CMPD Officer Turned Author
Officer Webster’s First Book to Be Published This Month
Officer Chad Webster, a community coordinator in the University City Division, wrote a book, aimed at boys and girls ages 8–14, about a police officer’s daughter and her best friend. The duo, named Mystery Muffin and Soda Pop Slooth, investigate a new neighbor in an effort to find out if scary rumors about him are true.
CMPD sat down with the officer turned author to get the scoop:
CMPD: Why did you write “Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Legend of Mr. Creepy”?
Officer Webster: I have enjoyed writing since the fourth grade. It’s been my dream job. This is my first completed book, and hopefully the first in a series of many.
CMPD: Is the book related to policing?
Officer Webster: The main character Mystery Muffin is the daughter of a Charlotte police officer. She is based on my three daughters. I took bits and pieces of each personality and quirks and combined them into one character. Mystery Muffin and her best friend, a boy who lives across the street, solve mysteries together.
CMPD: What’s this book about?
Officer Webster: The Legend of Mr. Creepy is the first book in the series. Mr. Creepy moves into the neighborhood and strange things happen. The story is about how Mystery Muffin and Soda Pop investigate whether Mr. Creepy is a werewolf.
CMPD: Is he a werewolf?
Officer Webster: I guess you will have to find out. But one of the messages in the story is that things aren’t always as they seem, which is why it’s important to investigate things thoroughly and not jump to conclusions.
CMPD: Where’d you get the idea?
Officer Webster: I always liked Scooby Doo and Encyclopedia Brown. I also really loved the small neighborhood where I grew up. I took those things, plus importance of family, and combined them all together.
CMPD: What was the hardest part about writing a book?
Officer Webster: Making time to write while also having a career. There are so many distractions, even when you do make time to write.
CMPD: Where can we get a copy?
Officer Webster: It will be available at local bookstores and on Amazon as an e-book, hardcover and paperback beginning July 31.
CMPD: Are you going to quit your day job now that you are a published author?
Officer Webster: Not at this point. But my dream has always been to be a writer.
