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Eliot
What defines justified transgressions? No two people will agree on what is acceptable, moral, right, wrong, deserving, heroic, or criminal in Eliot and that is what pushes us to truly look inside our own souls. Do you see the actions of the vigilante killer set on revenge, the drug dealer just trying to survive, or the cop trying to preserve his legacy as justified, or is it all just excuses to mask our own hidden understanding that very little separates sanity and psychosis?
Eliot was written by an actively serving Baltimore Police Department Officer. It doesn't get any more real than that.
Eliot lets you into the mind of a killer and the real world of police on the streets.
Give Eliot a try, you will not be disappointed.
There is also a website with extras to enhance the experience.
http://www.michaelawoodjr.com
Eliot was written by an actively serving Baltimore Police Department Officer. It doesn't get any more real than that.
Eliot lets you into the mind of a killer and the real world of police on the streets.
Give Eliot a try, you will not be disappointed.
There is also a website with extras to enhance the experience.
http://www.michaelawoodjr.com
318 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2012
4 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Michael A. Wood Jr.
9 books61 followersDr. Wood is a father, husband, USMC vet, retired Baltimore Police, scientist, author, and scholar; has stared in numerous documentaries and hundreds of media appearances; published fiction and non-fiction; summa cum laude, B.S. Criminal Justice (Kaplan/Purdue), M.S. Business Management InfoTech (Kaplan/Purdue), Ph.D. Business Management Education (Capella).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaw...
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9086663/
Amazon Authors: https://www.amazon.com/author/woodmic...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaw...
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9086663/
Amazon Authors: https://www.amazon.com/author/woodmic...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 9, 2014
I think it's awesome, but I wrote it!
Here's what Kindle Book Review had to say:
4 Stars
A Strong Debut, May 19, 2012
By The Kindle Book Review
This review is from: Eliot (Paperback) Michael A. Wood, Jr., draws extensively upon his life as a police officer in his novel, “Eliot,” which in fact opens with a handy mini-dictionary of cop-speak. This, however, does not prepare the reader for the opening passages of the book. The protagonist Eliot Watts, does not believe himself to be psychotic, just vengeful, as he tracks down and kills the drug dealer responsible for the death of his daughter–and, on a roll, so to speak, decides the community would be better off without other drug dealers as well. But the pleasure he take in the kill blurs distinctions between sanity and insanity, which ambiguity adds a compelling dimension to the book. These hunts for the bad guys, however, are an extracurricular activity of sorts, as Eliot is also a police officer.
The novel goes on to advance the novel through the eyes of other characters, such as Eliot’s wife, Jessica, who ironically enough is consulting a therapist; detective Noah Faulkner, who puts principles above career, and the beleaguered officer Darnell Redd. The first person narration by Eliot is more riveting than the episodes featuring the other characters. Eliot gets right inside the reader’s soul, upsetting easy beliefs about good and evil; his story literally is a matter of life and death. There are no hard rules about switching points of view in a novel. But perhaps his years as an officer and in the Marine Corps has rendered Woods more curious about evil than good, since the latter doubtless comes much more easily to him. It is Eliot who gives the book its whallop.
Still, this book is an impressive fiction debut for Michael A, Wood, Jr. The author makes an effort early on to distinguish his protagonist from TV’s “Dexter,” and so in fact he does. Still, if you like “Dexter,” there’s no reason why you shouldn’t like “Eliot.”
Jon P. Bloch (The Kindle Book Review)
http://amzn.to/JJo3Oz
Here's what Kindle Book Review had to say:
4 Stars
A Strong Debut, May 19, 2012
By The Kindle Book Review
This review is from: Eliot (Paperback) Michael A. Wood, Jr., draws extensively upon his life as a police officer in his novel, “Eliot,” which in fact opens with a handy mini-dictionary of cop-speak. This, however, does not prepare the reader for the opening passages of the book. The protagonist Eliot Watts, does not believe himself to be psychotic, just vengeful, as he tracks down and kills the drug dealer responsible for the death of his daughter–and, on a roll, so to speak, decides the community would be better off without other drug dealers as well. But the pleasure he take in the kill blurs distinctions between sanity and insanity, which ambiguity adds a compelling dimension to the book. These hunts for the bad guys, however, are an extracurricular activity of sorts, as Eliot is also a police officer.
The novel goes on to advance the novel through the eyes of other characters, such as Eliot’s wife, Jessica, who ironically enough is consulting a therapist; detective Noah Faulkner, who puts principles above career, and the beleaguered officer Darnell Redd. The first person narration by Eliot is more riveting than the episodes featuring the other characters. Eliot gets right inside the reader’s soul, upsetting easy beliefs about good and evil; his story literally is a matter of life and death. There are no hard rules about switching points of view in a novel. But perhaps his years as an officer and in the Marine Corps has rendered Woods more curious about evil than good, since the latter doubtless comes much more easily to him. It is Eliot who gives the book its whallop.
Still, this book is an impressive fiction debut for Michael A, Wood, Jr. The author makes an effort early on to distinguish his protagonist from TV’s “Dexter,” and so in fact he does. Still, if you like “Dexter,” there’s no reason why you shouldn’t like “Eliot.”
Jon P. Bloch (The Kindle Book Review)
http://amzn.to/JJo3Oz
June 5, 2012
Wow, just wow! Not my usual genre, however I was hooked from the first chapter. I grew up with a friend who's father and stepfather both worked in Baltimore's Homicide. I remember listening to the stories with disbelief. This book took me back in time,thinking about those stories. Eliot is a man with a mission. Avenge the death of his daughter who was killed by a drug dealer. I don't like violence, but found myself cheering for Eliot every time a drug dealer was taken down. Eliot is a passionate man who loves his wife and misses his daughter, in many ways he ends up being a hero to the BCPD. I am hoping there is a second book, I didn't want Eliot to end. Highly recommended!
June 5, 2012
This book portrays a very real picture of life on the streets of Baltimore and of the BPD. Once I started reading it, it was hard to put down. I finished the book in 2 days!!! The book is action packed and has you wondering about Eliot's next escape. It's a must read!
September 24, 2012
Baltimore Police Officer Eliot Watts is a man who is drowning in grief after the hit and run death of his daughter by a suspected drug dealer. His main objective is revenge as he tracks down drug dealers and interrogates them before killing them. He feels that he is not only seeking revenge for his daughter but doing a great service to the community by eliminating the drug dealers.
Detective Noah Faulkner believes the killings are being done by a vigilante cop and sets out to prove his case. Police Officer Darnell Redd is a dirty cop forced by blackmail to do the bidding of Frankie "Gotti" James, the top drug dealer in town. Watts, Faulkner and Redd are on a collision course that will take many twists and turns before the end is reached.
Eliot is a character that will touch your soul as he searches for the truth about his daughter’s murder and at the same time searches for himself. He is a very multi-dimensional character brought to life as his feelings and emotions are brought to the forefront. The characters of Faulkner and Redd are characters that add to the sense of realism and tension in the story. The dialogue and interplay between the characters is sharp with detail that reflects the author’s background with law enforcement.
I feel that an important part of this book relates to the grief of losing a child and what that grief turns into when all you really want is justice. I also want to point out that Michael A. Wood Jr’s background with the Baltimore Police Department and the experiences woven into this story brought forth a true sense of realism and believability which added to its intensity.
Michael A. Wood Jr. is successful in delivering a fast-paced suspense that had me hooked from the beginning and kept me totally invested in the story. I recommend this book to all readers, sit back and get comfortable because you won’t want to put it down!!
Detective Noah Faulkner believes the killings are being done by a vigilante cop and sets out to prove his case. Police Officer Darnell Redd is a dirty cop forced by blackmail to do the bidding of Frankie "Gotti" James, the top drug dealer in town. Watts, Faulkner and Redd are on a collision course that will take many twists and turns before the end is reached.
Eliot is a character that will touch your soul as he searches for the truth about his daughter’s murder and at the same time searches for himself. He is a very multi-dimensional character brought to life as his feelings and emotions are brought to the forefront. The characters of Faulkner and Redd are characters that add to the sense of realism and tension in the story. The dialogue and interplay between the characters is sharp with detail that reflects the author’s background with law enforcement.
I feel that an important part of this book relates to the grief of losing a child and what that grief turns into when all you really want is justice. I also want to point out that Michael A. Wood Jr’s background with the Baltimore Police Department and the experiences woven into this story brought forth a true sense of realism and believability which added to its intensity.
Michael A. Wood Jr. is successful in delivering a fast-paced suspense that had me hooked from the beginning and kept me totally invested in the story. I recommend this book to all readers, sit back and get comfortable because you won’t want to put it down!!
June 7, 2012
What a fun book this was. Once I started it, I read it in about two days, since it is very entertaining and fast-paced enough to keep the readers from getting bored.
There’s a good sense of suspense throughout the novel. Even as we meet and see who the vigilante is, we don’t really know much about him or what makes him do the things he does, so we don’t feel entirely comfortable. Which is exactly the point. He is a nicely done character with different layers that make him fun to read about. The only other really captivating character was Noah, another detective who is a bit of an outcast in the police force. One character I didn’t really understand much and I would have liked to have had her more involved in the story is Eliot’s wife. She appears only a few times with little point to her other than to advance the other character’s actions.
There’s a lot in the book about police procedure which was fascinating to read about since it’s not something that is really as prominent in novels as you’d imagine. I actually wished there was more of it, more details on the day-to-day lives of one or two of the characters, just to give the reader the idea of what’s normal and what’s not in the police force.
I do recommend this one. If you like fast-paced thrillers, then this book just be a good choice for you.
There’s a good sense of suspense throughout the novel. Even as we meet and see who the vigilante is, we don’t really know much about him or what makes him do the things he does, so we don’t feel entirely comfortable. Which is exactly the point. He is a nicely done character with different layers that make him fun to read about. The only other really captivating character was Noah, another detective who is a bit of an outcast in the police force. One character I didn’t really understand much and I would have liked to have had her more involved in the story is Eliot’s wife. She appears only a few times with little point to her other than to advance the other character’s actions.
There’s a lot in the book about police procedure which was fascinating to read about since it’s not something that is really as prominent in novels as you’d imagine. I actually wished there was more of it, more details on the day-to-day lives of one or two of the characters, just to give the reader the idea of what’s normal and what’s not in the police force.
I do recommend this one. If you like fast-paced thrillers, then this book just be a good choice for you.
June 15, 2012
Mix a dash of Dexter into the batter of Crash and you have Eliot. A gritty story filled with characters that leave you reflective long after you have finished the book.
Written between first person and third person, the style creates a greater depth as the events unfold.
"I am not a psychopath." Enter Eliot Watts, a Baltimore City Cop working on Eastern Division. Over two years ago fate intervened with a great tragedy that has set him upon his current course.
Mr. Wood delivers three dimensional characters within these pages. From a misfit cop that sees a pattern no one else wants to see or recognize, a dirty cop that once stood against everything that he has now evolved into, and a drug kingpin who holds a piece of the puzzle that keeps him safe for now.
When all these lives intercept an amazing tale comes together. From the first sentence I could not put this book down. The weaving of the storyline and the characters held me captive (often finding that I was holding my breath as I turned the pages). What defines a person, through revenge, through the ends - despite the means, and how does trauma define one. When lives are connected even in degrees of seperation, the steps it takes for the collision is one of the greatest mysteries, which is unlocked in the story of Eliot.
A must read guaranteed to make you think.
Written between first person and third person, the style creates a greater depth as the events unfold.
"I am not a psychopath." Enter Eliot Watts, a Baltimore City Cop working on Eastern Division. Over two years ago fate intervened with a great tragedy that has set him upon his current course.
Mr. Wood delivers three dimensional characters within these pages. From a misfit cop that sees a pattern no one else wants to see or recognize, a dirty cop that once stood against everything that he has now evolved into, and a drug kingpin who holds a piece of the puzzle that keeps him safe for now.
When all these lives intercept an amazing tale comes together. From the first sentence I could not put this book down. The weaving of the storyline and the characters held me captive (often finding that I was holding my breath as I turned the pages). What defines a person, through revenge, through the ends - despite the means, and how does trauma define one. When lives are connected even in degrees of seperation, the steps it takes for the collision is one of the greatest mysteries, which is unlocked in the story of Eliot.
A must read guaranteed to make you think.
June 26, 2012
I absolutely loved this book! I literally couldn't put it down. I loved how all the characters lives intertwined and came together. The ironic thing was the book was such a page-turner yet I so didn't want it to end. I would highly recommend this crime novel to others and look forward to more books from Mr. Wood. Received book free from GoodReads.com.
February 21, 2013
Really excellent read, great character development. Interesting and kept my attention. I was drawn in by all the details and real life like situations. Very compelling and emotional. I was very lucky to have won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
December 27, 2014
Based on the name of the book, you can guess who the 'guy' is but we don't know who caused Eliot to snap. Several years ago Sydney, Eliot and Jess's daughter was ran down and left to die in her mothers arms. It was said the driver was a drug dealer.
Eliot's mission was to take down the number of known drug dealers at the time of Sydney's death.
He is a vigilante cop who commits the perfect murders because he knows the ins and owns and how to avoid being caught.
Is is wrong what he is doing? Yes but at the same time he has eliminated a lot of problems and making this area of Baltimore safer so accidents like Sydney's might not happen.
Eliot's mission was to take down the number of known drug dealers at the time of Sydney's death.
He is a vigilante cop who commits the perfect murders because he knows the ins and owns and how to avoid being caught.
Is is wrong what he is doing? Yes but at the same time he has eliminated a lot of problems and making this area of Baltimore safer so accidents like Sydney's might not happen.
January 7, 2014
Sargent Eliot Watts is a Baltimore policeman with a secret. His young daughter was killed by a drug dealer in a hit and run. Eliot is on a mission to find and eliminate the murderer of his little girl. This book was very good because it follows Eliot and his mission but it also follows the police department's investigation. It is a short but very engrossing book.
September 9, 2016
Love the ending, the book has dexter vibe all over it in a good way, it's like I can almost hear the narration in my head ;)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews