Richard Rein Smith's Pick a Crime throws a fascinating curveball at the classic crime novel formula. Instead of following a detective on a straightforward hunt, we're plunged into the morally murky waters of a prevention strategy gone sideways.

The Story

The story follows Frank, a sharp but weary former detective. His peaceful retirement is shattered when his successor, Captain Miller, arrives with a desperate and unusual plea. A clever killer is meticulously recreating details from cold cases Frank never solved. To get inside this copycat's head and predict the next move, Miller wants Frank to do the unthinkable: design the perfect version of those old crimes. Frank must walk a razor's edge, using his lifetime of experience not to uphold the law, but to imagine breaking it flawlessly. As he drafts these criminal blueprints, the line between consultant and collaborator blurs. The real killer seems to be listening, adapting, and the game becomes dangerously personal, forcing Frank to confront ghosts from his own past.

Why You Should Read It

What hooked me wasn't just the 'whodunit,' but the 'what-will-he-do.' Frank is a fantastic character—you feel his frustration, his pride in his old work, and his deep discomfort with this new role. Smith builds incredible suspense not from chases, but from quiet moments of planning and paranoia. You're constantly wondering if Frank's genius will save the day or accidentally give the killer their best idea yet. It’s a story that plays with the idea of expertise and asks how far you can go into the darkness for a good cause before it changes you.

Final Verdict

Pick a Crime is perfect for readers who find standard police procedentials a bit too predictable. If you enjoy psychological tension over forensic detail, and love characters stuck in impossible ethical dilemmas, this is your next great read. It’s a smart, gripping novel that proves the most dangerous weapon in a crime isn't always a gun—sometimes, it's the perfect plan.