New best-seller has ties to Marlow

A former Kansas City detective with deep roots in Marlow is making headlines with his gripping tell-all memoir, Undercover Junkie, which has skyrocketed up best-seller lists ahead of its February 17 release.

Brent Cartwright, a retired detective and U.S. Army veteran, spent over a decade infiltrating the criminal underworld as part of an elite undercover unit. His book takes readers inside his harrowing journey—one that blurred the line between duty and destruction, ultimately costing him nearly everything.

Born to two Marlow’s own Randy Cartwright and Sharon Troxel Cartwright, Brent Cartwright seemed to have it all—a promising law enforcement career, a loving family, and a strong sense of purpose. But the monotony of everyday police work left him seeking a greater challenge. His answer? Immersing himself in the dangerous world of undercover operations, where he posed as Ricky, a hardened street addict.

What began as a noble pursuit of justice soon spiraled into a personal battle for survival. Cartwright’s experiences included high-stakes drug buys, gun deals, and the constant threat of exposure. With each operation, he found himself drawn deeper into a life where deception was the only way to stay alive. The intense psychological and emotional toll of his dual existence nearly consumed him.

“I lost myself in the streets I was trying to clean up,” Cartwright admits in his memoir. His transformation from dedicated officer to his undercover persona became nearly inseparable, leading to an identity crisis that many in law enforcement silently endure.

Cartwright’s career came to a violent end when he suffered multiple gunshot wounds during an ATF task force operation targeting illegal firearms trafficking. The injuries forced him to retire but ultimately set him on a path of self-discovery and healing.

In Undercover Junkie, Cartwright exposes the raw and often unspoken struggles of undercover officers. More than just a memoir, the book challenges the culture of silence within law enforcement, shedding light on the psychological toll that long-term undercover work can take.

Since retiring, Cartwright has dedicated himself to supporting other first responders. He now serves as a Peer Manager at Runestone Ranch in Livermore, California, helping law enforcement officers and military veterans transform their trauma into hope. He also volunteers with West Coast Post Trauma Retreat in Napa Valley, providing peer support for those who have endured similar struggles.

For years, Cartwright avoided media attention, according to a statement he released via his LinkedIn page. After his shooting, reporters swarmed his home, eager to tell the story of the undercover detective who barely escaped death. The overwhelming scrutiny led him to retreat from public view—until he realized his story could help others.

His book’s success proves that his message is resonating. Undercover Junkie isn’t just a behind-the-scenes look at undercover policing—it’s a cautionary tale of how even the strongest individuals can be consumed by the world they seek to change.