Russell Dean craved adventure.

As a private investigator, basketball coach, father and author, he has stories.

Dean’s career started by watching a high adventure movie in high school.

He dreamed of all the adrenaline pumping exploits that came with being a US espionage agent with a license to kill.

He planned to go to the FBI Academy and become a spy.

Life held another adventure for him.

After graduation from Dreher High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida A&M University.

Dean worked as a private investigator and discovered he really liked the job.

What does it take to be a private investigator?

It takes qualities such as a great memory and ability to recall information, be well versed in diverse subjects to talk to all types of people, be highly detailed and observant.

Asked what he learned about himself as a PI, he said, “Patience.

“As an athlete, you are used to instant gratification. As a PI, you learn to make sure things are done right. You have to figure out things, get around obstacles.

“It is challenging, a puzzle, and no cases are the same.”

Why write a book?

“My profession has always been rewarding yet problematic,” he said.

He was hired by wives in many infidelity cases and he found important patterns in them.

“I am hired to seek the unknown. I am the same person who shares the news of my findings to many women who were left in the dark about their relationships.

“My book serves as a summary of real-life observations while offering some insight to women who want to understand infidelity.”

After he gave bad news to a client, she asked him when he would give a seminar.

Women need to know the signs of infidelity.

“She inspired me to write the book,” Dean said.

He started writing.

“When I finished, I was so proud.

Then Steve Harvey came out with his book “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” about similar issues.

“I was crushed. Who am I to compete with Steve Harvey?”

The book sat in his computer for 10 years.

A friend encouraged him to publish his book,

Slippin’: A Female’s Guide to Male Infidelity, is now available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

His advice for future authors is: “Get over the fear of failure. You don’t know who you could help.”

Dean has adventures and adrenaline-pumping exploits as basketball coach of the SC Kings.

He has helped more than 100 young men see their dreams come true by playing college basketball.

Dean has a daughter who graduated from UNC Charlotte, a son at Hampton University and another son in 1st grade.

“I know I’m not going to get rich off the book,” Dean said, “but I want it to be successful.

“I am excited.”