Kimber’s story about Tom Martin, a devoted detective, has a strong sense of direction—even though his piece is based on interview. We thought this piece a good example of writing a profile—as opposed to a true narrative—while avoiding a pitfall of profiles: the “translated interview” that lacks focus and direction. Although he includes some detail of his visit with Martin, he builds the piece around the story of Martin’s career. He focuses on the complication of Martin’s heart attack —and Martin’s desire to get back to work. This focus and the strong voice make for a compelling read.
This piece contains language you wouldn’t see in a conventional daily.
Read “The Last Best Hope,” by Stephen Kimber