Customer Reviews

Latin Blues - A Tale of Police Omerta

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

 

 

Latin Blues

I received my copy of the book today, 1-3-07 in the mail at 11am and could not put it down until I turned the last page. Definitely a fast read. I may be partial since I worked those streets myself as a member of NYPD Tactical Patrol Force from 1968 to 1972. Although I do not know the author personally, I sure can relate to his experiences. This section of Brooklyn was a melting pot of Hispanic, Afro-American and Orthodox Jews. In addition to the gangs, there was always turf wars amongst the ethnic groups. TPF was a specially trained select group of police officers that was used to rapidly respond to riots, demonstrations and crowd control etc. Without having to drain personnel from the local commands. When not responding to the above conditions, we did routine foot patrol in high crime areas. At that time, the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn definitely qualified. I'll be 67 years old on my next birthday; this book took me back to my youth.
Today this section of Brooklyn is considered prime real estate due to the close proximity to Manhattan. And the high cost of living in Manhattan. The area is now be occupied by "YUPPIE" ( Young Urbin Professional ) that can't afford Manhattan, so they do the next best thing. Much of the property in the old Williamsburg section sells for a million plus. Go Figure.
Great Book, can't wait for authors next book.

Richard Weisel

I read this book about a month ago and couldn't put it down.

If you grew up in NYC and walked the streets of the lower east side

and Brooklyn you are in for some real excitement.

His cases come to life as he takes you through the life of NYC Police

officer day by day.

There's plenty going on here from street gangs to police corruption

to jealousy within the department.

Joe even leaves room for a little romance.

Move over "Mean streets" here comes "Real Streets".

Andrew Falco

True to life, and it makes your head spin. The author writes from direct experience, and although this book is definitely fiction, it has roots in Joe Sanchez' direct experience. Don't give it to your kid without reading it first.

I've read Joseph Wambaugh, Ed McBain, Carl Hiaasen, and a number of other police procedural and big city crime novelists. I've also had a lot of contact with beat cops, detectives, perps and prosecutors at the Manhattan and Bronx D.A. offices (luckily, not as a defendant). Joe Sanchez's extraordinary debut novel gets it right. LATIN BLUES captures the mind-set, rhythm, drama, and danger of working in the NYPD.

Sanchez captures the heroism and heartbreak that accompany the badge. He finds his saints and sinners in the unlikeliest places...just like in real life. His characters - Louie, J.J., Joe - are flesh and blood cops, fully dimensional, presented in minute and intimate detail. You KNOW these people.

His rogues - Rourke, Girardi, Ramos - are as vivid as today's headlines...so clear, so real, that I could almost see a few of New York's finest from the author's old precincts, sweating bullets and calling their lawyers.

The novel finds time for five-year old Kitty, trying to keep the memory of her father alive, even after he is "a small, shiny picture behind glass, only a plaque on the wall."

Don't talk to me about Bo Dietl. Forget NYPD Blue. For the hottest look at crime and punishment in New York, pick up LATIN BLUES.

But be careful. Some of the sentences are so sharp, they can cut your eyeballs.

Entertaining and informative reading. Even though I am a speed reader I took my time to absorb the information not wanting to miss any detail. I enjoyed the female characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good police fiction.