Hey readers, if you’re a fan of ripped-from-the-headlines suspense novels with police officers as the main characters, I’ve got one for you to try: Code of Courage by multi-published author Janice Cantore, whose stories are based on her twenty-plus years with the police force in southern California.

In the wake of the anti-police protests this country has seen the last few years, Code of Courage shows what it looks like through the eyes of the uniformed officers on the front lines. I found it a refreshing change. Today I welcome Janice Cantore to the blog for some quick Q&A. 

Janice, thank you for being here today! Code of Courage delves into serious, complicated issues like protests, police-involved shootings, varied public opinions about law enforcement personnel, and mental health challenges faced by first responders. Can you share some of the real-life experience and research that went into crafting the plot of this novel?
I was in uniform during the Rodney King riots, so I experienced firsthand what trying to
control a riot feels like. It’s like trying to contain water in a sieve, only more dangerous. I
remember being in a group of five or six officers facing off at least three hundred angry
people. Bottles were thrown, violence threatened, yet back then the mob’s objective for
the most part was simply looting. They wanted to get past us to the stores and
businesses. The riots I watched recently were much scarier. The crowds wanted to hurt
officers and destroy property. It made the officers’ jobs so much harder and more
dangerous. During the King riots, we worked 12-hours shifts and it was hard on
everyone. I was physically and mentally exhausted. When I saw the recent riots, my heart
went out to all those officers. It was like what I went through, on steroids.

What lessons does Code of Courage teach about justice, community, and
accountability within government organizations?
Accountability is important in all walks of life—politics, policing, teaching, journalism, etc.
When the public perceives that no one is held accountable in a particular institution,
then they lose faith and trust in that institution.

Which of the characters in Code of Courage was the most challenging for you to
create? Which character developed the most naturally for you?
Danni was the most natural. I remembered what it was like being in the riots. Those
moments in my life are why I’m a writer today. It was a life-changing incident for me, and
afterwards I wanted to write it down, attempt to convey to people what it was like to be
there. The villain was the hardest for me. I don’t understand people who want to defund the
police. It’s easy for me to say, “Only criminals want to see police defunded,” but I realize
the issue is more complex than that.

What role does Christian faith in the story?
Danni’s faith is tested by what happens to her. It causes a reevaluation: What is most important in life? What provides the drive to keep going, even when things are difficult and painful? For me it’s faith, and the importance of God and faith will always play a role in my stories. Also, Gabe sees the importance of faith in Danni’s life. It causes him to evaluate his own faith, or lack thereof.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about working in law enforcement? Police officers are human beings. None of them can ever be perfect. By and large, most people become officers because they want to help, they want a safe community. And for every incident that goes wrong and is widely covered in the news, there are thousands that go right that most people never hear about.

Tell us a bit about any upcoming projects you’re working on, now that you’re releasing Code of Courage.
I’m working on another novel, with two officers who have suffered trauma in their working lives. Jodie and Sam have been shattered in different ways, and they face different faith battles. When Jodie’s life is threatened, Sam steps in and saves her. But that act endangers his life as well, and they are both thrown into the race to find a killer before he strikes again.

Thank you, Janice! A pleasure to spend time with you today.

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About this book

Detective Danni Grace has never met a police officer who wants to face a scenario where pulling the trigger on another person is the only option. When the worst does occur and there’s a police-involved shooting, it leads to riots and calls to disband the entire police force in La Rosa, Danni’s hometown.

After fifteen years on the force, Danni has had enough. Injured in the line of duty when a protester throws a chunk of concrete at her and shaken by the vitriol being shown to the police, Danni realizes for the first time that she’s lost her passion for the job.

While she’s on a leave of absence, though, a community activist in La Rosa is shot and a fellow officer is blamed for his murder. Taking on this case means stepping back into a job Danni’s not sure she can do anymore . . . and working closely with her ex-husband, Gabriel Fox, an investigator for the city prosecutor’s office. Danni will need to tap into her code of courage to uncover the truth, prevent another injustice, and uphold her oath to serve and protect.

About the author

A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. She now lives in a small town in southern Oregon, where she enjoys exploring the forests, rivers, and lakes with her Labrador retrievers, Abbie and Tilly.

Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Crisis Shot is the first title in her latest series. Janice also authored the Cold Case Justice series—Drawing Fire, Burning Proof, and Catching Heat—the Pacific Coast Justice series—Accused, Abducted, and Avenged—and the Brinna Caruso novels, Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat.

Visit Janice online at janicecantore.com.

Buy the book here.

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Thanks to Tyndale Publishing for providing me a free copy of Code of Courage. All opinions are mine.