📖 Overview
Robin Burcell is an American author and former law enforcement professional who has written multiple crime fiction series and co-authored books with Clive Cussler. Her career spans over two decades in law enforcement, where she worked as a police officer, detective, and hostage negotiator, while also serving as an FBI-trained forensic artist.
Burcell's solo work includes the Kate Gillespie series and the Sydney Fitzpatrick series, drawing heavily from her law enforcement background. Her novels have received significant recognition, winning multiple Anthony Awards and a Barry Award for Best Paperback Original, with "Fatal Truth" and "Deadly Legacy" among her award-winning titles.
In recent years, Burcell has collaborated with bestselling author Clive Cussler on The Fargo Adventures series, contributing her expertise to these archaeological thriller novels. Her unique combination of law enforcement experience and writing skills has established her as a respected voice in the crime fiction genre.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Burcell's authentic portrayal of law enforcement procedures and forensic details, citing her real-world experience as adding credibility to her novels. Many reviews highlight the fast pacing and complex plots in both her solo works and Fargo Adventures collaborations.
Liked:
- Technical accuracy in police procedures and forensics
- Strong female protagonists, particularly Kate Gillespie
- Intricate plotting and multiple storylines
- Balance of action and character development
- Smooth transition into co-authoring Fargo Adventures
Disliked:
- Some readers find early novels have uneven pacing
- Occasional complaints about complex plots being hard to follow
- A few mention character development takes backseat to action in later books
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.4/5 average across all books
Goodreads: 4.0/5 for Kate Gillespie series
4.2/5 for Sydney Fitzpatrick series
4.3/5 for Fargo Adventures co-authored titles
One reader notes: "Her law enforcement background shines through in the details that other authors often get wrong."
📚 Books by Robin Burcell
Deadly Legacy - A San Francisco homicide inspector investigates a murder that leads back to a twenty-year-old shooting of a fellow officer.
Fatal Truth - A female detective works to solve the murder of a judge while uncovering corruption within the police department.
Face of a Killer - FBI forensic artist Sydney Fitzpatrick reopens her father's murder case when new evidence suggests the wrong man was convicted.
The Bone Chamber - FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick tracks a killer from Washington D.C. to the catacombs of Rome while investigating ritualistic murders.
The Dark Hour - Sydney Fitzpatrick investigates a connection between a modern-day killing and a CIA operation from the Cold War era.
The Black List - FBI Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick pursues a conspiracy involving a secret government organization and stolen cryptographic codes.
Every Kind of Wicked - A homicide detective investigates a series of murders connected to San Francisco's criminal underworld.
Fatal Truth - A female detective works to solve the murder of a judge while uncovering corruption within the police department.
Face of a Killer - FBI forensic artist Sydney Fitzpatrick reopens her father's murder case when new evidence suggests the wrong man was convicted.
The Bone Chamber - FBI Special Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick tracks a killer from Washington D.C. to the catacombs of Rome while investigating ritualistic murders.
The Dark Hour - Sydney Fitzpatrick investigates a connection between a modern-day killing and a CIA operation from the Cold War era.
The Black List - FBI Agent Sydney Fitzpatrick pursues a conspiracy involving a secret government organization and stolen cryptographic codes.
Every Kind of Wicked - A homicide detective investigates a series of murders connected to San Francisco's criminal underworld.
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Jan Burke Creates crime fiction featuring reporter Irene Kelly, with plots that emphasize forensic detail and investigative processes. Her background in research and attention to procedural accuracy mirrors Burcell's approach to crime writing.
April Smith Writes the Ana Grey series about an FBI Special Agent, incorporating authentic bureau procedures and protocols. Her books demonstrate the same dedication to law enforcement authenticity that characterizes Burcell's work.
Meg Gardiner Produces crime thrillers featuring strong female protagonists in law enforcement roles, including the UNSUB series about an FBI profiler. Her plots incorporate detailed forensic elements and investigative techniques based on real-world procedures.
Lisa Gardner Writes police procedurals and psychological thrillers with deep investigative detail and FBI elements. Her work includes the D.D. Warren series and FBI Profiler series, both centered on law enforcement professionals solving complex cases.
Jan Burke Creates crime fiction featuring reporter Irene Kelly, with plots that emphasize forensic detail and investigative processes. Her background in research and attention to procedural accuracy mirrors Burcell's approach to crime writing.
April Smith Writes the Ana Grey series about an FBI Special Agent, incorporating authentic bureau procedures and protocols. Her books demonstrate the same dedication to law enforcement authenticity that characterizes Burcell's work.
Meg Gardiner Produces crime thrillers featuring strong female protagonists in law enforcement roles, including the UNSUB series about an FBI profiler. Her plots incorporate detailed forensic elements and investigative techniques based on real-world procedures.