Hartford Actor Eriq La Salle's Releases Second Book

'Laws Of Wrath' Second In Five-Part Series

Actor Eriq La Salle, the Hartford native who became a star with his role on the TV show "E.R.," has been a busy guy these days, directing episodes of TV shows like "The Night Shift" and "Under the Dome," and the new series "Madam Secretary" and "Battle Creek."

But he's still managed the time to squeeze in a third career: novelist.

This month, La Salle published what is planned to be the second in a five-part series of crime novels. The first, "Laws of Depravity," from 2012, told the story of a serial killer who targeted men of the cloth who had committed crimes. The sequel, "Laws of Wrath," is about a series of ritualistic slayings.

La Salle,in a phone interview from his home in Los Angeles, said his desire to be a writer dates back to his days at Weaver High.

"I grew up being creative. I'd write poetry and short stories. When I was a freshman at Weaver I joined the drama club. I wanted to write and I had an idea for writing a play," said La Salle, who just turned 52. "I thought I would see it performed and I would be be hailed as a hero.

"But when I showed up, they said yeah, yeah, yeah, we need actors," he said, laughing. "That started my acting career."

"Laws of Depravity" introduced readers to Phee Freeman and Quincy Cavanaugh, partners in the NYPD, who solved crimes while dealing with their own families, romances and