I read a blog the other day in which the author posed the question, research or make it all up?
The blogger 
was posing this question in terms of paranormal stories and the realities from scientific research. But it got me to thinking that the question was just as applicable to the mystery/thriller field as well.
I can’t speak for other authors (and I’d love to hear your thoughts), but it seems to me that the details matter, no matter what we see on TV or the big screen. I know I’ve often been brought up short when I see an author writing about something that is flat-out wrong.
But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have some leeway in the worlds we create.
Wolf Mallory’s world is entirely made up, but it is based upon locales or places I’ve seen in Southwest Florida. But within that world, I can play fast and loose with some details. The other day, I had a reader ask me if SEOPs, the secretive agency Wolf belongs to is real. Nope, it isn’t.
But maybe it is? Who knows what’s contained within the black budget. (Go ahead, Google that, I’ll wait on you.)
Despite that, I’ll warrant you there are enough readers out there familiar with the equipment, devices and investigative techniques, that I need to make them as realistic as possible to create the illusion of reality. I fear if I don’t, I’ll lose readers, which I can ill afford to do.
Anyone have thoughts you want to share?
Jon Dalton, Author 
I think if it doesn’t appear to have a thread of reality then it doesn’t work. Even if it’s totally BS. Your Mallaroy book is a prime example I really thought that was a real organization by the end of the book. Great job btw! That’s an author’s job though to convince the reader that this new world order is real.