Gerald Petievich is a crime fiction author renowned for his authentic portrayal of law enforcement and investigative work, drawing from his extensive career as a U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and Army counterintelligence officer. His novels, including "Money Men," "To Live and Die in L.A.," and "The Sentinel," are celebrated for their realism and inverted detective structures, where criminals are revealed early, and suspense builds around their eventual capture. Three of his works have been adapted into major motion pictures, solidifying his reputation as a master of the thriller genre.
Petievich's writing is deeply influenced by his professional background, particularly his fifteen years with the Secret Service, where he specialized in presidential protection and counterfeiting investigations. His Charles Carr series, featuring a veteran Secret Service agent, exemplifies his signature style—blending meticulous procedural detail with moral complexity. Notably, "To Live and Die in L.A." explores the blurred lines between justice and vengeance, a theme recurrent in his work.
Beyond fiction, Petievich's research often mirrors real-world events, as seen in "Earth Angels," which predated the LAPD Rampart scandal, and "Paramour," which eerily foreshadowed political scandals involving White House figures. His latest novel, "The Sentinel," delves into political intrigue with a Secret Service twist, further cementing his legacy in the genre. Petievich resides in Los Angeles, continuing to craft stories grounded in the gritty realities of law enforcement.