Robin Burcell

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
California
About Me:
A mother of a three. (Gotta love Photo Shop!) I love to read, write, and if I had more time, I'd paint, too.

I penned a series about San Francisco PD homicide detectives. My new series coming out probably next year is about an FBI forensic artist--of which I still am, forensic artist, that is. Not FBI. My books are based on my experience on the streets as a cop, and seeing as how I've never actually killed anyone with that gun I carried around the last couple decades, I make a lot of the stuff up, especially the murder part.
I Am A:
Writer
Website:
http://www.robinburcell.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Too many to mention. For mysteries, I like everything from cozies to hardboiled thrillers. I like romance and science fiction-fantasy. I *love* J.R.R. Tolkien, and MM Kaye, especially THE FAR PAVILIONS and SHADOW OF THE MOON.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
My fave cop shows on TV? MONK, PSYCH, L &O SVU. The first two are all about character. I don't care that they're not realistic, and the police procedure is laughable--they are comedies, after all. I turn them on to be entertained. SVU is more on the realistic side. But I like the characters. And this year, I have discovered BBC America. I love, love, love the new ROBINHOOD that just premiered this March. Awesome! And if you're looking for a good period police procedural, check out BBC's LIFE ON MARS, which won the Edgar for Best TV series.

Comment Wall:

  • Laura Benedict

    Thanks for friending me, Robin! So, this is how I think--I saw that you have a teen daughter with a permit. Of course I thought gun permit! Duh. My 14 year-old got her Illinois FOID ID card a couple months ago--we love to shoot. Though since she'll be fifteen next month, I probably should be thinking about that other permit....
    I LOVED your A is for Accident story. What suspense! I was so worried, then totally relieved!

    Mar 8, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    And thanks for inviting me, Laura! I don't know all the etiquette on how this works, so I'll muddle along. As for the other permit, the one that allows your teen to take 2,000 pounds and hurtle it at warp speed down a street before that frontal lobe is totally developed... Talk about suspense and thrillers!

    Mar 8, 2007

  • Laura Benedict

    I think we get to invent the etiquette as we go along. Fun!

    Mar 8, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    I am here! And now I'm running out the door to pick up the kidlets! So good to see your smiling face on here. And BTW, great editor interview you did on Murderati the other day. (and the interview of you, too, come to think of it.)

    Mar 9, 2007

  • Keith Snyder

    Welcome to the time sink.

    Mar 16, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    Just what we parents need... ;-)

    Mar 16, 2007

  • Marilyn Meredith

    My granddaughter is driving now--only has her permit and has all her driving lessons as required by CA. She keeps begging me to let her drive. Since she really has known how to drive since she was about 10, she started on tractors, and drove her mom's car around in the front field for years, she probably drives better than I do at this point. It's just hard to think this little girl is grown up enough to have a license.

    Mar 25, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    Well, to be honest, I do tend to try to keep my safeties straight. And perhaps I should have mentioned one of my movie pet peeves, the one that has all the cops running around with their safeties engaged, and no round in the chamber. But I understand they do it for a reason, because it is so much cooler to hear that snick of a slide as you rack one in the chamber. That's the audience's cue that this guy knows how to handle a gun and there's gonna be danger. If the movie is good, all is forgiven...

    Apr 1, 2007

  • Sylvia Matthews

    Hi Robin, this is really cool to be able to talk to you almost directly. I have really enjoyed your Kate Gillespie books and I'm looking forward to your new series.

    I also loved M.M. Kaye's The Far Pavillions. I was so sad to see that book end. I didn't much care for the movie they made of it. The casting just didn't make it for me. I guess that's the down side of crossing media, something just isn't right for somebody.

    Apr 12, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    Sly! Thank you so much. Can't wait for the new series to debut myself. Lots of delays, but here's to hoping it sees the light of day in the not too distant future. And yes, this is great, being able to connect like this.

    As for the movie of Far Pavillions, you are so right. I saw it, and no way did it do the book justice. It was okay, but it would be like comparing margarine to butter or something. (I'm sure I could come up with a better metaphor, but I just got back from a week of Science Camp with my two 11 y.o.'s. I'm beat.

    And something else I have wondered... if you respond to chatter on your page, does the person who wrote it get notice? I have no idea. CrimeSpace got started when I was busy finishing the revisions on Face of a Killer. So I haven't had much time to explore...

    Apr 14, 2007

  • Andrea Campbell

    hey, Robin,

    We met a few years ago at a Bouchercon--we were on the same panel. And I am a trained forensic artist too (studied with Betty Pat. and Karen T. Taylor).

    Nice to see you again.

    I have been following your writing and I see you're doing well. I am finally trying my hand at fiction as well, although not quite finished yet.

    Best to you and yours.

    Apr 14, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    Hi Andrea,
    Good to hear from you again. It's been a while--at least since you did that cool article, if I recall.

    Here's to wishing you success on your fiction!

    Apr 15, 2007

  • Delphine Cingal

    Hi,
    Crimespace is a wonderful place: I just discovered you through your answer to my mail on the forum and decided to buy several of your books hoping they might help me with my research subject. :-)

    Apr 22, 2007

  • Robin Burcell

    Delphine,
    I agree. Crimespace is turning out to be a wonderful place to meet new people with the same interests! I sincerely hope you enjoy the books, and that they help with your research subject.

    Apr 23, 2007

  • Jordan Dane

    Hey Robin---Great to see you out here, girl. May the publishing Gods be with you.
    Jordan Dane

    Apr 23, 2007