Abuse of Power

by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

Rachel Simmons joins the police department of her small California city expecting to serve her community. But no one prepares her for the kind of service she will be called on to perform - or the price she will have to pay for her values and integrity. When she witnesses an incident of police corruption - and reports it - she must fight for her life and the safety of her loved ones against a host of unknown enemies.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Legal Thriller, Audiobook

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

With a BA in English and 5 years as a photographic model behind her, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg studied criminology. She served in the Dallas Police Department, New Mexico State Police, Ventura Police Department and as an Investigative Probation Officer in Court Services for the Country of Ventura where she handled major crimes. She lived in California.

Reviews

[Kim Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to rate this book 3 stars. I admire many authors without regard to gender. To say ‘what a great story’ or ‘what a talented author’ is a high compliment. However, from the moment I started reading this story I just kept thinking...’I can tell a woman wrote this book’. When the gender of the author makes that much impact in a story of fiction, it kind of ruins it for me. BUT...a 4 star rating was earned because I love a surprise ending, and this definitely ended in surprise. Horrible. But a surprise nonetheless.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably very seldom is a novel written about a woman police officer, and the problems that she faces in a predominantly man's world. Hopefully, the handful of 'dirty' men officers are not typical of the usual city force. The heroine, Rachel Simmons, years ago had to recover from being abducted as a child, and is now a widow with a three year old son and teenage daughter, working two jobs to make ends meet. Incidents of wrongdoing among her fellow officers begin, and what is she to do?

[Luckngrace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real barnburner of a police drama. Corruption, women's rights, whistle blower bravery with just a splash of romance.

[Kristeen Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

round up to 4.5 stars.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read, Lots of in and out's to keep you on your Toes... Great Ending*****

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really debated how to rate this novel. The first half of the book is background information and set up for the event blurbed on the back cover. This was written in 1997, and admittedly, I'm not an expert on police procedures in the late 199os but there were so many glaring errors in police procedure that I was surprised to later read that the author had studied criminology. I didn't bond with any of the characters enough to care what happened to them. By the time I realized it wasn't going to get better, I was so far in that I just finished reading the book.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD (READ MORE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION)
****
****



Rachel is a widow and mother to two children who chooses to become a police officer for the benefits the job offers as well as because she wants to help her community. Her children are quite different ages (a teen and a 3 year old). In one sense, I want to agree with the teen and wonder why Rachel had the second child if she wasn't going to be able to spend time with him. It does seem that Tracy (the teen) and Lucy (a neighbor) are more mothers to the boy than Rachel is.

Rachel faces sexual harassment at work--but who is she going to report it to? Her boss seems in on it. Then again, others on the same shift seem to face harassment, so . . . . You've got a master manipulator in Grant Cummings. He "helps" fellow officers out of jams and then uses that information to blackmail them into doing things his way. He's able to abuse people verbally, emotionally, and in some cases, physically.

Rachel doesn't want to lie so she tries to phrase her answers and reports in such a way that she's not telling a lie. The other officers see this as she's crossing the "blue line" and not supporting her fellow officers. They decide to teach her a lesson about cops not being there for other cops. As a result, Rachel is left to face off with a psychotic man alone in a house.

While I can't fault Rachel for wanting to wash up after being sprayed with the man's blood--she goes to a bathroom in the crime house to do so (can you say contamination of the scene?) and even when she sees the drug set up nearby and realizes the bathroom hides evidence, she still uses the sink in there to wash up (see above comment). All I could think of was a CSI episode where one of the new techs admits he used the bar's bathroom after he thought they were done processing the scene and being told how he broke procedure. If that was breaking procedure, this MUST BE a violation of procedure. Yet no one seems to comment on that--they're more worried about the money from that bathroom that's missing. Money they have only Rachel's word was there.

Rachel sleeps with one of the DAs--apparently with no real relationship there--though later her sister does develop a deeper relationship with the same man.

It's hard to respect a police force where pretty much everyone on the shift is corrupt or deliberately looking the other way. Harriman seems the only decent one on the shift. I'm still not convinced the chief wasn't looking the other way--though he puts up a good show to try to save his job once the shit hits the fan.

The ending was a bit of a let down.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if Nancy Taylor is related to Joel, the author the Guardians of the Flame series? No matter.

For some reason, this novel turned into a real page-turner for me. Began reading it about 8:30 at night, and didn't close the book until I finished it around 11:30. The first 4/5 of the book was fast-paced, well-written and kept getting me more and more angry at the villains of the piece. The last 1/5 of the book, however, Rosenberg must have run out of inspiration and decided to just wrap things up quickly, so I was rather disappointed in the way things all turned out.

One flaw in the novel for me was the underlying assumption that there's an epidemic of corruption in police forces around the U.S. Of course, since the whole plot of the novel hinges on what happens to Officer Rachel Simmons when she violates the code of silence that police officers maintain, I can understand why the premise is here, but...

The plot, in brief: Rachel contaminates evidence in an armed robbery investigation, panics and another officer covers for her. That officer uses the incident to blackmail her into attending a Tailhook-style beach party, where he and other officers drug her into unconsciousness and abuse her sexually. Shortly after that, she witnesses that officer using an innocent bystander as a human shield in a gun battle and decides to blow the whistle. The officers in the squadroom retaliate against her, and things just keep getting worse from there.

I won't give you any more details and spoil the story for you. I enjoyed it, and will probably pick up some more of Rosenberg's books to fill those lonely hours when I can't find a good sf novel.

[S]

Warning: 1) A child molestation scene & remembrances of it described, & 2) the event & character's humiliation described re a date-rape drug adm'd (drug not named, inferred). / Review: I can't rate the book. I stopped at Chap 10/36+Epilogue bc it, duh, described abusive scenes. I say "duh" bc I didn't take the title as a warning to avoid the book; the amount of emotional & physical angst after a non-familial childhood-abuse scene is what stopped my reading (listening). I had fast-forwarded thru descriptions of the childhood event to avoid having the scene in my memory, but by Chap 10, I realized I was experiencing a cumulative effect from the adult abuse scenes & the family circumstances of lack & grief. The nonconsequence of bad guy actions & events & the family despair needed a good guy by Chap 10 for me bc the bad guy & despair became an overload that began to stir a sympathetic nervous system response of fight/flight, so I quit the book. By Chap 10, I had no hope that characters Rachel & her daughter would experience offsetting ease bc the theme had been overwhelmingly bad things happening to good people vacuum-packed w/o reader relief. If you read/listen to the book, remember to breathe.

[Ryan Madland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not too sure how I came to own this book, but this is definitely the first time I've read anything by this author. At first, the book was a bit slow for me, but then it definitely picked up.

The main character, Rachel Simmons, a cop who also happens to be a widower just wants to do the job the right way and get home to her kids safely every day. Unfortunately she finds herself in the middle of a police department full of corruption.

There are many instances that challenge Rachel throughout this book. She finds the courage to challenge the system of corruption, but ultimately becomes the prime suspect in a major case. She has not only prove her innocence, but also prove that the accusations she's made against members of her squad to be true.

In in the end I thought the story was done pretty well. It moved pretty fluidly during the second half. I found it hard to put it down. The ending definitely was not what I was expecting. Would definitely recommend this one.

[Renny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a devastating story to experience written along the lines of classical stereotypical roles molded in the lines of harshest as well as most vulnerable roles portrayed in direct opposition. Unfortunately, there are people who have walked in the steps described in the story. At the same time, I think reality is a bit more complex and nuanced... walking the narrow path of integrity as well as making the choices within the potentials for corruption is a universal experience that each individual must make. Every single day.

[Dinah Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abuse of Power is a novel within a world of a corrupt Police Department. Note that there is an understanding that there are many honorable and brave Police Officers in our societies but this is a tale of a group that are not — the target, a female Police Officer (P.O.). Nancy Taylor Rosenberg skillfully writes an intense escalation of events when a P.O. does not conform to the threats of her peers. This one deserving my rating of five stars.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about corruption. I didn't really care for the ending, but it fit the story and was not out of line. It would definitely take a very strong person to speak out against police brutality and all that goes with that.

I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars and will probably read more books by Ms. Rosenberg.

[Lupe Alvarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️
Iba a puntuarlo con más nota pero ese final mmm…. No me dejó satisfecha.
Todo el libro es buenísimo, super atrapante y te mantiene interesado en cada página. Los capítulos son cortos por lo que no puedes dejar de leer. Pero los finales son muy importantes para mí. Llegar a eso después de todo lo que pasamos? No, la protagonista merecía más.

[Beth Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have just started reading Nancy Taylor Rosenberg and have liked all of her books. The ending of this one really caught me off guard. Am looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Kathy Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

[Mary Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good to read book and it makes me more read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book on Tape

Police corruption and a female officer telling the world what she sees.

Rosenberg is outstanding and all her books are very good!!

[Mike Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! A shocking ending! I didn't see that coming.

Wonderful writing and a wonderful author. Kept my interest throughout.

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book I've read of Nancy Taylor Rosenberg.
Kept my interest throughout. Fast easy read.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main character has had every calamity possible. Not a credible character.

[Lynne Block · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair

[J.J. Savaunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the pace and plot of this I was hooked from the start!

[Subane · Rating 4 out of 5]

• un roman plein d’action
• avec un personnage principal attachant
• et les thèmes abordés sont intéressants
• mais un peu déçu par la fin

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one of Nancy Taylor Rosenberg's earliest legal thrillers, Abuse of Power, this dealt with law enforcement of the worst kind. When Rachel Simmons, a widow and mother of two, joined the police force of a small California town, she wanted to serve her community to protect and serve. But when she discovered a hint of police corruption, she didn't expect to run into trouble and pay the price for reporting it in, except for keeping it quiet. The ending I won't give away, since it was a devastating bittersweet blow in the end.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not understand why there is police corruption in our world. It is always hard for me to believe. This book is very good based also on a female police officer that has gotten caught in the middle of the police corruption. How is the female police officer going to cope with the corruption of her fellow police officers in their department? OMG,I could not believe the ending. You must read to find out the end.

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some female cop battles other cops who are corrupt. She manages to not compromise her values but it doesn't matter much because in the end, everyone except her daughter, turns against her. It is about a world without integrity where everyone has a price. The most exciting part of the story is when some lowlife male cop uses a sixteen year-old kid as a sheild when he is in the line of fire, even though the cop is already wearing a bulletproof vest.

[Torben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alles in allem ein gewöhnlicher PolizistensindauchbösePolizistinstelltsichgegendiesesSystem-Krimi. Sich schreibt Frau Rosenberg besser als viele Kollegen, der Plot ist jetzt aber nicht sehr überraschend. Fängt langwierig an, ist in der Mitte spannend und vielversprechend und am Ende recht mittelmäßig. Ein Muss-Man-Nicht-Lesen-Buch und dafür auch etwas zu lang. Vielleicht auch nicht mein Genre.

[Ernest · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book failed to take advantage of its powerful premise. The main character was fine enough, but there was not enough meat to the substance of the story to the extent that this book frustrated me in how much unfulfilled potential it had. Only the ending stopped it from being, for me, a total disappointment but as it is, I unfortunately cannot recommend it to anyone.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #32 read in 2009

At first, I was uncomfortable with the idea in this book of police corruption. I know it exists, but it's not something I want to think about. But I LOVED this book. Yes, Rachel made some stupid decisions, but she stood on her principles. This was a great read!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books I was hungry to read..late night, all morning, just devour until it is finished. Abuse of power in a police department, personal integrity questions, bad guys and good guys, surprise ending. It has it all. Worth the time to read!