A.B.PATTERSON - Blog

Cops Writing Crime - 6 new members for The Squad.

13/8/2022

Another 6 colleagues (all American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 346.

That's 346 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. David Jebb who served with the San Diego PD in California.
2. Stacy Dittrich who served with the Richland County Sheriff's Office in Ohio.
3. La Mont A. Jerrett who served with the LAPD.
4. Joe Race who served with the LA County Sheriff's Department, and other LEAs.
5. Frederick Price who also served with the LA County Sheriff's Department.
6. Jon LeMay (Le May Johnson) who served with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota.

Our Squad now consists of:

216 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 18 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian, 1 Danish
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 3 new members join The Squad

24/7/2022

Another 3 colleagues (all American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 340.

That's 340 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Andrew G. Nelson who served as an officer with the NYPD.
2. Guilio Dattero who served as an officer with the Reidsville PD in North Carolina.
3. Steve Roos who served as an officer with the Idaho Falls PD in Idaho.

Our Squad now consists of:

210 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 18 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian, 1 Danish
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 4 new members join The Squad

23/7/2022

Another 4 colleagues (all American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 337.

That's 337 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Connie Dial who served as an officer with the LAPD.
2. Paul Patti who served as an officer with the Lake Worth PD in Florida.
3. G.B. Rodriguez who served as an officer with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin.
4. Marty Penny who served as an officer with the Chattanooga PD in Tennessee.

Our Squad now consists of:

207 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 18 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian, 1 Danish
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

A.B.Patterson live in podcast from the U.S.

13/7/2022

I'm delighted to be appearing today as the guest in the excellent crime writing podcast hosted by US crime author John A. Hoda.
John is an ex-cop writing crime like me, and we had a great chat for an hour.
Tune in for a listen as we talk about being cops and writing crime fiction.

www.johnhoda.com/mfds-169/

Cheers,
ABP

"The Tattered Blue Line" - author copies arrive down under!

5/5/2022

It's always such a wonderful feeling to pick up the hard copy of a book or anthology you've got a story in.
Well, today this box of beauties arrived down under - my author copies.

It's The Tattered Blue Line anthology, edited and published by Frank Zafiro. Frank is an outstanding crime fiction author himself and an ex-cop, and he has edited this excellent collection of crime fiction short stories with the theme of the issues surrounding contemporary policing in western liberal democracies.

I was utterly thrilled to be invited to submit a story. I was then humbled and honoured to have my story ("Clean, Green, and Obscene") accepted for inclusion in this line up of great crime writers, all of whom have coalface experience in law enforcement environments.

My colleagues here, from the USA, Canada, and Europe, are Frank Zafiro, Colin Conway, Jim Doherty, P.S. Harman, J.J. Hensley, Mark Bergin, Quintin Peterson, Scott Kikkawa, James L'Etoile, Elizabeth Nguyen, Pearson O'Meara, Stacy Woodson, and Erik Djerneas.

Grab yourself a copy and enjoy these gems - explore the humanity the authors bring to the page.
It's on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tattered-Blue-Line-Contemporary-Policing/dp/B09XZJS4VH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KA3TCJG5BLAN&keywords=the+tattered+blue+line&qid=1651753296&sprefix=the+tattered%2Caps%2C329&sr=8-1

Cheers,
ABP

Anzac Day 2022 - Lest We Forget.

25/4/2022

On this day, Anzac Day, when we as Australians and New Zealanders commemorate our veterans, it is as always fitting to remember that their sacrifice, in blood and suffering, is what we owe our freedom to.
The freedom that so many take for granted and do not appreciate, but the freedom that enables us to live our lives, enjoy our rights, and bathe in freedom of speech and ideas. The same freedom that many would take from us.
My own tribute is to dedicate a blog, as I did last year and before, to both my grandfathers, who fought for the Australian Army in the World Wars, defending those freedoms.

My paternal grandfather was Gordon Reginald Patterson and he went to the Western Front in 1917. He turned 18 six days before he enlisted. Private Patterson then joined the Australian Army Infantry in the trenches in northern France and Belgium for all the horrors that entailed. He came back to Australia in 1919. He died when my father was only 6 years old. His photo is below, and I can see my father in his face.

My maternal grandfather was George Harwood Smith and he went to the second World War in 1941, as a 39 year old. He served with the Australian Army Motor Transport in Indonesia. When the Allied forces in Java surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, Private Smith went into the infamous Japanese POW camp at Changi in Singapore, where he remained a prisoner until the end of the war. Alas, I don't have any photos of Grandfather Smith in uniform.

I can't begin to even imagine the horrors both my grandfathers endured. But I can be forever grateful for what we now enjoy, thanks to the sacrifice of them and millions of other Allied service personnel.

Rest in peace, my grandfathers, and lest we forget.

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 4 new members join The Squad

19/4/2022

Another 4 colleagues (1 Canadian and 3 American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 333.

That's 333 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Laurie Wood who served as an officer with the City of Barrie Police in Ontario, Canada.
2. Quintin Peterson who served as an officer with the Metro PD in Washington DC.
3. Paul Rubino who served as an officer with the Jersey City PD in New Jersey.
4. C.E. Albanese who served as a special agent with the US Secret Service.

Our Squad now consists of:

203 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 18 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian, 1 Danish
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

Contemporary policing captured in short stories - "The Tattered Blue Line"

19/4/2022

Frank Zafiro, an outstanding crime fiction author himself and an ex-cop, has edited this excellent collection of crime fiction short stories with the theme of the issues surrounding contemporary policing in western liberal democracies.
It's a vitally important theme for our societies, and one which seldom hears any voices other than the vocal one-eyed mob screaming outrage. Our modern times need far more nuanced and balanced discussion than typically exists.
I was utterly thrilled to be invited to submit a story. I was then both humbled and honoured to have my story ("Clean, Green, and Obscene") accepted for inclusion in this line up of great crime writers, all of whom have coalface experience in law enforcement environments.
My colleagues here, from the USA, Canada, and Europe, are Colin Conway, Jim Doherty, P.S. Harman, J.J. Hensley, Mark Bergin, Quintin Peterson, Scott Kikkawa, James L'Etoile, Elizabeth Nguyen, Pearson O'Meara, Stacy Woodson, and Erik Djerneas.
Grab yourself a copy and enjoy these gems - explore the humanity the authors bring to the page.
Cheers,
ABP

COPS WRITING CRIME - 7 new members join The Squad

15/4/2022

Another 7 colleagues (5 American, 1 Canadian, and 1 Danish) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 329.

That's 329 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Bernard Whalen who served as an officer with the NYPD.
2. Paul G. Nelson who served as an officer with the LAPD.
3. Scott Kikkawa who is still a serving officer in US federal law enforcement in Hawaii.
4. Elizabeth Nguyen who is still serving as an unsworn officer with the Regina Police in Saskatchewan, Canada.
5. Michael Levine who served as an agent with the DEA.
6. Erik Djernaes Hansen (our first Danish colleague in The Squad) who is still serving as an officer with the Danish Police.
7. Patricia (P.S.) Harman who served as an officer with the Prince William County PD in Virginia.

Our Squad now consists of:

200 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 17 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian, 1 Danish
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 4 new members join The Squad.

7/4/2022

Another 4 colleagues (all American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 322.

That's 322 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Daniel V. Schrager who served with the Chicago PD.
2. Brian Shea who served as a police officer in both Texas and Connecticut.
3. Mark Bergin who served with the Alexandria PD in Virginia.
4. Craig Johnson who served with the NYPD.

Our Squad now consists of:

195 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 16 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

"The Tattered Blue Line" - my new short story in this great anthology.

31/3/2022

Frank Zafiro is a crime author and former police officer, like me. We're just on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean and in opposite hemispheres. I've read some of Frank's work and absolutely love it - gripping crime fiction oozing the realism that comes from the pen of an ex-cop.
So I was thrilled to be invited to submit a story to Frank's new anthology of contemporary policing stories - an anthology with the theme of listening to different points of view on the controversies of modern policing (in liberal democracies), and all written by authors with law enforcement experience.
I was even more thrilled that my story, "Clean, Green, and Obscene", was accepted for the collection.
And I'm so proud and humbled to be lining up with the authors in this anthology.
It's out in 2 weeks - do take a look!
Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 4 new members join The Squad.

28/3/2022

Another 4 colleagues (2 British and 2 American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 318.

That's 318 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. David Hodges who served with the Thames Valley Police in England.
2. John Harkin who served with the Strathclyde Police in Scotland.
3. Scott Nickerson who served with the DEA in the USA.
4. Jeffrey James Higgins who also served with the DEA in the USA.

Our Squad now consists of:

191 American, 65 British, 18 Australian, 16 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP

Podcast - I'm with Frank Zafiro on his crime writing podcast

9/3/2022

I'm thrilled to be appearing today on Frank Zafiro's excellent podcast, Wrong Place, Write Crime.
Tune in to listen to Frank and I chatting all things crime author as ex-cops.
wrongplacewritecrime.com
Cheers,
ABP

"To Serve, Protect, and Write" - the paperbacks have arrived!

2/3/2022

OH YES! It's that awesome feeling of opening the first box of a new book you've created. I'm just the editor (albeit contributing) for this volume, but it's still a very proud day here in Sydney!

I arranged a limited print run here in Australia, as there is no substitute for the original paperback of a book. But given most of the interest will be elsewhere around the world, POD is the best option for most people.

Over half the print run copies will be heading out in parcels next week to the 14 other authors in this fine volume. But if you'd like to purchase one of the original paperbacks (there are about 100 available), just drop me a line.

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 4 new members join The Squad.

1/3/2022

Another 4 colleagues (1 Australian and 3 American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 314.

That's 314 cops and ex-cops (and other law enforcement types, plus some PIs) who have taken to writing crime fiction. You won't get more realistic crime tales than those from this Squad!

We have joining us today:
1. Bob MacDonald who served with the Western Australia Police. Always great to welcome a colleague from my old force to The Squad.
2. Gavin Reese who is, I believe, a serving officer in the police somewhere in the USA.
3. James McEachin who served with the Hackensack PD in New Jersey, but then became famous as an actor.
4. John Eisler who served with the Reedley PD in California.

Our Squad now consists of:

189 American, 63 British, 18 Australian, 16 Canadian
4 New Zealander, 3 Finnish, 2 Dutch, 2 Swedish
2 French, 2 Irish, 1 Bahamian, 1 Norwegian
1 Italian, 1 Czech, 1 Russian, 1 Hungarian
1 Spaniard, 1 Pakistani, 1 Chinese, 1 Brazilian, 1 Indian
2 "International" (listed as this due to current serving officer requirements)

I'll keep adding more as I come across them, and if you know of any others please feel free to drop me a line.

Check out The Squad:
Also: Cops Writing Crime

And please remember, my list is only for CRIME FICTION - not all the true crime and/or memoir writing by cops and ex-cops that's out there (as good as so much of that is).

Cheers,
ABP