Dave Sweet
About me
Detective Dave Sweet’s career spans 25 impactful years in Canadian policing, encompassing various roles within high-stakes investigations. Starting as a patrol officer, Dave later ventured into undercover work and took charge of task forces targeting gangs and organized crime in Calgary. However, it was his 14.5-year tenure in the homicide unit that truly defined his love of investigation, focusing on cases involving homicide, missing persons, and suspicious deaths.
His expertise in solving some of Canada’s most heinous crimes earned him recognition, with several of his high-profile investigations gaining national attention through documentaries like CBC’s “The Detectives,” Global Television’s “Crime Beat,” Investigative Discovery’s “Murder Board,” and Netflix’s “Unsolved Mysteries.” Dave has also been a regular guest on Global Television’s Morning Show.
Dave’s transition into authorship began with his best-selling book, “Skeletons in My Closet – 101 Life Lessons from a Homicide Detective,” a collaboration with co-author Sarah Kades. Dave’s second book, “Undaunted – Dark Tales of Courage Witnessed Through the Eyes of a Homicide Detective,” written with acclaimed author Susan Forest, was released in the summer of 2024.
Throughout his career, Dave’s contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious awards, including the Chief’s Award for Investigative Excellence (2017), the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal (2021), and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022).
Today, Dave works as a senior leader for a First Nations Police Service and remains guided by the lessons he has learned from both the living and the dead.
Sarah Kades
About Sarah
Sarah Kades writes eco-thrillers, and narrative nonfiction as Sarah Graham. Her writing is largely inspired by her previous careers as an archaeologist and indigenous knowledge study facilitator.
Sarah is a two time Energy Future Lab Banff Summit storyteller, a recipient of the Calgary Arts Development individual artist grant, and has presented at the British Society of Criminology conference on the application of using arts-based approaches to bridge the gap between the police and public.
When she’s not writing you can find her running, bumping into her next adventure, or trying to figure out where in the garden to put the makeshift wood fired pizza oven.
Susan Forest
About Susan
Susan Forest is the author of dual Aurora Award winners Bursts of Fire (2019) and Flights of Marigold (2020) as well as over 25 internationally published short stories (Analog), Asimov’s, Beneath Ceaseless Skies).
She edits an award-winning anthology series for Laksa Media Groups, was Editor Guest of Honour at Keycon in 2021.
In addition, she has edited the biographies, Vertical Reference, about the life of pioneer helicopter pilot, Jeff Davies, and Fail to Win: Because of the Beatles, about music promoter Jeff Parry’s experiences staging shows on broadway and London’s West End. Gathering of Ghosts, the third novel of the Addicted to Heaven series confronts addiction issues in an epic fantasy world of intrigue and betrayal.
Mark Leslie
About Mark
Mark Leslie’s first short story appeared in print in 1992, the same year he started working in the book industry. He has published more than twenty-five books under the name Mark Leslie that include thrillers and fiction, paranormal non-fiction, and anthologies. Under his full name (Mark Leslie Lefebvre) he writes books to help authors navigate publishing. His industry experience includes President of the Canadian Booksellers Association, Board Member of BookNet Canada, Director of Author Relations and Self-Publishing for Rakuten Kobo, Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital and Professional Advisor for Sheridan College’s Creative Writing and Publishing Honours Program.
Koda
About Koda
Best Friend & Field Support
Koda Sweet was born on February 2, 2023, after his mother was rescued from an unsafe environment by people who cared. Koda was adopted in June 2023. Despite his tough start, Koda has gone on to receive “dog of the month” honours at his local daycare and continues to be a leader and mentor to new dogs when they arrive. Koda has also been featured on Global Television’s “Crime Beat” where he played his part as an emotional support dog.
On weekends, Koda can be found at a local dog park. Koda, on request, is also available to join Dave at some events and while out in the field.
Koda loves people, and that continues to be his mantra as he grows through life.
“For me the butterfly represents change and transformation. Therefore it is the perfect symbol to represent the takeaways or lessons that come through dealing with change, adversity, trauma or tragedy.”
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