Customer Reviews

Making of a Detective, The

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

 

 

This book reveals the unvarnished truth about life on the front lines of an urban war zone. It has no index or table of contents for its 320 pages. It is a continuation of "The Making of a Cop", the career of David Carbone. Most murders rarely make the new because there's nothing sensational about them (p.12)!

The mega-metropolis of NY has 301 square miles with neighborhoods of every size and economic condition. Communities of every race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and political belief. About 2000 murders occur in NY each year, one-tenth of all US homicides! NY detectives solve these and other violent crimes. The Robbery Identification Program was created after they found robbers tended to operate in the same area (p.38). Separate units would concentrate just on robberies in select areas. Robberies often occur with shootings, stabbings, or beatings. Robbers were creatures of habit and do their crimes in the same way.

Pages 95-6 tell how one shooting is solved. It happened at a dirt lot. The experienced detective noticed muddy sneakers on an associate of the victim. Brought in for questioning, and the case was solved. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Like watching a major league batter hit one into the stands. Real life detectives needn't be terribly adept in science, forensics, or ballistics to solve cases (p.121), contrary to Hollywood dramas. A large metropolitan police department has many specialists. Its the personality that makes a detective: curiosity, aggressiveness, confidence, and perseverance. Pages 152-3 tell of the politics of justice in NY. A man who proffered the murder weapon and gave the order to rob was never charged with the murder. Did Dave flout the unwritten rules of style?

Page 124 tells of the "sociological phenomenon" where longtime residents migrated to the suburbs, and the result on the vacated neighborhoods. No clue here to solving this economic crime: who profited by this? Detectives aren't magicians, they can only work with what they have. Without witnesses or evidence (fingerprints) they can't break a case. It a witness of complainant won't testify, the case is closed. Pages 271-4 tell of the importance of proper testimony in court. They don't teach that in law school. If there are no witnesses to a murder, and no evidence of fingerprints left behind, the murder weapon not found, the murderer will not be targeted unless he tells someone (p.283). If he has a good alibi he might still get away, unless a detective gets a confession. Page 288 tells how "America's Most Wanted" helped to locate an alleged murderer. And the "War on Drugs" continues.

David Simon's outstanding piece of journalism "Homicide" is the first book I would recommend to anyone with an interest in law enforcement. This would be the second. Like Simon, Harvey Rachlin makes a strong effort to get the story right as he follows a New York City police officer as he is chosen to be elevated from the uniform ranks to breathe the rarified air of the detective's squadroom. Detective Dave Carbone deserves cresit for allowing Rachlin to scrutinize him so closely. Like Simon, Rachlin is mostly interested in how law enforcement professionals do what they do. Also like Simon, after reading Rachlin's account you'll have a much greater appreciation for those who try to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe for the law abiding.

This book gives an insight into the world of the Detective, particulary a N.Y. Detective. The writing style was easy to read, entertaining and kept the readers interest. Following the career aspirations of a young police officer up to the ranks of Detective, it highlights the highs and lows of police work, particularly of those involved in criminal investigation. Highly recommended light reading.

Being a police officer in Manchester, England I found this book excellent reading. You could imagine all the things that went on, the crime scenes, the arrests, both the emotional and physical strains that it placed upon the officer, family and friends

This is one of the finest books I have ever read. Regardless of whether or not you are interested in the world of detective work, you should read this book simply to get an idea of what it is like to work in an environment that seems to have gone mad. For anyone who has ever stepped foor in the neighborhood which is the primary setting for this true story, East New York, you will no that the descriptions of life in the neighborhood are no exaggeration. The book takes us from a Detective's initial assignment to the NYPD's Detective Bureau, and from there, it follows his rise to stardom, his emergence as one of New York's elite homicide investigators. This was one book that I could not put down once I started reading. I would reccommend it to everyone but those with a weak stomach...some of the descriptions of crimes in this book are graphic, and more than a few heart-wrenching tales are told. All in all, a wonderful piece of work.

Probably the best police procedural book I have ever read. Like a dozen detective novels in a row, only with the added punch that this is the real thing. Highest recommendation.

This is a fascinating read of the making of real life homicide detective. The story follows Dave Carbone, previously a street cop, starting with his first interview for a job with the NYPD Detective Bureau through his training and the initial cases he handles - from the successful to the not so successful.

The book reads like a novel, and soon I was immersed in Dave's evolution from good cop to super detective. If you've ever known a detective or wondered how close all those detective shows are to real life - this will answer those questions. It is actually more grim and sinister in some cases than how TV portrays it. It's long hours, lots of dedication, plenty of paperwork, following leads, investigating the scenes of grizzly murders and more. And, the reward is not only in catching the bad guys - but in the culture and status the Detectives hold within the police force.

Bottom Line: A fascinating behind the scenes look at the life and work of a detective.

4 STARS-plus. To get my 5 STARS the book has to be one I'll keep and read again a few times because it's so outstanding. But this is an interesting and enjoyable book. I call it a 'motel book' or 'cruise book.' Trust me, you can do alot worse. And I looked forward to reading it from the beginning. On the other-hand I work in law enforcement and I dont know anyone like Dave Carbone. Maybe it's just where I live, but around here the detectives step on their private parts more often than not, and it's frustrating to watch cases go up in smoke because of dum detectives and dummer judges. I hope Dave is for real.

To some people David Carbone is just another name. To the kids and children of a little town on Long Island called Long Beach, he is a hero and an icon to many. The name Carbone brings passion and rage to my body. He is the example of a larger than life figure. I and many of my other compadres would take a bullet for this man, and do whatever he says. The world must learn of this man, he is a living legend. His arms are so massive, he would make Mike Tyson cry like a girl. To David Carbone, we salute you, and you are my inspiration, and bring me the fire I need to succeed in life. This one's for David.

I remember Dave when he was a rookie in the 94 and can tell you at that point in time, it was obvious he was going to achieve much 'on the job'. I bought the book, and haven't read it yet. I don't have to read it. I know Det. Carbone. A Great Cop and a wonderful human being.

A former NYPD civilian employee.