Brandt was born and raised on the west side of Indianapolis and comes from a long line of police officers. He was formerly employed by the Indianapolis Field Office of the FBI before serving as a Lt. in the United States Naval Reserve.

He is a graduate of Ben Davis High School and Indiana Central University (now known as the University of Indianapolis) and received his doctorate in Chicago, Illinois.

Brandt is the creator of the Indianapolis-based Colton Parker series, the Chicago-based Sons of Jude series, as well as several short stories and stand-alone novels. He has had his play adapted by a dinner theatre and it opened in March of 2013.

Brandt lives in southern Indiana where he is at work on his next novel.