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Laurie Moore received her police commission in 1979, in Austin. She worked police
patrol, criminal investigations, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1985. After 1985 until 1992, she worked as a DA investigator
as a Sergeant Investigator, and later, Chief Investigator for several District Attorneys in the Central Texas area. In 1992,
she moved to Fort Worth to attend law school, and retained her peace officer’s license as a Reserve Tarrant County Deputy
Constable. She is still a licensed, commissioned peace officer, and runs a solo law practice in Fort Worth’s Cultural
District.
Laurie Moore earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at
Austin. She pursued further post-graduate studies in Criminal Justice at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, earned
her Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, as well
as all Federal Courts. Laurie Moore is the author of The Wild Orchid Society, The Lady Godiva
Murder, Constable’s Run, Constable’s Apprehension, Constable’s Wedding, Simmering Secrets of Weeping Mary
and Woman Strangled - News at Ten.
Publisher’s Weekly said of Woman
Strangled - News at Ten, “The marvelous first in a new romantic suspense series from
Moore (Jury Rigged) sparkles with Janet Evanovich–style humor. Aspen Wicklow, a University of North Texas journalism
grad down to her last $75, lucks out and lands a plum job on WBFD-TV’s Public Defender in Fort Worth, Tex. Tig Welder,
a hotshot gunning for an anchor spot, reminds “Investigative Reporter Barbie” never to try scooping him, while
station manager J. Gordon Pfeiffer warns her never to become part of the story. Following either tip isn’t easy after
Aspen meets ruggedly handsome Spike Granger, a Johnson County sheriff who’s on a rampage about prison overcrowding.
Even more alarming is researching a missing person report on Candy Drummond, who pledged at the same sorority as Aspen . Candy
later turns up a strangled corpse. The action hurtles to a cliff-hanging close that includes more than one tantalizing twist
sure to leave readers eager for the sequel.”
According to the book description of
The Wild Orchid Society, “Three days after Fort Worth homicide detective Cezanne Martin solves
the Lady Godiva Murder, the media is still looking for dirt. The case left the PD reeling from a political black eye, and
the Chief is depending on Cezanne to save his hide. When she's made head of a newly formed Cold Case Squad investigating
the eight-year-old Great Dane Murder, Cezanne realizes that she's been set up to fail.”
One reader of The Wild
Orchid Society said, “Don't let the cover frighten you, well maybe just a little. Ms Moore has given
us a protagonist in Cezanne Martin that proves to be human. "Zan" has the depth of character to keep her wits about
her through all the challenges anyone could be asked to face. This includes the confidence and determination to venture where
her authority as police Captain and even the ability to defend herself or call for back up are taken away from her. We glimpse
a part of her humanity that the stern exterior covers well. With her combined strengths and weaknesses, Cezanne perseveres
through a high tension and well developed mystery. I didn't figure out, "who done it" until the very last. And
that doesn't happen often. Get it. You'll thank me later.
One reader of The Wild
Orchid Society said, “Cezanne Martin returns as the Acting-Captain of Fort Worth Police's homicide
unit, and this time, the brass has set her up with a cold case investigation designed to make her fail. The previous investigator
died while investigating the Great Dane Murder (not about dogs) and Cezanne finds a connection with an underground organization
known as The Wild Orchid Society (not about flowers). Infiltrating the bizarre, alternative lifestyle group could cost more
than her job and reputation, if discovered; unmasking The Executioner, ringleader of The Wild Orchid Society, could put her
on ice. The storyline will grab you from the beginning, not to mention it'll keep you in a headlock until you're through.”
Booklist said of Constable’s
Run, “Fort Worth constable Jinx Porter is fighting to stay in office and keep his political career alive.
His young, unworthy opponent has a large campaign fund and zero law-enforcement experience but seems primed to take over.
Jinx's lazy, stupid treasurer won't raise any money for the campaign. The only person who seems willing to help is
his beautiful girlfriend, Raven, but she has made the mistake of insulting the prince of the gypsies and he has put out a
contract on her. Then Raven learns that Jinx has a problem with fidelity, and instead of helping him with his campaign she
decides to get even in a big way. The author, a 23-year law-enforcement veteran, juggles a number of over-the-top plotlines
full of midgets, drag queens, ex-convicts, and women with big hair. Although readers may need a program to keep track of the
cast, this novel--more a humorous look at Texas politics than a full-blown mystery--is fairly entertaining. Texas fans, especially,
will enjoy the capers.”
Booklist said of Simmering
Secrets of Weeping Mary, “When her favorite older cousin, Nehemiah, is killed, Deuteronomy ("Duty")
Devilrow, 12, returns to her small-town Texas home for the funeral. She has been living in Fort Worth and preparing for college
with her tough, loving, white mentor, Miz Zan, a homicide detective. But there are questions that make Duty wonder if Nehemiah
could have been murdered. With Miz Zan's support, Duty investigates and saves her family from killers. The detective work
is contrived. The real mystery revolves around the young black sleuth's identity. Why is Duty the spitting image of white
Senator Deveraux's oldest daughter? Frels' fiction debut will hold readers with its smart yet naive protagonist and
its fast and funny first-person narrative.”
One reader of Simmering
Secrets of Weeping Mary said, “I bought this book for my niece, and ended up reading it myself. The author
has such a way with words...she tells the story with vivid language and a clarity (not to mention humor) that compels the
adult crowd as well as her young adult readers. Her unique voice and dynamic style make for a fast pace, and a thoroughly
satisfying story. You'll love these characters, and this author. Treat yourself and your family to a great read...buy
this book!”
According to the book description of
Constable’s Wedding, “Edgar-nominated mystery author Laurie Moore merges her critically-acclaimed Constable series
and Fort Worth police series to create this page-turning sequel to Constable's Apprehension. Jinx Porter has only eight
days to win back Raven before she gets married. Compounding the countdown, simultaneous kidnappings have them scrambling to
find the perpetrators; Raven's maid of honor, detective Cézanne Martin, is investigating the murder of Raven's
next-door neighbor; and the groom is missing. Throw in a florist up to his ears in drug dogs, a dead caterer and a confused
baker and you've got another wild ride with the Tarrant County Constables. Laurie Moore was born and reared in the Great
State of Texas.”
Publisher’s Weekly said of The
Lady Godiva Murder, “Cezanne Martin has had it rough-she made it through her rookie year as a Fort Worth,
Tex., cop; survived a disastrous affair with a colleague who neglected to mention his unbalanced wife; and managed to see
the silver lining in having crusty Roby Tyson, a longtime veteran of the force, as her partner. Yet her world is turned upside-down
with the Lady Godiva case, where the lady in question is none other than the captain's daughter and Roby's secret
lover. The murder turns cop against cop and all evidence points to the grief-stricken Roby. Cezanne is determined to clear
her partner despite getting demoted to a desk job, having to work side by side with her ex-lover's vengeful wife and being
forced into sessions with the department shrink ("A forty-five minute visit with Aden Whitelark... left her gnawing a
hole inside her mouth"). While Moore (Constable's Run), a former cop and lawyer, knows the Texas justice system and
writes credibly about its fools and foibles, she bombards the reader with ancillary subplots better saved for a subsequent
outing. Nevertheless, the book is full of quirky characters, deft descriptions and razor sharp humor. And Cezanne is truly
a work of art: a fiery mass of attitude, intelligence and barbed wit, haunted by a childhood best described as awful. Though
facing an uncertain future after quietly earning a law degree, C‚zanne has handily earned a spot among contemporary
female crime solvers like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, Grafton's Kinsey Millhone and Garcia-Aguilera's Lupe Solano.”
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