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Pig Latin: A Seriously Funny True Story of a Former Police Officer
From cop-turned-comic Eric Tansey, a hilarious and humanizing portrait of law enforcement for fans of Walk the Blue Line and You Can’t Make This Stuff Up.
Eric Tansey, a former Army scout and Special Operations military veteran, joined the police force with a ton of unrealistic expectations. The reality of the job knocked him down and changed his perspective on everything.
Always a magnet for uncanny, wild situations, Tansey reveals exactly what it’s like to deal with everyday life as a police officer—from trying to tackle naked suspects to pepper spraying yourself in the face, from dealing with an angry mob to coaxing suicidal subjects off a bridge, an uncut version of everything is included.
Going behind the badge to bring the public a real understanding of the job, Pig Latin hopes to help inspire sympathy rather than condemnation and to encourage current law enforcement with the knowledge that they are not alone in their mistakes, their fear, and their experience on the job.
Eric Tansey, a former Army scout and Special Operations military veteran, joined the police force with a ton of unrealistic expectations. The reality of the job knocked him down and changed his perspective on everything.
Always a magnet for uncanny, wild situations, Tansey reveals exactly what it’s like to deal with everyday life as a police officer—from trying to tackle naked suspects to pepper spraying yourself in the face, from dealing with an angry mob to coaxing suicidal subjects off a bridge, an uncut version of everything is included.
Going behind the badge to bring the public a real understanding of the job, Pig Latin hopes to help inspire sympathy rather than condemnation and to encourage current law enforcement with the knowledge that they are not alone in their mistakes, their fear, and their experience on the job.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2025
17 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cop books are always eye opening. This book is in turns hilarious and heartbreaking. Tansey doesn't hold anything back in his tales.
I have so much respect for LEOs and agree with Tansey's outlook on the political BS. Cops definitely are damned if they do, damned if they don't and that's detrimental to society and communities across the country.
Having witnessed a gang related homicide myself, I can only imagine the stress of cops having to make split decisions on what actions to take.
Cop books are always eye opening. This book is in turns hilarious and heartbreaking. Tansey doesn't hold anything back in his tales.
I have so much respect for LEOs and agree with Tansey's outlook on the political BS. Cops definitely are damned if they do, damned if they don't and that's detrimental to society and communities across the country.
Having witnessed a gang related homicide myself, I can only imagine the stress of cops having to make split decisions on what actions to take.
March 27, 2025
This book is really hard for me to rate and review. I was expecting something much different. The title says it is a funny story. I did not think this book was funny. In fact, I found it very dark. It starts out with a few good stories, and I think it is pretty interesting,but not funny. Then, the middle of the book has a lot of blood and dying. Throughout this portion of the book, I keep looking back at the book description to make sure it says it is supposed to be funny. I really didn't enjoy this portion of the book and realize now that I must not be the target audience.
I did enjoy some of the police stories, and I also enjoyed the parts where he talks about his wine interests. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if the author had shared more of his personal life and made it more of a memoir.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
I did enjoy some of the police stories, and I also enjoyed the parts where he talks about his wine interests. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if the author had shared more of his personal life and made it more of a memoir.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
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August 30, 2025don't mind the swearing, but I didn't find the humor very funny,
August 16, 2025
Pig Latin: A seriously funny true story of a former police officer by Eric Tansley with Nick Palmisano is a hilarious book about law enforcement.
Eric Tansey is a former Army Scout, Special Operations Military Veteran and police officer.
Eric reveals hilarious situations he often found himself in as a cop including chasing naked suspects and pepper spraying himself in the face. This book gives readers a different view at a cops day to day life.
Thank you Eric Tansey and Nick Palmisciani for working with NetGalley. I received and advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review. It shows us a more humerous and human side that we do not often see portrayed in the media.
This book comes to stores near you August 26th 2025
Eric Tansey is a former Army Scout, Special Operations Military Veteran and police officer.
Eric reveals hilarious situations he often found himself in as a cop including chasing naked suspects and pepper spraying himself in the face. This book gives readers a different view at a cops day to day life.
Thank you Eric Tansey and Nick Palmisciani for working with NetGalley. I received and advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review. It shows us a more humerous and human side that we do not often see portrayed in the media.
This book comes to stores near you August 26th 2025
February 6, 2025
Pig Latin was an easy 5⭐️ for me.
It was not politically correct, Eric Tansey was not always likable and it was not easy to read... but it felt EXTREMELY real. Everyone (especially people out there protesting against police officers and their actions) need to read this.
Officer Tansey's adventures show the difficult decisions and the lizard brain actions that officers everywhere need to deal with and overcome. The political side of being a police officer makes the job almost impossible and my respect and deeper understanding goes out to those in blue, thanks to this book.
Word of caution: because Tansey is thorough in his experiences and descriptions, there are some very graphic details in many chapters. I am usually not grossed out, but some of the descriptions made me cringe. It is worth going through those scenes to understand the full scale of what he had to deal with. There is also comedic relief sprinkled throughout to help lighten some of the impact.
It was not politically correct, Eric Tansey was not always likable and it was not easy to read... but it felt EXTREMELY real. Everyone (especially people out there protesting against police officers and their actions) need to read this.
Officer Tansey's adventures show the difficult decisions and the lizard brain actions that officers everywhere need to deal with and overcome. The political side of being a police officer makes the job almost impossible and my respect and deeper understanding goes out to those in blue, thanks to this book.
Word of caution: because Tansey is thorough in his experiences and descriptions, there are some very graphic details in many chapters. I am usually not grossed out, but some of the descriptions made me cringe. It is worth going through those scenes to understand the full scale of what he had to deal with. There is also comedic relief sprinkled throughout to help lighten some of the impact.
March 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with the opportunity to read "Pig Latin" by Eric Tansey before its release.
This book truly opened my eyes to the emotional and physical challenges that law enforcement officers endure. While many people may believe they understand, it is only through living the experience that one can fully grasp the reality. "Pig Latin" provides the public with a glimpse into these experiences, bringing us closer to understanding. The writing is exceptional, immersing the reader in the story and evoking a full range of emotions. I found myself laughing out loud, feeling anger, sadness, and sympathy. Although it can be challenging to rate a non-fiction book with such poignant stories, it was hard not to appreciate this work. I would have completed it in a day if I hadn't forced myself to put it down, as it was incredibly difficult to stop reading.
The other officers in the story, particularly Serious and Red, were standout characters and added depth to the narrative.
Overall, "Pig Latin" is an eye-opening and remarkable book that I highly recommend. It offers a profound insight into the lives of law enforcement officers and the hardships they face.
Thank you again to Atria Books for this opportunity to read and review the book.
This book truly opened my eyes to the emotional and physical challenges that law enforcement officers endure. While many people may believe they understand, it is only through living the experience that one can fully grasp the reality. "Pig Latin" provides the public with a glimpse into these experiences, bringing us closer to understanding. The writing is exceptional, immersing the reader in the story and evoking a full range of emotions. I found myself laughing out loud, feeling anger, sadness, and sympathy. Although it can be challenging to rate a non-fiction book with such poignant stories, it was hard not to appreciate this work. I would have completed it in a day if I hadn't forced myself to put it down, as it was incredibly difficult to stop reading.
The other officers in the story, particularly Serious and Red, were standout characters and added depth to the narrative.
Overall, "Pig Latin" is an eye-opening and remarkable book that I highly recommend. It offers a profound insight into the lives of law enforcement officers and the hardships they face.
Thank you again to Atria Books for this opportunity to read and review the book.
August 16, 2025
Pig Latin by Eric Tanzi is all about his time as a police officer in Raleigh North Carolina from his bare bottom beginning to his award winning ending this really is a funny and awesome read. Not only does Mr. Tanzi have a way with words the stories he tells are fraught with hilarity by the time you’re done reading this book you will believe some people really do have the strangest kind of luck. People in the department called him Leroy Jenkins because there’s a character who always goes too quickly into the fray and messes up any plan they previously had to conquer and destroy. It really was a breath of fresh air to read stories from the cops point of view and one that’s so authentically feels humble And truthful not to mention as I said freaking hilarious. The only thing I didn’t understand is if he was in North Carolina why did everyone have Boston and New England accents… Just something I pondered. if you’re dubious about reading this story, the panty wife beater cowboy boots lesbian gang story is worth the price of admission trust me. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #EricTanzi, #PigLatin,
April 13, 2025
I wasn’t totally sure what I was getting into with this book. I don’t think I’ve ever really read a police memoir before, but I’m all about learning new things and adventuring into unfamiliar territory. What really pulled me in was the premise — that it wasn’t about glorifying police officers, but about showing what the job is really like. That felt honest and important.
There were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments — a few scenes I really wish had been recorded because I would’ve loved to watch them. But alongside the humor were some heavy, emotional parts. It made me think a lot about the state of our society and how broken some systems are.
What hit hard for me was how much politics dictate public services — from law enforcement to the military to education. It’s infuriating. Decisions start to feel less about what’s best for society and more about what makes someone look good on TV. Tansy even mentions how the media will find a flooded ditch during a “hurricane” just to broadcast fear, and honestly… he’s not wrong. News has become more about clicks and drama than truth.
I’m really grateful I read this book. I appreciated how the author was willing to show both the good and the frustrating parts of the job. He nailed that weird contradiction: people complain there are too many cops, but then are furious when there aren’t enough to respond quickly. It’s a no-win situation, and it sucks that because a few departments were “dirty,” everyone in law enforcement started feeling the heat. I think this book does a great job explaining that nuance.
thanks Netgalley for the Arc!
There were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments — a few scenes I really wish had been recorded because I would’ve loved to watch them. But alongside the humor were some heavy, emotional parts. It made me think a lot about the state of our society and how broken some systems are.
What hit hard for me was how much politics dictate public services — from law enforcement to the military to education. It’s infuriating. Decisions start to feel less about what’s best for society and more about what makes someone look good on TV. Tansy even mentions how the media will find a flooded ditch during a “hurricane” just to broadcast fear, and honestly… he’s not wrong. News has become more about clicks and drama than truth.
I’m really grateful I read this book. I appreciated how the author was willing to show both the good and the frustrating parts of the job. He nailed that weird contradiction: people complain there are too many cops, but then are furious when there aren’t enough to respond quickly. It’s a no-win situation, and it sucks that because a few departments were “dirty,” everyone in law enforcement started feeling the heat. I think this book does a great job explaining that nuance.
thanks Netgalley for the Arc!
February 18, 2025
Thanks Atria Books and Net Galley for the ARC copy. I’m glad I can across it! I couldn’t put the book down, wanted to buy the real physical copy and shared some of the story with friends and family. I laughed, hard, cried a little and just stayed entertained the entire book. I think more officers should be able to share their stories. We on the other side can only know what we hear and see and the involvement with such craziness in our world won’t ever be understood without being in the moment directly and I can’t imagine what it’s like first hand. Great book!
June 29, 2025
2 Stars! This book was incredibly funny with a lot real world stories that I found interesting and gave me empathy for the officer. I didn't like the rant that the author went on several times about the system that he signed up to work for and the administration above him. I totally understand not liking your boss or the changes in policy but the way it was handled in the book and presented just gave me a different outlook on the author. Thank you to NetGally for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.
February 6, 2025
Eric Tansey left the military for his wife and joined the police force. Officer Tansey experiences the good, the bad, and the ugly throughout his tenure on the force with some of the funniest policy stories I have ever heard.
I found this book engrossing and I enjoyed reading the stories without any political agenda. Reading this was like going on a ride along during an episode of Cops.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I found this book engrossing and I enjoyed reading the stories without any political agenda. Reading this was like going on a ride along during an episode of Cops.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 8, 2025
This book comes with several TW's!!! It is stories from a former police officer. It has the good, bad, ugly, and devastating all wrapped up in one. Take care of yourself while reading.
Pig Latin is hilarious, gut wrenching, and at times a difficult read, but it's most definitely worth the read. Tansey wasn't lying when he said he may make us laugh, cry, and angry. I felt them all while reading. The only chapter I remember being angry at was the first chapter and the crude way he described the woman he was attempting to detain. There were a few chapters that had me laughing at loud and reading aloud to my husband so he could get a laugh out of them as well. The sad chapters I kept to myself because they were incredibly difficult to read about.
This book puts the job of police officers in perspective in a big way. Sure there are good cops and bad cops, but don't let the bad ones ruin the profession for all. Not every officer is out there to cause harm to the communities they serve, a lot of them put their entire heart and soul into this job.
I will say my 11 year old son has always said he wants to be a police officer and honestly after reading this book I'm terrified for him, but I will support him regardless.
Thank you, Eric Tansey for sharing your story and heart on these pages with us, thank you for your dedication to our country and the town of Raleigh. Thank you to Atria for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Pig Latin is hilarious, gut wrenching, and at times a difficult read, but it's most definitely worth the read. Tansey wasn't lying when he said he may make us laugh, cry, and angry. I felt them all while reading. The only chapter I remember being angry at was the first chapter and the crude way he described the woman he was attempting to detain. There were a few chapters that had me laughing at loud and reading aloud to my husband so he could get a laugh out of them as well. The sad chapters I kept to myself because they were incredibly difficult to read about.
This book puts the job of police officers in perspective in a big way. Sure there are good cops and bad cops, but don't let the bad ones ruin the profession for all. Not every officer is out there to cause harm to the communities they serve, a lot of them put their entire heart and soul into this job.
I will say my 11 year old son has always said he wants to be a police officer and honestly after reading this book I'm terrified for him, but I will support him regardless.
Thank you, Eric Tansey for sharing your story and heart on these pages with us, thank you for your dedication to our country and the town of Raleigh. Thank you to Atria for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 3, 2025
What can I say about this book? It was truly a journey to go on. Eric’s delivery in a straightforward not sugar coated way of letting you see the inside of Police work is truly a work of art. Read a lot of these books where the author paints himself to be beyond reproach and almost hero like. Eric didn’t do that, he gave you the good the bad the ugly with a Clint Eastwood grit yet kept you laughing with quickwitted antidotes, and an occasional bit of self deprecation.
I would and have recommended this book to anybody that’ll listen. I’ve even bought a few copies and handed them out. This book had me laughing out loud, pausing at times with a somber reality of what this job entails.
10/10 in my book a true must read for all of those that are and support LEO. Hell even those that hate cops should read this just to see what a day in the life can be like.
I would and have recommended this book to anybody that’ll listen. I’ve even bought a few copies and handed them out. This book had me laughing out loud, pausing at times with a somber reality of what this job entails.
10/10 in my book a true must read for all of those that are and support LEO. Hell even those that hate cops should read this just to see what a day in the life can be like.
January 11, 2026
I thought it was a great book.
August 28, 2025
Pig Latin is a hilarious, honest, and surprisingly emotional look at life as a cop, written by former Army Scout and police officer Eric Tansey. From chasing naked suspects to pepper-spraying himself, the laugh-out-loud stories are unforgettable. But the book also dives into the deeper issues—broken systems, political influence, and the public’s often contradictory expectations of law enforcement. Tansey strikes a great balance between humor and insight, giving readers a rare, real look behind the badge. Highly recommend for anyone curious about what police work really looks like—both the good and the frustrating.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2025
It was honest, emotional, and sometimes hilarious. He laid out many truths that I think the public is unaware of. Eric Tansey is a man of many hats, a husband and father, a sommelier, and what this book is about, his time as a police officer. Instead of giving the reader the play by play of every single step of his career, he outlines it in a recollection of stories. (Some are WILD) Originally, he wrote stories to keep his sanity, but after being fired from the police force (DUE TO POLITICS WITHIN THE FORCE), they were put into a book. His time as an officer at the Southeast District in Raleigh, NC, almost broke him multiple times. However, due to the unwavering support of his family and friends, in and out of the police force, he was able to trudge on for a while longer. There is a lot to unpack within these pages, but I will tell you that it is worth the read.
(TW: in some stories, the N word is used in some of the retellings. He is not the one saying it.)
#ThxNetGalley #EricTansey
Merged review:
It was honest, emotional, and sometimes hilarious. He laid out many truths that I think the public is unaware of. Eric Tansey is a man of many hats, a husband and father, a sommelier, and what this book is about, his time as a police officer. Instead of giving the reader the play by play of every single step of his career, he outlines it in a recollection of stories. (Some are WILD) Originally, he wrote stories to keep his sanity, but after being fired from the police force (DUE TO POLITICS WITHIN THE FORCE), they were put into a book. His time as an officer at the Southeast District in Raleigh, NC, almost broke him multiple times. However, due to the unwavering support of his family and friends, in and out of the police force, he was able to trudge on for a while longer. There is a lot to unpack within these pages, but I will tell you that it is worth the read.
(TW: in some stories, the N word is used in some of the retellings. He is not the one saying it.)
#ThxNetGalley #EricTansey #PigLatin
(TW: in some stories, the N word is used in some of the retellings. He is not the one saying it.)
#ThxNetGalley #EricTansey
Merged review:
It was honest, emotional, and sometimes hilarious. He laid out many truths that I think the public is unaware of. Eric Tansey is a man of many hats, a husband and father, a sommelier, and what this book is about, his time as a police officer. Instead of giving the reader the play by play of every single step of his career, he outlines it in a recollection of stories. (Some are WILD) Originally, he wrote stories to keep his sanity, but after being fired from the police force (DUE TO POLITICS WITHIN THE FORCE), they were put into a book. His time as an officer at the Southeast District in Raleigh, NC, almost broke him multiple times. However, due to the unwavering support of his family and friends, in and out of the police force, he was able to trudge on for a while longer. There is a lot to unpack within these pages, but I will tell you that it is worth the read.
(TW: in some stories, the N word is used in some of the retellings. He is not the one saying it.)
#ThxNetGalley #EricTansey #PigLatin
August 27, 2025
Best Cop Book Ever
A slice of life for sure. Engaging and never boring. Not sure every word was Gospel but I'm thinking Leroy kept it real. Thanks for a great read.
A slice of life for sure. Engaging and never boring. Not sure every word was Gospel but I'm thinking Leroy kept it real. Thanks for a great read.
April 18, 2025
What a journey Eric Tansey took as a police officer in Raleigh, North Carolina! His stories are raw and real. He highlights his successes and failures with complete honesty and transparency. He is not afraid to call out the frustrations of police work in our politically soft moment. The stories and ribbing between officers keep the readers engaged, laughing, shaking heads, cringing, and feeling the fear and adrenaline of the job. My respect for the men and women behind the badge has grown as a result of reading this memoir. It is definitely worth a read.
The four stars are due to minor qualms. I'm not naive to the presence of foul language used between cops and criminals or between officers in conversation. The use of expletives goes beyond these interactions, however, and is a regular part of the storytelling method, as well. Other than some corny figures of speech, flat attempts at humor, and frequent breaking down of the third wall between author and reader - the stories flow naturally and help the reader to experience a ride-along on the streets of Raleigh.
To be transparent, I requested this book for review from NetGalley because I am friends with the author's parents and knew him as a child. I am proud that he has become a successful husband and father. I am grateful for his service in the military and as a police officer. But I'm also glad to see that some of the personality traits of his childhood remain intact and he is authentically himself. Reading a couple of the reviews of this book, I've noticed that reviewers are turned off by Eric's politics and rigid opinions. Isn't this why we read... to experience things we have never personally experienced through the eyes of people different than ourselves? A mature reader should be able to assess a book without letting their judgment of the author color their conclusion.
Anyway, if you are interested in true stories told by a real cop who faced life and death situations frequently on the beat - Pig Latin is a must-read.
The four stars are due to minor qualms. I'm not naive to the presence of foul language used between cops and criminals or between officers in conversation. The use of expletives goes beyond these interactions, however, and is a regular part of the storytelling method, as well. Other than some corny figures of speech, flat attempts at humor, and frequent breaking down of the third wall between author and reader - the stories flow naturally and help the reader to experience a ride-along on the streets of Raleigh.
To be transparent, I requested this book for review from NetGalley because I am friends with the author's parents and knew him as a child. I am proud that he has become a successful husband and father. I am grateful for his service in the military and as a police officer. But I'm also glad to see that some of the personality traits of his childhood remain intact and he is authentically himself. Reading a couple of the reviews of this book, I've noticed that reviewers are turned off by Eric's politics and rigid opinions. Isn't this why we read... to experience things we have never personally experienced through the eyes of people different than ourselves? A mature reader should be able to assess a book without letting their judgment of the author color their conclusion.
Anyway, if you are interested in true stories told by a real cop who faced life and death situations frequently on the beat - Pig Latin is a must-read.
March 18, 2025
"A tome to rival Mark Baker's 'COPS', written for this generation" is what I would expect from a dust jacket review for this autobiography.
This book was my first from either of these authors and leaves me ready for more. The manuscript reads like a narration to an episode of Cops. Told in the first person from the real life accounts of Tansey's time in police service, the vignettes will leave you laughing, others crying, some stunned with the the author's grief. All of them will leave you changed.
No matter your opinion of Police or policing in America, this book will leave you thinking differently about what you "know". The tales ring true and are written in unvarnished words which leave the reader walking the same fine line of wanting more of the rush and action but also exhausted of the pain and politics.
Tansey and Palmisciano are engaging storytellers who strike just the right balance in a genre with few entrants. 'Pig Latin' is equally a must-read for those in and adjacent to the profession as well as ordinary citizens.
This honest review is provided in connection with my receipt of an ARC copy through NetGalley provided by the generous staff of Atria Books.
This book was my first from either of these authors and leaves me ready for more. The manuscript reads like a narration to an episode of Cops. Told in the first person from the real life accounts of Tansey's time in police service, the vignettes will leave you laughing, others crying, some stunned with the the author's grief. All of them will leave you changed.
No matter your opinion of Police or policing in America, this book will leave you thinking differently about what you "know". The tales ring true and are written in unvarnished words which leave the reader walking the same fine line of wanting more of the rush and action but also exhausted of the pain and politics.
Tansey and Palmisciano are engaging storytellers who strike just the right balance in a genre with few entrants. 'Pig Latin' is equally a must-read for those in and adjacent to the profession as well as ordinary citizens.
This honest review is provided in connection with my receipt of an ARC copy through NetGalley provided by the generous staff of Atria Books.
May 6, 2025
Reading Pig Latin was like sitting down with an old friend who just happens to have a lifetime of wild, raw, and hilarious stories from the front lines of police work. What I loved most was how real Tansey's storytelling is—this isn’t just a highlight reel of arrests and antics. It’s a journey, following him from rookie days to the end of his career, showing all the triumphs, mistakes, and hard truths.
Tansey doesn’t try to paint himself as perfect—he’s honest about his mistakes, his growth, and the moments that shook him. Something that really stuck with me was how deeply he was affected when those whom he tried to help, just didn't make it. You could feel how personal those moments were to him, and it gave the book real emotional weight beneath the humor.
And speaking of humor—classic Tansey. If you know him, you already know he’s got a one-of-a-kind way of making you laugh even when the subject matter gets heavy. It’s sharp, self-deprecating, and perfectly timed.
As a police wife, I’d recommend this book to every police officer, former officer, and the families who support them. It’s not just entertaining—it’s a powerful reminder of what life behind the badge is really like.
Tansey doesn’t try to paint himself as perfect—he’s honest about his mistakes, his growth, and the moments that shook him. Something that really stuck with me was how deeply he was affected when those whom he tried to help, just didn't make it. You could feel how personal those moments were to him, and it gave the book real emotional weight beneath the humor.
And speaking of humor—classic Tansey. If you know him, you already know he’s got a one-of-a-kind way of making you laugh even when the subject matter gets heavy. It’s sharp, self-deprecating, and perfectly timed.
As a police wife, I’d recommend this book to every police officer, former officer, and the families who support them. It’s not just entertaining—it’s a powerful reminder of what life behind the badge is really like.
July 7, 2025
Eric Tansey’s “Pig Latin” was an eye-opening look at a field that most people probably have some sort of preconceived notion about. Advertised as a comedic look into the world of a police officer, this book starts off fitting that mold, but does, understandably, veer off into some of the more serious aspects of the job. I thought the stories were captivating, making me laugh out loud, or sometimes sticking with me long after I had put the book down. I think especially in recent times, it’s a great perspective from one of the “good guys”, who genuinely wants to make the community a better place. As someone with several LEO in the family, I would definitely recommend this book.
October 19, 2025
In "Pig Latin," Eric Tansey recounts his time as a Raleigh police officer. I found it to be an interesting read and very eye-opening in terms of how grueling the life of a patrol officer can be. However, I feel like the book's marketing really did it a disservice. The book's subtitle is "A Seriously Funny True Story of a Former Police Officer," but I didn't find many of the stories to be that funny, more shocking or unbelievable or tragic than anything.
Tansey's book reads exactly like a guy telling war stories to his buddies- it's informal and sometimes crude with a lot of very strong language and vivid descriptions of violence and gore. He's a podcaster, and it reads exactly like a transcript of a podcast. Tansey comes across as casual and relatable throughout and a likable enough storyteller.
As someone interested in and grateful for what first responders do on a daily basis, I was looking forward to reading the book. Again, with different marketing, I feel like the book would have been much more effective because it did satisfy my curiosities, and it held my interest throughout.
There is quite a bit of the book devoted to the red tape and bureaucracy that happens behind the scenes in law enforcement. I've heard many public servants and civil workers discuss these same issues, so none of that really surprised me too much, but for others, I'm sure it would be eye-opening.
I feel like this is a great book for someone to read who is considering a career in law enforcement because Tansey really gives a well-rounded POV, discussing both the satisfaction and anguish that come with the job. It might be a bit of a hard read for those with a loved one in law enforcement, but it also gives great insight into what they go through and try to compartmentalize on a daily basis.
All in all, "Pig Latin" is a decent read about the life of a police officer in one of the toughest areas of the country, but its unfortunate marketing might rub some readers the wrong way.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.
Tansey's book reads exactly like a guy telling war stories to his buddies- it's informal and sometimes crude with a lot of very strong language and vivid descriptions of violence and gore. He's a podcaster, and it reads exactly like a transcript of a podcast. Tansey comes across as casual and relatable throughout and a likable enough storyteller.
As someone interested in and grateful for what first responders do on a daily basis, I was looking forward to reading the book. Again, with different marketing, I feel like the book would have been much more effective because it did satisfy my curiosities, and it held my interest throughout.
There is quite a bit of the book devoted to the red tape and bureaucracy that happens behind the scenes in law enforcement. I've heard many public servants and civil workers discuss these same issues, so none of that really surprised me too much, but for others, I'm sure it would be eye-opening.
I feel like this is a great book for someone to read who is considering a career in law enforcement because Tansey really gives a well-rounded POV, discussing both the satisfaction and anguish that come with the job. It might be a bit of a hard read for those with a loved one in law enforcement, but it also gives great insight into what they go through and try to compartmentalize on a daily basis.
All in all, "Pig Latin" is a decent read about the life of a police officer in one of the toughest areas of the country, but its unfortunate marketing might rub some readers the wrong way.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced read.
January 30, 2025
I am not exaggerating when I tell you I was in the first chapter of this book and immediately went to Amazon and pre-ordered a hard copy. As someone who spent almost 23 years in uniform, I loved, loved, loved this book. I laughed so hard because it is so RELATEABLE!! The author's humor is spot on. I have at least 20 quotes written down from this book because they just resonate with me so much. "I did not sign up for this". "You're either dealing with bad people or good people on their worst day". Truer words have never been spoken. I want to share this book with so many people and plan to add it to our "library" which my favorite FTO (now Lieutenant) maintains at our PD. I highly, highly recommend this book if you are looking for a light read and hysterical laughter. Most importantly, it does offer a realistic view into what officers deal with every day. The book in not always funny and at times is tragic/heartbreaking. But again, that's what makes it so real. Five stars and I truly hope the author has additional stories hidden somewhere that he can share in another book. I also loved the cover and title.
January 27, 2025
This one is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. It's not for the pearl clutches either. Officer Eric Tansey (with co-author Nick Palmisciano) brings the reader behind the blue line and into his life. The language is harsh. The book is descriptive and blunt. This is not a sunshine and roses look at the police department... and because it's so real, I believed every word. At the very beginning of the book, Tansey promised to tell us everything as it happened. He promised the complete story, warts and all, and that's exactly what we got.
I always feel a bit awkward rating someone's memoir. Who am I to say that they told their story wrong? In this case, it was easy to give 5 stars. I will remember many of these stories for a long time.
Note: I received an ARC of this book, at no cost to myself, from NetGalley.
I always feel a bit awkward rating someone's memoir. Who am I to say that they told their story wrong? In this case, it was easy to give 5 stars. I will remember many of these stories for a long time.
Note: I received an ARC of this book, at no cost to myself, from NetGalley.
April 17, 2025
Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy! Though the content in this book can be a lot to take in, Eric and Nick do a great job of placing the humor in along the way. You think you know what our law enforcement go through, but you really have no idea of what they really deal with. This book is mixed with so much emotion, there is no way I could do this job. I am so thankful there are individuals like Eric who take this risk everyday to protect their communities. I do have to say as the book wrapped up I was so disappointed to see how he was treated and taken off the force. I can't believe law and government officials can treat somebody like that! I wish Eric all the success in the world!
September 22, 2025
This book was really funny. I’ve read a lot of police books, and most of them are serious, gut-wrenching stuff. But this one showed the human side of law enforcement. It had funny stories, serious ones, and some so crazy they’re almost unbelievable—but watch enough YouTube police videos and you’ll see they’re real.
Eric is a great dude, and it’s awesome to see his success. Some of the stories were so funny I was cracking up at work, getting weird looks from customers and coworkers.
I’ve known Eric for some time now, and I don’t want to say I’m his inspiration, his muse, his generous lover, his maestro, or his sensei (if you will)… but let’s just say there’s a reason he won the All Valley Karate competition in 1984.
Leeeeeeeroooooy JENKINS!!
DESKPOP
Eric is a great dude, and it’s awesome to see his success. Some of the stories were so funny I was cracking up at work, getting weird looks from customers and coworkers.
I’ve known Eric for some time now, and I don’t want to say I’m his inspiration, his muse, his generous lover, his maestro, or his sensei (if you will)… but let’s just say there’s a reason he won the All Valley Karate competition in 1984.
Leeeeeeeroooooy JENKINS!!
DESKPOP
October 6, 2025
By far and away the most honest, first hand account of policing ever written. Eric Tansey would have been an asset on any shift and, as it turns out, is an even better writer than he was as a police officer, and that’s saying a lot. Fast flow to his writing style and he doesn’t sell himself as anything more than a guy trying to make it through another shift, but you can clearly see that Raleigh PD, the SED in particular, will never be the same without him. Is this book going to win a Pulitzer? Probably not. However, if you need a book that you’ll struggle to put down because you can’t wait to laugh about what happens next, this is the one. Thank you to Eric Tansey for bringing this real glimpse into law enforcement to life.
January 8, 2026
This is a fabulous book about the author's personal experience as a police officer in Raleigh, North Carolina. At times humorous and other times difficult to read, the reader is given an inside look at what is takes both physically and emotionally to perform their duties. If you interested in learning of their daily life challenges this will be a book for you. This will help you understand the dilemmas that officers faced to make immediate correct and quick decisions each day. The author places the reader in those situations as well as the impact of all the second questioning that comes after. This book is entertaining and well written. Well with your time.
January 31, 2026
Eric Tansey delivers high-caliber humor balanced with vivid, high-stakes storytelling. His tales traverse moral dilemmas and life-threatening scenes in which the fecal matter has hit the oscillator. The memoir moves with a clear perspective, scaling the mountain of humility—where you find yourself cheering one moment and holding your breath the next.
It’s an addictive read: funny without being shallow, intense without trying too hard. If you enjoy feel-good stories, gut-wrenching stories, and laughing, this is the book for you to read next.
It’s an addictive read: funny without being shallow, intense without trying too hard. If you enjoy feel-good stories, gut-wrenching stories, and laughing, this is the book for you to read next.
March 4, 2025
First and foremost, I received an e-arc from NetGalley!
What’s does Leroy Jenkins, Beyoncé and, the
Grim Reaper have in common? Well, I would tell you but, you should definitely read this hilarious book to find out. It really is an eye opener as to what goes on in the world of a police officer. Even if you do not read non fiction, the stories that Eric tells almost sound like fantasy. Trust me! Read it!
What’s does Leroy Jenkins, Beyoncé and, the
Grim Reaper have in common? Well, I would tell you but, you should definitely read this hilarious book to find out. It really is an eye opener as to what goes on in the world of a police officer. Even if you do not read non fiction, the stories that Eric tells almost sound like fantasy. Trust me! Read it!
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