Well, the story is a thriller. So of course there is a cop. Detective Sargent Charlie Rosa of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department.
Charlie is so real to me that, these days, I look into every cop car I pass on the road to see if he’s there! So, far, I haven’t found him, but – I can just feel him, if you know what I mean. He’s a living presence in the world, somehow. And he’s a really, really good guy. Competent, nice, intelligent, thoughtful, courageous… I can tell you his backstory any time you want. I know all about him, even though not all is revealed in the novel. Goes without saying.
There’s also Kelly Cavanaugh, Ca Dept of Fish and Game. She’s amazing. Of course, I’ve read all of CJ Box’s novels, which probably influenced how Kelly developed. But I also had the honor of spending time with Captain Don Kelly, CA DFG North Coast Division, who helped me understand much about game wardens – the people, the job, what’s on their duty belt… I’m looking forward to the ride-along.
The retired SC police captain down the street has also been very helpful with police procedural and criminal plotting. As have several attorneys I’ve spoken with, as I’ve come to understand the juvenile justice system.
During this polishing phase, I think I need to extract the whole crime/thriller plot thread and ask for expert readers to critique just this bit. Do you have expertise in law enforcement? Would you like to help critique the thriller elements of The Death of the Gecko? I’d love to hear from you!