It's that time of year again when we in the law enforcement family take time to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

As a 23-year veteran, May prompts me to step back, take a moment and remember specific days in my career when my fellow officers stepped in harms way to preserve justice.

One such morning occurred in the midday of February 7, 2000. It was a cold, brisk day as most February days tend to be here in Maryland when Sergeant Bruce Prothero began working his security detail at the J. Brown Jewelers store in Pikesville, MD. In just a few hours, Bruce would encounter four armed suspects robbing the store. As they fled the scene, Bruce followed behind, presumed to be making an effort to secure the tag number of the suspect vehicle. That’s when shots rang out and rounds cut through Bruce. Collapsing beneath a maple tree situated on the edge of a parking lot, fellow employees notified 911 as the suspects fled the scene.

As I sat at my desk at headquarters, a flurry of activity suddenly erupted about the various detective’s offices as news about Bruce being shot quickly circulated like a wildfire. While some detectives were making their way to the scene, others, including myself, were directed to standby at headquarters for further orders. I grabbed my radio, twisted the channel dial and tuned in to the action unfolding.

My heart sank as I heard a former academy mate screaming over the radio, requesting that the medic expedite to the scene. The shrill in her voice confirmed that she was immediately by Bruce’s side as other officers were frantically administering first aid.

Sitting at my desk, obeying my orders, I felt completely helpless.

The quickened pace over the radio shifted as Bruce was loaded into the medic and transported to Sinai Hospital. Now the attention focused on establishing the perimeter and disseminating the vague information that fellow employees had to offer.

I sat patiently, awaiting direction from a supervisor when the telephone call came into the office. As the receiver fell from my fellow detective’s hand, the news was obvious—Bruce’s end of watch had come. At first, I was stunned. Then the weight of the moment overwhelmed us all and we each sat at our desks and quietly wept.

As the minutes ebbed away, our grief slowly turned to resolution that we would all put our best foot forward to identify and apprehend the suspects who had mowed down our comrade.

In the week that followed, homicide detectives worked tirelessly around the clock, fielding the information that would subsequently lead to the arrest and conviction of the four desperate robbers.

Each year, as I sit and reflect upon the tragic loss of Sergeant Bruce Prothero and other officers lost throughout the nation, it still amazes me how their final measure of courage overshadows the loss, inspiring us to continue the pursuit for justice.

"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." -John 15:13 (NLT)

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.

 

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Why I Write 05/08/2012
 
I must admit, since becoming an author my life has become quite interesting. I’ve had the opportunity to attend a variety of functions, appear at book signings, and speak at special events. And while meeting many new people for the very first time, I find one common thread between them all—they want to know; why do I write?

I remember the very first time I was asked that question. I stumbled over my words, searching for the right phrasing that would pacify the inquisitive true crime reader who was purchasing my debut book. Honestly, I don’t recall how I answered her question, but I vividly remember thinking how she must of thought me as an idiot as she made her way back to her car after I autographed her book.

The lull in the crowd came at just the right moment as I paused to reflect on her question. Why do I write?

I first thought about those authors who write novels and wondered if there answer would all be the same; “because I like telling stories.” Then I thought of historians whose love for the facts surrounding past events have shaped and molded us into what we are today. Finally, probably because I am working through my masters, I thought of the more astute professors whose intellect has been captured into those hardback textbooks ranging from modern day sciences to ancient literature.

I can’t say that the answer walked right up to me and smacked me in the head like a two-by-four. But I can tell you that there was this guttural feeling that why I was writing was the right thing. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

The answer did finally come—softly, like a gently summer breeze refreshing me from the heat of the day. And as suspected, it was obviously right beneath my nose the entire time, I only needed to take a moment to see it.

Having worked in law enforcement for the past 23 years, I realized that my effort to right injustice and to find the truth was seeping through my creativity. It didn’t come in the form of a sketch, rendering the pictures forever etched in my mind. Nor did it come as a melody, seeking to find a rhythm tied to lyrics through a well-crafted metaphor. But it came as prose, striving to remember the names and faces of people who had been wiped off the face of the earth at the hand of their fellowman.

Why I write was became clearer.

It’s a trait instilled into me since my early childhood—doing the right thing, that is. So when I saw the need to address the issue about how we as a society have forgotten the names and faces of those swallowed up by unexplainable violence, I felt the need to do the right thing. And before I knew it, I was authoring three true crime books that surrounded a brief period in my life when I had the opportunity to serve as a homicide detective here in Maryland.

What has been most rewarding about acting out on my intuition is the rewards that I am seeing; not in my life, but others. Because my books are based on actual cases, a couple of local universities have my books as suggested reading for criminal justice students seeking to understand the rigorous life of a homicide detective and the motivation that drives them to work long, exhausting hours. I’ve also learned that family members of murdered loved ones, whose crimes remain unsolved, read my books in an effort to find investigative tips that may somehow yield that one piece of evidence needed to solve their case.

Finding why I write has not only given me a vision and determination to continue my writing, but it has also inspired so many others whose search for purpose has found resolve.

Now that I’ve shared with you a very intimate moment in my life as a writer, let me pose this one question to you.

Why do you write? 

--Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named one of 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.


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With each passing day, it seems that the ‘wheels of justice’ are churning ever so slowly as we wait to see the fate of this investigation. While it seems that recent attention focuses solely on the rallies of protesters insisting for the immediate arrest of George Zimmerman, one very important aspect of this investigation has taken backstage—Trayvon’s due process.

With the media frenzy focusing on the facts leading up to the shooting, it seems that all eyes are now focused on the officials who will decide whether George Zimmerman will be charged with this offense. Newsroom pundits have dominated the airwaves analyzing every possible facet surrounding this investigation: the 911 call, Zimmerman’s racist comments, the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law, the purported struggle, what a “reasonable man” would do under similar circimstances, and most recently, Funeral Director Richard Kurtz’s observations that Trayvon’s body lacked any indication of a confrontation.

So why has this case lost so much momentum in the judicial system? Having worked in criminal justice for 23 years now, I wanted to examine that very question.

Since the shooting, we’ve learned of State’s Attorney Wolfinger responded to the scene, spoke with investigators (in person), and rendered a decision to release Zimmerman. This all happened despite the fact that the lead detective filed an affidavit reflecting his belief that Zimmerman should be charged. We’ve also learned that Wolfinger has since asked to recuse himself and his office from the case. State’s Attorney Angela Corey is now heading up the investigation. Having a fresh set of unbiased eyes on the case is perhaps the best thing that could have happened. However, this presents one problem—the investigation must start over from square one.

As a new investigative team is set into place, you can be sure that given the heightened amount of media attention this case has drawn, the team will be examining every nuance of the investigation. And, they’ll be doing it knowing that they are being examined under society’s microscope. They’ll need to work closely with the original detectives handling the case, re-interview witnesses, and scrutinize the evidence more closely, dotting every ‘I’ and crossing every ‘T.’

What many people have forgotten is this, the moment Zimmerman’s arrest is affected the legal 180-day trial clock begins ticking and the State will be compelled to bring the case before the court before time has expired. Without a doubt, having the case passed off to a new investigative entity, there is much work needing completion. Witness statements, depositions, ballistic analysis, will all require a thorough examination. No wonder the ‘wheels of justice’ are churning slowly.

Moreover, if the State isn’t dually prepared to present a firm and solid case, they risk the chance of losing a guilty verdict. And, if you remember from your high school Constitution courses in Civics, once the double-jeopardy rule has attached and the accused has been acquitted the accused can never be charged and tried for that same crime again. Never.

It is my hope that Ms Corey and her office will administer justice as swift and as exact as possible, but not at the cost of compromising Trayvon’s case. After all, they only have but one chance to get it right.

As the spotlight now focuses on the authorities and the fate of Zimmerman, we must remember this, the Martin family, too, is hoping and praying that due process is rightly afforded, that Trayvon’s case isn’t mishandled, and that justice prevails.

If we owe our diligence to anyone, we owe it to Trayvon Martin. 

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.

 

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Just the other day I was heading to work when the local DJ started spinning a familiar Brad Paisley song: Welcome to the Future. I reached over and kicked up the volume just enough to hear the lyrics as they spilled out from my stereo speakers.

Most country songs have their way of telling a story. So it wasn’t unusual for me to let my imagination wander about the crafty lyrics as I zipped down the highway.

I specifically recall listening to the last verse of the song and thinking about the progress we have made in the racial tensions experienced throughout the past few decades. Having been an infant around the time of Martin Luther King’s assassination, I truly cannot appreciate the strides made since the 1960’s, nor can I fathom the ill effects of segregation. Regardless, as I listened to the lyrics, I tried to imagine.

“I had a friend in school,
Running back on a football team.
They burned a cross in his front yard,
For asking out the homecoming queen.
 
“I thought about him today,
And everybody who’s seen what he’s seen.
From a woman on a bus,
To a man with a dream.”

Arriving at my office, I heard about the killing of Trayvon Martin and the outrage that was rising out of the Florida and across the nation. Like most others, I Googled the newsfeeds, read the reports, and was horrified to learn how the shooter was allowed to walk away a freeman. My beliefs were shattered and I questioned if we as humanity had really made any strides in our quest for true equality.

As a detective, I was completely dismayed. With my investigative instincts kicking in, I pried a little harder and learned a little more about Florida and its governing laws.

At the center of this controversy comes the “Stand Your Ground Law” that gives citizens a rather wide range in latitude in determining whether to employ deadly force instead of retreating from the confrontation. What seemed to be a practical law turns out not to be a prudent way of administering justice.

Scratching my head, I thought back to one of my first cases I handled as a homicide detective. It was a case where the shooter hid behind the domestic laws and walked away from any criminal liability after shooting her estranged boyfriend following a late night rendezvous. You can read about it in the first few chapters of my book, Walking Among the Dead. There you’ll see how the entire case, on that very night, was presented before a State’s Attorney, who reviewed it and made a legal determination in whether or not the case should be prosecuted. In so doing, it removed the police from having excessive power and introduced an independent entity who didn’t have a biased eye.

In recalling my old case and hearing the chilling details surrounding Trayvon Martin’s death, I had to ask myself, “what really happened?”

Every good detective knows there are two sides to a story and that somewhere in the middle lies the truth. That’s when good police work becomes vitally important—important in uncovering the facts and determining ‘what really happened.’ It is incumbent for every officer to unveil the facts, seek the truth, and act on those truths to further the investigation to its uttermost end.

For me, one of the most revealing truths in Trayvon’s case is the 911 call capturing George Zimmerman’s biased comments and racial slurs. Some would argue that the words weren’t quite audible. Others will vehemently protest over his overt statements. What is important to note is that not only do these revolting utterances give us a reflection of the man within, but they, to some degree, reveal his intent. There is no doubt he was upset, fed up, and actively hunting for Trayvon Martin.

Then there is the evidence from the shooting scene. There are spent casings, no doubt, and a dead teenage boy—a bag of Skittles in one hand, a bottle of iced tea in the other. No voice to speak for him except a friend conversing with him over his cell phone in the moments leading up to his unexpected death.

Now that the smoke has cleared and the gunfire subsided, George Zimmerman has had the opportunity to shed some light on what transpired that fateful night. He’s had his opportunity to sit down with the police, describe his perspective of the scene, and give an account as to the events that led him to believe why he felt justified in killing Trayvon Martin.

As for Trayvon, he will never have such an opportunity, for dead men tell no tales and his grave will forever entomb the fear he experienced in the last moments of his life.

Through this senseless killing, I have come to realize a valuable lesson; we still have much to learn about Martin Luther King’s dream.

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.
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Its funny how something you take for granted has the potential to be something quite significant to someone else.

In fact, I would have never imagined how my set of misfortunate circumstances would one day benefit others who so desperately needed it. My career as a law enforcement officer commenced when college wasn’t an option upon graduating high school. Frankly, it wasn’t something I could afford or had the desire. I was finished with school.

With my heart set on unseen ambitions (simply to be finished with high school and get life underway), I found myself chasing after the childhood dream of being a police officer. It was a noble occupation that yielded some rewards when ‘catching the bad guy,’ or so it seemed on all of the Starsky & Hutch episodes.

My dream was soon fulfilled when I was hired by a small town police department, and two-years later made the transition into one of the largest and most prestigious agencies in the country. And in working with such an agency, the opportunities have been tremendous; first in patrol, then the precinct detective unit, and finally transferring up to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and touring through the Sex Crimes, Robbery, and Homicide units.

Like most other Americans, each day I’d drag myself out of bed, pack a lunch, head off to work and muddle through the day, looking to finish the required eight hour shift. Day after day this regiment continued, and often I’d forget about the people and experiences that helped to shape who I’ve become today. But, somehow, I found that I had taken the things that I had learned and applied it to the next day’s adventure.

Before I knew it, time had passed me by and I soon had 23 years of experience under my belt. It only seems like yesterday I left the police academy and headed out to the street. I can still remember the fear and intimidation that overwhelmed me as a rookie officer. However, time has a way changing ones perspective.

I remember the first day just as if happened yesterday and how my sergeant sat me down and told me about the facts of life in the police department.

“Kenny, you’re going to make a lot of decisions out there on the street. Some good, some bad; some right, and some wrong. And regardless of the decision you make always remember this, short of shooting someone, we can always correct the mistake. But once you draw your weapon and fire off that round, there’s no taking back the bullet and you’ll have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life.” His words were powerful and have stuck with me throughout my entire career. Living by this motto of sorts, I strove to make good decisions and to influence people in a positive way; much like my first sergeant did with me when I was fresh out on the streets.

With time comes wisdom. And as I ripened on the vine I found that the words of wisdom that I would impart opened a number of doors of opportunity. I attribute much of my success as a detective and an author to this simple principle, ‘love one another.’

Somehow, through all the good, bad and ugly, I was able to remember that the people I often dealt with were people like me, someone looking for a break and hoping that life would only offer them the best.

I’ve grown from my experiences out on the street and have imparted what I’ve learned to victims and families who have struggled to understand why a certain set of dark circumstances fell upon them. And while I’ve not always had an answer befitting of their situation, I have always tried to share with them a simple and modest word that would encourage them to lift their chin high as they keep walking through this journey of life.

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com. 

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"No, it can't be true," I thought after seeing the news blurb drift across my laptop screen. "Whitney Houston? Dead? This is probably another Twitter RIP hoax."

Clicking the bookmark to my news affiliate, the headline populated my screen, it was no hoax. Stunned, I perused the story in search of the basic facts. Though I suspected, the question begged an answer, "What happened to Whitney Houston?"

Having asked myself that question, I recalled a younger Whitney Houston, whose presence on the stage was always so elegant and graceful. The beautiful, slender vocalist, would step center stage, raise the microphone, and with a commanding presence, take you on a musical journey that could only stir the deepest of emotions. The music would start, her soft voice beginning in a slight whisper. Then, as the dynamic's of the arrangement erupt, so to does Whitney's musical talents as she sailed from one end of the spectrum to the other, displaying a dominating vocal talent untouched by any other.  

Unfortunately, in more recent years, many of us come to see a part of Whitney's life that was painfully unbearable. The ongoing domestic issues followed by the never ending drug use caused each and every one of us to reach deep down inside and root for her much as if she were a close friend or family member just trying to get through a hard time that life tends to throw our way. But, it was never meant to be. While regarded as one of the most talented vocalists in my lifetime, Whitney’s private life would be splashed across the media and tabloids for all to see.

While I've never met anyone whose private matters were such an interest to a large segment of the public, I have met many people who struggled with the same issues that plagued Whitney. When dealing with such people, I have learned a valuable lesson; 'there before the grace of God go I.' The downward spiral that Whitney experienced could have struck any one of us. And, in fact, strikes many people across this nation, week after week, resulting with the same consequences. Broken promises and lost dreams open the doors to despair, and before long, hope is lost.

The loss of Whitney Houston was devastating. There will be no more raising the curtain, walking into the spotlight, electrifying the audience, or encore calls. Though she’s gone, and a legacy has ended, Whitney will always be loved.

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named one of 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.   

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The answer to that question depends on whether or not you want to be a successful author. With today’s information world being so technologically advanced it’s imperative that not only do you have a site, but also that your site is attractive, alluring, and functional.

I don’t claim to be a website professional. In fact, my profession lies in my knack for conducting criminal investigations and writing about them in my true crime books. However, I’ve learned some things in the past few years that I’d like to share with my fellow writers that will help them steer around the common pitfalls and enable them to start practicing good social media habits—something I’ve learned the hard way.

There are slews of website hosts and entities out there that can consume little or much or your time. For me, there were several factors in deciding to choose the website service I did. Given that I am still working full time, my time is extremely valuable, so I searched for an easy web service that had a small learning curve but versatility in the features I wanted for my readers. For these simple reasons I chose www.Weebly.com as my provider.

Primarily, their basic service (which is what I use) is free. Yes, I said “free.” Also, the Weebly Editor that enables you to design your site, is simple and straight forward; you simply pick a design and ‘drag and drop’ the features down into the page you’re designing. And so you ask, “What website features do I need as an author?”

One of the main things you need to remember is that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Neither will your website. Understanding this premise is important in developing a professional looking website. With Weebly, I created three basic pages to start the website: home, author, and contact. I elected to put a welcome message on my home page as I had not really established myself as an author. Under the author page I wrote a simple bio and included a headshot picture. The contact page merely displayed my email, facebook, and twitter names with links that would allow the user to begin following me.

As you can see these features make for a meager website. But one of the strong points about Weebly was the “hide page” feature they have under the “manage page” section where you design your page. This allowed me to test the waters with certain features and see how they worked BEFORE publishing them live on my website. Through this feature, I was able to add features to my website and when they were finished and ready to publish I removed the “hide page” and reveal the latest addition to the website.

As your grow this child, there are some important aspects that I’ve learned and implemented into my web design. First, you must (and I emphasis ‘must’) have a blog on your website. AND, that blog must be active. A stagnant blog is certain death. And as a former homicide detective, I can assure you that the mortality rate is still a strong 100%. Second, on your home page, you’ll want an element that will allow the user to sign up for your email listing. I currently use “Find out when Ken’s next book is being released” and provide a place for them to give me a first name, last name, and email address. The information comes to me in the administrative area and I simply copy and past the new user into my email. Third, if you’re selling books, like I do, you’ll want something similar to the Amazon widget that I have on each and every page of your website. This puts the reader literally one click away from buying one of your books. Furthermore, if someone stumbles on your blog and likes your writing, they may be inclined to buy one of your books. Finally, you’ll want a media page, pressroom, or both. Because I self-produce my own book trailers and other media files, I decided to separate the two. My media area carries my YouTube files while the pressroom lists dates and quick news blurbs about events happening with my writing.

Your website is key to your mission as a writer. It needs to become the central hub to which everything else points. Your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media outlets all need to point back to your website so that traffic is funneled to a place where the user may become more inclined to buy one of your products.

I plan to write more about this topic, along with many other topics, as it pertains to marketing yourself as a writer in cyberspace. In the meantime, go ahead and check out my website—after all, you’re already here!


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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.

 


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Even after 23 years of experience in law enforcement, I am sometimes astonished, if not amazed, at the headlines I peruse each day. As I sit back and read the accounts of some of the most stupid, idiotic, and even heinous crimes that humanity inflicts upon one another, I sometimes wonder, What would Wyatt Earp think?

Wyatt Earp became legendary in an era where life was wholesome and the bad guys were easier to pick out. His role in the 30-second gunfight where he killed three members of The Cowboys at the O.K. Corral, forever defined Wyatt Earp’s reputation. He will always be remembered as one of the toughest and deadliest lawmen from the Old West.

Can you imagine Wyatt Earp, with his Old West, ‘no nonsense’ attitude in today’s world? Just this past year, the Casey Anthony trial left thousands astonished at the verdict in spite of the evidence presented. How would Wyatt have handled that one out on the range? Then, just about the time Casey was packing up her belongings and heading home to hide in seclusion, Dr. Conrad Murray’s trial ramped up. Time seemed to pass quickly and he was found guilty of the manslaughter charges for his actions, or lack thereof, in overseeing the administration of Propofol to the King of Pop. That one would have probably had Wyatt scratching his head. Then, more close to home, there was the tragic story of Phylicia Barnes. A young, beautiful teenager, she traveled up from North Carolina to visit her relatives in Baltimore, Maryland over the Christmas holiday. Within days of arriving, she disappeared, only to have her body discovered some months later, adrift at the Conowingo Dam. Something tells me that Wyatt would have pursued her killers to the ends of the earth.

Wyatt Earp had a passion shared by most police officers today; a passion for truth and justice, to see wrong made right—characteristics that defined Wyatt Earp. These same character traits define most homicide detectives today; a stout heart and a steadfast mind—not to mention the ability to cast off their fears and confront adversity head on.

Perhaps this is why I enjoy writing about my profession as a detective. No, I haven’t rounded up a posse to hit the Great Plains in search of outlaws, nor have I slung lead in a small corral, but I have kicked in more than my fair share of doors, seeking truth when many people have fought desperately to cover its trail.

The mere mention of Wyatt’s name brings an immense amount of respect to the lawman and his career—something that I think many officers strive to develop in their career. I also believe, that if Wyatt Earp were alive, confronting the crimes we face today, he would probably say, “Tell ‘em I’m coming back… and I’m bringing hell with me!”

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.
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Turning the Page 01/13/2012
 
Turning the Page

I've heard it said that living life is much like reading a good novel—you nestle into a comfortable chair, crack open the cover, and enjoy the adventure. But while life doesn’t always come with the luxury and comfort from a cozy chair, you do get a feeling of the author’s writing style after a few chapters. Then, before you know it, you’re able to sense when a chapter is about to end and a new one start. As for me and my life’s adventure, I am sensing that I am nearing the end of a chapter and will be soon turning the page.

With the dust settling from the holidays and New Year’s finally arriving, I took a moment to look back and reflected upon 2011. There were certainly some peaks and valleys as I gazed back at the mountainous region I just traveled. The release of Walking Among the Dead: True Stories of a Homicide Detective took off with a great deal of success. Nine months after its release, and signing on with Red Willow Digital Press, I am on the eve of releasing my second book, Standing in Death’s Shadow: More True Stories from a Homicide Detective. And while the book signings and meeting prominent people in the industry have been exciting, so also has the writing of my third book, Death Comes Uninvited: The Final Pages of a Homicide Detective’s Notebook. Perhaps this year will not only see this book published, but will also see the beginning of my writing in a crime novel series.

With the momentum that I’ve built using social media, it seems that I’ve become the resident expert to my local writer’s group and other entrepreneurs that I am friends with. With 2012 being a year of new beginnings, I will be venturing out to begin sharing my marketing strategies with other writers through a variety of means. Some of which will include this blog, speaking engagements, and yes, a self-published ebook. Having the opportunity to read a variety of books on social marketing, I have found that many are void of valuable information and lack fundamental principles in marketing.

This past year also brought me an opportunity where I see a potential to make a positive impact for families of homicide victims. I had the occasion to speak to the Elkton chapter of Parents of Murdered Children. The night was as profound for me as it was for them as I learned about families who are struggling with authorities in bringing their loved-ones murder investigation to a successful conclusion. From that one meeting spawned a few relationships that have given birth to a new idea. Is there a way I could educate families of murder victims how to ensure that their loved-one’s investigation is of a good quality and that the truth and justice is truly being sought? The answer came by way of an idea to produce an online video series featuring such stories. One Detective will highlight cases in which family members of murdered victims have uncovered vital information in their family member’s investigation. In fact, production for the first episode is already underway.

2012 is finally here. And with the ringing in of the new year comes the anticipation of what the year holds for me as an author. While releasing my first book, signing on with Red Willow Digital Press, and being recognized as one of the “50 Great Writer’s You Should Be Reading,” I am finding it hard to imagine what lies ahead in my book. But as I turn the page and unveil the twists and turns in this adventure, I am so grateful that I have fans like you along for this journey.


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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com. 
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In the wee small hours of the morning the aroma of the roasting turkey lingered down the hallway into my bedroom and announced that Christmas morning had finally arrived.

Even at the age of seventeen Christmas, for me, possessed a magical aura that captivated a child-like heart—this Christmas would be no different. All of the preparations were made, the house decorated, and the tree placed prominently in front of the picture window waiting to be adorned with gifts.

As I lay in bed dreaming of what treasures I might find under the artificial branches, temptation finally dominated my curiosity, and I flung back the covers to take a quick peek.

Wiping my bleary eyes, I could see the red neon numbers of the digital clock proclaimed the time of 5:30 a.m. I stood quietly, so as not to cause any of the creaky floor joists to announce my movement. Heel to toe I ambled down the hallway, cautiously pausing as I reached the doorway to the living room. There was no need to turn on any lights to see that a great bounty of loot deposited around the tree. Carefully examining the patterns of the wrapping paper from my perch across the room, I strained to make out the shapes and sizes of the gifts.

That looks like it could be a Cabbage Patch doll—my sister will love that. And that one looks like it could be big enough for the boom-box my brother was hoping for; I hope it has the built-in cassette player. Systematically, my gaze perused the variations. That’s when I saw it, the distinct curves beneath a green tablecloth draped over the package, a red bow resting atop.

No way. I can’t believe they got me that.

The small straight incline that rose to a small curve and was followed by a larger curve made the gift, and its intended recipient, all too obvious. Only one question remained: What kind of guitar did they get me?

I stepped closer for a better look, making a better analysis of my assessment. As I loomed over the package, I confirmed my suspicions, and carefully considered its width and height. I quickly deducting that it was either a Gretsch electric guitar or a dreadnought acoustic guitar. It had to be. It was way too thick to be a strat or telecaster.

The wait was unbearable. My parents and siblings would wander out to the living room in due time, and begin opening presents long before dawn. And as expected, the gift I had sized up would be the last gift my parents would allow me to open.

Considering my father’s meager salary at the auto factory, it didn’t surprise me to find an off name brand acoustic guitar within a modest cardboard form case specially made for the wooden instrument. Nonetheless, it played like a dream and my fingers were worn raw by the end of Christmas day.

In the days, months, and years to come, I would pick and strum on that guitar through many musical ventures. There was the guitar class during my senior year in high school, the blue grass group I played in at my local church for a year or two, and the country music tunes I played during the Sunday afternoon family gatherings.

It wasn’t until recently that I had put the guitar back in its case and stored it in the corner of a dark closet. My need for it had diminished. I found that with my level of playing and the venues I was playing, I needed a more professional guitar.

So there in the forgotten closest, sat the most incredible Christmas gift I had ever received. The strings frayed, beginning to rust.

As seasons changed, so did my life, and before I knew it my son had grown to be a young teenage boy who sought new adventures in his life. He had admired watching me play as a young boy and recently expressed an interest in learning how to play the guitar. So, I reached into that darkened closet, blew off the dust, polished the wood, and restrung my favorite gift.

You should have seen his eyes when he saw that familiar contour shape, draped in a tablecloth, beneath the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas.

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Ken Lang is a former homicide detective and an award-winning author of several true crime books, including Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective. In 2011 he was named on of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” by The Author’s Show. He resides in North East, Maryland with his wife and three children. To learn more about his true crime books and upcoming crime novels visit his website at www.kenlangstudios.com.
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