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FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual for Armchair Detectives
This manual debunks FBI myths and misconceptions for those who read, watch, and write crime dramas about the FBI or want to become an FBI Special Agent. Like most people, you've probably learned about the FBI from popular culture-reading books and watching TV shows and movies, along with, of course, the news. You might be surprised to learn that a lot of what you've been reading and watching is inaccurate.
Written by retired Special Agent, crime novelist, and true crime podcaster, Jerri Williams , FBI Myths and A Manual for Armchair Detectives debunks twenty clichés and misconceptions about the FBI, by presenting educational reality checks about FBI procedures supported by excerpts from the FBI website, quotes from retired agents, and reviews of popular films and fiction featuring FBI agent characters. This informative and fun manual will help It’s an excellent FBI reference book and FBI career guide.
Written by retired Special Agent, crime novelist, and true crime podcaster, Jerri Williams , FBI Myths and A Manual for Armchair Detectives debunks twenty clichés and misconceptions about the FBI, by presenting educational reality checks about FBI procedures supported by excerpts from the FBI website, quotes from retired agents, and reviews of popular films and fiction featuring FBI agent characters. This informative and fun manual will help It’s an excellent FBI reference book and FBI career guide.
292 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2019
47 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Jerri Williams
3 books53 followersJerri Williams served 26 years as a Special Agent with the FBI. She often jokes that she is currently reliving her glory days by writing crime fiction full-time. Her debut novel – Pay to Play – features a female FBI agent investigating corruption in the Philadelphia strip club industry.
During her FBI career, Jerri specialized in cases targeting major economic crime and corruption. Jerri’s investigation of a $350 million Ponzi scheme perpetrated against unsuspecting nonprofit organizations, high profiled philanthropists and beneficiary donors resulted in a 12 year prison sentence and multiple forfeitures; the case she conducted on an international advance fee scam resulted in a 14 year prison sentence and the forfeiture of the subject’s residence; and her major investigation of business to business telemarketing fraud, which included a long-term undercover operation, resulted in 16 search warrants, 25 convictions and numerous multi-year prison terms. Jerri received numerous awards throughout her career including three United States Attorney Awards for Distinguished Service for her work on the cases noted. Being interviewed and appearing on the CNBC TV show American Greed was a highlight of Jerri’s career.
Toward the end of her federal law enforcement career, Jerri was appointed as the spokesperson for the Philadelphia Division of the FBI, taking on the responsibility of educating and informing the media and public about the Bureau. Post FBI retirement, Jerri served as the spokesperson and Director of Media Relations for SEPTA, Philadelphia’s public transportation provider.
Jerri's encounters with scams and schemers and her numerous media affiliations provide a broad platform from which she crafts and promotes her writing projects. She is also using her professional communication experience to host and produce a popular podcast—FBI Retired Case File Review—where she interviews retired FBI agents about their careers and high-profiled cases.
“During most of my Bureau career I worked major economic fraud investigations and was amazed at the schemes con-artist and corrupt corporate and public officials would devise to steal other people’s money. I’ve also had the opportunity to work bank robberies and drug investigations. The one thing I know for sure is… With a gun you can steal hundreds. With a pen you can steal millions.”
Jerri Williams
During her FBI career, Jerri specialized in cases targeting major economic crime and corruption. Jerri’s investigation of a $350 million Ponzi scheme perpetrated against unsuspecting nonprofit organizations, high profiled philanthropists and beneficiary donors resulted in a 12 year prison sentence and multiple forfeitures; the case she conducted on an international advance fee scam resulted in a 14 year prison sentence and the forfeiture of the subject’s residence; and her major investigation of business to business telemarketing fraud, which included a long-term undercover operation, resulted in 16 search warrants, 25 convictions and numerous multi-year prison terms. Jerri received numerous awards throughout her career including three United States Attorney Awards for Distinguished Service for her work on the cases noted. Being interviewed and appearing on the CNBC TV show American Greed was a highlight of Jerri’s career.
Toward the end of her federal law enforcement career, Jerri was appointed as the spokesperson for the Philadelphia Division of the FBI, taking on the responsibility of educating and informing the media and public about the Bureau. Post FBI retirement, Jerri served as the spokesperson and Director of Media Relations for SEPTA, Philadelphia’s public transportation provider.
Jerri's encounters with scams and schemers and her numerous media affiliations provide a broad platform from which she crafts and promotes her writing projects. She is also using her professional communication experience to host and produce a popular podcast—FBI Retired Case File Review—where she interviews retired FBI agents about their careers and high-profiled cases.
“During most of my Bureau career I worked major economic fraud investigations and was amazed at the schemes con-artist and corrupt corporate and public officials would devise to steal other people’s money. I’ve also had the opportunity to work bank robberies and drug investigations. The one thing I know for sure is… With a gun you can steal hundreds. With a pen you can steal millions.”
Jerri Williams
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 3, 2019
The author characterizes this book as a reference book, "A Manual for Armchair Detectives," and it is that, but it is much more. It's also a fun, entertaining read. Williams is both a retired FBI Special Agent and a crime novelist. She understands the need to tell a good story or make a good movie and the resulting necessity of condensing, conflating, and exaggerating. She also shares a certain dismay with me and other FBI retirees over the gross inaccuracies that crop up in the entertainment world about the FBI. One of the reasons I wrote my crime novels was to correct some of those misconceptions, but I admit to falling prey to some of the same cliches and shortcuts that a good narrative requires.
What Williams has done that makes this book work so well is to include specific examples from the movies and television to illustrate her points. Then she shares the real life story as told by guests on her podcast, and lastly she provides a cracking good review of the show. She not only writes great reviews, and includes whether she enjoyed the movie, but then she applies her own rating scale as to how accurate it is. She throws her shoes at the worst offenders, so we hear a lot about her footwear. I got a kick out of that, no pun intended.
The bottom line is that she educates as what is false and what is true, but also refrains from criticizing or ranting. She's not trying to spoil our fun. I do hope this book helps to prevent a few people from falling prey to the CSI effect.
What Williams has done that makes this book work so well is to include specific examples from the movies and television to illustrate her points. Then she shares the real life story as told by guests on her podcast, and lastly she provides a cracking good review of the show. She not only writes great reviews, and includes whether she enjoyed the movie, but then she applies her own rating scale as to how accurate it is. She throws her shoes at the worst offenders, so we hear a lot about her footwear. I got a kick out of that, no pun intended.
The bottom line is that she educates as what is false and what is true, but also refrains from criticizing or ranting. She's not trying to spoil our fun. I do hope this book helps to prevent a few people from falling prey to the CSI effect.
July 28, 2020
I normally don’t know how to evaluate non-fiction because how do you tear apart real events. Well this novel not only corrects how real FBI agents behave it’s a fun and entertaining read. Its not dray and just the facts its real as if you are talking to a real FBI agent (I know an agent wrote) but the writing is personable. You don’t feel you are being corrected with a ruler but instead the reading draws you in and explains how the FBI actually operates and uses plenty of positive and negative films as examples. It’s a great jumping off point to get an FBI character accurate and still tell a compelling story. The author provides plenty of FBI research to further research if that is required or you can just read the book and know how some films get it wrong. Anyone who loves crime dramas will get a kick out how wrong sometimes Hollywood gets it.
June 24, 2019
This book is a fantastic resource for writers, readers, movie-watchers, and anyone interested in the FBI in general. The author has generated a list of 20 myths and misconceptions about the FBI and then presents factual and anecdotal support for the reality behind those beliefs. One of the best things about this book is that the author combines resources from fbi.gov, stories from agents who have been on her podcast, stories from her own FBI career, and books and movies to illustrate the points she is making in each chapter. This is the kind of book you want to buy and stash near the TV remote, so if you're watching a TV show or movie and want to know if that's realistic, you can flip to the corresponding page and check it out. A must have for the FBI enthusiast in your life.
August 13, 2021
A fluff PR piece by a former FBI agent who is a self professed PR junkie. It’s light infotainment that offers surface levels gripes of how the FBI is portrayed in pop culture and really only lightly touches on the insane past involving a certain authoritarian paranoid nut job who lead the FBI for 40 odd years whilst trying to say it wasn’t that bad. You can give this piece of propaganda a miss.
June 29, 2023
This review was originally published on https://cassandrastinger.com
Have ever wondered what it’s really like to be an FBI agent? Do read a lot of crime fiction or watch shows like FBI obsessively and wonder how real it is?
Well in FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual For Armchair Detectives retired FBI agent Jerri Williams breaks down the facts and fiction about the FBI.
Overview
In each chapter Williams breaks down one myth or misconception and explains how things really work within the FBI.
These inaccuracies range from FBI profilers hunting serial killers to the kinds of people the FBI hires, to when agents are allowed to wiretap and record conversations.
She speaks not only from her own experiences, but she also uses excerpts from her podcast FBI Retired Case File Review and from the FBI website to help further dive into each topic.
At the end of each chapter, she also does a short review of a book, movie, or TV show about or featuring the the FBI. These include popular TV shows such as White Collar and Quantico, and movies such as Catch Me If You Can and Miss Congeniality.
My Thoughts
I bought this book after watching a video featuring Williams where she discussed how real FBI scenes in TV and movies were. When she mentioned that she was an author and that she wrote a book about how the really works, I immediately decided to read it.
I started reading Myth and Misconceptions the day it came in the mail and I was not disappointed. Williams writes with such an honest and confident style that still feels conversational and warm.
She broke down each topic in such a way that even if you have no knowledge of law enforcement, it was still understandable.
Williams devised her own unique rating method for her TV and movie ratings that she uses in each chapter involving her shoes. For example, if the story is accurate, she will say her shoes stayed on her feet with laces tightened. This was a clever and unique way to convey her thoughts that gave the book an extra dose of spunk.
Final Thoughts And Rating
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The insights in Myths and Misconceptions are so helpful to me as writer whose current WIP is a crime thriller. Already, I’ve been able to adjust my plot to make it more accurate.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about what the FBI does or wants to write about them.
Have ever wondered what it’s really like to be an FBI agent? Do read a lot of crime fiction or watch shows like FBI obsessively and wonder how real it is?
Well in FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual For Armchair Detectives retired FBI agent Jerri Williams breaks down the facts and fiction about the FBI.
Overview
In each chapter Williams breaks down one myth or misconception and explains how things really work within the FBI.
These inaccuracies range from FBI profilers hunting serial killers to the kinds of people the FBI hires, to when agents are allowed to wiretap and record conversations.
She speaks not only from her own experiences, but she also uses excerpts from her podcast FBI Retired Case File Review and from the FBI website to help further dive into each topic.
At the end of each chapter, she also does a short review of a book, movie, or TV show about or featuring the the FBI. These include popular TV shows such as White Collar and Quantico, and movies such as Catch Me If You Can and Miss Congeniality.
My Thoughts
I bought this book after watching a video featuring Williams where she discussed how real FBI scenes in TV and movies were. When she mentioned that she was an author and that she wrote a book about how the really works, I immediately decided to read it.
I started reading Myth and Misconceptions the day it came in the mail and I was not disappointed. Williams writes with such an honest and confident style that still feels conversational and warm.
She broke down each topic in such a way that even if you have no knowledge of law enforcement, it was still understandable.
Williams devised her own unique rating method for her TV and movie ratings that she uses in each chapter involving her shoes. For example, if the story is accurate, she will say her shoes stayed on her feet with laces tightened. This was a clever and unique way to convey her thoughts that gave the book an extra dose of spunk.
Final Thoughts And Rating
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The insights in Myths and Misconceptions are so helpful to me as writer whose current WIP is a crime thriller. Already, I’ve been able to adjust my plot to make it more accurate.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about what the FBI does or wants to write about them.
March 24, 2024
I've always been a sucker for YouTube videos and books by experts comparing movies and books to the real thing. It helps to make me a better writer knowing that the good cop/bad cop in interview rooms is just nonsense. It might make for cathartic moments or good drama but it's drivel. Knowing the right procedure, protocol, equipment, weaponry is essential to creating a believable story and so when I stumbled across this book I bought it.
I wasn't disappointed, it does what it says on the tin or in this case book cover. Jerri Williams is a retired FBI agent turned crime writer and FBI podcaster, where she interviews other retired agents and asks them about their cases. I've already subscribed to her YouTube channel.
The book covers twenty myths, such as 'Most FBI agents are white males and female agents are single,' The FBI doesn't play well with others,' Agents use intimidation and threats during interrogations,' and the classic, 'It's common for FBI agents to be in gun battles.'
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to read the book and find out the real answer and after she's answered the question she then 'interviews' an agent who has been involved in cases where this question came up. She also looks at popular tv shows and movies and points out where they went wrong and gives them a grading.
For this writer, who's current work in progress has a detective from Scotland working with the FBI in NYC this book is an invaluable resource and will be staying on my bookshelf after I finish my book in case I need to check something for new book or after watching a movie.
I'd give it five out of five.
I wasn't disappointed, it does what it says on the tin or in this case book cover. Jerri Williams is a retired FBI agent turned crime writer and FBI podcaster, where she interviews other retired agents and asks them about their cases. I've already subscribed to her YouTube channel.
The book covers twenty myths, such as 'Most FBI agents are white males and female agents are single,' The FBI doesn't play well with others,' Agents use intimidation and threats during interrogations,' and the classic, 'It's common for FBI agents to be in gun battles.'
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to read the book and find out the real answer and after she's answered the question she then 'interviews' an agent who has been involved in cases where this question came up. She also looks at popular tv shows and movies and points out where they went wrong and gives them a grading.
For this writer, who's current work in progress has a detective from Scotland working with the FBI in NYC this book is an invaluable resource and will be staying on my bookshelf after I finish my book in case I need to check something for new book or after watching a movie.
I'd give it five out of five.
October 15, 2021
This is a definite read for anyone wanting to know a bit more about the FBI and how it is often portrayed incorrectly by the media. Written by a former FBI Special Agent, it gives a lot of insights into just what it means to be a Special Agent.
I will probably continue to chuckle over Jerri's rating scale for various movies and television shows that center on the FBI. She remarks early in the book that sometimes the egregious errors seen in different programs makes her want to throw a shoe at the screen. The reader thus finds her scale to be: I kept on my shoes with laces tightly tied, I kept on my shoes but loosened the laces just in case, and my favorite rating: has anyone seen my shoe?
I must admit, I found it somewhat reassuring as a suspense author to note that her rating of Criminal Minds matched mine exactly. I, too, am looking for my shoe.
I also roared when she recalls an interview with Debra LaPrevotte about watching fictional agents entering a darkened crime scene with a flashlight—this after the crime scene is no longer "active" as it were. The perpetrator is gone, you're just looking for evidence, but you don't turn on the light? Special Agent Williams, you must have heard me screaming the phrase "Why don't you just turn on the light?" all the way from my home in El Paso, TX to yours in PA.
All I can say is "very well done!" I loved it, beginning to end.
I will probably continue to chuckle over Jerri's rating scale for various movies and television shows that center on the FBI. She remarks early in the book that sometimes the egregious errors seen in different programs makes her want to throw a shoe at the screen. The reader thus finds her scale to be: I kept on my shoes with laces tightly tied, I kept on my shoes but loosened the laces just in case, and my favorite rating: has anyone seen my shoe?
I must admit, I found it somewhat reassuring as a suspense author to note that her rating of Criminal Minds matched mine exactly. I, too, am looking for my shoe.
I also roared when she recalls an interview with Debra LaPrevotte about watching fictional agents entering a darkened crime scene with a flashlight—this after the crime scene is no longer "active" as it were. The perpetrator is gone, you're just looking for evidence, but you don't turn on the light? Special Agent Williams, you must have heard me screaming the phrase "Why don't you just turn on the light?" all the way from my home in El Paso, TX to yours in PA.
All I can say is "very well done!" I loved it, beginning to end.
November 29, 2020
I listen first and faithfully to Jerri Williams's super podcast, FBI RETIRED CASE FILE REVIEW. Jerri Williams is a well-respected retired fbi agent. She interviews other retired agents (and some in related areas of expertise) about the realities of the FBI, their devotion to the FBI and its accomplishments, many unrecognized by the public at large and especially the detail in the cases they've worked.
Jerri Williams is a hero and seems to be a super nice person. She has over 200 episodes of 60-80 min each and I worry I'll run out of her episodes or she'll stop podcasting. It's crazy of me but it is what it is. I bought her book as a show of support and if you like the podcast you'll appreciate the book.
Thanks Jerri.
Jerri Williams is a hero and seems to be a super nice person. She has over 200 episodes of 60-80 min each and I worry I'll run out of her episodes or she'll stop podcasting. It's crazy of me but it is what it is. I bought her book as a show of support and if you like the podcast you'll appreciate the book.
Thanks Jerri.
July 9, 2022
It's a light read, topics are changed before they have a chance to get boring for better and for worse. Seems to interpret the FBI incredibly generously at times; while bias is certainly expected it borders on a lack of self awareness.
At it's best, you learn a lot of interesting things on the culture and function of the FBI, with the author's personal touch and charisma shining through; at its worst the things it brings up are obvious and a bit boring to see the millionth explanation that CSI is unrealistic (I suppose comes with the territory of this book so hard to fault the author here)
She intersperses with various media reviews, the reviews are good for being aware of some things to watch or read; but reviews are too brief to really understand her perspective
At it's best, you learn a lot of interesting things on the culture and function of the FBI, with the author's personal touch and charisma shining through; at its worst the things it brings up are obvious and a bit boring to see the millionth explanation that CSI is unrealistic (I suppose comes with the territory of this book so hard to fault the author here)
She intersperses with various media reviews, the reviews are good for being aware of some things to watch or read; but reviews are too brief to really understand her perspective
March 10, 2020
I'm currently doing research for an upcoming book where my heroine is with the FBI. I love this book as it spells out many of the myths, and I'm excited to listen to Jerri Williams podcasts with retired FBI agents. For an author doing research, this is a great resource. Anyone who loves shows like Criminal Minds will find this book fascinating. It's so interesting to read what Hollywood gets wrong, and some of the reasons why they get it wrong. Highly recommend.
June 8, 2022
This book is great fun. A good debunking of myths propagated by films and TV about the FBI. I liked the author Jerri Williams’ irreverent style when dealing with shows that were not realistic about the FBI. She writes,”My shoes are off.” The reader learns about a great deal about the Bureau as it is. One is enlightened about the gap between the portrayals and the reality. Definitely worth reading.
July 27, 2022
As someone who likes to know how things really happen, I greatly enjoyed this book. Jerri's podcast, as well as her book, breaks down all the myths of FBI investigations. I also appreciated her movie/tv reviews & her rating system (shoes: on/off, & in-between).
This is a greatly resource for those who write fictional crime or it is just a fascinating read for those who appreciate non-fiction.
Personal rating: 7.7/10.
This is a greatly resource for those who write fictional crime or it is just a fascinating read for those who appreciate non-fiction.
Personal rating: 7.7/10.
November 25, 2022
This should have been a fascinating read. The differences between how the FBI is portrayed in popular fiction versus how things really work. Despite being a retired FBI agent, the author did not do her subject justice. This could be the most boring book I have ever finished. I don't see how it is possible that she successfully published crime fiction. I saw her on TV for something and this book piqued my interest, but I was sorely disappointed.
December 31, 2022
I loved Jerri Williams' voice in this resource manual about the FBI. She delves into myths and misconceptions about the job and the agents. I appreciate her forthright information, examples, stories, and background as a retired FBI special agent. This is another resource that will be insightful if wanting to learn more about the Bureau itself or as a handy reference when trying to write authentic and well-rounded characters. Totally recommend!
April 12, 2020
FBI & Author is a Winning Combination
I learned so much from this book. I appreciated the author’s expertise from her time in the FBI, and I benefitted from her experience as a storyteller. She shows authors how to stay true to real-life FBI practices without bogging down their stories. Thanks!
I learned so much from this book. I appreciated the author’s expertise from her time in the FBI, and I benefitted from her experience as a storyteller. She shows authors how to stay true to real-life FBI practices without bogging down their stories. Thanks!
February 7, 2021
Great insights
I liked the insights and debunking of myths, but I sometimes felt there was too much praise. Every organization and the humans running make mistakes and it would have been nice to admit to them. But still, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
I liked the insights and debunking of myths, but I sometimes felt there was too much praise. Every organization and the humans running make mistakes and it would have been nice to admit to them. But still, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
July 28, 2021
I was in the mood for learning.
I learned.
I do not approve of her review methodology of media. I did not really understand what her shoes had to do with anything there, but otherwise a great book with great information.
I learned.
I do not approve of her review methodology of media. I did not really understand what her shoes had to do with anything there, but otherwise a great book with great information.
September 15, 2022
As an author, I found this incredibly helpful! This author knows her subject matter. She is engaging, makes the topic applicable and does so without talking down to her audience. I really appreciated her approach and the content.
January 30, 2023
Many of us assume what we see in the media is factual, accurate and trustworthy. Williams reveals all the tricks of the trade when the FBI is featured. Some shows, films & books get it right but many do not and its good to understand the integrity, dedication and professionalism of the FBI.
July 22, 2020
This is an awesome resource for authors and screenwriters and anyone who watches a lot of tv. Highly recommend!!
October 20, 2020
Great book! Lived up to my expectations. I look forward to reading other books by Jerri Williams.
September 29, 2021
It is about as interesting as the front cover looks. Boring. Reads like an FBI manual dry, dry, dry. I couldn't take it after a couple of chapters. Read ahead and didn't change.
February 11, 2024
Really enjoyed this guide, I hope they make more!
April 12, 2025
Her total faith in her fellow FBI folks is equally adorable and disturbing. Rest assured, Dear Reader, that our FBI always does things by the book.
February 16, 2020
Williams provides an excellent introduction to people in how the FBI is represented in movies and TV shows. It is refreshing that Williams is not a purist and, being a novelist herself, provides some allowance for the dramatic and storytelling liberties that authors and producers invariably take. For example, we get a good understanding that many TV and movie characters do the functions of multiple teams or represent the accomplishments of multiple individuals. After reading this book, the reader should be able to tell which movies and TV shows did a good job capturing the spirit and nature of the FBI, and which are drifting into fantasy.
July 5, 2019
Enjoy watching television shows and movies about and including the FBI like Quantico, The Americans, The Informant, Wolf of Wall Street?Ever wonder how accurately the agency is portrayed? You can find out in Jerri Williams new book, FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual for Armchair Detectives.
Jerri is a retired FBI agent who spent 26 years with the bureau primarily focusing on financial crime and corruption in the Philadelphia area.
She is now the host of the podcast FBI Retired Case File Review, where she interviews other retired agents about their most interesting cases. Some are high profile cases you think you know and others you’ll probably hear about for the first time.
FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual for Armchair Detectives could be just the resource you’re looking for to pen your next detective novel, or maybe you’ll just tuck it under the remote for reference the next time you wonder if that’s really what goes down. Or who knows? You may find yourself checking out the list of requirements to become an agent and plotting your next career move.
Whatever you need to know about the bureau, you’re likely to find it here in this thorough and engaging account with plenty of information and a little humor.
This review is based on a complementary advanced reader copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jerri is a retired FBI agent who spent 26 years with the bureau primarily focusing on financial crime and corruption in the Philadelphia area.
She is now the host of the podcast FBI Retired Case File Review, where she interviews other retired agents about their most interesting cases. Some are high profile cases you think you know and others you’ll probably hear about for the first time.
FBI Myths and Misconceptions: A Manual for Armchair Detectives could be just the resource you’re looking for to pen your next detective novel, or maybe you’ll just tuck it under the remote for reference the next time you wonder if that’s really what goes down. Or who knows? You may find yourself checking out the list of requirements to become an agent and plotting your next career move.
Whatever you need to know about the bureau, you’re likely to find it here in this thorough and engaging account with plenty of information and a little humor.
This review is based on a complementary advanced reader copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2019
This was written by a former FBI agent who has a podcast called FBI Retired Case File Review (which I listen to). I have gained a lot of respect for her and the agents she interviews - they all appear to be very candid, caring, fair, and dedicated people. This book has excellent information, and is sorely needed in these years of divisions, hyperbole, and rumours. I gave the book 4 stars because there are a few places where I wish Jerri had provided more details, and occasionally I found the writing confusing (NB I have the audiobook). Other than that, I think this is an important book to read.
June 27, 2019
I read an advance copy of this book, and loved it! I'm a big fan of the author's podcast reviewing FBI agents, and in this book she was able to work some of the most fascinating cases from the show in with her own experience (26 years at the bureau) to get at the truth of being an FBI agent. I particularly enjoyed her reviews of books, TV shows, and movies that feature the FBI, as well as her discussion of how media representation of the FBI has impacted the ability of agents to interface with the public and other law enforcement arms. A must read for FBI fans.
October 28, 2020
An excellent primer for fiction writers on what NOT to write about the FBI in your crime or thriller novels. Clear organization, good explanations, sufficient detail, and real-world examples culled from the author's podcast interviews with retired FBI employees. I'll keep this handy as a reference whenever I write stories that include interactions with the FBI.
July 18, 2024
Excellent book and I’ve been screenwriting for 20 years
I’ve been a screenwriter for 20 years and one of my early scripts was about a Black female FBI agent. I actually contacted the FBI for some stats back then and they responded!
This book would have been an exceptional resource back then and I’m glad to have it now. An abundance of great misconceptions, many I held myself.
I’ve been a screenwriter for 20 years and one of my early scripts was about a Black female FBI agent. I actually contacted the FBI for some stats back then and they responded!
This book would have been an exceptional resource back then and I’m glad to have it now. An abundance of great misconceptions, many I held myself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews