Writers tended to be curious people and are usually voracious readers. I’m no exception. I learned to love reading from my mother and grandmother who read to me and encouraged my love of books. When I could choose my own books I discovered mysteries. Growing up, my heroes were Sam Spade, Spencer, Mike Hammer, and Sherlock Holmes. My favorite characters are in books by Robert B. Parker, Erle Stanley Gardner,  Robert Ludlum, John le Carré, or Alistair MacLean. For me stumbling upon a family secret was the catalyst to take the writing plunge. While researching my father’s WWII experience, I discovered he had been an American OSS commando in occupied Greece. One “What If” question led to another, and my first mystery/thriller, Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor, was born. From that first experience came more stories, PI mysteries and more. Books have always held a special place in my life. Now I find new excitement writing mysteries/thrillers and more.

During a thirty-year law enforcement career, I served as an investigator and in a variety of other roles.  My experience and knowledge earned assignments to a handful of inter-agency task forces. After retiring as a police captain, I pitched  cutting-edge intelligence analysis software to the law enforcement community.  I conducted security clearance investigations and served as a contract data analyst for the Department of Justice.

So what does a retired cop do? Why write, of course! I draw upon my background to create stories combining murder, mystery, and suspense, with a dash of humor. My characters reflect the inner strength, self-reliance, and healthy skepticism I learned from my mom.

I’m burning the midnight oil to create new mysteries, thrillers, and detective stories. Come along and see what sort of trouble my characters create.