Straight Chatting from the Library: Sallie Moppert

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READ THE INTERVIEW

What is your favorite book today?

One of my all-time favorite books is And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. I read it for the first time as a freshman in high school and immediately fell in love with the story. I’ve read it a few more times since then, as well as played the video game version of the novel. There is just so much to love about this book, the characters, the plot, the deception, the amazing ending…I could go on and on about it. Absolute favorite book, hands down.

Tell us about your current book in 10 words.

Sam must choose between upholding the law or vigilante justice.

What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading The Clocks by Agatha Christie. My goal is to collect and read every one of her books. Prior that, I just finished The Cat Among Pigeons, another story by Agatha Christie. I’m also reading through the Fables graphic novels by Bill Willingham. I got a late start to those, so I’m only on Deluxe Edition Book 6 but I’m enjoying it immensely.

E-reader or print? And why?

Definitely print. E-readers are convenient, but I prefer the feel of a book in my hands. It’s much more fun to be able to go to a bookstore and look through all the titles instead of just scrolling on a page and throwing them in a virtual shopping cart. That being said, reading is awesome in any form!

One book at a time or multiples?

It depends on what I’m reading. If I’m reading an actual, physical book, I prefer one at a time, or at least, one per genre at a time. I have a mystery novel I’m working on, as well as a graphic novel I’m in the middle of. Fan-fiction, however, I usually have multiple stories up at once. *Checks internet browser on phone* I have 4 different fan-fictions that I’m reading at present. It may be a lot, but at least they’re all from the same video game.

Dog-ear or bookmark?

I use bookmarks for a couple of reasons. I love books and try to take care of them; no dirt, no marks, creases, etc. I also do a lot of arts and crafts, so I make bookmarks sometimes. Why not put them to good use?

Favorite place to read?

I can read just about anywhere, but my favorite place is outdoors. Okay, outdoors in the summer, not winter. My favorite thing to do in the summer is to grab a blanket, a radio and a book/notebook and just read or write outside. I adore summer weather and being able to spend the day outside enjoying the sunshine with a good book, good music and my dogs (who usually take over my blanket) just can’t be beat.

Favorite genre?

Mystery is my favorite genre, hands down. That being said, I’m all for a good book, regardless of genre. I’m actually working my way through the classics, which come from various genres, romance, horror, fantasy, etc. There’s so much to be learned from reading these books, especially when reading them from a writer’s perspective. What is it that made these stories stand the test of time? Reading a lot and reading a variety is the best kind of research.

Re-reader or not?

I’m a re-reader, for sure. With mysteries especially, it’s interesting to be able to go back and read through a book again to see if there’s clues you missed or literary techniques the writer employed to deceive you or guide you or what have you. I find myself doing this a lot with Agatha Christie novels; I’ll go back and re-read a section and then it will hit me: that’s where that clue came from; that’s why Poirot asked that question; that’s why the individual committed the murder; et cetera. Part of the fun of reading mystery novels is being a sleuth and detecting all of the hints and clues the author put into the words of the book and, sometimes, you just don’t see them on the first read through.

READ THE BLURB

When his mother is beaten to death by his alcoholic stepfather, fourteen-year-old Samuel Marlowe is rescued from seeking revenge against him by a chance meeting with Officer Edwin Hill. The veteran policeman takes Sam under his wing and even becomes the boy’s foster father.

Sam becomes a cop and works alongside his beloved mentor until Edwin is killed in a shooting. Hailed as a hero for his actions in the case, Sam feels like anything but. He begins a dark descent away from the stand-up policeman he once was, turning to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain and his PTSD.

The police captain assigns Sam a partner hoping to salvage what is left of him by forcing him to become a good role model for the young recruit. Needless to say, Sam is not pleased with the arrangement, protesting it up until the moment Junior Detective Dahlia Bennett enters his life.

Will he try to shake her loose? Does her by-the-book ideals and strong moral code rub off on him? Will his relaxed attitude and views on true justice start to influence her? What will ultimately lead to the two becoming a solid team? When Dahlia declares she wants to reopen some cases believing that the wrong person was sent to prison, Sam tells her straight out that in doing so, she would be putting her life at risk. As Dahlia persists, Sam is faced with the ultimate decision: let Dahlia reopen the cases and discover his crimes, or kill her to keep her from learning the truth.

READ AN EXCERPT

“Detectives, this is Agent Shawn Martell and Agent Florence Calvert from the FBI,” the captain introduced the man and woman seated in the visitor's chairs in front of his desk respectively. “And, agents, this is Samuel Marlowe and Dahlia Bennett, my finest detectives, as you requested.”

Sam and Dahlia exchanged handshakes with Shawn and Florence. Shawn Martell was a similar height to Sam, falling a tad under the six-foot mark. Auburn colored hair, caramel brown eyes, and an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance, Shawn looked as though he could easily portray the ‘hunky agent’ role on an FBI television drama, Dahlia considered. Christ, I’m even starting to think like Sam.

Florence could hold her own against her partner, with a long and slender frame, sleek black hair that hung down to the middle of her back and celeste blue eyes. She was taller than the average woman, nearly measuring up to Shawn, save for an inch or two. If her partner fit the hunk role, Florence appeared to be apt for the “woman in charge” role in the drama.

We're obviously not here to sightsee,” Shawn began to say.

“We're investigating a human trafficking ring,” Florence said. “And would like the assistance of the local authorities.”

“You know, Flor and I,” Shawn thumbed toward his partner. “Would stand out like a sore thumb in a small town like this.”

“Seeing some FBI agents could cause the potential perps to run like hell,” Sam said, understanding what the agents were getting at. “But two local cops poking around would be far more discreet.”

“Exactly,” Shawn said. “Could we get your assistance?”

“Absolutely,” Sam and Dahlia replied in unison.

MEET THE AUTHOR

A New York native, Sallie has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, with a Specialization in Forensic Science. A lifelong mystery fan, she has combined her love and passion for writing with her interests in criminal justice, law, and forensic science. Sallie currently resides in New York with her family and her “zoo,” which includes two dogs, two guinea pigs, a betta fish and a leopard gecko. She works as a freelance writer/editor and a legal assistant.

WEBSITE: https://salliemoppert.wixsite.com/mysite
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/GoodCopBadCopNovel
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66482800-sallie
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Cop-Bad-Sallie-Moppert
ZIMBELL HOUSE: http://zimbellhousepublishing.com/product/good-cop-bad-cop/

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