Twisted Plots and Plans: An extraordinary life

by Keith Wright

The extraordinary true-life story that intrigues, informs, and shocks in equal measure.A childhood growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, police and CID cases and incidents including rapes and murders the author investigated, becoming the target of twisted plots and plans by detectives to discredit and imprison him, parental alienation, and an insight into being traditionally published as a crime writer.Loves and divorces. Deaths and miscarriages. Sibling rivalry and online dating! Heartache and betrayal. It is all wrapped up in this extraordinary life story.A boy growing up in Nottingham in the 1960s and 70s with an alcoholic father goes on to become a CID detective. Then things get ugly.Keith shares many fascinating cases of serious crimes he has dealt with throughout his twenty-five years of dedicated service.But things go wrong in the blink of an eye. We see him take a stand when a policewoman is abused and humiliated by a colleague, and everything changes dramatically. This respected and commended detective sergeant becomes the target of corrupt senior detectives in the most bizarre circumstances. Sandwiched between a victim with Munchausen and an unstable Detective Inspector gunning for his blood, the author is trapped in a web of the most shocking underhandedness and deceit. Battling for his life, family, and freedom, he eventually defeats the onslaught against him. Sadly, his dedication to the job he once loved has died, and his mental health is in tatters.He bares his private life of love and tragedy. Miscarriage, dementia, death, mental breakdown, divorce, isolation, parental alienation and family betrayal all visit him throughout the decades.We see his writing successes and how he came to break the mould with his award-winning and critically acclaimed crime novels.There is room for laughter in this mad roller coaster ride, not least with the craziness of his hilarious online dating experiences.This is the bizarre true-life story of Keith Lost Boy, Policeman, Detective, Actor, Writer, Corporate Investigator, Husband, Father, Lover, and Friend.

433 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

Keith Wright is himself a policeman and has been since the age of sixteen. His experience clearly shows in his writing which is as accurate and believable as it is exciting. He avoids the trap some professionals fall into by including too much technical and in-house information, instead the onus is always on the story.

Reviews

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ℐ 𝒶𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓉𝒽, ℐ 𝒶𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎 𝓈𝑜𝓊𝓁.”

A thought-provoking memoir of Keith Wright a former detective who tells his life story through this wonderful book.

I really enjoyed the writing style and how each chapter was a different stage of the author’s life. It was a great read and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a good memoir to read!

[Lauren Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy true life stories from professionals such as Police, forensics, pathologists, doctors etc so this book was right up my street. Keith takes us through the journey of his life as a police officer then detective, and explains how he got there. We are taken through his childhood, the relationships with his parents and siblings, and the start of his career at the age of 16 at the Cadet Academy. Each chapter of the book was dedicated to a different part of his life, I loved the writing style, it was easy to follow and as if he was speaking to you rather than you reading the words. We get an insight into life on the force, he shares stories of some of the cases he had worked on, along with the corruption by senior detectives. He gives his honest account of what he went through, and the level of deciept that occurred.
I really enjoyed this book, it was interesting and informative. Thank you Keith for being so brave to share your story!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having already read two of this authors fiction books - Killing Mum and Killing Nan - where we see some brilliantly creepy and quirky short stories - I was really intrigued to read this memoir that brought into focus the inspiration for these novels and the real life events that led him to become a writer.

Due to the realistic content of those short stories, I had already known that Wright had experience in force - but it was fascinating to see this from the other side - especially the more personal aspects of the job.
Packed with anecdotes that will intrigue, make you laugh but also shock you.

It was interesting to read about Wright's early life too and although we're a few years apart, there was a lot in this that brought back memories of my own childhood and youth as well as showing the differences between our experiences.

I find it really easy to be sucked into books like this because I love hearing how people have dealt with experiences and events within their early life and seeing just what they've managed to make of their futures.
I loved hearing about the way Wright turned his life around and although there are some difficult times over the years - there's also much to inspire and admire.

A really enjoyable read and I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

[Mystic KT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read. I had previously read some of Keith Wright's fiction works which I really enjoyed and then to read about his life was something that I didn't think I would get the chance to do. I enjoyed reading about how he grew up and made something of himself instead of getting sucked into 'mischief'. Even though he was born before me so much of what he described in his life resonated with me because it was so like what myself and my siblings experienced growing up. I enjoyed finding out about his struggles within the police force and how against them all he succeeded. I can not wait to read more from him.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book is just as if the author has sat down and is having a conversation with you about his life.

I know that might seem like I'm stating the obvious, given that it is autobiographical, but the writing style is very much as if Keith Wright is having a blether with you. This might not suit every reader, as he tends to go off into side stories and anecdotesalong the way,  but I liked it.

That's not to say that the subject matter is all very light-hearted, because the author has gone through some very tough times indeed.

All in all, a very interesting account of the author's life.

Thanks to the author, and Love Books Tours for the eARC of this book.

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find a story of members of law-enforcement interesting. I like to find out what makes them tick and what drives them to make their career choices. Keith’s life experience shows in his writing, adding believability to the stories. It was interesting learning about his early life and background. He had to work to stay on the straight and narrow. I enjoyed how each chapter was a different part of his life. His writing style is enjoyable and flows along nicely. It was nice getting to know more about the author, and his own words, of some of my favourite books.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't typically read memoirs or such like, but in the name of diversification I gave this a go.
The writing is very casual and familiar, and I really like that style. I think there is a warmth and humour throughout.
Each chapter talks of a different stage, or event thats taken place in the authors life, but they blend together well.
Keith has certainly had a busy and varied life. The amount he had experienced, even by age 19, is more than many will experience in a lifetime. It's interesting to read such a tale and can potentially put some of your own life events into perspective.