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Terrific Reads!

It’s been a while since I’ve recommended books and authors to you, so without further ado, here are some of the terrific reads I’ve enjoyed this year: Tough Streets, Rough Skies, and Sunday Sidelines Written by Larry Wansley, this book is a fascinating biography spanning the author’s time as a cop on the mean streets…

10-33 Go!

The radio code “10-33” is used to clear the airwaves for emergency radio traffic. “10-33 Go” is one dispatcher’s response over the frequency. “Unit with emergency traffic, go” is another. These exclamations crackling over the radio are chilling even for the most seasoned street cops.

Opening Line

The opening line of a story should grab a reader’s attention like a flash of lightning, the sound of tires squealing to a stop, the blast of an air horn, or the bugle of a bull elk rumbling through dark woods. A well-crafted opening line is a tease, a seduction, a baited hook that threatens…

The Switch

“What the #@%# did you say?” There was a brief standoff at the top of the escalator following the challenge I issued, which in print would appear an innocuous question if not for the colorful expletive. But the tone—oh, man, the tone. And the posture, the body language, the daggers my tired eyes can still…

Book Binge

Over the holiday weekend, I caught a bug and spent nearly a week inside, avoiding the cold snap of weather and partaking in an epic book binge. The days passed quickly as I blazed through five books in as many days. And with the holidays upon us and winter bearing down, I thought it would…

Honor Their Memories

Death. It’s part of life. And for those of us fortunate enough remain healthy as we negotiate the “golden years,” there is a price to be paid: the pain and heartbreak of losing loved ones, partners, and friends. This has been a difficult few days for me and many of my friends and former colleagues.…