Today we have an interview with Edward Butts, who is the author of numerous books, but today we're talking mostly about his latest book Wrong Side of the Law.

Caitlyn: Tell us about your book

Edward: Wrong Side of the Law is a collection of true Canadian crime stories from the colonial era to the 20th century. The chapters cover the country from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and include accounts about border-hopping criminals who operated in both Canada and the United States. The stories feature bank robbers, kidnappers, and killers who were front page news in their time, but are now all but forgotten.

Caitlyn: How did you come up with the idea for this work?

Edward: This book is the most recent in a series of true Canadian crime books I have written. It follows The Desperate Ones and Running With Dillinger. Two of my other books, Line of Fire and Murder: Twelve True Stories of Homicide in Canada, are also historical nonfiction crime collections.

Caitlyn: What was your first publication?

Edward: In 1984 I co-authored Pirates and Outlaws of Canada with Harold Horwood. In 1987 Harold and I collaborated again on Bandits and Privateers: Canada in the Age of Gunpowder.

Caitlyn: In your own work, which character are you most attached to and why?

Edward: In 2011, I wrote Simon Girty: Wilderness Warrior for Dundurn’s Quest Biography series. I have always been intrigued by the story of this exceptional frontiersman who, for purposes of political propaganda, was so thoroughly vilified by American chroniclers. His life was one of epic  adventure and searing tragedy. I did my degree work at university on Simon Girty, and take particular pride in being the author of the only (to date) Canadian book about his life.

Caitlyn: What is your new project?

Edward: I am currently working on a book for juveniles about the history of police, which will be published by annick press. It follows Bodyguards! From Gladiators to the Secret Service, which was also published by annick.