At Sleuths and Storytellers, we bring the worlds of policing and storytelling together. With a background in law enforcement and a passion for crafting gripping narratives, we offer both experienced and aspiring novel authors the expertise to create authentic and compelling police-based mysteries. Our goal is to help you unleash your writing potential, seamlessly weaving real-life insights into your narratives for truly immersive and captivating tales.
Patrick
Patrick O’Donnell is the product of two young Irish immigrants. He was born and spent his early
childhood in the great city of Chicago.
During his twenty-five-year career in Milwaukee as a police officer and sergeant, he has been in on the street for the entirety in the patrol division. He has participated and been in charge of different special units, including task forces and gang unit.
As a police officer and sergeant working the streets of some of the most violent neighborhoods
in the country, he has been involved in the investigations of hundreds of homicides, sexual
assaults, and robberies. This includes seven officer involved shootings where a police officer
was forced to use lethal force. The last two he was one block away when the incidents
occurred.
He is now an author, podcaster, and public speaker. O’Donnell is the host of the popular Cops
and Writers podcast. https://copsandwriterspodcast.buzzsprout.com
He lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin with his wife and ten-pound Chihuahua / Fox Terrier mix that
thinks that he is a German Shepard. His hobbies include riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, physical fitness, Travel, and solving world problems over a beverage and cigar with other retired / active duty cops.
RJ
RJ Beam works a full time “day job” is in law enforcement. I first started as a police officer back in 1999. Like most cops, he started on patrol and have worked up the ranks in a variety of positions.
For most of his career, RJ was one of his department’s evidence technicians. Some places call the job crime scene investigator or CSI.
In addition to police work, he spent some time as a firefighter. As someone with both a fire and police background RJ became the local de facto fire/arson investigator.
Most folks would say CrossFit and books are RJ’s two primary hobbies.
His enthusiasm for fitness has led RJ to get various coaching and personal training certifications. He doesn’t have a regular coaching schedule but does train some people once in a blue moon. Specifically he works with young people trying to get into shape for police or fire academies.
Outside of work, he is a father to two kids. Both kids are second degree Blackbelts in Karate and starting up the belt ranks in both Jiu Jitsu and Eskrima.
You can find a his books at https://www.premeditatedfiction.com/