Detective Mike Monte, Madison Police Department, Wisconsin (ret.), grew up in northern Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a B.A. in Anthropology. He began his law enforcement career as a dispatcher with the University Police, who sent him through the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy when they promoted him to police officer.  After 8 years at UWPD, he was hired by the City of Madison Police Department.  He served there for 21 years, the last 11 as a detective.  His assignments included nine years with the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force.  He was also a member of the Midwest Gang Investigators.  Detective Mike Monte is the author of Mad City Justice and Superior Justice:  Murder on Lake Superior.

According to the book description of Mad City Justice, "Madison Police Detective Molders is about to retire, when he is called in to assist with a drug related homicide. After a 29-year police career, he is burned out, cynical, and fed up with all the bullshit. He doesn’t care about glory, political correctness, department politics, or “feelings.” All he cares about is getting the bad guy, and he doesn’t care whose toes he steps on or who he pisses off in the process.Molders is teamed up with brand new detective Brittany Walsh, who Molders thinks was promoted without merit. Walsh is smart, athletic, and has a master’s degree. She is also very beautiful, and she thinks Molders is a dinosaur. They work together, earn each other’s respect, and relentlessly pursue justice.The investigation uncovers a ruthless killer, who thinks he is the devil. Molders and Walsh chase leads that link a series of brutal murders to their suspect. The investigation and subsequent trial take them through a seamy world of drug dealers, escorts, and drug addicts."

According to the book description of Superior Justice:  Murder on Lake Superior, "When a body is recovered from Lake Superior by the Red Cliff Tribal Police, retired Madison Police Detective Molders is asked to help with the investigation. Molders only has a few days before he has to report for a coveted summer job as a Law Enforcement Ranger at Isle Royale National Park. He helps with the initial investigation but has to leave before the victim is even identified. 

After a 29 year police career, Molders sold his house and now lives aboard his 31 foot Gozzard sailboat. He sails from Red Cliff to Mott Island, the Park Headquarters at Isle Royale. 

Reporting for duty, Molders is paired up with fellow LE Ranger Katelynn Tomaczeski. Currently a college student, Tomaczeski was born and raised in the U.P. and comes from a long line of commercial fisherman. She thinks Molders is too old to be up to the physical demands of the job and she finds his historical anecdotes boring. Molders thinks she is immature, and too young to know anything. Working together through various park incidents they earn each other's respect and bond as a team. 

When a second body is found floating in the lake, Molders suspects they have a serial killer and likely more victims. While continuing their daily patrols of the park Molders and Tomaczeski investigate the murders. Their investigation uncovers political corruption, human trafficking, and a serial killer. Together they battle brutal Lake Superior, a dirty cop, and political interference.