Hose Monkey

Joe Serpe #1

by Reed Farrel Coleman, Tony Spinosa

When former NYPD detective Joe Serpe hit bottom, he just kept on going. Having lost his career to charges of corruption, his family to divorce, his partner to suicide, and his fireman brother to the tragedy of 9/11, Serpe's world is nearly empty but for his cat, Mulligan. Living in a basement apartment in a blue collar town on Long Island, Joe spends his days filling tanks with home heating oil and his nights filling his belly with vodka.

But when a young retarded man who worked for Joe's oil company is cruelly murdered, Joe Serpe rediscovers purpose and grasps for a last chance at redemption.

Along with his former Internal Affairs Bureau nemesis, Bob Healy, and Marla Stein, a brave and beautiful, group home psychologist, Joe wades into the world of street gangs, anti-immigration organizations, and the Red Mafia.

Hose Monkey is a rough and tumble ride through a violent, often cruel world--a world where it's hard to tell the bad guys from the good guys without a scorecard. It is a world of murder and extortion, but one in which an innocent Down Syndrome girl may hold the key that unlocks the mystery. At the same time, Hose Monkey is a story of salvation and forgiveness. . . a tale of justice done.

Genres: Mystery, Ebooks

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 18, 2011

About the author

aka Tony Spinosa

Reed Farrel Coleman’s love of storytelling originated on the streets of Brooklyn and was nurtured by his teachers, friends, and family.

A New York Times bestseller called a hard-boiled poet by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and the “noir poet laureate” in the Huffington Post, Reed is the author of novels, including Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone series, the acclaimed Moe Prager series, short stories, and poetry.

Reed is a three-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories—Best Novel, Best Paperback Original, Best Short Story—and a three-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best PI Novel of the Year. He has also won the Audie, Macavity, Barry, and Anthony Awards.

A former executive vice president of Mystery Writers of America, Reed is an adjunct instructor of English at Hofstra University and a founding member of MWA University. Brooklyn born and raised, he now lives with his family–including cats Cleo and Knish–in Suffolk County on Long Island.

Reviews

[L.T. Fawkes]

Reed Farrel Coleman $6.15 on Kindle **** Joe Serpe is a former NYPD homicide detective. Former because he's been drummed out of his job on a bum rap.

Now he's working as a hose monkey (home heating oil deliveryman), haunted by the death of his firefighter brother in the Twin Towers and anger at the way he lost his job. When a likable and enthusiastic but mentally-challenged kid working as a gopher at the oil company is murdered, Joe finds a an unexpected ally and goes after his killer.

Good, nicely-paced plot. Joe Serpe is a very likable anti-hero. Very interesting characters.

[Ed Schmidt]

Disgraced NYPD officer Joe Serpe works as a home fuel oil deliveryman in New York by day and drowns himself in vodka at night. When a retarded man who works for Joe's company is found brutally murdered, Joe, along with his IAB nemesis Bob Healy, and Marla Stein, a beautiful group home psycologist set out to find the murderer. They quickly find thenselves wading thru street gangs and the NY Russian Mafia.

This book was a Barnes & Noble/Nook fre book that turned out to be pretty interesting.

[Old_airman]

Lately, I have gotten so many Nook books that some have dropped off my radar. Almost forgot I had this one and nearly blew it off. Sure glad that I did not.

Joe Serpe, a disgraced NY cop, has allowed his life to deteriorate to driving a fuel oil truck when he isn't drinking himself into a stupor. The murder of a special needs boy introduces Joe to life again. A very intertaining read.

[Susan]

You know it's a great story when your eyes start to hurt from reading, but you just can't put the book down! Loved It!!

[Peter]

It was alright but didn't make me want to see what else the author had to offer.

[M. Sprouse]

Tony Spinosa, is Reed Farrel Coleman writing under another name. I can't say it was as good as any of the Moe Prager books I've read or the two Gus Murphy novels. It particularly lacks the depth of the Prager books. However, this is still a very good read. Joe Serpe has very little going for him. He's lost his wife, his job as a cop and his son's love. All he has left is his fuel pumping job, a cat and a couple of friends. Now outside forces are threatening both of these.

This novel kept my attention and was a quick read. The New York setting is familiar with anyone who has visited the city and particularly those who know the surrounding burbs. The suspense grows throughout and this book moves fast. The murderer is not that hard to figure, but another allied faction seems to come out of nowhere in the last third of the book. It was good enough to make me search for the next in the Joe Serpe series, "Gun Bunnies", which is very difficult to find.

[Tony Rampling]

Another hero that is easy to relate to and well written book. I look forward to reading every book that Reed creates!!

[Fran Burdsall]

If you like a classic "police procedural" novel, you'll love Hose Monkey! Gritty, action packed, great characters, twisty ending!

[Dennis Osborne]

Good Read, with characters straight out of Elmore Leonard

[John Stisk]

Normally a very good writer whom I have enjoyed but regrettably this time reverted to the old lost memory scenario, one of my pet hates (along with dreams). Apart from that a good book.

[Skip]

Light stuff. Mystery murder on Long Island, starring ex-cop working with the retired Internal Affairs cop, who got him fired.

[Diana]

A gritty murder mystery with lots of graphic violence. I enjoyed the story & the writing was very good.

[Alex C]

This gets a solid three stars. The story and characters were interesting. I would be curious to read more about them. I was reminded me a little of Bill Pronzini's writing but this wasn't as tightly told. Near the middle of the book the story skips around between characters almost to the point of distraction. At the end there are seemingly gratuitous descriptions of violence which may have caused more tension if presented earlier in the book but don't add much in the last few pages except for a sickening feeling. The case is over but the survivors lives continue and that could be interesting if there is another installment.

[Bev]

Interesting plot line, fast read, but a bit too gory at the end to suit me. Often no breaks to indicate change of speaker or change of scene which is very irritating though once into the story, you can figure it out pretty fast,

[Sandie]

Quick and easy read, read the entire book on Sunday, while watching NASCAR.

[Ian O'brien]

I really wanted to like this book but it was just...meh.

[Will Phillipson]

Kindle free book

[Russ]

Good NY read, ex-cops ex-firemen, heating oil, and russian mob. I like Coleman as an author

[David Beck]

A decent story, maybe not the greatest mystery ever but good enough. A lot of gratuitous violence, mostly to women.

[Sue]

just couldn't get into this one either. Not sure why, other reviews were great.