How realistic are the detectives and investigations we encounter in crime fiction?

On the latest episode of Beyond the Page, I sit down with author and law enforcement professional R. L. Carpentier III to discuss his Overlook trilogy and how his experiences working in law enforcement have shaped the stories he tells.

Carpentier has spent nearly 20 years working in law enforcement, giving him a perspective that many crime writers have to develop entirely through research.

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation focuses on the mistakes authors make when portraying police work. From incorrect terminology to inexperienced officers being handed major investigations, Carpentier explains the details that can immediately pull him out of an otherwise enjoyable mystery.

We also explore why he prefers writing about small-town police departments rather than large metropolitan agencies. His novels take place in New York’s Catskill Mountains, where isolated communities, personal relationships, and long-held secrets create an ideal setting for crime fiction.

His debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, began with an unusual idea during a quiet overnight shift. Inspired by true-crime podcasts, Carpentier imagined someone searching for their biological family only to discover that their birth mother was the unidentified victim of an unsolved murder.

If you enjoy crime fiction, police procedurals, small-town mysteries, or conversations about the craft of storytelling, I think you’ll enjoy this episode.

Learn more about R. L. Carpentier III: https://rlcarpentierwriter.com

Watch or listen to the latest episode of Beyond the Page on Page Chewing.

https://youtu.be/RwZEm7SeOek