Cops and Writers Podcast

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Get your pen and paper ready to take notes! Today’s show is for you writers out there or those of you who are curious how a New York Bestselling author navigates the ever-changing waters of publishing books and collaborating with other authors. 

On the show today we chat with J.D. Barker and Christine Daigle.

J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL, THE FOURTH MONKEY, A CALLER'S GAME AND BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television.

By day, Christine Daigle is a clinical neuropsychologist whose work includes brain-computer interfaces translating brain signals into commands to control technology. When she has time, Christine Daigle is a multi-genre author whose latest release, Heavy Are The Stones, is a serial killer thriller co-authored with New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker. She and Barker are also collaborating on a reboot of Flatliners, based on the original screenplay.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Their experience at Author Nation writers’ convention.

·      The attention grabbing first line of Behind a Closed Door, “Would you kill a stranger to save your partner?”

·      Pushing sexual boundaries in books and movies.

·      The essential elements to writing a good thriller!

·      The research involved with the controversial book, Behind a Closed Door.

·      How to overcome writer’s block.

·      Best advice for new writers or those writers trying to up their game.

Check out Christine's website to learn more about her and her books!
Head on over to J.D.'s website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

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On the show today we are going true crime detailing the murder for hire plot involving former NYPD Police Officer Valerie Cincinelli. 

On May 17th, 2019, Valerie solicited her boyfriend, John DiRubba, to hire a hitman to murder his own daughter and Valerie's ex-husband, Isaiah Carvalho. Isaiah and John worked with the FBI to secretly record conversations and to stage a crime scene photo which was sent to John by an FBI agent posing as a hitman. 

To help me out today I brought in my favorite NYPD Detectives, Marique Bartoldus and Vic Ferrari. They both gave us invaluable insights into the NYPD and incredible feedback regarding the case, not to mention some laughs.

Please enjoy this story of greed, jealousy, lust, and sometimes, just plain stupidity.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      We talk about Vic Ferrari’s newest book, NYPD: Presumption & Dysfunction and Marique Bartoldus’ book, Twenty and Out.

·      The term, ‘hairbag’. 

·      The evolution of Valerie Cuccinelli’s career with the NYPD. 

·      The beginnings of her breakup with her husband and starting an affair.

·      Valerie’s unusual behavior.

·      The FBI staging her husband’s murder and the sting operation that led to her arrest.

·      Valerie’s eventual arrest and resignation from the NYPD.

·      Final thoughts regarding this case.

Check out Marique's Amazon Author Page.
Visit Vic Ferrari's Amazon Author Page to learn more about him and his books!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome back for the conclusion of my very special two-part interview with Susan Snow. 

Susan Snow is the daughter of LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, who was killed in the line of duty on October 31, 1985,  in a contract hit while driving his six year old son to school. Thomas shielded his son from a hail of gunfire, saving his sons life while giving up his own. Detective Williams was a hero on so many levels.

Susan was only seventeen years old and a senior in high school at the time of this incident. Susan's book "The Other Side of the Gun" was born out of Susan’s journey through the trauma she experienced with the death of her father. She wrote it to heal herself and help others heal through her words and experiences. 

Thank you Susan for sharing your story with us. I would like to dedicate this episode to your father, LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, end of watch October 31, 1985. Rest easy hero.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Was justice ever served?

·      Why she wrote the book, The Other Side of The Gun. How this book changed her and her loved ones. 

·      The movie, In The Line of Duty, The Price of Vengeance that depicted her father’s murder. 

·      Are you hyper vigilant with your family and yourself?

·      Did she ever consider becoming a cop? What if her kids want to?

·      What advise she would give to anyone who is going through this type of trauma.

·      Her new career being a public speaker.

·      Bulldoze fear!

Visit Susan's website to learn more about her and her book.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome to part one of a very special two-part interview with my guest Susan Snow. 

Susan Snow is the daughter of LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams, who was killed in the line of duty on October 31, 1985,  in a contract hit while driving his six year old son to school. Thomas shielded his son from a hail of gunfire, saving his sons life while giving up his own. Detective Williams was a hero on so many levels.

Susan was only seventeen years old and a senior in high school at the time of this incident. Susan's book "The Other Side of the Gun" was born out of Susan’s journey through the trauma she experienced with the death of her father. She wrote it to heal herself and help others heal through her words and experiences. 

Thank you, Susan, for sharing your story with us so we can better understand and appreciate the heroes and their families who have had to endure these types of tragedies. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      The murder of LAPD Detective Thomas C. Williams on October 31, 1985.

·      How she was forgotten due to the attention that was focused on her brother and mother. 

·      Finally realizing that her father was killed in a contract hit because he was a LAPD detective. 

·      Having a father who was a LAPD detective and trying to be a normal teenager.

·      Her grief process and negative experience with her therapist.

·      Lunch with a nun.

·      Discovering she had PTSD and how she coped with this diagnosis.

·      How Susan navigated having a mom with a drinking problem, getting through her senior year of high school, and processing her father’s murder.

Visit Susan's website to learn more about her and her book.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

It’s been a while since I recorded a question-and-answer episode, so that is what we are doing today. A very special thank you to the members of the Cops and Writers Facebook group for the questions.

I was lucky enough to get back up from my friend and fellow author, retired Chicago Police Department Detective Lieutenant, Richard Rybicki.

The good lieutenant served for over 29 years on the Chicago Police Department where he worked as a Patrol Officer, Tactical Officer, Gang Crimes Specialist, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and Detective Lieutenant. His last assignment was as the Lieutenant/commanding officer of the Area Three Homicide/Sex/Gang Crimes unit.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Rick’s newest book series that is in development that has a very interesting plot twist! 

·      Funny and disturbing Thanksgiving stories from the street.

·      Alex Wilson asks; My story is a fictional murder in the UK.  

Would a pathologist or similar ever go to see a body at the crime scene, to advise on the probable cause of death, possible weapons used etc, or would this only happen later at the postmortem?

·      Sharon Reichs asks; How did you keep from killing a supervisor with all the liberal bullshit they spew as directives? (Not that I have an opinion or anything).

·      Katherine Kovacic asks; What do you consider your best case and why? [Unrelated second question] Is there something you know now that you wish you knew then (specifically relating to policing!) and if so, what impact would that have had?

·      Rose Bingham asks, Present day Chicago. A victim found strangled in the rain. Some paper found under her coat (that the killer would've handled) that didn't get wet had fingerprints on it (do-able?). Security camera at night had shown 2 separate people at the scene. I have the detective reviewing the footage but needs to have it blown up and possibly made a bit clearer. Who would be the people working on the footage?

·      Lisa Messegee asks,California, present day, Is a detective required to attend the autopsy for a homicide victim? Would they want to, if it's not required? Could they delegate to a crime scene investigator?

Visit Richard's author page on Amazon.
Check out the Sam Laska Crime Thriller page on Facebook.
Visit Richard at his website!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today’s show is for you authors out there who want to up their writing game, or just have a laugh, because we had a lot of fun recording this episode. 

I traveled across the pond, virtually, to Jolly Old England and was lucky enough to have Cara Clare and James Blatch from the Indie Writers Club Podcast on the show today. 

Cara Clare a prolific author who has penned over 47 books, is known for her steamy paranormal and fantasy worlds, Cara's the queen of "why choose" adventures, where love knows no bounds and neither do her characters.

Cara is best known for her TikTok sensation, The Phoenix Prophecy series, and also writes super spicy romantasy under Alexis Brooke and women's fiction under Poppy Pennington-Smith. 

Returning champion James Blatch is back on my show! Many of you know James from the wildly popular Self-Publishing Show Podcast that he co-hosted with Mark Dawson. He also co-founded the Self Publishing Formula (SPF) that has been rebranded as Lean Self Publishing. James is also a cold-war aviation thriller author.

Cara and James now host the Indie Writers Club Podcast that is a lot of fun and gives valuable information for authors at all stages of their writing careers. 

Please enjoy this very wide raging show where we talked about everything from the ending of the Self-Publishing Podcast, why you aren’t selling more books, me learning what a reverse harem’s, the upcoming presidential elections in the United States, and of course, James doing his Mafia Vampire Romance impersonation. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Why the Self-Publishing Podcast came to an end. 

·      How the ending of the podcast and his partnership with Mark Dawson affected James personally and professionally.

·      How Cara Clare produces an incredible number of words for her own books and as a ghostwriter. 

·      How and why the Indie Writers Club Podcast started.

·      The Discord channel.

·      Why your books aren’t selling.

·      Taking a hard look at your title, blurb, and book cover and what they should and shouldn’t have.

Visit Cara at her website!
Visit James at his website!
Come join the fun at The Indie Writers Club Podcast!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Have you ever told yourself that one day you will tell your parents story? I know I have. Both of my parents are immigrants who chased the American dream. But I still haven’t, and I don’t know why. My guest today, Shirley Novack, has done this and wrote a book about her father and his amazing life coming to America as a young teenager after living in a brothel for three years in Poland with his little brother. 

Her book, The Story Of… is a story of hardship, joy, overcoming the odds, and realizing the American dream!  

Shirley also has some grand tales to tell from her life. Everything from living next to a victim of the Boston Strangler and being detained as a suspected terrorist by the Secret Service and local police. 

Please enjoy my chat with the captivating Shirley Novak. 

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Having one of her neighbors killed by the Boston Strangler. 

·      Her interest in true crime and wanting to be a police officer.

·      Being detained by the Secret Service and police as a suspected terrorist. 

·      Sitting next to a drug mule on an airplane.

·      Her incredible book, The Story Of...

·      Why she wrote the book.

·      How she researched the book interviewing her relatives.

·      What it was like for her telling her father’s incredible story.

Grab a copy of Shirley's book, The Story of...
Visit Shirley on her website.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome back to the conclusion of our special two-part interview with retired Death Investigator and author, Barbara Butcher of the New York City Medical Examiner's Office. 

Barbara Butcher spent 23 years at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner as a death investigator, director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program, and chief of staff. There she investigated more than 5500 deaths, 680 of them homicides. She worked mass disasters, including 9/11, the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, the London Underground bombing, and the crash of Flight 587.

During this interview, Barbara opens up and lets us into the life of a death investigator being confronted with death and profound sadness on a daily basis and the toll it took on her physical and mental health. 

We also have a candid talk about alcoholism and her “rock bottom.” Barbara also shares her recovery from this deadly disease and the good that came from it.
 
 I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Tools of her trade as a death investigator. 

·      The relationship she had with the cops and how they worked together to solve the crime.

·      How the time of death gets determined in real life. Spoiler alert, not like what you see on T.V. or the movies.

·      Advise for rookie death investigators or someone thinking about this job as a future career.

·      Testifying in court. 

·      What she misses the most about the job. 

·      Faith in a higher power after being subjected to so much death and profound sadness.

·      Why she wrote her book, “What the Dead Know” and why it is so popular.

·      Her writing process.

·      “You don’t have that much time. Be kind.”

Visit Barbara at her website!
Purchase her book, What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator
Check out Weekends at Bellevue: Nine Years on the Night Shift at the Psych ER and When Breath Becomes Air

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Today is episode one of a special two-part interview with retired Death Investigator and Author, Barbara Butcher of the New York City Medical Examiner's Office. 

Barbara Butcher spent 23 years at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner as a death investigator, director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program, and chief of staff. There she investigated more than 5500 deaths, 680 of them homicides. She worked mass disasters including 9/11, the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, the London Underground bombing, and the crash of Flight 587.

During this interview, Barbara opens up and lets us into the life of a death investigator being confronted with death and profound sadness on a daily basis and the toll it took on her physical and mental health. 

We also have a candid talk about alcoholism and her “rock bottom.” Barbara also shares her recovery from this deadly disease and the good that came from it.
 
 I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

 In today’s episode we discuss:

·      Her interview on the James Altucher Show Podcast and his notion that New York is dead, spoiler alert. She doesn’t think so! 

·      Her honesty and willingness to be vulnerable with her new book and this interview.

·      Growing up in New York being the oldest of nine kids and her dad being on the New York Police Department rising to the rank of Deputy Inspector.

·      Ghosts or other paranormal feelings being involved in 5,500 death investigations.

·      Myths and misconceptions regarding alcoholism. 

·      Barbara hitting rock bottom with her drinking and rising from the ashes. 

·      How Barbara got the job with the New York Medical Examiner’s Office as a death investigator and the training involved in her job.

·      Her first time going to a death investigation solo.

·      The job of the death investigator.

Visit Barbara at her website!
Purchase her book, What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator
Check out Weekends at Bellevue: Nine Years on the Night Shift at the Psych ER and When Breath Becomes Air

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Send us a text

Welcome back to the conclusion of a special Cops and Writers Podcast where myself and my special co-host, Retired ATF Deputy Assistant Director Peter Forcelli will attempt to break down the problems with the United States Secret Service and what can be done to fix them. Because, who wants to hear a bunch of bitching and complaining without any answers?   

I hope you enjoy this thought-provoking and critically important discussion. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      How to fix the broken Secret Service. 

·      Having Secret Service Agents go to Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, and work with the cops on the street. It’s like army trauma surgeons going to ERs in these cities to learn how to work on gunshot wounds. They need to experience police work.

·      The Congressional hearings and the grandstanding by the people asking the questions. It was nauseating. 

·      Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and her incompetence as a leader, including the things she should have done as the director of the Secret Service.

·      Secret Service Agent burnout and what can be done to alleviate this during an election cycle.

·      Disbanding the United States Secret Service and having the FBI and U.S. Marshalls absorb those duties.

Visit Peter's website to learn more about him and his books.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website. 

What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?

https://a.co/d/2UsJPba

Support the show

What's the craziest thing you saw when you were a cop?

My first week on the job, a guy running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.

That's chapter 1. There are 33 more.

Police Stories: The Rookie Years just launched - available on Amazon. 

Search 'Police Stories Patrick O'Donnell' or click th

Support the show