The Blue Executions

by George P. Norris

A serial killer is roaming the streets of New York City…the madman’s target—New York City police officers.

An incident in a Queens housing project hurls highly decorated detective Tommy Galvin not only onto the front pages of the newspapers but also into the crosshairs of the sociopath. The hunter becomes the hunted! Galvin’s actions on a warm spring evening ignite a powder keg of racial tension and civil unrest, capturing national attention which must be dealt with and brought under control by the NYPD.

When the two men finally come face to face, Galvin’s life has changed forever, in a way he could have never imagined.

The Blue Executions will take you from the eyes of the killer to the investigation charged with taking him down; from the inner workings of a major New York City newspaper that the killer has entrusted, to the behind the scenes politics of the NYPD at the highest levels. All of the while, Galvin’s life is on the line.

Genres: Mystery Thriller

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2014

About the author

George Norris is the Amazon Best Selling author of NYPD True and The Devil's Trident. In 2008, after over twenty years of service, George retired from the New York City Police Department. George was promoted to Sergeant in 1995 after working nearly two years in a precinct detective squad. In 2001, he was again promoted, this time to Sergeant Special Assignment. During his career Sgt. Norris amassed 248 medals for his actions as a police officer making him one of the most decorated officers in the history of the NYPD.
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Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read too many books of this genre but I’m glad I discovered this author because this is an excellent and addictive read. George Norris is obviously vastly experienced as a police officer, but it takes a special writing talent to transmit this wealth of knowledge into words, and especially into words which someone with no clue can understand and be immersed into the police environment straight away. I was constantly - but pleasantly - surprised by the novel and very involved with the gritty characters.

Anyone who enjoys crime novels and a good suspenseful read, along with gripping characters you’ll love and hate, will surely enjoy this book. Highly recommended and I’ll be checking out more by this talented writer!

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I would describe as a 'proper' Cop story! The characters are realistic and the events recognisable as typical current challenges the police have to face. Not surprisingly, the author served 20 years in the NYPD.
The plot moves at a fast pace and the central axis of the story is the hunt for a serial killer of cops, but I also enjoyed the topical sub plots around race and internal politics. It was these additional elements of the story that added to the realism and elevated the book above the average crime story.
Make no mistake, this author does not just dump his real life experience on the page, he is a talented writer. This is an exciting tale of suspense and murder with some romance on the side. Well worthy of five stars.

[Phil Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you cannot get into NYPD what do you do? You appeal their decision and start killing what you believed to be corrupt police officers and become a serial killer.. Dectective Galvin is a decorated officer whose actions during one shift cause the death of a young man which racial tension, civil unrest and the attention of the serial killer. Galvin get cleared of the civilian and gets to face the serial killer.

I really enjoyed reading this book and for me it captured my attention to become a page turner as its well written with lots of twists and turns.

[Eric James-Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Executions features a thrilling police-procedural plot with a heroic lead character, Tommy Galvin. While I shouldn't go on too much about the plot, for this one has twists and turns that I'd hate to spoil, I certainly feel comfortable providing a synopsis of the early chapters. After all, it was the suspense and action of the early chapters that hooked me.

So, lets start with those early chapters. From the beginning Norris pulls the reader not only into the world of the NYPD, but into the world of the individual detective working the streets. Vivid descriptions of Galvin's precinct and day to day working life are presented through the eyes of Galvin and a reporter who just happens to be on a ride-along. The importance of relationships, for good and bad, are compared. Although Gavin uses his relationships with criminals to make arrests, some of his fellow police officers use familial relationships to gain unearned promotions, which includes Galvin's current partner.

This dichotomy between Galvin and his partner demonstrates the characteristics that make Lieutenant Galvin so heroic. Not only does Galvin have so many metals on his uniform that the whole force calls him by his epithet, "the rack", but he's unimposing, polite, and gentlemanly. He treats fellow officers and criminals with equal respect.

Meanwhile, through the medium of subplot, Norris introduces the chief antagonist as well. At first he is simply described as "the man". This is where the action and suspense begin. Mysteriously, "the man" is seen in an apartment loading a gun with "cop killer" ammunition. And after shocking the nation by "executing" a police officer, "the man" receives a more appropriate epithet: "The Blue Executioner".

From here the stage is set for our hero, Tommy Galvin to square off with the most heinous of criminals, a cop killer.

Overall I loved the book. It had the suspense and plot twists that we all expect in a mystery and the insights into the real world of policing that only a former officer can produce.

Highly Recommended

[Jennifer Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brilliant New Crime Fighting Novel!

I was immediately sucked in by the vivid characterization of both Tommy Galvin, a NYPD detective, and the bad guy(I won't tell you who he is). The vivid description of what goes on inside a police building had me looking up this author's bio. Over twenty years of service on the NYPD! No wonder he can write about such subtle details. Anyways back to the story...

This is a suspenseful crime fighting novel written in the classic who-done-it style. The point of view switches back and forth between cop and villain, giving you an intimate view into the criminal mind as only an experienced police officer could describe. It reminded me a little bit of James Patterson's style.

As a woman, I enjoyed the touch of romance between Laurie and Galvin, although the sex scene would definitely interest men too. Laurie is also an attorney so you get some of the courtroom drama mixed in to balance the action.

There are several twists and turns in this novel that made it a compelling read. And there were several scenes I never saw coming. The verdict: I would recommend this novel to crime and suspense lovers especially those readers that like a well written evil villain.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story line. But there were so many typos that it was annoying and distracting. Like "He chucked to himself" instead of chuckled. Seriously, so many pages of stupid typos that I haven't even reviewed the story.
It was okay. Easy reading.

[Konda Pinegar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where was the editor?

This is an interesting tale that suffers from a lack of competent editing, making it read as if written by a foreigner.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic Riveting And Reads Like A True Crime book
In 2008, after over twenty years of service, George Norris retired from the New York City Police Department as the most decorated officer on the job at the time and became an author. This is his second book
George Norris pulls the reader not only into the world of the NYPD, but into the world of the individual detective working the streets.
The Blue Executions is the story about the perils of being a police officer in a big city. The two main characters in the story are Tommy Gavin, a much-decorated police officer, and Laurie, an assistant district attorney.
Without giving to much away the book starts with the descriptions of Galvin's precinct and day to day working life are presented through the eyes of Gavin and a reporter who just happens to be on a ride-along at the beginning of the book and this sets the importance of their meeting and the relationship’s that evolve for good and bad.
When are you turned down and cannot get into NYPD You can appeal their decision as to why not?? but not Michael Underwood who decides he is cleverer than any of them and decides to start killing what he believes to be corrupt police officers who have been exonerated of killing people in the line of duty.
We follow this life-and-death duel between these two which is set against a realistic portrayal of New York city, the streets and the racial tensions between the police and citizens.
The story is superb, and I highly recommend this book which I could not put down due to the fantastic descriptions of the characters and settings that thoroughly is absorbing.
I will definitely be looking out for more books written by this very talented writer!
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Romaine Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Execution is a fabulous suspenseful thriller written by a retired NYPD. The mystery and suspense will keep you intrigued as NYPD'S finest try to catch a cop serial killer with no leads.
You will also get a glimpse of the politics behind the scenes of the police department and newspaper.
When Detective Galvin, a highly decorated officer, ends up causing the death of man racial tensions are on high alert. It was a situation of kill or be killed. Now he is in the sights of the cop serial killer.
There is a little romance in the story.
I would love to see this made into a movie!
A new author to me and I will be reading more of his books. Highly recommend!

Thank you Booksirens and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grand Unique read

What a grand realistic story in The Blue Executions by George P. Norris. Norris writes this story well, and his knowledge of being a retired NYPD officer, and of the city, shows within this story. Basically, there is a serial killer, and he's aiming for police officers. It is a very realistic story and I've read some that aren't. There are different levels to the story, including Tommy's relationship with an ADA. The reader was pulled into the lives of the boys in blue, and could get a picture of the typical day in the precinct. I haven't read work from this author before, but I just became a fan. It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. I will definitely add more of this author's books to my bookshelf. The Blue Executions is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.

[Lynn Thomasson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great story

Multifaceted, intense, reads like a real cop wrote it. I enjoyed it! I have to take exception to the decision to use italics to denote police jargon and procedures. In my opinion, totally unnecessary and incredibly distracting! I almost stopped reading altogether when I realized it was going to continue for the whole book. I persevered, but it really took away from my enjoyment.

[Cynthia Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't like the retaliation murder. Unfortunately, that does happen more often than not. Glad the real killer was finally arrested. If you like mysteries and police procedurals, then this book is definitely for you.

[Carol Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the Blue Executions. It helps to remind us that results are in the details.

[Dave Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed reading this book. It was well composed ,a plot the kept revolving and held your interest. New to this author and thought the police procedure was interesting.

[Charles Wetmore Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

cops

A riveting novel. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it in one day. Some typos but I want more from this author.

[Michael Miller]

A rousing adventure offering fun insight into the many complications of being a "constable of the peace" in NYC.
Well-developed characters bounding towards the inevitable.
Thanks for the ride!!

[Alexis Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel has twists in it that were so surprising I had to go back and reread parts just to figure out how the author, George Norris, had fooled me. I was totally sure I knew how the murder mystery was being solved. But I was totally wrong. This feat of misdirection is even more impressive given the fact that this is more of a police procedural than a mystery -- Norris lets the reader know who the murderer is very early in the book.

The writing is bolstered by the deep realism Norris brings to it. Given Norris had a very distinguished career in the NYC Police Department, I expected him to have the police lingo and procedures down as well as he does. But what really pleased me is that he gives us an unvarnished insider's view into the sometimes nasty politics of the department's upper levels.

The characters are a good mix of realistic people. You've got the ambitious and striving main protagonist, who is a detective trying to solve multiple crimes at once. Then you've got the careerist senior officers who alternate between earnest duty to their city and cynical manipulation of public perceptions and their underlings' careers. And there's a great self-delusional psychopathic bad guy; i love irredeemably evil characters who believe they are doing good, and this one fits the bill perfectly.

The main plot revolves around solving a series of murders of NYC police officers. But there are several subplots, the most notable two of which are a romance, and crumbling police-community relations in a minority neighborhood. Because Norris switches between PoV characters, we see very different views of the same events (my favorite was a protest, where the protest organizer "sees" 5,000 protestors, while a policeman working overtime to supervise the protest "sees" fewer than 1,000.) I thought these kinds of contrasting eye witness views were particularly apt in a story about the police.

All-in-all this is a great thriller that will give you an insider's view into one of the largest police departments in the world, while also leaving your head spinning from the unpredictable plot twists.

[Joe Prentis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Executions

Most people who have worked in law enforcement don’t normally read police procedural novels because of the fact that most of them aren’t realistic. As a twenty-year veteran of the NYPD, Mr. Norris was able to draw on his extensive knowledge of how things really work in the NYPD, and also how criminals operate in the city. The action is both accurate and believable, the central requirement of a good story of this type.

The main characters in the story are Tommy Gavin, a much-decorated police officer, and Laurie, an assistant district attorney. The interaction between them as they become romantically involved is one of the factors that keep the story moving along. The reader is constantly aware of the villain, and the danger he poses to everyone in the story, and especially to Gavin and Laurie.

I especially like the way Mr. Norris weaves the geographical features of the city into the plot without slowing the action down with too much backstory. There is a feeling for each location that pulls the reader into the plot, from the inner offices of the high-ranking brass, to the street corners where we get a clear view of the underbelly of the city.

The story deals subtly with the problems involving minorities and what ‘political correctness’ demands, often at the expense of common sense. The actions of the plot are also immersed in the pull and tug of loyalties between officers who are well connected, and those who are less so. It has the ring of truth and is familiar to anyone who has worked in law enforcement, the military, or in a large cooperation.

If you like a good solid plot without the gimmicks that pop into most crime stories, then this is the book for you. It is entertaining, thought provoking, and a good read. I give Mr. Norris a well deserved five-star review for a job well done.

[Blaine Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Realistic and Absorbing Police Story/Crime Drama!

Unlike many authors’ second novels, in “The Blue Executions”, author George Norris has brought us another winning tale about the perils of being a police officer in a big city and this book doesn’t disappoint! “The Blue Executions” is in no way a clone or copy of his debut novel “Exceptional Merit”, a book that I also thoroughly enjoyed. With a new cast of well-defined characters, Mr. Norris again shows us the highs and lows and sometimes gritty underside of police work and takes us into the mind of a serial killer who calls himself the Blue Executioner with expert details that clearly show his deeply psychotic thoughts and actions. Statistically, a NYPD police officer is more likely to be killed in the line of duty than was a soldier fighting in Iraq, but George Norris shows just how dangerous the life of a police officer can really be without the need to actually spell it out that fact. He provides us an insider’s view of the inter-departmental power grabs and external political demands as well as the difficulty of dealing with an often antagonistic public who the Officers have taken an oath to protect. This is another Five Star work and I hope to see more from this author in the future!

[Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic, frighteningly authentic. The Blue Executions by George Norris is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I loved the first one (Exceptional Merit). But this is even better. Check out the author’s bio and you’ll see that few people could surpass his credentials when writing a crime thriller. But his skills as a writer are not to be underestimated as he takes us through the crimes, investigation, courtroom, etc. each scene with sufficient coarseness or grit, slickness (from attorneys), tension and build. Somewhere along the line the author learned how to weave intricate plot twists, perhaps this fiction does emulate real life and he is drawing from cases and experiences that really happened. Like I said, the story feels authentic, the book is infused with subtle facts about procedure that make it a rewarding read and the suspense of the story itself makes it a very exciting read – great combination. Highly recommended 5-stars.

[Craig Furchtenicht · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Norris writes what he knows best. His experience as a highly decorated veteran of New York's finest gives him an insight that the rest of of can only read about. He paints a precisely detailed picture of the daily life of a NYPD detective and the slew of adversity that they must face while doing their job. In a time of political correctness and working under the microscope of public perception, these guys must walk a fine line indeed. The story starts off with a police funeral, which sets the tone for the grim reality of the dangers each of these officers face. As the plot progresses the hero of the novel trudges through his routine while the anti-hero slowly becomes more disillusioned and volatile.
The pace of the story keeps your interest and the attention to details is mind-blowing. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good crime tale with plenty of action. Or to those who like a good police story that is true to the profession.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read "Exceptional Merit" by the same author and while I like that book better, this is also a well-written, knowledgeable book written by an experienced police officer.

In this story, the writing is not as tight and concise as "Exceptional Merit." Here there are numerous characters and we get to know them all pretty well, but this huge cast can be a little hard to follow at times. There are more numerous sub-plots which require more-than-usual concentration to follow. There were a few isolated formatting issues as there would be a deliberate paragraph break (as marked by a star) when there actually should be no break, as the action or dialogue is ongoing.

All in all, a darn good cop story with details that can only come from someone who has dedicated his life to serving and protecting the public.

[Rachel Tetley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has a similar feel to the fantastic Lynda La Plante, in the way the intricate plot and characters unfold and as it gathered momentum in the final third. The plot becomes involved but not too involved that you lose its thread and the anticipation of the ultimate conclusion makes this one of the best page-turners I've ever read.

The writing was superb, the fantastic descriptions of the characters and settings utterly absorbing. As someone who has never visited the States, I loved the way the writer painted each scene, skilfully picking out just the right details to allow the reader to experience the whole journey and in my case make me feel like I know the role of the NYPD so well, I have spent years there myself.

I think this is a very talented writer, who deserves to have his work turned in to a gripping television series at the very least. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Mule Girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good premise

but, having a hard time reading due to poor punctuation and grammar. Plus, a big, IMO, error very early in the book. The one character wants every .38 & .357 caliber handgun in evidence tested to see if it's the weapon used in the murder. It's in evidence!! Kinda hard to be the one! If, if they'd arrested someone in those 3-4 days since the murder with that caliber, it'd be in the lab, so..... This book had a good premise which I was looking forward to reading but, doubtful I'll be able to get past all of this.

[Nick Reichert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story that has it all - suspense, drama, action. Tommy Galvin is a new American hero! For anyone wanting to read a gritty, authentic crime novel, this is the book for you. The author'a background as a decorated police officer is evident in the details he uses. The story is complete with unexpected twists and turns. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!

[chelepissbcglobal.net · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY FABULOUS.

What a great book. So beautifully written. What great characters as well as character development. This book grabbed me from the first page and held me captive until the last page. I highly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.