
about the authors
CHRIS BERG &
PAUL JAMES SMITH
Our
Story

Paul James Smith and Chris Berg
Circa 1980
Get to Know Us
Chris Berg and Paul James Smith began their careers as beat partners in California's Bay Area, quickly advancing to detective roles. Chris excelled in vice and intelligence, finding his niche as an undercover narcotics detective. He thrived in the world of hand-to-hand drug ‘buys,’ clandestine lab investigations, and the requisite counterfeit personas. Later, he became a narco field training officer and a court-certified expert witness in narcotics investigations.
Paul brings 31 years of law enforcement experience, serving as a field training officer, federal agent, Special Response Team member, sniper/instructor, National Tactical Team leader, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program manager.
Lifelong friends and writing partners for nearly a decade, Chris and Paul craft thrillers inspired by true events. Their diverse backgrounds enrich both their writing and storytelling. They are Claymore Award winners and Pageturner Award finalists. Together, they write The Night Police novels and currently have three manuscripts in development: Blood Brothers, Twilight at Wolfie's, and Blood in the Water.


Malice Domestic 36
Bethesda North Mariott Hotel & Conference Center in
Bethesda, Maryland
April 25-27, 2025
Upcoming Events

ThrillerFest
New York Hilton Midtown
New York, NY
June 17-June 21, 2025

Killer Nashville
Embassy Suites Hotel
& Convention Center
Franklin, TN
Every third full weekend in August!
We're seasoned contributors to conference panels, including the Killer Nashville International Writers Conference. We dive deep into the intricacies of crime fiction with engaging talks like The Detective’s Guide to Authentic Crime Storytelling and Life as an Undecover Cop.
THE HOT SHEET
Crime Thrillers, Insights & Lies
