Problems with Child Protection Courts

child protection courtsAcross the country there have been horrible stories about the failure of child protection courts to well, protect children.  Here in Minnesota, the latest example caused the elected county attorney to announce that his office had made a mistake.  They reversed their earlier recommendation to the court and asked, instead, that a mother’s parental rights be terminated.  See …

Why You Should See New Movie, “The Visit”

the visitAlthough this new movie is technically a horror film, it’s also just like a mystery/suspense story.  I saw “The Visit” and recommend it for the following reasons.  But first, watch the trailer—it’ll get you hooked on “The Visit.”

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+visit+movie+trailer&rlz=1C1AVNE_enUS613US613&oq=the+visit+m&aqs=chrome.2.0j69i57j0l4.4108j0j1&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

  1.  It’s written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who also directed “The Sixth Sense,” and “Unbreakable.”  He’s a master

Truth About Miranda Warnings

I was invited to speak at the Bloomington Mystery Writer’s conference last week about my work as a criminal defense lawyer and how I’ve usedmiranda warnings that material in my stories.  It was a lot of fun with a good group of mystery writers.  The question that came up, as it always does, is: What about Miranda warnings?  Can …

Books Inspire Me

I switch my reading between fiction and non-fiction.  A big chunk of my non-fiction diet are books that inspire me.  Particularly, with the constantbooks that inspire me diet of negativity from the media, it’s important to read and learn because books inspire me.

To call them self-help books is too limiting.  These books alter the way I look at my life …

Unexpected Victims of Crime

When we think about the victims of crime, we often worry or feel sorry for those who have been attacked, killed, or ripped-off.  But there’s victims of crimeanother, large group of victims we seldom see or hear about.  They’re called, “collateral victims” of crime.

Who are they?

These are the families, children, friends, and employers of those individuals charged with …

Quality Time with Family and Friends

quality time with family and friendsFirst of all–thanks to so many people who helped make my weekend book campaign so successful!!  I appreciate your purchases and encouragement about my writing.  Thanks!

Here’s a great column from Frank Bruni at the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-the-myth-of-quality-time.html?ref=international&_r=0  He calls it the “Myth of Quality Time.”  I expand that to include quality time with family and friends.…