Marilyn's Musings

Guess what? I did base a lot of the main character of this Rocky Bluff P.D. on a bad cop I knew. He wasn't nearly as bad as my fictional character, but he did give me the idea tor this tale. And don't get upset, I am very pro-police, and most of the cop characters in my series are good guys, like all the cops that I know and am related too. Forgive me if this is not something you want to read--but I confess, I had a lot of fun writing the tale. And of course, this book really introduces Gordon Butler who goes on to be one of the most popular characters in the series.  Some of what happens in Fringe Benefits  is based on true happenings though, as always, fictionalized.  My characters are evolving, and I know my writing improves as the series moves along. So, if you want to read it, here's the place to get it: https://www.amazon.com/Fringe-Benefits-Rocky-Bluff-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B08B8YDK4D/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=fringe+benefits+by+f.+m.+meredith&qid=161841903...

Another warning, Fringe Benefits  is also darker than later books. It's about a very bad cop--not anyone in particular but a composite of different things I've heard over the years. It is also the tale of a murdered that almost gets away with his horrible deed. The ideas for this book came from many different places--stories told to me by my sons when and about when they were in their teens, gossip heard at various times (I have a good memory), a couple of newspaper stories of crimes, and some of the places though changed, are real places I've been to. This one is different in that the many ideas all easily came together into a plot. One important thing about this book is the introduction of Gordon Butler, who, over the years has become quite popular with readers. Gordon is a rookie cop, and things don't go well for him most of the time. When he turned up I had no idea how much fun I would have with him in later books. Blurb:  Cal Sylvester, an offic...

Cal Sylvester, an officer in the Rocky Bluff P.D., despises Gordon Butler, who is his rookie partner. However,Cal thinks Butler's wife is hot and he pursues her romantically. Their affair heats up and Cal is hooked on the gorgeous Darcy, but Darcy wants more than love and passion...she wants fine things and high times which are beyond Cal's means. Cal realizes the pay-off on the life insurance on his wife, Lee Ann, would be the perfect sum to meet Darcy's expectations, and he plots her murder. Will thoughts of his kids keep him from putting the plan into action? Or will his obsession with Darcy compel him to follow through and kill his wife? Cal Sylvester is based on a not-so-nice cop who lived in our neighborhood years ago--but he didn't kill his wife. I got the idea for how to go about this part of the story by asking my cop son-in-law how he would kill his wife to get away with it. Show More Show Less  One review I really liked wa...

Fringe Benefits which is number 3 in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series is about a very bad cop who uses his job as a means to do things he ought not do. He is based on a police officer I knew years ago, who also wasn't the best cop or person--however, I can assure you he'd never recognize himself in the book. Gordon Butler is introduced in this book. He has the unfortunate luck to be partnered with the "bad cop" during his training period. Anyone who has read any of the later books really should read this and learn what poor Gordon has to go through. This book is a big grittier than some of the others, so be warned. However, it is one that I had a great time writing. To buy it for your Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Fringe-Benefits-Rocky-Bluff-ebook/dp/B001VEIB8M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1305576954&sr=1-1 Marilyn a.k.a. F. M. Meredith

Daniel B. Silver has played many roles in his thirty-something-year-old life: child actor, punk rocker, musician, high school dropout, miscreant skateboarder, Food Not Bombs activist, comic book nerd,retail clerk, emergency room volunteer, transport ambulance attendant,homeowner, 911 paramedic, comedy website writer, amateur poet, apartment renter,wannabe novelist, police officer and first man to set foot on Mars. Dan is lying about one of those things. He lives and works in San Francisco. Cop is his first novel. Web Sites: Artistic site: http://danielbsilver.com Comedy site: http://theartofdansilver.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/CopANovel . My interview of Daniel: Marilyn: Tell me a bit about yourself. Daniel: I'm a comic book nerd, sci-fi enthusiast and like my father, a writer of humor and sarcasm. I also have a serious side and when the mood strikes, I've been known to write a poem or two. Like my protagonist, Dougie Cohen, I'm covered in tattoos and this creates un...

Marilyn: Though I've met most of the people I've interviewed so far, my guest today is a PSWA member I have yet to have the pleasure of meeting. So, Quintin, first off, tell me something about yourself and your background. Quintin: I have been a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC for more than 28 years and am currently assigned to its Public Information Office as a media liaison officer. I write news releases and media advisories and address inquiries from members of the news media regarding breaking police-related incidents, as well as coordinate the release of information when multiple District and/or federal agencies are involved. Additionally, I assist crime novelists such as James Patterson and George Pelecanos, and other creative writers. (I am an Active Member of Mystery Writers of America so they seek me out.) I am also a liaison between the department and members of the motion picture and television industries, acting as a script ...