Erik D'Souza interviews A.L. Wahdel about his nomination for Best First Crime Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell, for his debut book, Too Dark for the Light (published by Butterfly 80 Publishing ). Wahdel, a police officer with two decades of experience, discusses his writing process, his decision to set the story in Toronto, and his approach to authentic police-procedural elements while maintaining entertainment value. They discuss the series' potential to follow in the footsteps of authors like Michael Connelly and Louise Penny. Wahdel also reveals that the second book in the series is scheduled for release in September 2026, and expresses gratitude for being nominated alongside other talented authors.

Bio

A.L. Wahdel is a Canadian crime thriller author. He crafts gritty, high-stakes stories set in Toronto—the city that raised him. His debut series brings the streets of Toronto to life with authentic detail, layered characters, and sharp suspense. Blending insider knowledge with powerful storytelling, Wahdel is redefining Canadian detective fiction for a global audience.

You can connect with A.L. Wahdel on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Substack, and find out more at www.alwahdelauthor.com

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Links
https://www.alwahdelauthor.com/
https://alwahdel.substack.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alwahdelauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/al.wahdel/

Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at: crimewriterscanada.com
Find past video interviews at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279