Customer Reviews

Apaches

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(33)

 

 

My first introduction to this author was via his bestseller Sleepers which, I have been quoted as saying, was one of the best books I've ever read. While I had high expectations at the start of this book, I wasn't disappointed as many other reviewers seem to have been. I almost feel as if I have to justify my 5 star rating. I knew nothing was going to be as good as Sleepers, so I kept an open mind while reading. In my estimation, Carcaterra cannot disappoint me because his storytelling expertise is unparalleled. Since I am not reviewing this book based on the number of cliches nor am I expecting a great literary masterpiece, my enjoyment factor alone warrants the 5 stars given.

In the first part of the book, we are introduced to six characters, each of which was a great cop at one point in their lives. Unfortunately, things happen, cops get hurt and these six cops are forced to collect their pensions, lick their wounds and perform jobs that are less than enjoyable than their previous employment with the NYPD. While they are still physically alive, they feel dead inside. Each of them had an expertise and it is this expertise that will bring them together once again as a renegade crime stopping unit called Apaches. They are not sanctioned by the police department but still have enough connections to be able to call in the favors necessary to enable them to perform their mission.

They have some great nicknames as well -- Boomer, Dead-Eye, Pins, Geronimo, Reverend Jim and Mrs. Columbo. Carcaterra introduces you to each character individually and you feel an immediate connection. Since the premise of the book is about disabled cops, you read each chapter with trepidation knowing full well that doom is imminent just around the corner. As the Apaches, they get involved with trying to stop a drug trafficking ring led by a woman, named Lucia, out of her homebase in Arizona. Her tentacles stretch all the way across the country but then so do theirs. There's one other member in their group and he isn't a cop at all -- not by any stretch of the imagination. His name is Nunzio and he is the owner of an Italian restaurant where the Apaches meet. Lucia's connections can't compare to Nunzio's if you catch my drift.

While some of this book is definitely gruesome, the characters are so inspiring in not only trying to right a wrong but in the way they need their cop work to keep them alive. Unfortunately, throughout the entire book, you just know that they won't all come out alive and therein lies the dilemma -- who's going to die and who's going to live. Once again, Carcaterra has done it for me. I just love the way he tells a story. He makes me feel as if I know each character as a friend and I couldn't ask any more from an author.

I can't believe that anyone took this book seriously ! The first half was quite good setting up the characters in a well worn style (a la The Dirty Dozen or numerous other books and films). However the the second half was complete Arnold Schwarzernager.

The smuggling plot is totally unbelievable, I won't spoil it by giving the game away, but if this actually went on in any way shape or form America is in a far worse state than anyone ever thought.

The villans were paper thin and can't shoot straight (if you've seen Arnie in Commando or any episode of The A Team you know what I mean). The hero's can do anything, including Mrs Columbo who does't like carrying a gun, but manages to shoot a rocket launcher ! The set piece scenes between the Apaches and the drug smugglers just get sillier and sillier, perhaps Lorenzo was a writer on the A Team TV seres.

I can only assume that he wrote this with both eyes firmly fixed on a big pay day when the all action, big star, shoot 'em up movie was made. Do yourself a favour and buy something else.

This book was the greatest, Mr Carcaterra is an excellent author with a great style. This book wasn't like your typical crime book with the good guys all surviving and a happily ever after ending Looking forward to reading Shadow and A Safe Place!

I read some of the other reviews before writing mine and didn't agree with alot of the nit picking. After all a book of this nature is for entertainment purposes. Have some imagination! Haven't you ever read Stephen King? At first, the book was so disturbing, I almost couldn't keep reading but I hung with it and was glad I did. I enjoyed the cop's characters very much. They become very real and likeable.

I think this is a wonderful book from the author Lorenzo Carcaterra. I have never read any of his books, but this novel certainly took my breath away. Even though some readers complained of the graphic and sometimes unbelievable crimes that were committed in the story(but shouldn't you stop to think that crimes like those do go on in society)but coming from a seventeen year old's point of view I think that the story is all together brilliant. The passion these police officers had before they were put out of commission, I have never seen in a police officer out of the world of fantasy. These officers strived to at least make one last difference in their world before they had to live in it without feeling the satisfaction of knowing they made it safe for future citizens and themselves. The lifestyle they had to take because of their injuries could not feed the hunger and feeling they missed of bringing down a criminal. The way "Pins and "Geronimo" died was very moving because of the way they shared that special moment right before they died. Also the way "Boomer" and Mrs. Columbo carried their secret love for each other all the way till the end was just so breathtaking. I would recommend it to any high school student or a person of any age, believe me you won't regret reading this book. If I had it my way I would give it ten stars. I also want to include my English teacher Ms. Bernabei for encouraging me to read the book.

This is an above average book that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until they're done, then makes them want more! Mr. Carcaterra did an outstanding job on this book. This book puts you into the eyes of a group of renegade retired cops that are going up against the biggest drug Queen in the US. This nailbiting adventure should be required reading in English classes.

The plot is simple and yet exciting. A gang--cadre--team--of six of NYPD's best cops, all disabled in the course of duty, come together with a restraunteur who has links to the mob in order to bring down the Queen Bee of all drug lords (ladies?).

Each of the six protagonists has a rich and detailed past, and we are introduced to them individually in depth before the main action begins. Then Boomer and Dead-Eye (yes, everybody has a nickname) take on a hopeless case and emerge, not only victorious, but feeling alive because they are COPS again. The rest of the group joins them, and Boomer outlines the plan. They will defeat the Empress of evil, a drug dealer so bad, her only good point is that she pays her gym bill on time.

From the moment our team forms, the plot moves lightening fast to its conclusion. The action is great, the detail is satisfying, the dialogue snappy. The characters have their own story, each credulous, each powerful.

Why only three stars? I had to keep flipping back to the beginning chapters to see which of the six former cops had which specialty. Who was the bomb specialist? Flip back and look. Who's the electronics expert? Flip. You get the picture. I loved them all individually, but I would have loved the novel more if only two or three of the characters had been detailed, and the rest just outlined for me.

Even so, the drama unfolds so swiftly, I still recommend this book to anyone who loves a dark, action-filled tale of good versus evil. Do your friends read romances? Okay, don't tell them what happens, they won't sleep at night. But get out the flashlight--you'll be up reading.

I'll admit that this wasn't quite as good as Sleepers, but it was awfully good. The plot was intense and emotional. Once you start reading you can't put it down. I felt like I knew Boomer and his disabled friends, and loved them all the more for their unselfish and heroic deeds. Lorenzo Carcaterra knows how to write. I am a fan of his for life.

I was looking forward alot to this book by the guy who wrote Sleepers but this was terrible. It all reads like some cheesy cop movie, complete with mindless violence and stereotypical characters. What a waste of my money.

I loved Sleepers but was flabbergasted at how bad Apaches was. Is this the same writer? Could this novel be any more ridiculous and cliche-ridden?