Rick Reed's Blog
December 2, 2016
THE DARKEST NIGHT__RELEASE DATE
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Book #5 in the Detective Jack Murphy thriller series will be released July 16, 2017. It is available for pre-order from all your favorite book vendors.
Rick Reed
Book #5 in the Detective Jack Murphy thriller series will be released July 16, 2017. It is available for pre-order from all your favorite book vendors.
Rick Reed
January 15, 2016
Rick Reed Books Website is Coming in February 2016
My website will be up and running in the next few weeks just in time for the re-release of the entire Detective Jack Murphy series of police thrillers. As many of you know, I am once again published by Kensington Books in Manhattan. Since returning they have redesigned the covers on my existing books--THE CRUELEST CUT and THE COLDEST FEAR--and have changed title of Final Justice to THE DEEPEST WOUND and redesigned that cover.
Here are the dates the books will be available for purchase:
2/16/201...
Here are the dates the books will be available for purchase:
2/16/201...
January 18, 2014
Writing From a Lump of Clay
I've been asked this question many times. "Do you write from an outline? How do you get your ideas and keep them straight while writing a full length novel?"
The answer I gave in the past is, "I don't start with an outline. I start with a title (an idea) and then let the characters develop the story."
But today I realized that's only partially true.
Imagine a book as a lump of clay. (And please don't think I'm comparing myself to an artist.) The definition of sculpting is to create by remo...
The answer I gave in the past is, "I don't start with an outline. I start with a title (an idea) and then let the characters develop the story."
But today I realized that's only partially true.
Imagine a book as a lump of clay. (And please don't think I'm comparing myself to an artist.) The definition of sculpting is to create by remo...
December 21, 2013
ITS CHRISTMAS CRIME OF YEAR
Christmas is a goldmine for thieves and white collar criminals.
Some do's and don'ts for Christmas:
Packages and gift givingMailman: Your mailman is a great guy or gal. They go out of their way to make sure you get your packages and other mail. You want to reward them for delivering in bad weather and going the extra mile. Be aware that when you leave the envelope with a gift card in your mailbox or slot, that there are lowlife scum out and about that look in your mailbox around Chr...
Some do's and don'ts for Christmas:
Packages and gift givingMailman: Your mailman is a great guy or gal. They go out of their way to make sure you get your packages and other mail. You want to reward them for delivering in bad weather and going the extra mile. Be aware that when you leave the envelope with a gift card in your mailbox or slot, that there are lowlife scum out and about that look in your mailbox around Chr...
December 7, 2013
Welcome To My Blogdom.
Hi, my name is Rick Reed and I'm a write-a-holic.
I'm not making fun, I'm serious. When you have the writing bug it is as real as any other addiction. It is a solitary endeavor for the most part, so it will isolate you from friends and loved ones if you let it. It will consume your thoughts and every thing you see, every thing that is said, every experience you have will become food for your habit. You will find yourself writing down someones name because you can use it for a character y...
I'm not making fun, I'm serious. When you have the writing bug it is as real as any other addiction. It is a solitary endeavor for the most part, so it will isolate you from friends and loved ones if you let it. It will consume your thoughts and every thing you see, every thing that is said, every experience you have will become food for your habit. You will find yourself writing down someones name because you can use it for a character y...
November 15, 2012
KILLER IDEAS
Do you ever wonder where the ideas for serial killer fiction books comes from? Well, I can tell you, they aren't the same ideas that one would have to write a children's book, or perhaps romance.
Although, I suppose my works could be interpreted as romance because all serial killers have a love/hate relationship with their victims and sometimes with the police investigators. Also, serial killers have fantasies about their intended victims and some are only capable of a relationship with someone they have total control over. These killers are both men and women, young and old, of every race and religion, and are out there, among us, and not hiding.
After retiring from almost thirty years in law enforcement, and having the distinction of being one of a handful of detectives to ever catch a serial killer, I became an associate professor of criminal justice at a community college. One of the classes I taught was titled “Serial Killers—A Global Perspective.”
I was surprised to find that my class filled very quickly. Among my students were several from other programs like automotive engineering, accounting, culinary, as well as students from other colleges.
Housewives and factory workers seemed to outnumber the young traditional students. No one missed class or came late.
As a writer, I have read a lot of the research findings of law enforcement profilers and academics, and I have my own beliefs and opinions on the subject of serial killers. But, from listening to my readers likes and dislikes in my books, I have some questions of my own.
So this is my chance to ask you, the readers, why you think murder—particularly serial murder—is such an interesting topic and what expectations do you have of law enforcements investigation and resolving of these types of killings? Also what expectations do you have of the writer?
To that end I’ve developed a few questions, but please, don’t restrict your comments to this list. One thing I found as a detective was that the best information came from the questions not asked.
1. Do you relate to the victims of serial killers? Do you tend to think, “That could have been me?”
2. Do you think that victims do something or have a lifestyle that brings them to the attention of their slayer?
3. Companion Question to #2: If you answered the above affirmative, do you think there is something the victim could have done to avoid being targeted?
4. Do you think that all victims are targeted by their killer, or are they victims of convenience?
5. Do you primarily read fiction or non-fiction?
6. Do you think serial killing only occurs within the United States? (Acts of war, terrorism or religious jihad’s excluded.)
7. Why do you think a person becomes a serial murderer? Do you think it is a mental or physical phenomenon? For instance, do you think someone is destined to become a serial killer because of his or her genetic makeup or because of a brain injury or illness?
8. What expectations do you have of the writer of fictional serial killings?
Thank you in advance for participating in my blog, and I wish you all a hair-raising experience with your next book.
Although, I suppose my works could be interpreted as romance because all serial killers have a love/hate relationship with their victims and sometimes with the police investigators. Also, serial killers have fantasies about their intended victims and some are only capable of a relationship with someone they have total control over. These killers are both men and women, young and old, of every race and religion, and are out there, among us, and not hiding.
After retiring from almost thirty years in law enforcement, and having the distinction of being one of a handful of detectives to ever catch a serial killer, I became an associate professor of criminal justice at a community college. One of the classes I taught was titled “Serial Killers—A Global Perspective.”
I was surprised to find that my class filled very quickly. Among my students were several from other programs like automotive engineering, accounting, culinary, as well as students from other colleges.
Housewives and factory workers seemed to outnumber the young traditional students. No one missed class or came late.
As a writer, I have read a lot of the research findings of law enforcement profilers and academics, and I have my own beliefs and opinions on the subject of serial killers. But, from listening to my readers likes and dislikes in my books, I have some questions of my own.
So this is my chance to ask you, the readers, why you think murder—particularly serial murder—is such an interesting topic and what expectations do you have of law enforcements investigation and resolving of these types of killings? Also what expectations do you have of the writer?
To that end I’ve developed a few questions, but please, don’t restrict your comments to this list. One thing I found as a detective was that the best information came from the questions not asked.
1. Do you relate to the victims of serial killers? Do you tend to think, “That could have been me?”
2. Do you think that victims do something or have a lifestyle that brings them to the attention of their slayer?
3. Companion Question to #2: If you answered the above affirmative, do you think there is something the victim could have done to avoid being targeted?
4. Do you think that all victims are targeted by their killer, or are they victims of convenience?
5. Do you primarily read fiction or non-fiction?
6. Do you think serial killing only occurs within the United States? (Acts of war, terrorism or religious jihad’s excluded.)
7. Why do you think a person becomes a serial murderer? Do you think it is a mental or physical phenomenon? For instance, do you think someone is destined to become a serial killer because of his or her genetic makeup or because of a brain injury or illness?
8. What expectations do you have of the writer of fictional serial killings?
Thank you in advance for participating in my blog, and I wish you all a hair-raising experience with your next book.
