Category: Cops Writing Crime - A.B.PATTERSON

"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

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

Cops Writing Crime - 3 more members join The Squad.

12/2/2022

Another 3 colleagues (2 American and 1 Australian) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 310.

That's 310 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. John A. Hoda who served with the Philadelphia PD, and has worked as a PI.
2. Jack Roney who served with the Queensland Police in Australia.
3. C.J. Edwards who served with the Indianapolis PD.

Our Squad now consists of:

186 American, 63 British, 17 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

"To Serve, Protect, and Write" - Cops Writing Crime Fiction - paperback now available.

12/2/2022

The anthology from Cops Writing Crime has now arrived in paperback (print-on-demand).

Ebook and POD on Amazon:

www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQJL1PT/ref=sr_1_3?crid=27A7ULEFSAOO0&keywords=to+serve+protect+and+write&qid=1643868766&sprefix=to+serve+protect+and+write%2Caps%2C268&sr=8-3

Also seen on Barnes & Noble and Book Depository.

Other platforms to follow.

So, 15 crime stories from members of The Squad of Cops Writing Crime - 9 from the USA, 4 from the UK, 1 from Canada, and 1 from Australia:
Christopher Allen (USA)
Thonie Hevron (USA)
Michael O'Keefe (USA)
Barry Lees (UK)
P.J. Bodnar (USA)
Desmond P. Ryan (Canada)
Pearson O'Meara (USA)
Ryan Sayles (USA)
Keith Wright (UK)
T.K. Thorne (USA)
James Ellson (UK)
Mark Atley (USA)
Lisa Cutts (UK)
A.B. Patterson (Australia)
Frank Zafiro (USA)

This is a unique volume, and oozes police realism.

I hope you enjoy.

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - 4 more members join The Squad

31/10/2021

Another 4 colleagues (1 British and 3 American) join The Squad today, bringing its numbers to 307.

That's 307 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. F.E. Birch served with the London Metropolitan Police.
2. Charlotte Williamson served with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office in Georgia.
3. Kenneth R. Lewis served with The Rogue River PD in Oregon.
4. Trent Allen Ruble served with the Huntingdon PD in Tennessee.

Our Squad now consists of:

184 American, 63 British, 16 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

Cover reveal latest - "To Serve, Protect, and Write"

31/10/2021

The latest front cover for "To Serve, Protect, and Write: Cops Writing Crime Fiction" is here!

Another stunning piece of design work by the super-talented J.T. Lindroos (oivas.com).

Stay tuned for more news - the book is only weeks away.

Cheers,
ABP

Cops Writing Crime - anthology cover reveal!

24/10/2021

The front cover for "To Serve, Protect, and Write: Cops Writing Crime Fiction" is here!

Another stunning piece of design work by the super-talented J.T. Lindroos (oivas.com).

Stay tuned for more news - the book is only weeks away.

Cheers,
ABP