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Skeletons in My Closet: 101 Life Lessons From a Homicide Detective
A poignant virtual ride-along like no other.Sometimes tragedy can be the most sincere teacher—something retired homicide detective Dave Sweet knows all too well. In this unorthodox police memoir, Sweet takes readers on a ride-along like no other, revealing poignant truths about life and death, and how we can work and live together. Danger and grit pair with humour and compassion in this gripping, fresh read.Dave Sweet, a conservative, veteran homicide detective teamed up with Sarah Kades, a liberal, optimistic author to write this unconventional universal life-lessons book. Originally released in 2018, this revised and updated fifth anniversary second edition includes numerous updates and new segments. Insightful, painfully real, Skeletons in My Closet is an unexpected read.
382 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2024
9 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Dave Sweet
3 books10 followersDetective Dave Sweet's career spans 25 impactful years in Canadian policing, encompassing various roles within high-stakes investigations. Starting as a patrol officer, Dave later ventured into undercover work and took charge of task forces targeting gangs and organized crime in Calgary. However, it was his 14.5-year tenure in the homicide unit that truly defined his love of investigation, focusing on over 600 cases involving homicide, missing persons, and suspicious deaths.
His expertise in solving some of Canada’s most heinous crimes earned him recognition, with several of his high-profile investigations gaining national attention through documentaries like CBC's "The Detectives," Global Television's "Crime Beat," Investigative Discovery's "Murder Board.” and the popular Netflix series Unsolved Mysteries.
Dave's transition into authorship began with his debut book, "Skeletons in My Closet – 101 Lessons from a Homicide Detective," a collaboration with co-author Sarah Kades [2nd Edition Published by STARK in 2024]. Dave’s second book “Undaunted” with acclaimed author Susan Forest was released in July 2024 by STARK Publishing. Undaunted is the story of courage, highlighting the greatness he has found in people.
Throughout his policing career, Dave's contributions were acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Chief's Award for Investigative Excellence (2017), the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal (2021), and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) which he earned because of his work to bring the very first safe surrender site for unwanted infants [Hopes Cradle] to Southern Alberta.
In October of 2023, Dave retired from policing and went on to start The Unconventional Classroom – an investigation and training agency which is bringing fresh new insights and perspectives into old school investigations and more.
Today, Dave lives by the mantra “love people” and his inner strength and mindfulness remains rooted from that perspective.
His expertise in solving some of Canada’s most heinous crimes earned him recognition, with several of his high-profile investigations gaining national attention through documentaries like CBC's "The Detectives," Global Television's "Crime Beat," Investigative Discovery's "Murder Board.” and the popular Netflix series Unsolved Mysteries.
Dave's transition into authorship began with his debut book, "Skeletons in My Closet – 101 Lessons from a Homicide Detective," a collaboration with co-author Sarah Kades [2nd Edition Published by STARK in 2024]. Dave’s second book “Undaunted” with acclaimed author Susan Forest was released in July 2024 by STARK Publishing. Undaunted is the story of courage, highlighting the greatness he has found in people.
Throughout his policing career, Dave's contributions were acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Chief's Award for Investigative Excellence (2017), the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal (2021), and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022) which he earned because of his work to bring the very first safe surrender site for unwanted infants [Hopes Cradle] to Southern Alberta.
In October of 2023, Dave retired from policing and went on to start The Unconventional Classroom – an investigation and training agency which is bringing fresh new insights and perspectives into old school investigations and more.
Today, Dave lives by the mantra “love people” and his inner strength and mindfulness remains rooted from that perspective.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 3, 2020
The August choice for my in-person book club. Written by two local authors, it seemed a natural choice, but this Covid-19 year has been anything but normal. I had met one co-author, Sarah, at a conference last year and asked if she & Dave would be willing to come talk to our book club about their process. We've had to postpone for quite a while, but hope to achieve the meeting this week.
A self-help style book with an interesting angle, that of an experienced homicide detective. Although he describes the Calgary cases in anonymous form, I recognized several of them which dominated our local news at the time. I've attended one of Dave's crime sessions at our local writers conference and he does a good job of teaching authors of crime fiction what real crime scenes are like. I remember a concluding quiz: he gave us a photo & some crime details, and we were to decide cause of death. Natural causes, homicide, suicide, accidental or undetermined. It was an interesting way to solidify the concepts in our minds.
That's the best aspect of this book, using policing experience to teach the life skills that can benefit everyone. Any habitual reader in the self help genre will recognize many of the “lessons" and identify with some of the situations. I know through conversations with my sisters that we have all three benefitted from this kind of literature, having come from a rather sheltered background and having our naivety make us vulnerable to manipulation.
I'll be very interested in talking with the authors about their shared experience in the writing of it.
Cross posted at myblog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
A self-help style book with an interesting angle, that of an experienced homicide detective. Although he describes the Calgary cases in anonymous form, I recognized several of them which dominated our local news at the time. I've attended one of Dave's crime sessions at our local writers conference and he does a good job of teaching authors of crime fiction what real crime scenes are like. I remember a concluding quiz: he gave us a photo & some crime details, and we were to decide cause of death. Natural causes, homicide, suicide, accidental or undetermined. It was an interesting way to solidify the concepts in our minds.
That's the best aspect of this book, using policing experience to teach the life skills that can benefit everyone. Any habitual reader in the self help genre will recognize many of the “lessons" and identify with some of the situations. I know through conversations with my sisters that we have all three benefitted from this kind of literature, having come from a rather sheltered background and having our naivety make us vulnerable to manipulation.
I'll be very interested in talking with the authors about their shared experience in the writing of it.
Cross posted at myblog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
February 28, 2020
I picked this book up from the authors at a book signing. True crime interests me much more than it should, but this isn't a true crime book. And reading it is when I first learned that I have more interest in those solving the crime than the crime itself.
Our authors take us through Detective Sweet's time as a police officer - from uniformed constable through to today where he works in Homicide with short, references to cases that illustrate what he's trying to convey. These references are short on gory details, but some paint a picture that you won't forget, while talking about the life lessons he's taken from them. This is much more interesting than if I tried to give you the life lessons I've learned from being a coder, btw. And yet, there were many things I could apply to my life sitting at a desk - yes, I would rather be an eagle, btw, even though I've spent most of my life swimming with the ducks.
Being a local, I could pick out several of the cases referenced and one of them was mentioned with much sensitivity, yet took me back to the hours I spent staring at news reports hoping that the victims would be found safe, knowing that it wasn't likely. Bringing back that empty feeling of helplessness I felt while scouring different sources hoping for good news.
This is one going on the shelf to be read again in the future and I really hope I can start out by using some of the lessons right away.
Our authors take us through Detective Sweet's time as a police officer - from uniformed constable through to today where he works in Homicide with short, references to cases that illustrate what he's trying to convey. These references are short on gory details, but some paint a picture that you won't forget, while talking about the life lessons he's taken from them. This is much more interesting than if I tried to give you the life lessons I've learned from being a coder, btw. And yet, there were many things I could apply to my life sitting at a desk - yes, I would rather be an eagle, btw, even though I've spent most of my life swimming with the ducks.
Being a local, I could pick out several of the cases referenced and one of them was mentioned with much sensitivity, yet took me back to the hours I spent staring at news reports hoping that the victims would be found safe, knowing that it wasn't likely. Bringing back that empty feeling of helplessness I felt while scouring different sources hoping for good news.
This is one going on the shelf to be read again in the future and I really hope I can start out by using some of the lessons right away.
November 28, 2018
This book kind of reminds me a mixture of self help/ chicken soup for the soul book. Dave depicts his life as a homicide detective and very valuable life lessons that come with it. I believe that anyone can take away from this book. I think that it spoke to me differently being in the Emergency field and I could really relate to some things. Overall a great first book.
February 27, 2019
Author Dave Sweet is an active Calgary Homicide Detective. Author Sarah Graham writes action-adventure romantic fiction and is a Traditional Knowledge Facilitator for Indigenous communities and oil companies. Together they teamed up to write a book that would be a culmination of police experience, and lessons learned, so that we might understand what tragedy and unfortunate circumstances others go through. Dave tells us: “This book is not about blood, guts or gore…This book is introspective, the stories sincere, and the lessons practical.”
Dave introduces us to what a life of service actually means, and I have never heard a more beautiful and appropriate explanation of the term.
A LIFE OF SERVICE IS: LEAVING PEOPLE IN A BETTER PLACE THAN YOU FOUND THEM.
Every day, by our actions and words, we affect the quality of life for others, and for ourselves.
The stories in connection with these quotes are eye-opening and inspiring and I am sure that I won’t forget them any time soon. Rather, I have bookmarked the pages that meant the most to me or that I want to reaffirm in my life.
As I read the book I was surprised and impressed with the number of life lessons that are offered, and most of all the simplicity of them. It left me in awe; and I continued to tag and highlight passages that struck a chord with me. Some of the lessons I have heard many times, but Dave took those layers deeper.
Another lesson I had to bookmark was in Chapter 2: Owning Your Own Path.
Funerals and memorials spotlight that concept of the dash—the unassuming character etched between the birth and death dates on the headstone or printed on a memorial card – and how important the little line is because it marks the actual life lived.
Now that was deep. I have never looked at my life quite that way – and how profound an idea of living my ‘dash’.
Each chapter takes the reader deeper into our core values and beliefs, and expands upon them. There were definite ah ha moments where Dave would introduce a thought that I wonder how many of us realize we have control over. In Chapter 5: Mental Maturity, Dave tells us that in life we can experience situations that can be tough to process, and how easy it is to put garbage into the human brain, and how hard it is to remove it. And thus, the lesson here is:
ONLY LOOK WHEN YOU NEED TO, AVOID PEEKING WHEN IT ISN’T PRUDENT TO DO SO.
How many times have you looked at, or watched something that you can never forget and wish you had not witnessed?
Dave shares his own greatest universal lesson in Chapter 4: White Picket Fences.
STAYING OUT OF DARK PLACES KEEPS US SAFE.
Knowing that not everyone lives behind a white picket fence has helped me make better decisions throughout my career. Remembering that some places are darker than we can ever imagine keeps me on what I consider the right path…
In an easy stride Dave guides us through using our instinct, defining success, changing paradigms, staying adaptable, facts and truth, and creating ripples with our actions. This is no ordinary book and Skeletons is not what I was expecting – it is better. I respect the integrity and sincerity of Detective Dave Sweet. He was able to shed a sliver of light into the darkness that he has seen and experienced without overwhelming our senses with too much of the ‘Technicolor’. In wanting to do this review I was worried about what images I might not be able to rid from my mind, but I am relieved to say there is only one – and that one was a personal incident that I unfortunately was closer to. Even that one, Dave kept the description short.
Dave’s goal was to write a book that one day his children would be able to read and turn to as they grow older; he has succeeded in doing that.
In conclusion, Dave’s final lesson in the book rings true and I found it a fitting ending: EXPERIENCE TAKES TIME. LET IT.
Dave introduces us to what a life of service actually means, and I have never heard a more beautiful and appropriate explanation of the term.
A LIFE OF SERVICE IS: LEAVING PEOPLE IN A BETTER PLACE THAN YOU FOUND THEM.
Every day, by our actions and words, we affect the quality of life for others, and for ourselves.
The stories in connection with these quotes are eye-opening and inspiring and I am sure that I won’t forget them any time soon. Rather, I have bookmarked the pages that meant the most to me or that I want to reaffirm in my life.
As I read the book I was surprised and impressed with the number of life lessons that are offered, and most of all the simplicity of them. It left me in awe; and I continued to tag and highlight passages that struck a chord with me. Some of the lessons I have heard many times, but Dave took those layers deeper.
Another lesson I had to bookmark was in Chapter 2: Owning Your Own Path.
Funerals and memorials spotlight that concept of the dash—the unassuming character etched between the birth and death dates on the headstone or printed on a memorial card – and how important the little line is because it marks the actual life lived.
Now that was deep. I have never looked at my life quite that way – and how profound an idea of living my ‘dash’.
Each chapter takes the reader deeper into our core values and beliefs, and expands upon them. There were definite ah ha moments where Dave would introduce a thought that I wonder how many of us realize we have control over. In Chapter 5: Mental Maturity, Dave tells us that in life we can experience situations that can be tough to process, and how easy it is to put garbage into the human brain, and how hard it is to remove it. And thus, the lesson here is:
ONLY LOOK WHEN YOU NEED TO, AVOID PEEKING WHEN IT ISN’T PRUDENT TO DO SO.
How many times have you looked at, or watched something that you can never forget and wish you had not witnessed?
Dave shares his own greatest universal lesson in Chapter 4: White Picket Fences.
STAYING OUT OF DARK PLACES KEEPS US SAFE.
Knowing that not everyone lives behind a white picket fence has helped me make better decisions throughout my career. Remembering that some places are darker than we can ever imagine keeps me on what I consider the right path…
In an easy stride Dave guides us through using our instinct, defining success, changing paradigms, staying adaptable, facts and truth, and creating ripples with our actions. This is no ordinary book and Skeletons is not what I was expecting – it is better. I respect the integrity and sincerity of Detective Dave Sweet. He was able to shed a sliver of light into the darkness that he has seen and experienced without overwhelming our senses with too much of the ‘Technicolor’. In wanting to do this review I was worried about what images I might not be able to rid from my mind, but I am relieved to say there is only one – and that one was a personal incident that I unfortunately was closer to. Even that one, Dave kept the description short.
Dave’s goal was to write a book that one day his children would be able to read and turn to as they grow older; he has succeeded in doing that.
In conclusion, Dave’s final lesson in the book rings true and I found it a fitting ending: EXPERIENCE TAKES TIME. LET IT.
January 9, 2019
Skeletons in My Closet offers unique insight into the world of policing in Canada from the perspective of a Canadian Homicide Detective—at least, that’s its throughline, but this book is so much more complex and insightful than just that.
Perhaps the most intriguing thing about this book is its structure. The structure sets the book’s chapters and sections up as collections of personal life lessons learned from a life of service, each lesson more poignant than the last. In doing so, the book manages to avoid being simply text-book instructional (which would pigeonhole its audience to police services and those in related fields) and instead bridges the gap between police services and the public. This makes the content relevant, engaging, and useful to anyone from those in police-related professions, to crime writers interested in gaining insight into the service life, to the layperson interested in personal development. It’s a book about connection, empathy, and understanding. In a world that’s building walls, this book builds bridges, and Building Bridges should be a new genre all to itself.
All advice in this book could be considered universally true and therefore applicable to any reader who picks it up. The stories shared throughout the book are empathetically, skillfully, and thoughtfully written, with tremendous respect paid to everyone involved, and shared from the heart—to such an effect that the reader can’t help but find themselves moved, saddened, uplifted, and enlightened along with the narrator. As an effect of the humility with which the book is written, it manages to entirely avoid any air of preachiness but instead invites the reader on a personal journey. Some of these stories will stick with you, they are so powerful and their messages so important for us to hear.
This book also truly humanizes the people in it—our police forces, but also “criminals” who, yes, are people too and often in bad circumstances. For many of us who view the world from the safety of suburbia, it’s easy to forget how human we all are and judge from afar, losing empathy for our fellow man. This book reminds us to step back from our own perspective and always try to leave people better than we found them. It’s beautifully, authentically written. Sweet and Graham’s collaboration comes through as seamless. The cover design and book formatting are flawless. I’d recommend this book to anyone (and I do)—it’s a modern Canadian treasure.
Perhaps the most intriguing thing about this book is its structure. The structure sets the book’s chapters and sections up as collections of personal life lessons learned from a life of service, each lesson more poignant than the last. In doing so, the book manages to avoid being simply text-book instructional (which would pigeonhole its audience to police services and those in related fields) and instead bridges the gap between police services and the public. This makes the content relevant, engaging, and useful to anyone from those in police-related professions, to crime writers interested in gaining insight into the service life, to the layperson interested in personal development. It’s a book about connection, empathy, and understanding. In a world that’s building walls, this book builds bridges, and Building Bridges should be a new genre all to itself.
All advice in this book could be considered universally true and therefore applicable to any reader who picks it up. The stories shared throughout the book are empathetically, skillfully, and thoughtfully written, with tremendous respect paid to everyone involved, and shared from the heart—to such an effect that the reader can’t help but find themselves moved, saddened, uplifted, and enlightened along with the narrator. As an effect of the humility with which the book is written, it manages to entirely avoid any air of preachiness but instead invites the reader on a personal journey. Some of these stories will stick with you, they are so powerful and their messages so important for us to hear.
This book also truly humanizes the people in it—our police forces, but also “criminals” who, yes, are people too and often in bad circumstances. For many of us who view the world from the safety of suburbia, it’s easy to forget how human we all are and judge from afar, losing empathy for our fellow man. This book reminds us to step back from our own perspective and always try to leave people better than we found them. It’s beautifully, authentically written. Sweet and Graham’s collaboration comes through as seamless. The cover design and book formatting are flawless. I’d recommend this book to anyone (and I do)—it’s a modern Canadian treasure.
June 24, 2019
Highly recommended. One of the best books I've read this year. TBH, I'm usually not very sympathetic to police officers, but this book opened my eyes a lot to the realities of that profession. Likewise, it gave me a window into the personal and professional development of a police career done correctly. This book also touched me emotionally in many places. The stories often are sad and heartbreaking, but the lessons learned are very powerful. I love the repeated lesson to leave people better than you found them, but also make sure to follow up, find the good, confessions are selling a life sentence (usually by convincing someone you have overwhelmingly evidence), don't give up hope on people, sometimes the best needs to be made out of a lousy situation, cognitive biases block you, the devil's advocate is your friend, don't get too hung up on certain evidence, shiny object syndrome is deadly, think from evidence and truth not from personal ego motivations, and do right by people when you can. There are so many stories of helping people, it's definitely a much better take on police than we're given in the media. It also sheds light on why police officers have the negative PR they have...
December 3, 2018
I am lucky enough to know Dave, and I heard his voice in my mind as I read the book. I have no idea where he found the time, but I appreciate that he's made this effort to share the wisdom he's built over a long career as a police officer. This book is well worth the read for anyone interested in learning about the challenges and rewards of being a cop, and the lessons a seasoned officer has learned along the way. I love that it includes tips on how to look after our mental health while working in stressful professions, living an honourable life, and the importance of respecting others (I particularly like the thought of trying to end every interaction with someone with leaving them better than when you found them). I found the book inspiring, and it helped me take a moment to pause and appreciate that the work I do truly matters, and so does my well-being. Thank you to Dave and Sarah for this lovely book.
November 22, 2018
A fascinating and eye-opening introspective look at life lessons gathered and shared from a veteran homicide detective. The gritty and real-life macabre tales and events shared can be quite startling at times, but are presented with compassion, respect, and consideration for the victims and innocents involved.
The positivity from the lessons is a wonderful example of how good things can come from negative and terrible situations. Kudos to Sweet and Graham for an excellent collaboration in bringing this book to market.
The positivity from the lessons is a wonderful example of how good things can come from negative and terrible situations. Kudos to Sweet and Graham for an excellent collaboration in bringing this book to market.
September 22, 2022
Life lessons describe by one of Calgary’s best. I took a lot out of this book as a reminder of my own actions in life but also tidbits that I can relate to my work as a manger and how to deal with different personalities. It would be interesting to see if anything in this book would change or be updated to reflect incidents that have happened since it came out in 2018.
November 24, 2018
Skeletons In My Closet shares the poignant and introspective lessons learned from years serving on the police force.
The mix of gritty crime and real life lessons on life, love, and compassion blend seamlessly. The lessons from Det. Sweet are applicable in every day situations, not just police work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The mix of gritty crime and real life lessons on life, love, and compassion blend seamlessly. The lessons from Det. Sweet are applicable in every day situations, not just police work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 25, 2019
A fantastic read by Detective Dave Sweet and Sarah Graham. Filled with fantastic life lessons for anyone. The glimpse this book shows us into the life of a cop is absolutely fascinating and I have no doubt this will be a book that I read many, many times.
May 16, 2019
Tastefully written, very interesting
December 30, 2020
An interesting and insightful look inside the life of a veteran homicide investigator and all the issues, baggage and lessons that come with it.
January 3, 2023
This book is written by a veteran homicide detective from a large western Canadian police force. He shares truths about life, death compassionately. Part memoir of his experiences over his career. The most important aspect of this book is that he shares valuable lessons that quite frankly can inspire, motivate, help people to see life quite differently, inspire change, Hope, compassion, living in the present, living well. The lessons one can learn from this book can be life altering, extremely positive angles coming from a detective that has seen many things and experienced many things that have inspired him to see life and death through a lens of compassion and humanity.
The lessons taught and learned from this book are extremely valuable and can be used by anyone whether it’s for improvement in sport, dealing with life challenges, a compass to live a good life. This book is extremely inspiring. You don’t have to be a police officer as the universal yet well positioned truths can have the ability to change a persons life for the better! If you are facing challenges in life this book can help inspire change. Think of it as an anchor and a way to see things that can ultimately help you no matter where you are in life.
For police officers I feel this book would be invaluable as there are a great many truths and valuable lessons that can be a huge benefit in how you conduct yourself in your career.
Dave is an amazing person who presents here truths and lessons that can help anyone in their life path. The lessons and truths are totally and completely invaluable.
Also he shares many stories of his experiences and how these truths applied to his life experiences.
I highly recommend this book. It is a good read. But most importantly it has an immense amount of wisdom that can help anyone on their life path to lead a good life. It also challenges a person through the truths learned to live well, compassionately and helps to see life through a more grounded and realistic view. The book has deep truths hugely invaluable to anyone’s life and inspire to live life for the better.
Addition to previous review listed above:
I have read this book in past. Occasionally I revisit this book. It is a great resource as the principles Dave has put forward in this book can be referred to at any point and are helpful perspectives to even help people in general with perceptions when facing life difficulties that we all face whether it is a setback in life, the loss of a loved one, or other life challenges. His perspectives provide positive insights on navigating life and puts a positive spin on those challenges.His book is invaluable resource! It is a book; that yes covers crime related stories through his career, but it is the knowledge he shares from his career. In a format that anyone can use the perspectives and principles presented to navigate life in a positive perspective. I consider this book invaluable and would be beneficial to anyone who wants to improve their life and follow a positive path. His insights are grounded in reality and invaluable tools anyone can use. Truly an amazing book and I hope Dave continues to write more as I believe that from his career he has a natural ability to somehow put together principles for life that I truly believe would help many people in navigating the harsh realities of life that I believe would positively impact the lives of many people. I’m grateful I have this book. It’s one that will remain with me.
The lessons taught and learned from this book are extremely valuable and can be used by anyone whether it’s for improvement in sport, dealing with life challenges, a compass to live a good life. This book is extremely inspiring. You don’t have to be a police officer as the universal yet well positioned truths can have the ability to change a persons life for the better! If you are facing challenges in life this book can help inspire change. Think of it as an anchor and a way to see things that can ultimately help you no matter where you are in life.
For police officers I feel this book would be invaluable as there are a great many truths and valuable lessons that can be a huge benefit in how you conduct yourself in your career.
Dave is an amazing person who presents here truths and lessons that can help anyone in their life path. The lessons and truths are totally and completely invaluable.
Also he shares many stories of his experiences and how these truths applied to his life experiences.
I highly recommend this book. It is a good read. But most importantly it has an immense amount of wisdom that can help anyone on their life path to lead a good life. It also challenges a person through the truths learned to live well, compassionately and helps to see life through a more grounded and realistic view. The book has deep truths hugely invaluable to anyone’s life and inspire to live life for the better.
Addition to previous review listed above:
I have read this book in past. Occasionally I revisit this book. It is a great resource as the principles Dave has put forward in this book can be referred to at any point and are helpful perspectives to even help people in general with perceptions when facing life difficulties that we all face whether it is a setback in life, the loss of a loved one, or other life challenges. His perspectives provide positive insights on navigating life and puts a positive spin on those challenges.His book is invaluable resource! It is a book; that yes covers crime related stories through his career, but it is the knowledge he shares from his career. In a format that anyone can use the perspectives and principles presented to navigate life in a positive perspective. I consider this book invaluable and would be beneficial to anyone who wants to improve their life and follow a positive path. His insights are grounded in reality and invaluable tools anyone can use. Truly an amazing book and I hope Dave continues to write more as I believe that from his career he has a natural ability to somehow put together principles for life that I truly believe would help many people in navigating the harsh realities of life that I believe would positively impact the lives of many people. I’m grateful I have this book. It’s one that will remain with me.
February 1, 2021
Excellent read. As a non-fan of true crime etc novels I can honestly say I wasn't in a hurry to read it. In fact it sat on my shelf for 2 years before I got around to it. My bad Dave :( . And I'm sorry I left it that long. It was a great read in which the general idea of the crime was there but not the nitty gritty details. As someone employed in the policing emergency services section, I dislike being reminded of work in my off time, it's part of my coping strategies. But Dave did a fabulous job of making the book more about how I related to my work and life, a thought provoking, do I want to be this person or that person? I absolutely recommend the book.
June 28, 2023
A fascinating memoir of all the lesson (both positive and negative) learned from years as a detective. I really enjoyed the candidness and advice that I hope to use in my policing career. I would recommend this book for those who are new to the law enforcement field.
August 2, 2025
Came across as very sanctimonious and preachy, while simultaneously having a strong humble bragging air. I don't imaging Office Sweet was very popular on the Calgary Police Service's homicide team if he talked to his coworkers like this.
January 14, 2024
Interesting collection of real life experiences from a Calgary cop, leading to some good life lessons and nuggets of wisdom!
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April 5, 2019I didn't like this book but that might mainly be because I didn't really know what it was about before I read it and just based my decision to read it on the title. It's more lightly rejigged pop psychology/self help/business success and less interesting stories of being a homicide detective.
There's nothing particularly wrong with that but it's not what I was expecting and I didn't find it very interesting or compelling.
There's nothing particularly wrong with that but it's not what I was expecting and I didn't find it very interesting or compelling.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews