The book Trigger, the first Damien Hill Thriller, is dedicated to my four nephews who are police officers. In Damien’s story of a flawed and torn hero, I try to reflect their struggle and honor while in the line of duty.

Having police officers in the family also helps when you’re a thriller writer. Plus, I also have friends who are ex-CIA, ex-FBI and ex-Treasury. So, that comes in handy too.

As part of my research for my next stand-alone thriller, Cold Storage, I recently met with two of my cop nephews, who are twins, to discuss the details of how someone is arrested and arraigned. Due to the pandemic, we met online and went through every step of the arresting process. The rooms the suspects go into, the booking process, the smell of the facilities, the size of the cells, the difference between a jail and a prison, and much more.

It’s these details that bring life to a novel and I rely on their expertise quite often. I’m blessed to have so many courageous people in my family.

I hope I do them, and their profession, justice.