Customer Reviews

SIGNAL 13: Chronicles of a Calvert Trooper

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I've done quite a few psych evals for police officers in my career as a psychologist. After reading SIGNAL 13, I have discovered a new evaluation tool. I would have all the candidates read SIGNAL 13 by S.Eric Briggs,and then, I would require an oral book report from the candidates--sort of a Rorschach for police work. Listening carefully to the reports, I would look for the capacity of the individual applicant to demonstrate some insight that without a constant mental health plan, any cop could become the tragic hero of SIGNAL 13.
Briggs grabs the art of writing a tragic novel by the throat and doesn't let up until the climax. Dalton, the hero and his "tiger,"-- the beast within each of us, the real villain that must be overcome daily by each and everyone of us-- fight it out until...
Kudos to author! It is now on my ever expanding shelf of crime fiction written by writers who have actually been there.

A deep, introspective look into the tortured mind of a modern day lawman. Sometimes light and witty, sometimes dark and horrifying, this gritty novel dishes out healthy doses of real-life realities as skillfully told by the cop on the scene. A life of blood and bullets, laughs and levity, guts and glory, mixed with the historic flavor of Southern Maryland make this novel a must read for anyone with the intestinal fortitude to delve into the inner thoughts of a career police officer. The colorful characters and creative banter of the close-knit Maryland State Police spill from the pages as S. Eric Briggs takes you on a high-speed chase from the MSP Academy through a 26-year career of duty and honor, brotherhood and pain. So buckle up and hunker down as you respond, with sirens wailing, to the emergency code "Signal 13!"

Well done S. Eric Briggs, and thanks for the wild ride. I salute you!

As I read "Signal 13" I instinctively realized these two things: it's an authentic page-turner, and it summoned echoes of T.E. Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom," his magnificant, autobiographical account of his adventures in Saudi Arabia. Like Lawrence, Eric Briggs mixes literary prose with the one-two punch of a Maryland State Trooper who has gone to Duke City with the bad guys, whether it's at a bar fight or during a frenzied search for a friend driven insane. I've worked the streets and I know that "Signal 13" walks the walk. It's tough, gritty and in-your-face--yet eloquent as the author shows us what happens to a cop's insides when he sees friends die. It's tough for an author to let himelf be seen naked this way, and taking that risk only adds to the story's authenticity. Fasten your seatbelts as Eric Briggs takes you on the ride of your life!

When one sees the dreaded State Police cruiser in the rear view mirror, rarely do thoughts of the sensitive, even tortured psyches of the man (or woman) behind the wheel dominate one's thoughts. After reading this terrific book, my perspective of the individuals who patrol our roads and protect our lives changed dramatically. The author's muscular prose and lively use of language was stunning. Clearly S. Eric Briggs loved his former life, but understands the sad reality that a life spent in public service has enormous costs and, often, tragic results for the individuals willing to take on the mantle of protector of the innocent and scourge of the guilty.

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this exciting and well-written book is the disillusionment that comes to Trooper Dalton at the end of his long career. This well drawn and actualized character draws the reader into a deeper understanding of the costs of a life of service, and shares an electrifying perspective of the forces that drive a brave man to the brink of disaster when his lofty goals meet the inevitable realization that his ideals are not always consistent with the goals of the organization in charge. The reader gets a sense of the despair Dalton feels when he finally understands he has given far more than can ever be repaid by society.

This book has it all, pathos, passion and humor, mixed in with remarkably powerful descriptive prose. Don't plan on putting it down anytime soon once you embark on this masterful book. Move over Nelson DeMille. There's a new sheriff... or perhaps I should say trooper, in town.

This book contains it all. Fast paced, intermingled with soul searching introspection, it's the story of a law enforcement life that's been centered around the call of duty, a call that wreaks havoc on Dalton's personal life and slowly destroys the myths he once thought to be true. The author incorporates a reader friendly style throughout the book which makes the audience feel as if they're experiencing all the highs, lows and numerous humorous escapades right alongside the main character. The use of extensive "down to earth " dialogue exchanges between the characters only adds to the feeling of being right there in the scenes.

I would imagine anyone who chose to commit themselves to a life of law enforcement would want to read this book. On the other hand, "ordinary citizens" might find the book even more appealing because it strips away the façade that somehow our "guardians" are immune to the problems associated with just trying to make it through another day, i.e., shields of armor definitely do get dented.

The writing is very image provocative and emotionally stirring, especially during those periods when the author is describing his innermost feelings regarding the loss of a life; whether it be the death of a strangers' loved one, or the demise of another close, fallen comrade. Equally impressive are his descriptions of the world of nature he loves so much and its ability to re-energize him when gloom threatens his existence.

Once you start reading this book, it's tough to take a break!

And contrary to the lyrics of that popular British song from the early 70's, the author's writing is definitely "Heavy.....and he's my brother"

As a former trooper who worked under the author I was astounded by the details he put in print. Most of everything in the book happened to someone during their time with the state police. Obviously the names have been changed and unless you worked during that time frame you would not know who the players were. I sorta skipped over the sex scenes, but I'm sure they were interesting. It was my honor the serve the state police from 1978 to 1995 and Calvert was served well by most of it's state troopers. I can't wait for the sequel. I read the book in one night, I couldn't put it down.

For starters, this is reality so transparently cloaked in fiction that it amounts to putting a negligee on an Elephant. But what a spectacular elephant! It's redeeming grace is the eloquence of the presentation and the powerful way it delivers its message. I bought it expecting a memoir, but what an understatement that was; it's a total immersion experience and so well crafted that it's pure art. I feel like I got caught up in one of those high-powered storm-surge waves and churned around head first on the bottom until I was within an inch of drowning, before being spit out onto the beach exhausted. But it was one hell of a ride, and I want to jump back in for more, but, alas, the waves have subsided to beach lappers.
The promo blurb here doesn't begin to do this book justice. Yeah, it's all of that, but it's so three dimensional and up in your face authentic you feel like you are right there in that cruiser with him for the 26 year ride up to that lone wolf retirement party on that impossibly beautiful promontory overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, another one of the ghosts present. It's the only way he can allow himself to celebrate; he's so beat up from the years he spent on the job trying to live up to the impossibly high esteem he had for the organization and those who served with him that anywhere along he could have grabbed a cushy tax free retirement and hung up his spurs, but it isn't in him. He rode out hardship and losses that tore away his family and tormented his mind with horribly vivid nightmares and pain. He carries those and the ghosts of his departed comrades up on that ridge with him and it's his mental reunion with them and memories of still others he served with, in vivid detail, that sets the stage for the bigger story unfolding on the ridge itself. The telling is made all the more real by the narrator taking on the voice of the protagonist. It's this masterful technique that gives this story the first hand feel and authenticity that engages all of the senses to the fullest. By the time the past merges into the present you are so caught up in the story and intimate with Dalton Bragg, the main character, that you anticipate what's coming, but, like they say in the profession, you have to have been there. So go, you won't be disappointed. The least you can take away from the experience is a new found respect for those behind the badge.

The roller coaster ride of the life of a road trooper is well described in this book by Eric Briggs. This book is as well written as it is entertaining. For those who believe that a career in law enforcement is just the ticket, this ought to be quite an education and perhaps make that person "scared straight". The public,that usually comes in touch with cops is of a rather curious sort and the officers that have to deal with them act with a lot of kindness and graciousness for which they are given little credit. Society is well served by many of these men and women. The day-to-day action in being a state trooper are filled with terror and dread which is captured precisely in this book. Briggs does a good job of painting the picture of life in Maryland and how Calvert changed with the sprawl of people and the calamity of drugs and crime. Good job and thanks for the accurate look at life through the eyes of an officer.