Customer Reviews

Midnights: A Year With the Wellfleet Police

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

 

 

I won't tell you why Alec Wilkinson was given the dubious nickname of "Crash" while he served on the Wellfleet Police force. You'll have to read the book to try and figure that one out! What I can tell you is that Midnights is one of the most amusing true stories I have ever read. It's like a real-life Mayberry.. Barney Fife and all! Originally published in 1982, Wilkinson describes his personal experiences as a small town cop on Cape Cod. Fresh out of college with a music degree, he was looking for work in the summer of '75. Wilkinson gave law enforcement a try. So what if he had no police training! As you will read, it was one bizarre summer and off-season that followed. Memorable too. And Wilkinson candidly recounts his year with the men in blue, often with sidesplitting humor! It's no wonder why this comical gem is back in print.

I have long enjoyed Alec Wilkinson's work in the New Yorker, so it was a treat to discover "Midnights." It's a marvelous read. Wilkinson's style is spare and elegant, and his candor about his shortcomings as a cop makes for some hilarious moments. I plan to buy a copy for my policeman brother-in-law, but anyone will enjoy this fine book.

Alec Wilkinson captures a unique view of the world of small town Law Enforcement in this book. You won't find your typical "shoot em up" / "show the blood" / "rough-tough" cop novel between these covers. Instead prepare for a unique, enjoyable, and fun look at policing. I have been into policing for over 27 years. I still recall once being told by a college professor in the early 80's that the most realistic cop show ever produced was "Barney Miller" because that is how cops deal with each other! I have found that all too true in my career. Maybe that's why I still like to dust this one off the shelf every few years for a fun read. Mr Wilkerson gives us just enough fun, just enough "you got to be kidding?!" with just enough reality to make this book worth your while - several times! On a side note, a friend visiting the area years ago, per my ask, stopped in the PD office there and swapped patches for me. He mentioned the book. With smiles and rolled eyes, he was told, "oh, yeah...some of us still remember that guy!"

Excellent book! Although I have a personal connection to the story, it was truthful and well written. I bought this as a gift, but ended up reading it first!

MIDNIGHTS is a well-written and interesting account of the author's year as a small town policeman, a job for which he was not ideally suited. Mr. Wilkinson gives the reader insight into not only his own point of view, but presents the reader with a look at the police skills and personality of each of his co-workers (as noted, it was a small force). The book is, while not laugh-out-loud funny, gently humorous and the author does not take himself overly seriously. This book is insightful and is well worth reading.

I had to read this book for a class and there is no other reason why I would have. "Memoirs" is a favorite genre of mine, but this one was not interesting to me in the least, much of the reason because I was not sympathetic to the author and cared nothing for him, felt no connection. Blech.

If you want to read good police-accounts, check out "into the kill zone" or "blue blood," which - though very long - is a better read.