Officer Down [Hardcover]

Michael Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993

In retaliation for a U.S. crackdown on Colombian drug cartels, the Punyo Blanco, a narco-terrorist gang, targets New York City cops, and only four very different law-enforcement people can stop the bloodbath. 40,000 first printing. $40,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Tired of battling US anti-drug authorities on Colombian soil, the druglords hatch an ingenious, improbable, yet prophetic scheme: They'll hire a cadre of terrorists to execute NYPD officers at random, spreading fear and demoralization in preparation for an all-out attack on a high-profile public institution--all in order to frighten federal authorities into backing off their demands for extraditions from Colombia. Commissioner Thomas Cassidy, looking for a few good men to battle the Pu¤o Blanco (White Fist), chooses Deputy Inspector Dan Morgan, who's joined by DEA agent Donal Castillo (``pushing the envelope and close to burnout'') and FBI antiterrorist specialist Christine Liberti. As Morgan's tiny, secret unit begins to gather information, the Pu¤o Blanco--headed by paramilitary sharpshooter Lyle Petry-- plants a bomb outside One Police Plaza, killing the eager-beaver officer who picks it up thinking it's a dud; executes a second officer as she's sitting in her car writing out a parking citation; and begins to place bogus distress calls to 911 in order to bushwhack the responding officers. The department, even though they haven't been told that a terrorist organization has targeted their ranks, predictably demands automatic weapons and doubled backup personnel, and then, after another bombing in the South Bronx, starts a job action. The odds against Morgan and Co. would seem impossible except for an undercover cop they've planted right under Petry's nose--but a rookie whose inexperience sets the stage for a nailbiting finale. The excruciatingly familiar characters, from coldly trigger-happy Petry to hotly trigger-happy Castillo, are only pegs to hang the action on--but as Grant showed in Line of Duty (1991), he sure can dish up the action. The recent bombing of the World Trade Center (not, by the way, the climactic target here) gives this crackerjack story an added timeliness. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 437 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385419686
• ISBN-13: 978-0385419680
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,151,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Grant is a former member of the NYPD. He worked as a police officer in the Tactical Patrol Force and the Accident Investigation Squad. Upon being promoted to sergeant, he worked in the 63rd Precinct, the Inspections Division, and finally the Police Academy. As a lieutenant, he worked in the 17th Precinct and finished up his career as the Commanding Officer of the Traffic Division's Field Internal Affairs Unit. He retired in 1985 and went to work for W.R. Grace Company as a Security Coordinator.
Mr. Grant has a BS in Criminal Justice and an MA in psychology from John Jay College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
In 1990, Mr. Grant moved to Florida where he wrote his first three novels: Line of Duty, Officer Down, and Retribution. In 2006 he returned to Long Island where he has written six more novels: The Cove, Back To Venice, When I Come Home, In The Time Of Famine, Dear Son, Hey Ma, and Krystal.
He lives on Long Island with his wife, Elizabeth, and their Golden Retriever, Jack.
Mr. Grant can be reached at [e-mail]