FBI undercover experience results in mystery novel, author envy

Those of us who have never written a book relish hearing about those who write their first book and actually find a publisher. Herman Groman is such a man.

Let’s pause for a moment of publication envy.

Groman is director of security at The Orleans hotel. Before that, he spent 25 years with the FBI, with a heck of a lot of undercover work as “Sonny Blake,” a mobbed up guy from Detroit looking for places to hide assets obtained from his drug money.

Groman landed in Las Vegas in 1993 with his undercover character “Sonny” already well-established.

“I portrayed myself as a smart guy,” Groman said. “The mob has plenty of tough guys.”

“Sonny” was involved in a half-dozen long-term undercover operations and about 50 to 60 short-term jobs .

North Las Vegas City Councilman William Robinson knew “Sonny” for two years, back around 1994, when Robinson was the target of a political corruption investigation. Although the agent gave Robinson about $6,000, the case never went to trial because U.S. Attorney Kathryn Landreth declined to prosecute. Groman was told by his FBI supervisors Landreth didn’t want her first political corruption case to be an African-American.

Groman’s novel, “Pigeon Spring,” is part mystery, part love story for a region. Named after a historic mining site in Esmeralda County, not far from the Cottontail Ranch, Groman’s affection for the area and its history is endearing. He and his wife of 38 years, Colleen, have a 30-acre ranch there, and Groman wrote about it (and her) with affection. Groman’s novel has a mystical and spiritual aspect, drawn from his wife’s influence.

His undercover skills weren’t ignored. Groman wrote the novel’s hero “had honed this survival skill as an undercover agent dealing with some of the best con men and vicious wise guys the drug cartels and mob had to offer. The key ingredient was less is better. Let them think it was their idea. Manipulate the circumstances in such a way that the only logical things for them to do was what you wanted them to do.”

Now that he isn’t undercover, “Matt” admits he needs to work on being less manipulative in his personal life.

Groman, 61, an enthusiastic storyteller, wrote his book during evenings and weekends over a yearlong period and found his publisher, TotalRecall Publications, with the help of a friend. Groman learned what every new writer learns. There’s a difference between telling it and selling it.

He has a contract with the same publisher for a second book, a prequel to “Pigeon Spring,” which will mix bribery, public corruption and the death of a prostitute. This will take place during the time “Matt” is chief of security at a Strip hotel.

Speaking of Strip hotels, he is doing a book signing Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Orleans hotel gift shop. He also has a website at www.hermangroman.com listing future signings.

During our interview, Groman told about his surveillance of Lance Malone, commissioner-turned-bagman for topless club owner Michael Galardi.

One day he followed Malone into The Orleans hotel. Was this a meet with someone? Not quite.

Malone went to the Subway sandwich shop he and his wife owned at that time, changed clothes and started making sandwiches. Groman decided to order one.

“I’ve never had a subject of an investigation make me a salami sandwich before,” Groman said with a grin.

Casually, he mentioned a movie producer is interested in “Pigeon Spring.” And he hopes to have his second novel published this fall.

Jealousy strikes, but it’s mixed with admiration for Groman and all the other disciplined writers who tell it, then sell it.

Jane Ann Morrison’s column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/morrison.