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Rat: A Cop's Secret Weapon
Informants exist in a netherworld that very few people dare venture into. They reach out to the police from the darkness, shedding light on the worst of criminals. Their anonymity is the key to their success and survival. RAT follows one cop's career as he uses his arsenal of informants as secret weapons in his fight against crime.
254 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2013
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Edmond Gagnon
18 books52 followersEdmond Gagnon is a retired Police Detective, having worked for the Windsor Police Service for over 31 years. Upon retiring he traveled the world compiling a fun collection of travel stories, then self-published his first book, "A Casual Traveler."
With a new passion for writing Ed created his Norm Strom Crime Fiction Series with with Rat, Bloody Friday, Torch, Finding Hope, Border City Chronicles, Trafficking Chen, Border City Chronicles - Four More, the Melaque Murder Club and Quicksand.
The sequel to Finding Hope, The Moon Mask, kicks off the new Abigail Brown Crime Series. It is followed by The Millionaire Murders.
Edmond Gagnon also wrote the paranormal thriller, Four.
All his stories are based on his own personal experiences..
Edmond Gagnon continues to write and travel, and resides in Windsor, Ontario with his wife, Cathryn.
With a new passion for writing Ed created his Norm Strom Crime Fiction Series with with Rat, Bloody Friday, Torch, Finding Hope, Border City Chronicles, Trafficking Chen, Border City Chronicles - Four More, the Melaque Murder Club and Quicksand.
The sequel to Finding Hope, The Moon Mask, kicks off the new Abigail Brown Crime Series. It is followed by The Millionaire Murders.
Edmond Gagnon also wrote the paranormal thriller, Four.
All his stories are based on his own personal experiences..
Edmond Gagnon continues to write and travel, and resides in Windsor, Ontario with his wife, Cathryn.
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January 25, 2019[Original review, Dec 17 2018]
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[Update, Jan 25 2019]
From this article in The Guardian:
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[Update, Jan 25 2019]
From this article in The Guardian:
The indictment also details threats Stone allegedly made to “Person 2”, a radio host who was allegedly his attempted intermediary to WikiLeaks.
“I’m not talking to the FBI and if your [sic] smart you won’t either,” Stone allegedly wrote. “You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends – run your mouth my lawyers are dying [to] Rip you to shreds.”
The document adds: “Stone also said he would ‘take that dog away from you’, referring to Person 2’s dog.”
December 6, 2014
Rat: A Cop's Secret Weapon by Edmond Gagnon is part of his Black and White series. Ed, a retired police officer for over 30 years, decided
to share some of his police stories. He wrote and published "Rat - A Cop's Secret Weapon" and "Bloody Friday" both books are part of his Black & White series."Torch" is next in the series and will be released soon.
In this story we follow the life of Constable Norm Strom, right from the beginning of his police service, as a rookie "walking the beat", to gaining seniority and moving up the chain to patrol cars, working the streets, through the basics of policing. It was though this evolving process that he came to realize that his circle of friends had to change, when he became a cop.
The title for this book brings up many scenarios. In the police world, a "Rat"(Informants) is someone who supplies information to the police.
RAT follows one cop's career as he uses his informants as secret weapons in his fight against crime.
Later when Norm is transferred to the Drug Squad, I liked the quote:
"To be a good drug cop, Norm had to learn how to play the game. The way the game worked was that when ever you busted someone with drugs, you made an attempt to roll and turn them, into your rat."
I enjoyed reading 'Rat.' In this book, the reader will become familiar with the basis of policing, and what is really going on in the streets. Naturally, a lot has changed in the Police Force, over the last 30 years, through the evolution of technology, and with everything that is currently going on now in the United States in relation to over-turned police indictments, this book is very thought-provoking for change.
to share some of his police stories. He wrote and published "Rat - A Cop's Secret Weapon" and "Bloody Friday" both books are part of his Black & White series."Torch" is next in the series and will be released soon.
In this story we follow the life of Constable Norm Strom, right from the beginning of his police service, as a rookie "walking the beat", to gaining seniority and moving up the chain to patrol cars, working the streets, through the basics of policing. It was though this evolving process that he came to realize that his circle of friends had to change, when he became a cop.
The title for this book brings up many scenarios. In the police world, a "Rat"(Informants) is someone who supplies information to the police.
RAT follows one cop's career as he uses his informants as secret weapons in his fight against crime.
Later when Norm is transferred to the Drug Squad, I liked the quote:
"To be a good drug cop, Norm had to learn how to play the game. The way the game worked was that when ever you busted someone with drugs, you made an attempt to roll and turn them, into your rat."
I enjoyed reading 'Rat.' In this book, the reader will become familiar with the basis of policing, and what is really going on in the streets. Naturally, a lot has changed in the Police Force, over the last 30 years, through the evolution of technology, and with everything that is currently going on now in the United States in relation to over-turned police indictments, this book is very thought-provoking for change.
January 17, 2015
This book follows Norm Strom's life as a police officer, from his rookie years until he retires. It focuses mostly on when he was on the drug squad and getting a lot of help from "Rats" (informants) to catch the bad guys.
Very good book, it's based on the author's Personal experiences of being a cop so it was very interesting to know how it all works, how some people can get charges dropped and avoid jail time by helping the cops catch other bad guys,there were also some funny parts which made me laugh out loud.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book for review, can't wait to read the next one!
Very good book, it's based on the author's Personal experiences of being a cop so it was very interesting to know how it all works, how some people can get charges dropped and avoid jail time by helping the cops catch other bad guys,there were also some funny parts which made me laugh out loud.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book for review, can't wait to read the next one!
April 8, 2015
This was a very interesting look at the reality of working with informants or rats from the perspective of a police officer. It was an entertaining and informative read.
I enjoyed reading this as it was something of personal interest to me. If you are intrigued by police work or the workings of criminals this is a good place to start!
I enjoyed reading this as it was something of personal interest to me. If you are intrigued by police work or the workings of criminals this is a good place to start!
September 11, 2021
My journey with this author and this book began on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. My wife and I were enjoying a pleasant walk around historic fort malden in Amherstburg which was hosting Art in the Park We saw and enjoyed booth after booth of the most beautiful and creative work when we came upon a man sitting behind a stack of books. I being a huge book love decided to engage in a little conversation. After hearing Mr. Gagnon's description of his work I was curious enough to purchase two of his works.
I began "Rat: a cops secret weapon" as soon as I got home. It being set in the place I call home for the past 25 years I was immediately pulled in as the story of Norm Storms career unfolded before me. While the writing felt a little home townish at times the story itself made up for any amateurish writing style. I'm grateful to have stopped and taken a risk on an author at Art in the Park.
I began "Rat: a cops secret weapon" as soon as I got home. It being set in the place I call home for the past 25 years I was immediately pulled in as the story of Norm Storms career unfolded before me. While the writing felt a little home townish at times the story itself made up for any amateurish writing style. I'm grateful to have stopped and taken a risk on an author at Art in the Park.
February 27, 2015
Kindle Copy for Review
RAT is about police informants that they rely on to take down the higher ups. They are people who are willing to sell out not to spend time in prison and their addiction to drugs.
The author a previous police officer uses his knowledge to tell us tales of a group of RATS. Set in the world of a police officer career of a Norm Storm a normal guy who grew up supporting his family and ended up on police force.
Norm struggles on the force among his peers which leads him into the world of drug enforcement. How arresting the little guy leads to higher ups and the fine line between them as each is willing to sell each other off. At times, when to trust them since they are addicts themselves needing another fix to stay high.
We are drawn into the seedy side as we watch how things really happen in the world of drugs.
RAT is about police informants that they rely on to take down the higher ups. They are people who are willing to sell out not to spend time in prison and their addiction to drugs.
The author a previous police officer uses his knowledge to tell us tales of a group of RATS. Set in the world of a police officer career of a Norm Storm a normal guy who grew up supporting his family and ended up on police force.
Norm struggles on the force among his peers which leads him into the world of drug enforcement. How arresting the little guy leads to higher ups and the fine line between them as each is willing to sell each other off. At times, when to trust them since they are addicts themselves needing another fix to stay high.
We are drawn into the seedy side as we watch how things really happen in the world of drugs.
February 8, 2014
Although I found the story interesting, there were too many exclamation marks throughout this book and I found it distracting. It could have been edited a lot better than it was (ex…using "by" instead of "buy"). Working at WPS I enjoyed Gagnon's viewpoint and colourful stories. Times have definitely changed from when he started his career.
March 15, 2015
this was an interesting read. Its a different view of a book that I usually read, but I enjoyed it. it shows you what a cop can go through with informants and stuff. sure was interesting. I liked it :) will look for more of his books :)
July 26, 2022
This is very good book to you have to read.
won-t-even-start-it
December 19, 2018I don't think calling informants 'rats' is the best way to go about this topic. Sorry. Pass.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews