Hard-hitting Brockton true crime writer takes on Karen Read murder case. What to expect

BROCKTON — Brockton author Dave Wedge has signed a deal to write a book on the murder trials of Karen Read.

The commonwealth says Read struck her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV outside the home of another Boston cop in Canton after a night of heavy drinking. Read’s lawyers argue that people inside the house killed him. The first trial ended in a hung jury. A second trial is scheduled for April. Read is charged with second-degree murder.

BenBella Books aims to publish “Cop Town: Scandal, Corruption and Murder in Suburban America” in 2026. The plan is to release the project in hardcover, paperback, e-book and audiobook.

Wedge said the O’Keefe case is an important story with great public interest.

“It’s a story of a woman fighting for her life, a story of justice delayed for the O’Keefe family and a tale of how several families and communities have been torn apart in a very public fashion. It’s become a sensational national true crime story, but at the end of the day, it’s about the people involved, how it’s impacted their lives and most importantly, whether anyone will be held accountable for John O’Keefe’s death,” Wedge said.

Does Wedge think Read is guilty or innocent?

So, does Wedge think Read is guilty or innocent? He said the book won’t focus on whether she did it or not. “There’s a lot of questions on both sides,” Wedge said in a Friday phone call, saying the case has destroyed many lives.

How many books has Wedge published?

Wedge has been busy. “Cop Town” will be his eighth book. His book on Brockton’s Marvelous Marvin Hagler is due out on June 17, he said. A Hagler movie based on the forthcoming book, to be directed by Sam Rockwell, is also in the works.

Who is Dave Wedge, Brockton High alum?

Wedge went to Brockton Public Schools, including elementary at the Arnone and Brockton High. He became an investigative reporter for the Boston Herald before establishing himself as a New York Times best-selling author. His previous true-crime book, “Riding With Evil: Taking Down the Notorious Pagans Motorcycle Gang,” is in development as a feature film.

Wedge’s stories are no stranger to the silver screen. His 2015 book about the Boston Marathon bombing became the basis for “Patriots Day” starring Mark Wahlberg.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on X at @HelmsNews.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: ‘Cop town’: Brockton’s Wedge to write book on Karen Read murder case