FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions
About the books, the author, and where to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read the books in order?
No. Each book stands on its own. They share a setting (Lake County, Illinois, just outside Chicago) and a few threads, but you can start wherever you want.
Are your books a series or standalones?
Think of them as standalones in the same world. You will spot some connective tissue, but you will never feel lost if you pick one up first.
What kind of books do you write?
I write legal and crime thrillers with a psychological edge: cases that tighten, choices that get ugly, and characters who do not always do the right thing, even when they know what it costs.
Where should I start: The Dead Bell or Risk Management?
Here is the easiest way to choose:
- Start with The Dead Bell if you want a homicide investigation with a detective working the case as the pressure keeps rising.
- Start with Risk Management if you want a disbarred attorney pulled into federal heat, a money motive, and a “how do I get out of this alive?” spiral.
What is The Dead Bell about?
A Major Crimes detective catches a brutal homicide in affluent Lake Forest. The deeper he digs, the more the case fights back, and the more his own damage starts showing through.
What is Risk Management about?
A former defense attorney is trying to rebuild his life when a late-night call drags him into a deadly mess tied to a vanished fortune. Federal investigators close in, someone is always a step ahead, and the past refuses to stay buried.
Who is Larry Welk?
Larry shows up in The Dead Bell and takes center stage in Risk Management. He is smart, complicated, and usually trying to do one good thing after a string of bad choices, which is exactly what makes him dangerous to be around.
Where can I buy your books?
The quickest way is Amazon. Use the book links on this site and it will take you straight to the correct page.
Are these stories based on real cases?
The stories are fiction, but the legal process, the pressure, and the way people behave when the stakes are real are drawn from experience. I am not interested in copying a case. I am interested in making the fiction feel true.
What makes a thriller feel believable to you?
Consequences. No magic rescues, no perfect heroes, no clean exits. If a character makes a choice, I want them to pay for it, one way or another.
What have you learned about people from a career in law?
Most people are not “good” or “bad.” They are scared, proud, cornered, tempted, or trying to protect someone. Under pressure, almost anyone can surprise you, including themselves.
Who is the most dangerous kind of person?
The one who has resources, a plan, and no empathy. Impulse is scary, but intention is worse.
Who is Reid Winslow?
Reid Winslow is the pen name of a former prosecutor and longtime trial lawyer. I write the kind of thrillers I always wanted to read: fast-moving, grounded, and built around characters who feel real.
Is Reid Winslow your real name?
No. It is a pen name. It lets me keep my professional life and my fiction life separate, and it keeps the focus where I want it: on the books. The name is an amalgam of two old family names, one from each side, going back several generations.
Do you do events, book clubs, or signings?
Yes, when scheduling allows. If you are a book club or event organizer, the contact form is the best way to reach me.
How can I contact you?
Use the website contact form for reader messages and event requests. I read them, even if I cannot always reply quickly.
Where can I follow you?
Wherever you prefer to get updates. This page can link to Amazon Author Page, Goodreads, and any social platforms you actively use.
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