Bob Leuci began his career as an officer with the New York Police Department, where he worked with Frank Serpico on the corruption investigation that led to the Knapp Commission. His novels were heavily influenced by his time on the force and often deal with police corruption and gang activity in New York City. In 1981, after twenty-one years of service, Leuci retired to embark on his writing career, and went on to teach English at the University of Rhode Island until his death in 2015.
