Shakedown

by Gerald Petievich

Some shelf wear. Pages are clean and binding is tight. Solid Book.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

235 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1989

About the author

Gerald Petievich belongs to that tiny group of writers who came to crime fiction from careers in law enforcement. He has been an Army counterspy and a U.S. Secret Service agent, using his real life experiences to achieve verisimilitude in his fiction. His novels are known to come as close as any in the mystery- and-thriller genre to a genuine realism. Three of his novels have been produced as major motion pictures.

Gerald grew up in a police family. His father and brother were both members of the Los Angeles Police Department. He attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey and later served in Germany as a US Army Counterintelligence Special Agent. As Chief of the Counterespionage Section, Field Office Nuremberg, he received commendations for his work during the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

In 1970 he joined the United States Secret Service where as a Special Agent he spent fifteen years engaged in duties relating to the protection of the President and the enforcement of Federal counterfeiting laws. It was during a long-term Secret Service assignment in Paris, France that Petievich discovered the works of Per Wahloo & Maj Sjowall, Graham Greene and John le Carre, and decided to become a writer. Later, while serving in Los Angeles as the US Secret Service representative to the Department of Justice Organized Crime Strike Force, Gerald's schedule consisted of rising at 4 AM to write before going to his government office.

In 1985, Gerald left the Secret Service to pursue his writing career full-time.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It isn't just Elmore Leonard's glowing praise that counts. Like authors Edwin Torres's crime novels and the work of George V. Higgins, Petievich is compelling to read because the mechanics and lingo from his ex-Secret Service Agent experiences are so credible. They distract from the weaker elements. Much like Higgins's ex-lawyer information and Torres's colorful years as a NYC judge carry their stories, here, the details fuel the narrative with exciting accuracy, and yes, the accuracies are always exciting. The ruthless pursuit of a hateable ex-cop and his extortion schemes allow for the novel's unique cast of characters to come into their own, and from all directions. The regrettable moments come mostly in the book's punctuating sex scenes that arrive like TV commercials, all of them "explosive" and highly successful. Almost as if Petievich wants to earn admiration from the reader for the criminal and law enforcement types, alike, in their bedrooms. Nonetheless, the suspense and grit are without any pretense. As the betrayals stack up on both sides, Petievich also shows the flaws in the various agencies. He doesn't soft-pedal the brutality, hypocrisy and corruption. On the humorous side are the illustrations of Las Vegas, a city Petievich autopsies in great, grotesque detail, describing what seems like an endless community of sleaze and stucco.

[JKM S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say this is an exciting read. However, since every little thing in this book was very detailed, I was consumed by the story. Because the author had served a long time in the secret service, everything he wrote in this crime thriller book was very descriptive and believable, which kept me turning the pages. However, be mindful that since this is an old book, it calls non-white people with names such as Chicanos and orientals; terms that are frowned upon in 2021.

[Bruce Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book on the recommendation of Elmore Leonard. Elmore found it hard to put down. Well, yes, it is gripping. It doesn't have Elmore's linguistic polish, nor his wit. However, the scams were well described and the action flows. The plotting, tension, dialogue and interactions are well done. Because it is so plausibly described, one wonders how much of this stuff actually goes on.

[Jim Bostjancic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Gerald Petievich transformed his real life exploits into a pulp fiction actioner set in Vegas that reads like an occurrence report and fast as a Wesley Snipes "Boiling Point" flying leap kick through a suspect's front door. "Shakedown" would have made a great Charles Bronson vehicle in the mid 80's.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Easily 4.5-stars... much better than the GR ratings would suggest. Flawlessly plotted, clever, believable, taut.