The Beach Club [Paperback]

Richard Paloma (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

The Beach Club is fiction, but every principle scene in it is real. There are strong action scenes surrounded by equally strong scenes of police humor and wit. The novel is a frolic of maverick and freewheeling cops in their quest to identify and apprehend a sexual predator, internal challenges of morality and commitment as well as overcoming interference by department administrators Officer Vincent Patrone, Detective Ray Depietro, and the rest of the Eden Valley Police swing shift are plunged into the midst of the pursuit for a serial rapist that plagues the California city. To compound matters, Lt. Alex Santos, a headhunting-backstabbing administrator who is pursuing the chief's job, exploits the mishaps of the shift to use to his advantage. Despite Santos' belief that the shift is out of control, they are actually a group of high performers who in the end, identify and capture the rapist. Richard Paloma reveals a behind the scenes look at the dark humor and aggravations of being a uniformed police officer. He uses his years of experience as a patrol officer and police detective to capture the camaraderie, challenges, and internal politics within law enforcement today. The Beach Club will keep you entertained start to finish as you get to know the members of the Eden Valley Police Department

Editorial Reviews

Review

This story takes you into the hearts and minds of the swing shift police officers, better known as The Beach Club. There is a sexual predator on the loose --the city is afraid, and the Mayor is up in arms. Further complicating matters are the interferences by their Lt. Alex Santos, who plans to take all the credit and solidify his political ambitions. It is always interesting when a story is based on the experiences and knowledge of the author and Mr. Paloma has done an outstanding job bringing his storyline to life. I was totally surprised at the culprit and the ending was excellent, heart-thumping, and informative as we take a behind the scenes look into the inner turmoil that exists in the lives of policemen everywhere.   --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Mr. Richard Paloma has been in law enforcement for over 17 years in Northern California. He has had various assignments including many years in the S.F. Bay Area as a patrol officer and detective. For the last four years, he has been a police sergeant for a police agency in the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Paloma is a member of the Police Writers Association and also belongs to various writers’ groups in California. He has attended many writers’ seminars and conferences including the La Jolla Writers Conference in San Diego. He has a Bachelors Degree with honors from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

Mr. Paloma currently resides in Tracy, California with his wife Robin and their two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Helm Publishing (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972301135
• ISBN-13: 978-0972301138
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,488,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing Police Ride-A-Long, April 6, 2004

By 

"need2reed" (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beach Club (Paperback)

In the style of Joseph Wambaugh's classic novel, "The Choirboys," comes "The Beach Club" by Richard Paloma. As a member of the local Writers Group, I was thrilled with the opportunity to review an advanced reading copy.

Paloma's novel is an intriguing police ride-a-long through the fictional East Bay city of Eden Valley, California newly plagued by a serial rapist. More than a look at department politics and procedures, readers are invited into the investigations, antics and lives of the swing shift officers, affectionately dubbed "the Beach Club."

Officer Vincent Patrone, Detective Ray Depietro, and fellow swing shift officers are endangered not only by the perils of the street, but by departmental politics and their choices for on and off-duty activities. Personality and depth are displayed as they clash with "The Regime" of aspiring chief of police, Lt. Alex Santos and his henchmen while searching for an elusive sexual predator.

Throughout the book, Officer Patrone has to contend with his personal demons; sympathy for victims after the attacks, feelings of helplessness after responding to a suicide attempt, an escalating affair with a woman he met on-duty, and the of guilt of adultery. Navigating this rocky terrain and looking to understand his feelings, Patrone, befriends Father Tony, a local priest.

Lightening the harsh realities of being on the job with slightly twisted humor, the shift finds amusement at the mishaps of a canine unit, the hilarious drug testing of a suspicious substance, a miscommunication of international proportions at a ball game, and a final prank on arch nemesis, Santos. Yet the "Beach Club" officers tackle incidents of fleeing felons, auto theft, arson and the vexing pursuit of the rapist like a championship team.

Powerful action scenes combine with strong displays of police wit and humor. Paloma effectively ties in anectdones and subplots leading to a fast paced and surprising conclusion.

It's a quick and enjoyable read.

By the way, a sneek peek at a chapter of his next book promises another page turner.

5.0 out of 5 stars By Minniemouse0912 of Tracy, CA, April 28, 2009

By 

Michelle L. Kammen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Beach Club (Paperback)

This book was amazing!! I had absolutely no idea what happens inside the world of a cop. Mr. Paloma took me right to the scene of every crime,all through the book. I truely felt that I was right there. It was a joyful and easy read.

5.0 out of 5 stars MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, May 23, 2004

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Beach Club (Paperback)

It is always interesting when a story is based on the experiences and knowledge of the author and Mr. Paloma has done an outstanding job in
using his to bring his storyline to life.
There is a sexual predator loose in their fair California city and the swing shift, known as "The Beach Club" is heading the investigation. The city is afraid, the Mayor is up at arms and they are being hindered by a Lt. Alex Santos, an administrator who is pursuing his own interests in future promotions and plans to find this predator and take all the credit, no matter how he has to do it.

The story takes you into the heart and minds of several of the officers; it shows the inner turmoil that often plagues them in their personal life and also in their line of duty, giving you an inside look into the workings of the department, the unity and disunity of the officers, and the stress that is put on their families. It also allows you to take a seldom glimpse into their minds and helps you realize the part they play in helping us live in security. Thank you!

I enjoyed this work, not only for the informative value, but also for the great mystery storyline that it has. It held my attention and I was surprised at who the culprit was. The ending was excellent, heart thumping and moving at the same time. All in all a great read and I recommend it.
Shirley Johnson/Reviewer