Contributing editor, Andrew Peterson chats with Stacy Dittrich about her debut thriller, The Devil's Closet.
I first met Stacy Dittrich online after seeing her listing on Writers Marketplace and noticed we have the same publisher and the same editor, Don D'Auria at Dorchester Publishing, Inc. After we exchanged a few emails, I knew Stacy would become a lifelong friend.
In October, the Devil's Closet launches Stacy's career with a knock-out punch:
When five-year-old Hanna Parker vanishes from her front yard, an amber alert launches one of the most horrifying cases of Detective CeeCee Gallagher's career. The little girl is found a few days later murdered, but not just murdered - made up like a doll. But Hanna is only the beginning for a twisted killer who begins to taunt CeeCee at every turn. After the FBI enters the picture, her world is thrust into turmoil. Special Agent Michael Hagerman, the man she fell in love with during a case that nearly destroyed her, will be her liaison. To complicate things further, her husband - who's also a fellow officer - has been surreptitiously seeing a new trainee. She can't afford this kind of personal distraction, because in a thrilling climax, CeeCee Gallagher will not only come face-to-face with her worst fears, but a cunning and demented killer as well.
I read this book in two sittings and loved it! Romantic Times Book Reviews agrees:
"Dittrich explores every parent's nightmare in this chilling police procedural. The drama is intense and the plot terrifying as Dittrich's police detective heroine leads readers through an intricate maze set to entrap her. CeeCee Gallagher is a highly complex heroine whose private life is in shambles, but whose dedication to the job is impeccable...four stars!"
The Devil's Closet exposes the darkest aspect of humanity. If you're prone to spooking easily, make sure you don't read this book alone at night. And yes, the devil's closet is an actual place. Let's just say I'd never want to find myself in there, armed or not!
Despite its subject matter, the book never crosses certain graphic lines, it doesn't need to - Stacy's writing style carries the story. It's a fine line to walk, but she pulls it off nicely.
I first met Stacy Dittrich online after seeing her listing on Writers Marketplace and noticed we have the same publisher and the same editor, Don D'Auria at Dorchester Publishing, Inc. After we exchanged a few emails, I knew Stacy would become a lifelong friend.In October, the Devil's Closet launches Stacy's career with a knock-out punch:When five-year-old Hanna Parker vanishes from her front yard, an amber alert launches one of the most horrifying cases of Detective CeeCee Gallagher's career. The little girl is found a few days later murdered, but not just murdered - made up like a doll. But Hanna is only the beginning for a twisted killer who begins to taunt CeeCee at every turn. After the FBI enters the picture, her world is thrust into turmoil. Special Agent Michael Hagerman, the man she fell in love with during a case that nearly destroyed her, will be her liaison. To complicate things further, her husband - who's also a fellow officer - has been surreptitiously seeing a new trainee. She can't afford this kind of personal distraction, because in a thrilling climax, CeeCee Gallagher will not only come face-to-face with her worst fears, but a cunning and demented killer as well.
I read this book in two sittings and loved it! Romantic Times Book Reviews agrees:
"Dittrich explores every parent's nightmare in this chilling police procedural. The drama is intense and the plot terrifying as Dittrich's police detective heroine leads readers through an intricate maze set to entrap her. CeeCee Gallagher is a highly complex heroine whose private life is in shambles, but whose dedication to the job is impeccable...four stars!"
The Devil's Closet exposes the darkest aspect of humanity. If you're prone to spooking easily, make sure you don't read this book alone at night. And yes, the devil's closet is an actual place. Let's just say I'd never want to find myself in there, armed or not!
Despite its subject matter, the book never crosses certain graphic lines, it doesn't need to - Stacy's writing style carries the story. It's a fine line to walk, but she pulls it off nicely.
To say Stacy's been busy would a gross understatement. A member of ITW and Sisters in Crime, she's also a regular contributor to Women in Crime Ink, a new web blog by an impressive group of award-winning true-crime authors, producers for CNN and CBS, television personalities, and criminal justice professionals. Stacy is also a guest contributor at OfficerResource.com. She's also appeared as a law enforcement commentator on CNN, Fox's Geraldo at Large, The Nancy Grace Show, The War On Crime, The Dana Pretzer Radio Show, "That's Life" with Cleveland's Robin Swoboda, and numerous talk-radio stations nationwide. She has appeared in the pages of SELF magazine, Women's World magazine, The Boston Herald, and The Miami Herald to name a few. She has given her expert and professional opinion on cases ranging from the Jon Benet Ramsey case to the Manson Family.
It's difficult to believe, but just 18 months earlier, Stacy had considered hanging up the towel - being a published author wasn't in her future. Despite the brick wall, she kept going and beat the odds - and beat them soundly. The average stint for a debut fiction author is 10 years and 6 manuscripts. Stacy accomplished it 3 years and 2 manuscripts. Still, it wasn't a easy ride. "When people ask me what it's like to be a cop 'with all of that stress,' I tell them that being a cop has got nothing on the literary business. Go try to get a book published, now there's some stress! I think I'd rather have a gun pointed at me."
Future projects include the next CeeCee Gallagher adventure, Mary Jane's Grave, scheduled for release from Dorchester in July 2008. She's also under contract for two nonfiction books: Murder Behind The Badge: True Stories of Cops Who Kill, Prometheus Publishing, September 2009, and her own memoir: Stumbling Along The Beat: A True Story of a Policewoman's Journey, Kaplan Publishing, Spring 2010
Stacy comes from a long line of law enforcement officers, including her husband, Rich who played a major role in her decision to actually begin writing the CeeCee Gallagher stories. "Rich and I always fantasized about when, or if, I would get a phone call with an offer. We said we would celebrate with dinner and an expensive bottle of champagne. So, as I arrived home that day, I simply walked over to him and handed him a note. It read: I believe it's time to buy that champagne. I remember when he read it. He kept looking at the note and back at me in disbelief before letting out his own roar. The empty champagne bottle, with the date written on it, now sits on my desk."
Not quite a year later, Stacy's fulfilled her dream. She was able to say goodbye to law enforcement and begin a new career as a full time author. As for making millions? Not yet, but she's got one hell of a solid foundation, the right attitude, stunning good looks, and last, but not least, the warm personality a successful author must have.
When asked about advice to aspiring authors, Stacy had this to offer, "Never give up on your dreams; they could just be right around the corner. Mine were."
Stacy Dittrich is an award-winning 15-year law enforcement officer, certified instructor, media consultant, and former detective specializing in sex crimes. With past training by a former FBI Behavioral Specialist, Stacy is certified through the National Institute of Truth Verification as an examiner (CVSA- lie detector). Stacy has also been assigned to a federal drug task force involved in the investigation of numerous homicides. In 2002, she received the Victim's of Crime Award from former Ohio Attorney General, Jim Petro. She is also co-owner of Justice Interrupted, LLC; an investigation and media team along with LA Deputy District Attorney, Robin Sax, and famed author and violence expert, Susan Murphy-Milano. Stacy currently resides in Ohio with her husband and two daughters.
Contributing editor Andrew Peterson is working on the next
novel in a planned series featuring Nathan McBride, a former Marine Corps sniper
and ex-CIA operative. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Andrew attended
La Jolla High School before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma, where he
earned a B.S. Degree in Architecture. Andrew and his wife Carla, live in Central
California. More information about First to Kill by Andrew Peterson, can be found at AndrewPeterson.com
