The Inspiration for FINAL RESPECTS

The whole idea of writing a police procedural began when my police officer son-in-law began telling me about what he did on his shifts. My daughter didn't want to know, so I'm the one who listened to his exciting adventures. I also went on my first ride-along with him. He also told me about some of the men he worked with. On in particular stood out, an officer who loved to be in the limelight and kept a scrapbook with every newspaper clipping that had his name or picture in it. Anyone who has read any of this series knows that the character Ryan Strickland came about because of what my son-in-law told me. A mortuary and mortician play a big part in this story. I don't know any morticians, but years ago the neighborhood we lived in had a big mortuary with a home for the family right behind it. My daughter was friends with the daughters of the owners and often went there to play and sometimes spend the night. She told me that she and the girls often played hi...