My name is Donna A. Hoshide, and I am the author of Writing Gaining Face—A Writer’s Journey.

I am a retired criminal investigator who spent 20 years as a sworn federal law enforcement officer. I made a living by ruining the careers of criminals and public corruptors. That’s what American taxpayers paid me to do for two decades.

At age 52, as I had promised myself 20 years earlier, I retired as soon as I was eligible.

Then, I heard about Ed Shin and Chris Smith. All the major media sources covered their story, yet it seemed incomplete—one-sided. So I started researching and investigating the case as a civilian with no investigative authority, and I was both intrigued and appalled by what I had learned.

When not writing about this tragic story, you’ll find me playing with Roxi–my Miniature Pinscher, working out, hula-hooping, or playing pickleball.