Apaches: A Novel of Suspense [Mass Market Paperback]

Lorenzo Carcaterra (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 1998

Boomer. Dead-Eye. Pins. Geronimo. Reverend Jim. Mrs. Columbo. Legends of the NYPD, they were great cops. The best cops. But they are cops no more. Now they are apaches, a renegade unit working on their own.--reunited to bring down the most vicious criminal working New York City today. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Carcaterra, author of a powerful, best-selling memoir, Sleepers (Ballantine, 1995), here weighs in with his first novel. Although information on the plot is a bit sketchy, the story centers around a group of controversial New York City cops.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

It was incredibly exciting to work on Lorenzo's first work of fiction. The pages came in batches at first, then all at once. But each early batch of pages was like going to the old movie serials, never knowing what would happen to our hero in the next episode.
A. Scheibe

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (June 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345422511
• ISBN-13: 978-0345422514
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,303,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DON'T GET IN THE WAY OF THE "APACHES", October 6, 2000

By 

Nancy Martin (Pennsylvania (orig. NY)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apaches (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What a load of ..........................., May 24, 2000

By 

"gazzab" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apaches: A Novel of Suspense (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book ever!, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Apaches (Hardcover)

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!