Officer-author's latest crime novel selling out By: Beverly Majors | Oak Ridger Staff beverly.majors@oakridger.com He's been around here for about 25 years now and has become somewhat of a celebrity. He's a cop, and in recent years, he's been sharing some of his experiences with Anderson County and the nation. Richard A. Foschino's latest true crime novel has been selling like hot cakes in Anderson County and nationally through his Web site. Copies are still available at several area locations but may not be for long. "I have no idea how many have sold," Foschino said. "I haven't had time to check, but I still have some copies." Kevin Violet/Staff Richard Foschino, a Lake City police officer and former Anderson County Sheriff's Department officer, is also an author. His second book, 'Mother's Blood' is selling well both locally and nationally. Foschino doesn't have time to check because he still works full-time as a police officer for Lake City Police Department. He writes from home and runs his Mountain Top Publishing company in his spare time, with the help of his family. Foschino's latest book, "Mother's Blood," is about the 1981 murder of Elizabeth Ann Goins. Her murder went unsolved for five years until Foschino was assigned to the case, as well as three other unsolved murder cases. His first book, "Mountain Revenge," was released in 2003. "Mountain Revenge" was also a true crime novel based on a murder case involving an Oak Ridge resident, John "Jack" Kegu, whose bullet-riddled skull was found in a remote area of Frost Bottom in 1980. Foschino's investigation into that murder lead to the arrest and conviction of Eddie Dean Phillips, Albert G. Phillips and Charles Alvin Phillips. But, the latest, "Mother's Blood," may be in the works to be more than just a good book. "I've signed a contract with a Denver (Colorado) company for a TV movie," Foschino said. "And I'm talking with a major network to get it going." Foschino said most of the television interest is based on the character in both books, Lt. Anthony Callo. Callo's character is based on Foschino. He said he doesn't want to change the character now or in his future books because of his readers' interest in and familiarity with the character, Callo. In "Mother's Revenge," Callo begins investigating the case five years after the decomposing body of Elizabeth Goins was found beside the banks of the Clinch River in Clinton. His investigation leads him to many suspects and he almost arrests the wrong person in the case before the investigation turns. Then, just when he gets close, someone inside the investigation threatens to turn it all upside down once again. But, with continued questioning and "gut feelings," Callo is able to put it all together, get a confession and a conviction. Foschino said he had talked to several of Elizabeth Goins' family members, including her husband, during the publication of the book. "Don (Goins, Elizabeth's husband) and I have become really good friends," Foschino said. "I conferred with him while writing the book." Other family members, directly involved, have not talked to Foschino since the conviction. While the Callo character is based on Foschino, he chose in his books to use some of the other characters' real names and not use the real names of others. Regardless, "Mother's Blood" has become a success. "We can't keep them," said an employee at Mr. K's Used Books. "I am getting calls from all over New York, Michigan, Florida, all over the country," Foschino said. Most of the people who call are somehow affected by a cold case of their own, he said. "I wanted to tell victims, survivors, that you shouldn't give up," he said. "People are interested in the fact that departments are opening cold case files and technology today is helping (solve the cases)." Foschino said he had gotten a call from a family in Scott County asking him to look into a case there. But, with the regular work at the Lake City Police Department and his work on the next novel, Foschino will have to leave the crime investigations in Scott County to their detectives. Meanwhile, the third book, due out in late 2005, is about two murders. At least, that's how the cold case starts. You'll have to wait for the book to find out who killed Harlan Hoskins and what really happened to a teenager in Frost Bottom. For information about Mountain Top Publishing or for an order form, visit www.booksbycops.com. The Book is 18.95 Does aybody know where to get any better a price?

Hey, Thats not a bad price when you consider that some of the local Genealogy and church story books are being sold at area banks for $75.00. John __________________________________ Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/