Imagine a Los Angeles police captain trading her badge for a pen, spinning gritty, authentic crime tales that pull you into the heart of the LAPD—meet Connie Dial! With 27 years as a trailblazing officer, Dial crafts mystery novels that pulse with real-world policing drama, blending raw intensity with sharp storytelling. Her Mike Turner and Josie Corsino series offer a rare peek behind the precinct doors, making her a standout in crime fiction.
From busting drug dealers to commanding Hollywood’s toughest division, Dial’s life is as thrilling as her books. Her novels aren’t just stories—they’re windows into the messy, high-stakes world of law enforcement, written with an insider’s unflinching eye. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the journey of this cop-turned-author.
The Making of Connie Dial
Born with a knack for storytelling, Connie Dial started as a journalist in California’s San Gabriel Valley, snapping photos and penning stories for local papers. But in 1969, she swapped her notepad for a badge, joining the Los Angeles Police Department when women were rarely seen on patrol. Over nearly three decades, she shattered glass ceilings, working undercover, chasing narcotics, and eventually leading the Hollywood Division. Her career, marked by arrests of notorious criminals and navigating the Rodney King riots, fueled her vivid, authentic narratives.
Dial’s leap to writing came after retirement, when her experiences demanded a new outlet. With a BA in Literature and Journalism and a JD earned while busting dealers, she was primed to craft stories that felt real. Her husband, retired detective Jon Dial, and their Yorkshire terriers, Bogart and Bacall, keep her grounded in Southern California, where she writes with the same grit she brought to the streets.
Connie Dial’s Unforgettable Stories
Dial’s novels are police procedurals with a pulse, grounded in her 27 years of LAPD service. Her Mike Turner Mystery series kicks off with Internal Affairs (2009), where Detective Mike Turner hunts corrupt cops after a shocking murder rocks the department. The story’s raw look at internal politics and betrayal sets the tone for Dial’s no-nonsense style. The Broken Blue Line (2010) follows Turner’s relentless pursuit of rogue officers, weaving high-stakes action with personal turmoil.
In the Josie Corsino series, Dial introduces a fierce female captain in Fallen Angels (2012), a Kirkus Best Fiction pick. Corsino tackles a Hollywood starlet’s murder amid corruption and personal chaos, showcasing Dial’s knack for complex characters. Later works like The Snow Raven (2020) rewind to the gritty 1980s, capturing Hollywood’s dark underbelly. Dial’s writing is crisp, authentic, and layered with the politics, banter, and moral dilemmas of police life, earning praise for its realism and depth.
Her style doesn’t glamourize policing—it exposes its toll. From tense stakeouts to bureaucratic battles, Dial’s stories feel lived-in, with characters who bleed authenticity. Readers and critics, including the New York Journal of Books, laud her for capturing the “highs and lows” of cop life, making her a must-read for crime fiction fans.
Why Connie Dial Matters
Connie Dial’s impact lies in her unflinching authenticity. Her novels bridge the gap between public perception and the gritty reality of policing, offering a nuanced view of a controversial institution. As a female pioneer in the LAPD, she brings a unique lens to her stories, highlighting women’s struggles and triumphs in a male-dominated field. Her work resonates with readers who crave real-world stakes over Hollywood gloss, earning her a loyal following and critical acclaim.
Beyond her books, Dial’s legacy is her trailblazing career and advocacy for community policing, recognized by awards like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction. She’s proof that truth can be stranger—and more compelling—than fiction, inspiring aspiring writers and officers alike to tell their stories with courage.
- Key Works: Internal Affairs, The Broken Blue Line, Fallen Angels, The Snow Raven
- Career Highlight: Commanding officer of LAPD’s Hollywood Division
- Awards: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Women of Distinction
Grab Fallen Angels and plunge into Connie Dial’s gripping world of crime, corruption, and courage. Her stories don’t just entertain—they reveal the heart of a city and the cops who protect it!