Luis

Male

Los Angeles

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Los Angeles
About Me:
I love to read fiction of all kinds but particularly crime related books (however, I don't typically read "true" crime books).

I am a federal criminal investigator and sentencing adviser. I previously worked as a public defender and private criminal defense attorney/barrister.
I Am A:
Reader, Writer
Books And Authors I Like:
Vachss
Connolly
Evanovich
Crais
Evers
Shannon
Dickens

and many more.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
Any action movie (especially ones with intrigue and interesting plots, yes I'm serious!)
Law and Order, especially criminal intent
The Wire

I also enjoy Romantic Comedies. Sue me!

Comment Wall:

  • Steven Torres

    Welcome aboard. Hope you like it here.

    Dec 27, 2007

  • Luis

    I'm going to Thailand soon and decided to find a police procedural set somewhere in Southeast Asia. I found three books about a Bangkok detective written by John Burdett. Has anyone read anything by this author?

    Feb 3, 2008

  • Luis

    The three books I read were useful for my trip. The narrative was interesting, but the writing was just okay.

    Mar 4, 2008

  • Craig McDonald

    Thank you so much for the invite, Luis. Like you, I much prefer the "Criminal Intent" version of Law & Order.

    Mar 28, 2008

  • James K. Bashkin

    Hi Luis, thanks for inviting me. I'm a bit behind on my fiction blog at the moment, but have 2/3 of an author interview published (with Qiu Xiaolong) that might interest you. I look forward to discussing crime fiction with you. Best wishes, Jim

    Mar 28, 2008

  • Timothy Hallinan

    Hey, Luis --

    Thanks for the befriending. For some reason I can't find the "accept" button at the top of this page when I follow the link from my e-mail, and this is the third time I've tried. Therefore, I accept you minus the button and am grateful for the opportunity.

    Tim Hallinan

    Mar 28, 2008

  • Timothy Hallinan

    Sorry -- found the button (white and tiny on VERY pale gray) and pushed it. It's official, we're electronic friends as well as being unofficial buddies.

    Mar 28, 2008

  • carole gill

    Wow! I am so delighted to be your friend! Thank you very much for the request!

    Mar 28, 2008

  • carole gill

    and thank you! research for it is fun. and it's amazing how much was really known in the mid 1950's. In McBain's first 87 pct novel, Cop Hater the lab is able to come up with a lot of forensic detail I never knew existed back then! I suppose one could say I've eliminated a lot need to research now--ahem would I do that to make it easier? for my first novel? YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

    Mar 28, 2008

  • Joan Conwell

    Thanks for the invite!

    Mar 30, 2008

  • Luis

    I'm leaving a comment for myself because I'm still around but haven't had time lately to connect with anyone here!

    Jun 30, 2008

  • Jacqui Horwood

    Hi Luis - nice to meet you.

    Aug 4, 2008

  • Lindy Cameron

    Hi Luis
    Thanks for the invite. I too write true (Australian) crime... as well as crime fiction and thrillers.

    Aug 4, 2008

  • Jon McGoran as D. H. Dublin

    Hey Luis,
    Thanks for the invite, and for fighting the good fight.
    Very happy to be your friend.

    Aug 4, 2008

  • Christopher Valen

    Luis,
    Thanks for the invitation. I'm looking forward to communicating with you. I write fictional crime featuring St. Paul Homicide Detective John Santana. White Tombs was published in March of 2008. The second in the series is due out in 2009. I also write a blog entitled Probable Cause that deals with real issues of crimes and justice.
    Chris

    Aug 5, 2008

  • Persia Walker

    Hi Luis,

    Thank you for the offer of friendship. I write mysteries set in the 1920s, in New York, but I'm also thinking of moving to more contemporary periods. It's interesting that you like Law & Order. The folks I've met "in the business" either love it or hate it. They're never in-between. Anyway, I love it, too. I'm happy to make your acquaintance!

    Aug 5, 2008

  • Libby Hellmann

    Thanks for the invite, Luis.. your work sounds fascinating.. I bet you'll get lots of messages... I intend to...

    Aug 5, 2008

  • John Boundy

    Hey Luis...Appreciate the invite and comment...Sounds like you know a thing or two about the bad guys yourself! Look forward to seeing you around...

    Aug 6, 2008

  • Christopher Valen

    Luis,
    Sounds like you have an interesting job. When it comes to investigation, forensics, etc., I try to be as accurate as possible given the obvious limitations of fiction. I have some good contacts on the St. Paul PD who have been very helpful and accommodating. I'm always looking for new sources of information that can give my police procedurals a sense of realism. I might like to pick your brain in the future if you don't mind.
    Chris

    Aug 6, 2008

  • K.R. Lewis

    Hi Luis: I will forgive you your past as a criminal defense attorney, now that you've seen the light and come over from "the dark side." Just kidding! What would our great American criminal justice system chessboard be with some of the Kings and Rooks missing?

    Aug 7, 2008

  • Christopher Valen

    Luis,
    Thanks. I'll let you know if I have a question.
    Chris

    Aug 7, 2008

  • Christopher Valen

    Luis,
    No problem. Just send me an e-mail if you have questions.
    Chris

    Aug 7, 2008

  • Lee Weeks

    Hi luis
    thanks for the invite. i am just caught up doing edits but hope to get some time off for 'good behaviour' soon

    Aug 9, 2008

  • Gar Anthony Haywood

    Luis:
    Thanks for the invite to joing the club. Happy to sign up.

    Aug 9, 2008

  • Phillipa Martin (PD Martin)

    Hi Luis. Thanks for the invite. Like you I'm a Janet Evanovich fan (great for light entertainment!) and also like Law and Order - but SVU is my favourite.

    Re true crime - truth is stranger than fiction, isn't it!?

    Aug 10, 2008

  • Richard Kunzmann

    Hi Luis,

    Thanks for the invite, but I'll unfortunately have to disappoint you so soon after becoming a friend ;-)

    I'm a bit of a worldly writer: born in Namibia, raised in South Africa, currently living in London. I am a crime writer, yes, but so far all my books have been set in South Africa. Harry Mason, one of my lead detectives, is London-born, but he works in Johannesburg, not London.

    If you want to sample some of the British writers, Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, and Simon Kernick are hard-edged writers. Ian Rankin comes particularly well recommended, though his Inspector Morse books are set in Edinburgh.

    If you're into less hardboiled and more police procedural, try P.D James and Ruth Rendell --- they're both London writers, good friends (though highly competitive, from what I hear) and their novels tend to also be set in the city. They've won a stack of crime awards and thoroughly deserve them.

    Hope that helps. And enjoy your trip. The Old Baily is a magnificant place.

    Best,
    Richard

    Apr 20, 2009

  • Matt Hilton

    Hi Luis, thanks for adding me as a friend. I'm an ex-cop, though I worked in the north of England not in London. I write 'American-style' crime/thrillers based primarily in the States, which you might find a little strange. My debut takes my characters to your stomping ground of LA. Your question about police procedurals: I'd say Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Peter James all write excellent procedurals - not all of them set in London but does the city matter so much? Simon Kernick writes some good stuff as well, some through the eyes of the police, some through the eyes of the common man caught in dire situations, but all good reads. Most of Kernick's books are London based. All the best, and I hope you enjoy the trip. Matt

    Apr 20, 2009

  • Matt Hilton

    Hi Luis, London's a fabulous city and I think you'll love it.

    Apr 21, 2009

  • Richard Kunzmann

    There's quite a surge of interest in crime fiction set in Africa, which I'm very happy about. Much of this comes from Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana morality tales dressed up as the No1 Ladies Detective Agency, but also Deon Meyer's excellent thrillers set in South Africa. He's the stalwart, being at it nearly ten years longer than I have. Last year a writing duo, two Americans now living in South Africa, hit the ground running with their blend of police procedural and hardboiled fiction, set in Botswana. Their first book A Carrion Death took a while, but creep onto the LA Times bestseller list it did.

    Matt Hilton recommended Peter James. He's got good taste. James comes thoroughly recommend. The fact that he's also an accomplished film-maker makes his writing highly visual and very well paced; he also has a lot of sources inside Scotland Yard. I'd definitely start with Looking Good Dead.

    Happy reading,
    R.

    Apr 21, 2009

  • Kathleen M Puckett

    Hi Luis - Have a wonderful time in London, and if you have time check out the North - the Lake District must be beautiful right now (well, it always is as far as I'm concerned!)

    Apr 22, 2009

  • Michael Berish

    Lui9s,

    Thanks for inviting me to be your friend.
    Lt. Michael Berish (Retired-M.P.D.) of the REAL Miami Vice!
    Author of “REFLECTIONS FROM THE PIT”
    This book pulls no punches. It shows you the dark side of police work: the good, the bad and the ugly (warts & all), both the humor and the tragedy.
    WEBSITE: www.realmiamivice.com
    BLOG SITE: www.realmiamivice.net

    Apr 22, 2009

  • Jennie Msangi

    Thanks for the invite. I am envious of your upcoming trip and itinerary!

    Apr 22, 2009