True crime author Tom Basinski is no stranger to murder. He has logged more than three decades in law enforcement in Flint, Michigan and San Diego, California and has published short pieces in all the leading detective magazines. His latest is the 2006 Berkley book No Good Deed, which your correspondent found a fascinating story of a dogged investigation of a murder solved despite virtually no leads (see the Clews review). With his professional background, Basinski has a leg up in this genre, and I expect there will soon be a shelf full of books with his name on them. I had a chance to ask the author some questions about true crime, his path to publication, and his favorite authors and titles. Here is the Q & A.
Q. What is your writing background?
I started writing for True Detective, Front Page Detective, Master Detective when I was a homicide detective. I started out by writing about my own cases. Since the department I worked for didn't have a lot of murders I started writing about interesting cases in the San Diego area. From time to time I would get fan mail. I discovered that most of it came from elderly people in the south. Eventually, the magazines went out of business.
Q. The stereotype is that true crime is read by teenage boys and cops. (Of course, the audience is much broader than that in reality). But is the "cops" part right? Do a lot of detectives read true crime?
I can't say that many detectives read the pulp magazines. I don't think many detectives read the true crime books either, unless the book features a case they solved. Some detectives have told me, "I live that stuff every day. I don't need to read about it when I go home."
Q. When you were a homicide detective, did you read true crime? Did you ever have an "aha!" moment while reading a true crime account that had a bearing on a case you were investigating?
Mostly mystery novels, with an occasional Ann Rule book thrown in. (Ann Rule also got her start by writing for True Detective etc. She wrote under the name "Andy Stack" because she didn't think the public was ready for a female murder writer.) I never had an "aha moment" when I was working. I must confess that after writing NO GOOD DEED, the experience triggered a case I worked on, but was not the primary detective. The case is unsolved. I am trying to get my old department to open it up. I will work it for free. It happened in 1984.
Q. Given your experience, is there anything about true crime today that you don't like?
Not especially. I don't like the CSI television shows because life isn't like they portray it on the shows. The sad part is juries believe life is like that.
Q. On your website, you mention meeting Joseph Wambaugh, an immortal name in true crime. What was it like to meet Joe Wambaugh?
Joe is a nice guy, but not overly friendly. He will graciously sign books and shoot the bull. I asked him what steps I should take to avoid getting sued. He was very candid and forthright. San Diego Magazine called me "the next Joe Wambaugh." I was embarrassed at that. I had always referred to myself as "the poor man's Joe Wambaugh." We are not buddies by a long shot.
Q. Did you have any experiences during the research, writing, or selling of your book, No Good Deed, that you'd care to share?
The thing that surprised me is that the publisher doesn't do much to advance the cause of the book. I don't mean to disparage the publisher because they took a chance on me. What I mean is that someone like Michael Connelly or John Grisham will get full-page ads when their book comes out. They don't need a full-page ad. I do. I arranged for putting together my own press kit and sending it everywhere. I arranged for all my book signings and discussions. The publisher was good about making sure the stores had enough copies when I did have a signing. They do have their stable of reviewers they send books to. Unfortunately, of the three reviews my book had, I arranged for them myself.
Q. In your book about David Stevens' murder, you delve into the rift between the family of the murder victim and the investigators. Is this common?
It depends on the family. Back in Flint I saw a lot of it. Mostly, the black families complained that the police didn't care. That is absolutely not true. The police care about all homicides. I saw a lot of racism in Flint. It wasn't racism on the part of the police though. It was against the police. I just hate to see families play the race card when it comes to investigating. I truly believe, and so do the detectives and prosecutor, that, in my book, John Stevens was pumping baloney into the family of David Stevens. They were distraught and bought into his line.
Q. Do you remember the first true crime book you ever read?
It was IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote. The second was THE ONION FIELD by Wambaugh.
Q. Who are your favorite authors in the genre, and what are your favorite titles?
Ann Rule in true crime. Wambaugh, Michael Connelly, Elmore Leonard, Lawrence Sanders in fiction mystery. James Ellroy is okay, but has to be taken in small doses.
Q. Who is your agent, and how did you find him?
Jim Cypher is my agent. I was racking up rejections at the rate of ten a month, and this was just in trying to find an agent. An agent for true crime would be listed on the Internet. I would send a package and a week later receive a post card of rejection. I was sure over half of them were not taking new clients. Many said as much. So, I went to a book store and went to the true crime section. I went to the "acknowledgement" section at the beginning of the book and saw who the writers thanked besides their parents and proof readers. When I came to the name of an agent I wrote it down. That is how I found Jim Cypher. He has been excellent. He answers my e-mail questions the same day. He is a member of the AAR and I think that is very important.
Q. Are you planning to write another book?
The publisher has my proposal, chapter outline, and first 30 pages. I am waiting with bated breath for the verdict. It is a familiar story: Boy meets hooker, boy kills hooker, boy gets arrested 18 years later. You know how it goes.
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For more, check out Tom Basinski’s website.
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