Fully Booked EP213: Writing Authentic Crime Fiction

Credibility and authenticity are two of the qualities that make crime thrillers work, but without insider knowledge they can be difficult to achieve. In this episode of Fully Booked, former detective Peter J. Charles joins Craig and Roland to break down what authenticity really means in crime fiction, and why the details readers cannot always articulate are often the ones that make a story feel true. Drawing on decades of real experience, Peter explains how surveillance, interview technique, and informant work are commonly misrepresented, and how small but critical choices can separate a convincing procedural from one that simply feels wrong. Peter also shares how he translated his real-world background into a practical approach to craft. After publishing his first novel, he began studying story structure, refining his prose, and using modern tools to strengthen his writing. The result is a body of work that moves confidently beyond his law enforcement and intelligence career into accomplished crime and thriller fiction. For authors writing stories that rely on police work or intelligence, this conversation offers clear, practical takeaways to help make scenes sharper, procedures believable, and narratives more authoritative.   Peter J Charles https://www.peterjcharles.co.uk/   Hidden Gems Need our help publishing or marketing your book?  https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/   All episode details and links:  https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/podcast