizing his cunning, Brooks outmaneuvers Smith, saving his own life while ensuring that he keeps both his identity and dark secrets safe from the law.

Authorities misidentify the killer

In a tragic mix-up, law enforcement mistakenly celebrates Smith as the true Thumbprint Killer. This unfortunate turn allows Brooks to continue his life of deception, masking his criminal past behind a facade of normalcy.