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Hollywood crime scenes often show detectives drawing chalk outlines around dead bodies. This image has become iconic in movies and TV shows, but is it based on real police work? The truth is that chalking outlines around corpses is mostly a myth and understanding why, reveals interesting facts about NYPD crime scene investigation. Chalk outlines serve a clear visual purpose in movies. They quickly convey to viewers where a body was found without showing graphic details. This

The myth of the sirens has captivated people for centuries. These mysterious creatures, known for their enchanting voices, appear in many ancient Greek stories. Their allure is powerful enough to lure sailors to danger, making them symbols of temptation and peril. Sirens first appear in Homer’s Odyssey as dangerous creatures who live on rocky islands. They are often described as part woman, part bird, though later stories sometimes depict them as mermaid-like beings. Their ma

The New York Police Department’s K9 unit plays a vital role in law enforcement, using specially trained dogs to assist officers in tasks like searching for drugs, explosives and of course, missing persons. Heinrich, the amiable K9 in Beyond the Veil, provides vital assistance to Detective Ryan in his search for the mayor's daughter. The selection process for K9s starts with identifying dogs that have the right physical and mental traits. The NYPD looks for breeds known for th

Appearing in Beyond the Veil, Jessica Westbury is an ambitious reporter, who serves as a significant secondary character, and a foil to Detective Ryan's methodical investigation. Jessica is driven by a desire for the "big scoop." She is relentless in her pursuit of the truth regarding the disappearance of Elizabeth Van den Berg, the mayor's daughter. Detective Ryan and the reporter have a long history, and not always a positive one. Her investigative instincts have led her to

In The Christmas Eve Murders, Mrs. Baxter proudly serves as the head librarian of the Stone Ridge Public Library on Main Street. She is somewhat unhappy about the NYPD disturbing the peace and quiet of the library, but is willing to offer what little information she has in order to assist Detective Ryan in his investigation. Mrs. Baxter can be considered the gatekeeper of secrets in the rural community. She acts as a bridge to valuable information, providing Detective Ryan wi

In The Christmas Eve Murders, Dr. Stewart is one of the names on the Deputy Sheriff's "persons of interest" list. Dr. Stewart is the local veterinarian for Stone Ridge, while moonlighting as the farm manager at Old Man Johnson's farm. Based out of the quiet town of Stone Ridge in the Catskills, Dr. Stewart is deeply embedded not only in the Stone Ridge community, but in the greater Catskills countryside. Due to his involvement in tending to both family pets and local livestoc

Removed from the urban zone of Manhattan, with sweeping views of the distant Hudson River, the Hudson Valley University is a prestigious institution that serves as the starting point for the search for Elizabeth Van den Berg in Beyond the Veil. The mayor's daughter mysteriously disappeared while on a university research expedition in the Adirondacks. Well hidden from prying eyes behind high walls, this place of learning has a distinct sense of being isolated from the outside

In The Christmas Eve Murders, the murder investigation is spearheaded by Detective Ryan of the NYPD, ably assisted by Cadet Tony Vincenti. After following a lead that takes them up the Hudson River into an isolated area of the Catskills, they are welcomed to Stone Ridge by local law enforcement. Deputy Sheriff Cindy is only too happy to have the chance to participate in some real police investigations, rather than tracking down escaped cattle from Old Man Johnson's farm, agai

In The Christmas Eve Murders, the first book of New York's Finest Collection, Debbie is a waitress at the popular Orchard Diner in Stone Ridge, offering the best pear pie in the county. She serves (excuse the pun) as an important source of information in Detective Ryan’s investigation. Although she seems a little nervous to talk to the police, she proves herself to be a grounded observer and invaluable font of local knowledge. Working in the bustling Stone Ridge diner, Debbie

In Beyond the Veil , Detective Ryan is tasked with finding Elizabeth Van den Berg, the New York City mayor's daughter, who has mysteriously gone missing while on a research expedition in the remote region of the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks are a vast, six-million-acre park in upstate New York, comprising over 100 mountains, thousands of pristine lakes, and dense, evergreen-studded forests. As the largest publicly protected natural area in the contiguous US, it offers a tru

Featured in The Christmas Eve Murders, Old Man Johnson is a proud resident of Stone Ridge, a hamlet situated in the remote Catskills region of upstate New York. He serves as a key witness for Detective Ryan, and although his fragile grip on reality is slipping, he holds valuable information for the investigation. Given the prominence of the farm in the community, and that it employs a considerable portion of the townsfolk, Old Man Johnson is regarded as something of a living

While planning The Christmas Eve Murders, I had in mind a quaint little town that could offer a compelling juxtaposition to the chaos and energy of Manhattan. After poring over maps of upstate New York, I focused on a particular area that was situated not far from the Hudson River, and bordered by the Catskill Mountains. After further research, I decided on the hamlet of Stone Ridge in Ulster County, New York. With several key locations spread about Stone Ridge, the inquiries

Setting plays a crucial role in shaping any detective story, especially one centered around the New York Police Department. The right setting not only grounds the narrative, it also adds depth and authenticity to the characters and plot. Although The Christmas Eve Murders is a crime fiction thriller, I wanted it to have enough realism to kickstart a series of stories featuring Detective Ryan, and his cadet Tony Vincenti. When writing The Christmas Eve Murders , the first boo

Tony Vincenti is a dedicated and eager NYPD cadet, who serves as a vital supporting character and partner to the central protagonist, Detective Ryan. As an NYPD cadet, Vincenti is fresh from the police academy and in the early stages of his law enforcement career, often bringing a new perspective and energy to the investigations. While Detective Ryan is the calm and methodical member of the team, Tony is spontaneous and at times, subject to emotional outbursts. Together they

Books often carry deep emotions and complex ideas that can be hard to express quickly. I think that's one of the reasons that books continue to hold a special place in peoples' hearts, despite the sometimes dizzying selection of media on offer today. When faced with the question of how you want to spend your precious free time, grabbing a book and settling down with a tea or coffee still ranks right up there with the best of them! I have been working on creating a short video

Detective Ryan is the central protagonist of the New York's Finest Collection, appearing in The Christmas Eve Murders , Beyond the Veil , and the soon to be released third book, currently going through final editorial reviews. A rising star within his local NYPD precinct, Detective Ryan is portrayed as a dedicated investigator, who often finds himself in a race against time to solve high-stakes cases. His character is defined by his professional tenacity and unwavering commit