Criminals use weapons of all kinds and in all time periods, and the crime writer needs special knowledge about them in order to write with accuracy and tension. We’ve gathered a collection of weapons experts from cop to FBI bomb expert to swordswoman. Join us at the Tam O’Shanter for lunch and a panel discussion on the use of these weapons—and a little bit of demonstration and show and tell. This group is da bomb!
First up is FBI Special Agent Thomas Leighton (moderator) who has been stationed in the FBI’s LA Field Office since he graduated from the Academy in 1997. He’s been involved in a wide range of investigations, including Criminal, Civil Rights, Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, and Weapons of Mass Destruction. As Philip Marlowe once put it, “Trouble is my business.” Leighton is presently assigned to the FBI’s Special Operations Group, which provides investigative support to ongoing FBI investigations. A 17-year veteran of the LA office’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Leighton is frequently called upon to teach Hostage and Crisis Negotiation for police and government agencies in the US and around the world. Leighton is also an FBI Firearms Instructor and provides such training to FBI Agents and police officers. Prior to joining the FBI, Leighton served as a prosecutor in Winchester, Virginia, where he specialized in Juvenile and Domestic Relations cases, which ranged from domestic violence to child abuse, sex crimes, and murder. A native New Yorker, Tom lives in the Los Angeles area with his daughter, Katherine, and has been a fan of the mystery genre since high school, when he discovered the magic of Raymond Chandler and Ross MacDonald.
Next is Janet Joyce Holden. She’s the author of the novels Carousel, The Only Red Is Blood, and the Origins of Blood Vampire series. She decided to take sword lessons for a few months in order to write better fight scenes. However, the subject of Historical European Martial Arts, including longsword, rapier, rapier/dagger, sword and buckler—as specified in treatises presented by fencing masters Capo Ferro, Giganti, Fiore dei Liberi, Marozzo, and others—proved so fascinating that she continued practical and academic study for six years. Janet is currently at work on her latest novel and lives in Yorba Linda.
Then we have David Putnam. During his law enforcement career, David worked on teams for SWAT, Narcotics, Violent Crimes, Criminal Intelligence, Internal Affairs, Detective Bureau, and as child protective services coordinator. He rounded out his law enforcement career with three years in the Hawaiian Islands as a Special Agent-part of a real-life “Hawaii-50″ team. He’s now retired from law enforcement and spends his time growing organic California avocados and writing, with his wife Mary and their two dogs. His novels The Disposables and The Replacements were both finalists for the SCIBA award. His fourth novel The Vanquished came out last February.
And finally, we are very pleased to welcome Special Agent Bomb Technician (SABT) Pat Race (bio to come).
The event begins at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
TAM O’SHANTER RESTAURANT
2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90039
Noon–2:30 p.m.
Paid valet or free street parking available.
You will place your food order at the Tam. No need to preorder.
The menu choices will include vegetarian and gluten-free options.
You may pay at the door by cash or check, but PayPal is preferred.