PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Maine mystery author Bruce Robert Coffin will host book readings on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Northern Maine Community College and the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle.
Coffin lives near the Greater Portland area and has been writing mystery novels set in the city since retiring from his 28-year career in law enforcement. During his career, Coffin spent most of his time as a detective sergeant, supervising the homicide and violent crimes divisions for the Portland Police Department.
After the 9/11 attacks in New York City, Coffin investigated counter-terrorism cases for the FBI for four years before ending his career at Portland Police Department, supervising homicide cases. He retired in 2012.
On Oct. 1, Coffin will give two readings in Presque Isle — at the NMCC library at noon and another at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library at 6 p.m. He will share passages from his latest book, “Beyond the Truth,” and sign copies for guests. Copies of Coffin’s novels will be available for purchase during both events.
Although Coffin has only recently had success with publishing books, his passion for writing began in college. He originally planned to pursue a career as a novelist, but a negative experience in a writing class led him to change his path toward law enforcement.
“In a weird turn of events, my wife bought me an iPad after I retired and all of a sudden the desire to write came back,” Coffin said. “It actually has worked out well that I waited until now. I don’t think I would’ve had as much to write about before.”
Coffin’s experiences in law enforcement have directly inspired the characters and events of his novels, all of which revolve around the fictional character Detective Sgt. John Byron and the crimes he investigates in Portland.
“Beyond The Truth,” the third Detective Byron novel, recently was a finalist for the Maine Literary Award for crime novels, a nominee for the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel and a winner of Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion for Best Procedural. The fourth Detective Byron novel, “Within Plain Sight,” will be released on Feb. 4, 2020.
Coffin noted that despite wanting his novels to be fun mysteries, he also wants readers to understand the daily struggles that law enforcement officials go through.
“I don’t think I would be able to write as genuine of a story if I hadn’t experienced law enforcement firsthand,” Coffin said. “I can actually render characters who seem realistic because I know how they’ve felt in different situations.”
The library events in Presque Isle will mark the first time that Coffin will visit Aroostook County. He said he is looking forward to seeing the peak of fall foliage season and getting a feel for “the lay of the land” in northern Maine.
“This trip will be the farthest north that I’ve gone without being in Canada,” Coffin said. “I feel like there are so many places that are part of Maine culture that people haven’t seen. I’m looking forward to speaking with people in Presque Isle.”
