Customer Reviews

Lock & Key

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Lock & Key is a simple book written by this first time writer. It shows the reader the diffcults of life and a new way to look at the men and women in blue that protects us each and every day.

LOCK & KEY is the memoir of retired policeman Richard L. Allen. The book tells of Allen's poverty stricken years first in Gary, Indiana, and later in Newark, New Jersey, and how all of the crime he saw surrounding him strengthened his resolve to become a police officer. As a young adult, Allen joined the military where he served over twenty years before he ultimately became an officer of the law until his retirement in 2001.

The book recaps some of Richard Allen's most memorable experiences both in life and in uniform. The incidents are full of detail, but unless you are familiar with the streets of New Jersey they may seem a bit overwhelming. The events are not always in any kind of order which makes the book choppy and unorganized. In addition to being a memoir, LOCK & KEY also contained original poetry and song lyrics. I enjoyed these items, but I think they may have been more effective if they were grouped together in a separate section.

In spite of the book's shortcomings, LOCK & KEY gives a wonderful portrayal of what it is like to be a policeman and made me think about and appreciate the men and women who often risk their lives to protect and serve us.