Pine Plains author realizes life-long dream with new book

PINE PLAINS — After keeping the manuscript tucked away for 30 years, local author George Koch has at last achieved his lifelong ambition in publishing his  novel, “Brass Buttons, Blue Coat.”

A native of Brooklyn, Koch joined the Navy at the age of 17 during World War II and was honorably discharged following the end of his tour. Soon after, he joined the New York  Police Department (NYPD) as a police officer, retiring after 20 years of service. 

Koch has worked on his novel, which is based on of his own life experiences, off and on for the last 30 years.

“Brass Buttons, Blue Coat” revolves around Fred “Cookie” Cook as he recalls his experience as a cop in one of New York City’s toughest neighborhoods. After learning that his former partner in the department passed away in Florida, Cook, who entered in the NYPD in 1946, reflects on the cases he worked on, the men that he knew and the one big case: the unofficial investigation of the JFK assassination.

When discussing the history behind President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Koch’s conviction strongly remains in determining Lee Harvey Oswald’s innocence.

“Lee Harvey Oswald never fired the shot, and I absolutely prove that with forensic evidence and police investigation,” Koch affirmed, holding up a copy of his novel.

Throughout the years in which he researched the story behind the JFK assassination, Koch said he became all too familiar with the consequences suffered by those who “know too much,” particularly the mysterious circumstances surrounding late reporter Dorothy Kilgallen. Described in the New York Post as “the most powerful female voice in America,” Koch said Kilgallen was the only reporter to obtain an interview with Jack Ruby and that she had planning to publish a tell-all story that would break the case before her mysterious death in 1965. 

Koch finished his novel in 1986, but, he said, was advised to wait “until everyone else was dead” before officially publishing the book.

Once he returned to working on his manuscript, Koch decided to bring his work to the Pine Plains Writers’ Group that meets at the Pine Plains Free Library every Wednesday evening. It was there that he learned how to format and correct the story’s grammar and where he received significant feedback from his fellow writers as they read his story, piece by piece. With the group’s guidance each week, Koch succeeded in having his manuscript published this year.

To celebrate the novel’s long-awaited release, a book signing was held in the Community Room of the Pine Plains Free Library on Saturday, July 15. 

In between signing copies of his novel and standing for photographs with eager library patrons, Koch received a great many hugs from well-wishers congratulating him on his success. As more visitors arrived, the proud author greeted them with a smile and delighted in reminiscing about moments from his past as he put his signature on countless copies of his novel.

“It’s been a long time in coming. And I think a lot of people in the community knew it was coming, so they’re excited to see it happen,” said Library Director Veronica Stork. “He said that it was his lifelong dream to publish a book, so I’m happy that he got to do that.”

“I knew he was a policeman in New York City, but I didn’t know about the book,” said library volunteer Rae Hart, “so I’m very anxious to read it.”

“Some secrets remain in history and in history books,” fellow writer Johanna Sophia remarked thoughtfully on the JFK assassination. “I’ve been interested in this story ever since I was a teenager.”

“When I joined this Writers’ Group, I was really blown away by the quality of the material,” Sophia said in praise of Koch’s writing. “The reality of his dialogue is just fabulous. It is so real. His book would make a great movie or a great series.”

Koch said that he hopes to have a group discussion regarding President Kennedy’s death in a month’s time.

“What I want to do is get a program going and prove that Lee Harvey Oswald never fired that shot,” he said.

“Lee Harvey Oswald never fired a weapon on that day in Dallas. He was used as the crash car or red herring to give the real shooters an opportunity to evade detection and flee,” Koch wrote. “This book is fiction, believe what you will. I do believe that Oswald has been exonerated by the forensic evidence and police science and should be vindicated of all allegations. He was never charged with the crime of shooting JFK or Officer Tippet.”

“If anything ever develops because of this book, I will feel relevant and that the effort was worthwhile.”