Crime novels. Memoir. Humor.

Because people are endlessly fascinating, life is wonderfully imperfect, and there's almost always something to laugh about.

Retired FBI Special Agent writing crime novels, memoir, and essays.

Meet Shayne

For more than two decades, I worked as an FBI Special Agent, where I learned that people are endlessly fascinating. The job gave me extraordinary stories. Life gave me the rest.

Today I write crime novels, memoir, and essays because I'm still fascinated by people. Their resilience. Their contradictions. Their unexpected turns. And the wonderfully imperfect business of being human.

Some stories make us think.

Some make us laugh.

My favorites do both.

Molting

Crime Novel • Seeking Representation

A reputation management expert discovers that every carefully constructed public image hides a more complicated truth.

A character-driven crime novel exploring reputation, resilience, and the stories we tell to survive.

Writing Projects

Untitled Memoir

In Progress

I thought this would be a memoir about the FBI.

It turns out it's about second chances, motherhood, resilience, and the wonderfully imperfect business of becoming who we're meant to be.

Fighting Grace

Future Crime Novel

Grace Rosaland has never fit the mold of an elite FBI fugitive agent—and she's stopped trying.

When her trusted partner retires and his skeptical replacement questions everything about the way Grace works, she must rely on the instincts everyone dismisses to hunt an international fugitive and a serial killer whose identity will change everything.

Author Shayne Buchwald-Nickoles in a studio portrait.

Writing.

Then life intervened

Humor Essays

The Dental Hygienist Who Wanted to Bury a Placenta
A routine dental cleaning becomes an unforgettable conversation. Read‍ on Substack

I Thought I Was About to Lose My FBI Career. It Was a Pen. How a terrifying polygraph taught me what really mattered. Read on Medium

Personal Essays

He Was Ours Sometimes the people who shape our lives never learn our names. Read on LinkedIn

Fiction

Last Stop. Three Seconds
A fleeting moment changes everything. Read on New Literary Society

Vintage typewriter with the words "THERE GO I..." typed on the page.

Latest

August 2026

Upcoming

  • Guest on FedChicks.

  • Featured on FBI Case File Review.

Contact

I'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're interested in my writing, would like to discuss a podcast, speaking engagement, or other collaboration, just reach out.

Email

shaynebnickoles@gmail.com

You can also find me on:

• LinkedIn: Shayne Buchwald-Nickoles | LinkedIn

• Substack: Shayne Buchwald | Substack

• Medium: Shayne Buchwald – Medium