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Leading Murder Investigations in a Man’s World,
She Broke the Glass Ceiling—With Handcuffs.
MODEL DETECTIVE: A True Story of Heels, Handcuffs and Homicides takes readers where true crime has never gone before-inside the heart, mind, and soul of a Chicago homicide detective whose grit and instincts prove that a woman's place is in the homicide division.
Sergeant Michele Wood, a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, has spent nearly two decades in the Detective Division. With hundreds of arrests, and an extraordinary record of solving murders, she has led homicide teams while also appearing as a legal expert on ABC's 20/20 and other national true crime series.
In MODEL DETECTIVE, Wood takes readers through complex murder cases-revealing how she interprets evidence and uses her perspective as a woman to succeed in a male-dominated world. Wood's skills attest to her high success rate and stellar reputation on the force and explains why she's Chicago's (and probably the country's) only detective who previously worked as a flight attendant, moonlighted as a fitness-magazine model, and continues her on-air fame as a crime TV expert. From the story of her Chicago upbringing to the extraordinary perils of policing in Chicago, MODEL DETECTIVE is the raw inspiring, tale of courage, resilience and determination in America's most violent city.
Kudos for Michele Wood's MODEL DETECTIVE
"I'm not normally into true crime, but Model Detective was a fascinating read. Michele describes each crime scene like it was out of a movie, adding even more details like the scents and smells and how the moments felt. I was captivated!"
-Cole Walliser - Director and Content Creator
"Michele Wood spent her career doing what few can: sitting across from killers, breaking cases that others couldn't, and carrying the weight of the dead home with her, while the world saw only the surface. Sharp, honest, and darkly funny, Model Detective is a rare look at the realities of homicide work and the woman who lived it."
- Steph Watts - Executive Producer / Investigative Journalist / The True Crime OG
"Model Detective by Michele Wood is a gripping and inspiring read that completely pulls you into her world. From the very first pages, Michele has a way of making you feel like you're right beside her-walking into homicide scenes, interviewing suspects, and navigating the emotional weight of it all. After reading this book, I will never walk down an alley oblivious again.
What makes this book so compelling is not just the true crime element, but Michele herself. She is a woman thriving in a male-dominated field, holding her own with strength and confidence while still embracing her quirks and sense of humor. In fact, I found myself laughing out loud a handful of times-her deadpan humor in the midst of such heavy subject matter was unexpected, but honestly exactly what I needed as a reader. That balance of toughness and humanity feels incredibly real-and likely part of how she copes with the intensity of her work.
Her storytelling is raw, honest, and deeply personal. You don't just learn about the cases-you get a glimpse into the journey that shaped her, which makes the book feel both intimate and inspiring. Michele doesn't just tell her story-she reminds us that no matter where we come from or what our past looks like, we all have the ability to forge our own path and become something more.
If you enjoy true crime, you'll love this. But beyond that, it's a powerful story for anyone trying to find their path. Michele's authenticity, resilience, and heart make this a truly memorable read."
-Torrie Wilson, WWE Hall of Famer and Fitness Icon
About Author Michele Wood
For 25 years, Sergeant Michele Wood has chased the truth through Chicago's most violent crimes. A homicide supervisor, FBI-certified hostage negotiator, and national true-crime expert. She's lived the cases most people only watch on television.
