One of the golden rules of writing is to only ever write what know about. If you don’t know it, research it. Terry Smith, author of The Art Of Armed Robbery, a ‘phenomenal autobiography of one of the most daring armed robbers of his generation,’ knew his stuff when he penned his book in 2003.
A convicted armed robber, ‘fully reformed and having paid his debt to society in full,’ Smith, now 49, revealed ‘the secrets of his success, and tells how whilst on the run he came to be Britain’s most wanted criminal, leading to the gripping chain of events that led to his last ill-fated job.’
That, we assume, would be the “last ill-fated job” before he allegedly, together with his brother Len Smith, and fellow Londoner Brian Wall, carried out seven further armed robberies between 2006 and 2008. The charges, all of which are denied, are topped by the attempted murder of have-a-go-hero, Adam Mapleson, who received two serious gunshot wounds after tackling one of the alleged robbers during a cash machine heist at Rayleigh railway station in May 2007.
Perhaps Smith’s alleged involvement may signify the meticulous research ethic needed for his other two books, ‘Two Strikes and You’re Out!’ and ‘Blaggers Inc. – Britain s Biggest Armed Robberies: 1’. The latter just out in hardback – court cases always great for a bit of free publicity and book promotion.
If that’s the case, and he was merely taking the golden rule of writing only what you know about a little too far, then The Artful Armed Robber should have also heeded the golden rule of thievery: don’t get caught….
