Customer Reviews

The Execution of Justice

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While reading this excellently written story, I felt as though I was beside the police as they performed their daily duties, while on or off duty and trying to keep up a social and family life. I have never read a book that placed me into the life of those valiant men and women that protect us as well as this book.

Mike Walsh is a patrolman on the Indianapolis, Indiana police force. Mike and his latest partner, Brad Reccio, were racing in their patrol car to a domestic dispute. These disputes are one of the most dangerous calls a lawman can receive. When they arrived shots were fired and Brad was wounded. The descriptive words that the author uses to describe this scene and all the other stories that play out in this book are what keep the reader from placing the book down. The backup police that help keep a scene safe while assisting in the apprehension and questioning all those in the area are a huge part of law enforcement.

"The Execution of Justice" takes you from Mike the patrolman, to Mike who becomes a Robbery-Homicide Detective, through a rough marriage as endured by almost all policemen, through several
partners, to crimes that defy a human's imagination. Criminals have no scruples and this book
describes many of the activities that our law enforcement goes through every day. You will be in the middle of shootouts, bloody bodies, wounded police, shot victims, forensics, work in the morgue, and practically every crime involvement these men and women have to endure daily. Then they have to go home and try to keep their mind off of what they saw that day. Some face it with alcohol which is the worst thing they could do as it leads to wanting more and more alcohol that doesn't really help to take their minds off of the bad things they see and do. To face death, brutal force, no fear of police, shooting anyone in sight, and trying to overcome your fears regarding all of these, makes our law enforcement special--very special.

I feel I don't have to go into much detail about this book because as you flip from page to page you will
come to understand what Michael Phelps is telling us with such detail and vividness. Thank you Michael Phelps for allowing us to read some of the many things our police endure for humanity. I look forward to your next book. To think that this story is based on fact makes the reader shocked even more.

"The Execution of Justice" is a well-paced, exciting novel. Author Michael Phelps has created a likeable, interesting lead character in Detective Mike Walsh. There are two appealing story lines in the book: Walsh's work as a new, fast-learning detective and the up-and-down relationship with the wife who loves him but also has a big problem with his dangerous line of work. The action is fast with many twists and turns that grab the reader. Two twists toward the end of the book really caught me by surprise and moved the action in an interesting way. "The Execution of Justice" is an entertaining read.

Mike Walsh and his partner Jack Lovell are homicide detectives. Jack is the leader and Mike has just been promoted from the patrol division. Jack, of course, starts teaching Mike how to be a detective. Mike is a fast learner and has the knack to be a good detective. The book kept my interest and I enjoyed hearing all the steps involved in solving a crime.
Mike's home life is gone over in too much detail. What did he have for each meal, how did he dress each morning, did he have sex that night or just went to sleep. Conflict with his wife over his job is an important aspect of the novel, but not the mundane details of day to day living.
For a series of Mike Walsh books to have sustaining power, a "hook" needs to be established that would make you look forward to the next one. This book does not establish that.

Just finished The Execution of Justice. The story of Mike Walsh spans one year of this young detective's life. It is written through his eyes, and is similar to a detailed, personal diary.

After a frightening situation at work, where Mike is a hero of the day, he is offered the chance to move from being a street-beat police officer, to that of being a detective for the robbery and homicide division. Once he makes this major decision to accept the exciting promotion, and become Jack Lovell's new partner, his life will change forever. His wife, of only a few years, does not like the idea. Her life circles around Mike, and does not like the changes she sees. He starts working much longer hours, spending less time with his wife, drinking more, eating poorly, and spending less time with his beloved dogs. As the assignments, and bad guys, stack up, Mike is drawn further and further into the dark, gritty detective world.

This story is recurring daily, for most detectives around the country, and it is disturbing. Divorce and suicide rates are high in the police/detective occupation. These women and men risk their lives on a daily basis to get the bad guys off the streets, but this career choice can easily put their personal lives, and health, at risk. This book elucidates these dangers precisely, as well as the downward spiraling effect it can have on the individuals who have chosen to protect us. Great first novel by Mr. Phelps.

Mike Walsh's destiny to be a crime fighter is threatened in this interesting story of a police officer in a mental war with himself. In the aftermath of an officer involved shooting Mike gets promoted to detective.

His new duties are not that much different than his old duties. He is still at the daily grind of fighting crime, and taking his daily intake of coffee and donuts, all while risking his life. But his overtime has spiked so much that he's almost never home.

Joanne, Mike's 24/7 stay at home housewife who doesn't drive, feels she doesn't see Mike enough. When Mike's partner, and long time friend, Jack is killed in the line of duty Joanne is worried that Mike may be next. She wants him to resign. Mike, busy canceling crimes everyday is faithful to his wife, but enjoys his life as a cop.

Joanne's mother, Maria takes a flight to visit Joanne. Joanne feels her mother is too important to take a bus or taxi to the house. Joanne employs Mike to leave work during an investigation and pick Maria up at the airport, and he is more than happy to do so. The next day, Mike comes home and finds the house empty. His wife and mother-in-law have left, and there is a "Dear John" letter waiting for him. As a result, Mike's destiny changes.

An invaluable tale all too common in law enforcement.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I find myself drawn to crime fiction, particularly stories about cops and homicide investigations.

Michael Phelps has created a great story about a new Robbery-Homicide Detective, Mike Walsh. He weaves you through the day-to-day life as a cop, trials and tribulations of the job in real time, crimes on the street, and his personal life. You really get the feeling that you're there riding along with Detective Walsh in the investigation, and you can actually feel the pressure and excitement of cop life. Things start to unravel and there are plenty of surprises to keep you engaged and interested in what's going to happen next.

It's a great read! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crime fiction and has an interest or curiosity in police life. I look forward to the next installment of Detective Mike Walsh.

--Jennifer Chase
Author of Compulsion & Dead Game

The Execution of Justice by Michael Phelps
Is one of the best police procedurals I've read. If you want to learn about the life of a policeman and homicide detective - read this book. It takes you inside the heart of the Indianapolis Police Department with all the authenticity you could want. Phelps writes from experience and it shows throughout this book which is based on real events. It's the story of Mike Walsh who we see go from an eager young patrolman to a disenchanted Robbery-Homicide Detective. We see the problems snd pressures faced by these police officers including their marriages and crimes that defy human imagination. Is it any wonder that police have such high divorce and suicide rates? I look forward to reading the future cases for detective Mike Walsh. I'm a big fan of Joseph Wambaugh's writing, but this is far better. More please, Mr. Phelps!
James A. Anderson
Author

Mike Walsh is a patrol cop with a stable marriage and a so far unfulfilled desire to have children. He is good at his job, dedicated to preserving the peace and well respected by his peers. When his mentor Jack needs a new partner, Mike is offered the position of detective within the department. Considering it an enormous opportunity, Mike accepts and this is the story of his daily challenges.
Although Mike and Jack are on the trail of a brutal serial killer of women and an increasingly violent gang of thieves, there is no buildup to a climactic end. While the police are meticulous in gathering evidence against the serial killer, unlike other stories, there is no corresponding meticulous buildup of tension. Therefore, it is inaccurate to describe this as a thriller, while there is action; it is not of the form where the tension is slowly ratcheted up.
Mike discovers that his new position puts a good deal of strain on him and his marriage, for now he feels personally responsible for the capture of the villains. In order to gather the evidence, it is now necessary for him to attend autopsies and examine the murder victims in great detail. This creates mental baggage that he brings home; he often works late and comes home mentally and physically exhausted.
Despite the lack of a buildup to a climax, this is still a book that will keep your attention if you enjoy stories about the daily routine of being a robbery/homicide detective. The cover announces that this is the debut novel of a "Detective Mike Walsh" series of novels. Given this good start, I believe the series will be a successful one.

What can I say about a book that kept me up all night, creating a driving desire to keep turning the pages? Good cop Mike Walsh, faces challenges rarely written about. We learn that when a cop goes home, the job often does not stay at the office. We learn how that job affects the lives of not only the cop, but the people around them. A delightful tale, told in a thoughtful manner, author Michael Phelps' first Mike Walsh book leaves us yearning for more.

My thoughts"Execution of Justice" is not a fast paced thriller, but an evenly flowing drama. Michael Phelps first novel shows what it is like to be a cop, both professionally and personally. While Detective Mike Walsh succeeds at his job, he fails at his marriage. While the portrayal of being on the job and dealing with criminals is fine, when Phelps writes about the home life of the detective, there is too much that doesn't need to be there, like the too much detail in what he eats, when and if he has sex. I don't know if he was trying to show how mundane his personal life was as compared to how stressful the job was. I just felt it slowed the story. Also, it is stated that this is the first of the "Detective Mike Walsh" series. If so, there has to be more conflict which builds up to a climax to keep me interested, as opposed to reading what essential is a journal of the character's life. Otherwise, it's a good start.