Erik D'Souza interviews retired detective, Dave Sweet, for Crime Writers of Canada's Podcast, focusing on Dave's upcoming presentation at Bouchercon in Calgary. Dave discusses his 25-year policing career, including his work in the Homicide Unit and cross-jurisdictional investigations. They explore his book-writing approach, explaining why he co-authors all his books with different partners and sharing details about his current project, Whispers, with Mark Leslie, which explores death and the afterlife. The conversation concluded with practical advice for attendees planning to visit Calgary in October, including weather considerations and recommendations to visit Banff.
Bio
With 25 years of policing experience, Detective Dave Sweet (retired) has investigated some of Canada’s most heinous crimes. Over his career, Dave worked as a patrol officer and undercover police officer, and led task forces targeting gangs and organized crime groups operating in Calgary. In 2009 Dave joined the ranks of the homicide unit where he spent 14.5 years specializing in homicide, missing person, and suspicious death investigations. Several of Dave’s most known cases have been featured in documentaries including the CBC’s The Detectives, Global Television’s Crime Beat, Investigative Discoveries Murder Board and Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries. In addition to a Distinguished Service Award in 2010, Dave earned the Chief’s Award for Investigative Excellence in 2017, the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal in 2021 and the Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022. Dave’s books are Skeletons in My Closet (2023), co-written with Sarah Kades; Undaunted with Susan Forest (2024); and, coming soon, Whispers with Mark Leslie.