What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadows Behind the Badge
A True Crime Memoir of Courage, Trauma, and Redemption
For nearly twenty years, Diana Fowles lived the reality most people only see on the news serving on the front lines of law enforcement, managing violent offenders, and leading high-pressure investigations that tested every ounce of her resolve.
But behind the calm professionalism and polished badge was a woman fighting silent battles with fear, grief, and trauma struggles that ultimately forced her into early retirement with PTSD.
In Shadows Behind the Badge, Diana opens up for the first time about her life inside the justice system, her pivotal role in a major international murder investigation, and the haunting aftermath that changed her forever. From harrowing nights inside prison walls to inexplicable experiences that blurred the line between the rational and the unreal, this is a story of survival, honesty, and the cost of duty.
If you’re drawn to true crime, personal memoirs, or stories of resilience and recovery, this book will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Raw. Real. Unforgettable.
Shadows Behind the Badge is more than a police memoir it’s a powerful journey through trauma, truth, and the courage to keep living when the job ends but the memories don’t.
For nearly twenty years, Diana Fowles lived the reality most people only see on the news serving on the front lines of law enforcement, managing violent offenders, and leading high-pressure investigations that tested every ounce of her resolve.
But behind the calm professionalism and polished badge was a woman fighting silent battles with fear, grief, and trauma struggles that ultimately forced her into early retirement with PTSD.
In Shadows Behind the Badge, Diana opens up for the first time about her life inside the justice system, her pivotal role in a major international murder investigation, and the haunting aftermath that changed her forever. From harrowing nights inside prison walls to inexplicable experiences that blurred the line between the rational and the unreal, this is a story of survival, honesty, and the cost of duty.
If you’re drawn to true crime, personal memoirs, or stories of resilience and recovery, this book will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Raw. Real. Unforgettable.
Shadows Behind the Badge is more than a police memoir it’s a powerful journey through trauma, truth, and the courage to keep living when the job ends but the memories don’t.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 21, 2025
The moment I read the description of Shadows Behind the Badge, I felt an immediate pull toward Diana’s story. There’s something incredibly raw and honest about the way she shares not just the realities of law enforcement, but the emotional weight that so often gets hidden behind the badge.
What struck me most is her willingness to open up about fear, trauma, and the quiet battles that most people never see, even though the world often focuses only on the action or headlines. The fact that she carried these experiences for nearly two decades and still found the courage to lay them bare on the page says so much about her strength.
I’m genuinely looking forward to reading this book. It’s rare to find a memoir that blends true crime, personal vulnerability, and resilience in such a compelling way. I have a feeling this is one of those stories that stays with you long after you close the final chapter.
Raw. Real. And unforgettable, just like the description promises.
What struck me most is her willingness to open up about fear, trauma, and the quiet battles that most people never see, even though the world often focuses only on the action or headlines. The fact that she carried these experiences for nearly two decades and still found the courage to lay them bare on the page says so much about her strength.
I’m genuinely looking forward to reading this book. It’s rare to find a memoir that blends true crime, personal vulnerability, and resilience in such a compelling way. I have a feeling this is one of those stories that stays with you long after you close the final chapter.
Raw. Real. And unforgettable, just like the description promises.
November 21, 2025
I haven’t read this book yet, but the moment I came across the description, I felt deeply drawn to Diana’s story. There’s something incredibly powerful about the honesty she brings to her experiences, not just the intense investigations or the high-pressure moments, but the quiet, unseen battles that stayed with her long after the uniform came off.
The idea of someone carrying so much responsibility, trauma, and emotional weight for nearly two decades, and then choosing to share that truth with such vulnerability, is something I really admire. It’s rare to find a memoir that promises both the grit of true crime and the emotional depth of a personal healing journey.
I can already tell this is the kind of story that leaves a mark. Raw, real, and courageous.
I’m genuinely looking forward to reading it.
The idea of someone carrying so much responsibility, trauma, and emotional weight for nearly two decades, and then choosing to share that truth with such vulnerability, is something I really admire. It’s rare to find a memoir that promises both the grit of true crime and the emotional depth of a personal healing journey.
I can already tell this is the kind of story that leaves a mark. Raw, real, and courageous.
I’m genuinely looking forward to reading it.
October 21, 2025
What an absolutely incredible and moving read. Shadows Behind the Badge took me on an emotional journey I wasn’t prepared for. It’s brave, honest, and beautifully written. Diana doesn’t just tell her story; she lets you feel it.
Her openness about life behind the badge, the trauma, and the strength it took to face it all is both heartbreaking and inspiring. You can tell every word comes from lived experience and deep reflection.
I was genuinely touched by her courage and insight. Diana Fowles has such a powerful voice, the kind that makes you stop and think long after the last page.
Her openness about life behind the badge, the trauma, and the strength it took to face it all is both heartbreaking and inspiring. You can tell every word comes from lived experience and deep reflection.
I was genuinely touched by her courage and insight. Diana Fowles has such a powerful voice, the kind that makes you stop and think long after the last page.
October 24, 2025
(London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club)
This book pulled me in from page one. It’s not just about crime and justice — it’s about the people behind the uniform, their pain, doubts, and the choices that change them. I loved how real the emotions felt and how the story balanced darkness with hope.
It’s the kind of read that makes you pause and think long after you close the last page. Definitely one we’ll be talking about at London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book pulled me in from page one. It’s not just about crime and justice — it’s about the people behind the uniform, their pain, doubts, and the choices that change them. I loved how real the emotions felt and how the story balanced darkness with hope.
It’s the kind of read that makes you pause and think long after you close the last page. Definitely one we’ll be talking about at London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 21, 2025
Shadows Behind the Badge is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve finished it. Diana writes with such honesty and heart that you can feel every moment of her journey, the courage, the pain, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going. It’s raw, real, and deeply moving.
Her story opened my eyes and touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect. Diana Fowles is such a gifted and inspiring writer. I truly hope she keeps writing more, because her voice is something special.
Her story opened my eyes and touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect. Diana Fowles is such a gifted and inspiring writer. I truly hope she keeps writing more, because her voice is something special.
November 13, 2025
Reading Shadows Behind the Badge was an eye-opening and emotional experience. Diana’s honesty and courage in sharing her journey through the challenges of law enforcement really touched me. She shows not just the tough moments, but also the heart, compassion, and resilience it takes to keep going. Our Warm and Cozy Online Book Club featured this book, and it sparked such deep and thoughtful conversations. It’s one of those reads that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
October 21, 2025
OMG!!! Diana Fowles is so loaded with wisdom, empathy, and even a rare kind of strength that comes from truly living through what most people couldn’t even imagine. I sincerely hope she keeps writing, because her voice is one the world needs to hear more of. I’d be the first in line for her next book.
October 24, 2025
Our book club, London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club, read Shadows Behind the Badge and found it deeply moving. Diana Fowles shares her story with raw honesty, revealing the hidden weight behind a life in law enforcement. It’s emotional, real, and filled with courage — a powerful memoir that truly stayed with us.
October 25, 2025
I read “Shadows Behind the Badge” with London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club, and it was one of the most powerful memoirs I’ve come across. 💔📖 Diana Fowles writes with honesty and courage, revealing the unseen emotional weight carried by those in law enforcement. Her story is raw, moving, and deeply human, a true reminder of resilience and the cost of silence.
November 13, 2025
Diana, Shadows Behind the Badge moved me deeply, your honesty and strength in sharing the realities of service and trauma struck a chord with everyone at the Warm & Cozy Online Book Club. We couldn’t stop talking about your courage, your compassion, and the raw truth behind your words. It’s a story that lingers, powerful, human, and unforgettable.
November 13, 2025
Diana, Shadows Behind the Badge left the Warm & Cozy Online Book Club completely captivated, your story opened our eyes and hearts in ways we didn’t expect. The raw emotion, the resilience, and the honesty behind your words kept us talking long after the meeting ended. It’s more than a memoir; it’s a mirror to courage and humanity.
October 21, 2025
A raw and haunting memoir of resilience and truth, Shadows Behind the Badge captivated members of London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club with its unflinching look at trauma, courage, and the hidden cost of life behind the uniform
November 12, 2025
I went into this expecting police anecdotes and came out with lessons about trauma and healing that I will carry for a long time. Reading it with the Warm & Cozy Online Book Club made the conversation so much richer
November 12, 2025
As a member of the Warm and Cozy Online Book Club, I found “Shadows Behind the Badge” a profoundly moving and courageous memoir, Diana Fowles writes with such honesty and strength that her story of trauma, resilience, and redemption stays with you long after the final page.
October 22, 2025
A heartfelt and meaningful read. I really enjoyed it and found it thought-provoking, definitely a great pick from London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club.
October 24, 2025
Behind the Badge, by Diana Fowles offers intriguing insights explored by London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club. A compelling read sparking great discussions! 🫶
October 24, 2025
It's good to have a nice read and thanks to 'London’s Friendly 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club', I could do do just that. I'm glad I read this book. Diana outdid herself here.
October 24, 2025
Amazing storytelling!!!
November 12, 2025
Diana’s honesty is breathtaking. Such a strong selection for our book club!
Read
November 12, 2025A raw and powerful memoir that captures both the courage and the cost of life behind the badge. Diana’s honesty and strength make this an unforgettable read gripping, emotional, and deeply human.
Want to read
November 12, 2025Warm and cozy online did well by having this book featured.
Definitely going to give it a read
Definitely going to give it a read
November 12, 2025
This book is very amazing
Want to read
November 12, 2025Heard about this one during our club discussion, and wow, what a premise! Definitely adding to my list.
November 13, 2025
Even when the content is heavy, the book is written with care and moral seriousness. Choosing it for the club was a wonderful way to center important conversations about trauma and care
November 13, 2025
Diana, your memoir Shadows Behind the Badge sparked such a powerful discussion at the Warm & Cozy Online Book Club, it resonated with everyone in the group, from talk of service to the cost of caring deeply. The vulnerability you share is brave and enduring, and I’m already looking forward to reading what comes next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews