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The Cop with the Pink Pistol
She doesn't do jiggle. She isn't into shoes or jewelry. She doesn't wear makeup (or, as she calls it, war paint). NYPD Homicide Detective Donna Prima's sole concession to modern womanhood is the pink .38 she wears strapped to her ankle. Not that she has much opportunity to use it, having been demoted to desk duty for a serious infraction of NYPD regulations.
On a routine burglary follow-up in Greenwich Village, Donna meets soap-opera actor Conner Anderson (Crawford on the top-rated Vampire Love Nest), who alerts her to some strange goings-on in a liquor store across the street. Sick of being chained to her desk, Donna decides to investigate. Meanwhile, the Feds need her help on a cold murder case as they investigate a theft from a nuclear power plant.
But would-be detective Conner Anderson wants to come along for the ride. And Donna, an Italian-American from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, can't deny the mutual chemistry she feels with this Southern WASP from Tupelo, Mississippi. Will taking on Conner as a civilian partner be the start of something beautiful or the biggest mistake of Donna's life?
The Cop with the Pink Pistol is that rare debut that fires on all cylinders, combining a tough and likable heroine with a story that'll keep you hooked until you turn the final page. Sit back, meet Donna Prima, and let Gray Basnight's sharp New York prose take you behind the scenes at the Sexy Sixth Precinct and Sunday dinner at the Prima household in Bensonhurst. Drama is sure to ensue in both places.
On a routine burglary follow-up in Greenwich Village, Donna meets soap-opera actor Conner Anderson (Crawford on the top-rated Vampire Love Nest), who alerts her to some strange goings-on in a liquor store across the street. Sick of being chained to her desk, Donna decides to investigate. Meanwhile, the Feds need her help on a cold murder case as they investigate a theft from a nuclear power plant.
But would-be detective Conner Anderson wants to come along for the ride. And Donna, an Italian-American from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, can't deny the mutual chemistry she feels with this Southern WASP from Tupelo, Mississippi. Will taking on Conner as a civilian partner be the start of something beautiful or the biggest mistake of Donna's life?
The Cop with the Pink Pistol is that rare debut that fires on all cylinders, combining a tough and likable heroine with a story that'll keep you hooked until you turn the final page. Sit back, meet Donna Prima, and let Gray Basnight's sharp New York prose take you behind the scenes at the Sexy Sixth Precinct and Sunday dinner at the Prima household in Bensonhurst. Drama is sure to ensue in both places.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2012
32 people want to read
About the author
Gray Basnight
5 books11 followersFor almost three decades he worked in New York City as a broadcast news writer, editor, producer, and reporter. He is now deeply immersed in fiction writing.
MADNESS OF THE Q, a roller-coaster thriller set in motion with the discovery of an ancient Biblical parchment (Down & Out Books, December 2020).
FLIGHT OF THE FOX, a run-for-your-life political thriller (Down & Out Books, 2018).
SHADOWS IN THE FIRE, a historical novel set in Richmond during the end of the Civil War (Gale Cengage, 2015).
THE COP WITH THE PINK PISTOL, a detective/romance that earned rave reviews from "Kirkus" and "Library Journal" (Ransom Note, 2012).
Gray lives in New York with his wife Lisa, and their golden retriever Tinta.
You can reach him at his website: http://www.graybasnight.com
MADNESS OF THE Q, a roller-coaster thriller set in motion with the discovery of an ancient Biblical parchment (Down & Out Books, December 2020).
FLIGHT OF THE FOX, a run-for-your-life political thriller (Down & Out Books, 2018).
SHADOWS IN THE FIRE, a historical novel set in Richmond during the end of the Civil War (Gale Cengage, 2015).
THE COP WITH THE PINK PISTOL, a detective/romance that earned rave reviews from "Kirkus" and "Library Journal" (Ransom Note, 2012).
Gray lives in New York with his wife Lisa, and their golden retriever Tinta.
You can reach him at his website: http://www.graybasnight.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 15, 2012
What do you get when you mix the streets of the gentrified Greenwich Village with a no-nonsense Italian gal from Brooklyn, who just happens to be a homicide detective in NYC's Sixth Precinct? A hilarious read with plenty of role reversals, with tough-talking (well, just tough in general) Donna Prima (her real name is Maria-Donatella) trying to deal with a transplanted Southerner, who just wants to be her partner in solving crimes (as well as her boyfriend). He loves to discuss, philosophize, consider, deconstruct - She knows "THE TRUTH" about everything and decrees it with complete confidence, even as she's mangling the language and mixing her metaphors. They're an unlikely duo, but the chemistry is great and so is the guy's Smart Car two seater, which Donna likens to riding in a hedge trimmer. It doesn't help that she's claustrophobic, either.
Gray Basnight writes about New York City and its characters/people with alot of affection, balancing several plots. They're the types of things a real cop might see and do (apartment break-ins, drug deals, underground activities) so they stay close to reality. The one subplot that I didn't like as much was the missing uranium from a nuclear power plant (you'd think after 9/11 they'd be more careful about these things), but that plot gets the duo out of NYC and into the wilds of Upstate New York, which proves to have just as colorful characters as the Big City does. Everything comes together in the end, and in the meantime I was treated to a well-written, enjoyable little detective tale that I polished off in about 3 sittings. I recommend this one quite highly. Enjoy!
Gray Basnight writes about New York City and its characters/people with alot of affection, balancing several plots. They're the types of things a real cop might see and do (apartment break-ins, drug deals, underground activities) so they stay close to reality. The one subplot that I didn't like as much was the missing uranium from a nuclear power plant (you'd think after 9/11 they'd be more careful about these things), but that plot gets the duo out of NYC and into the wilds of Upstate New York, which proves to have just as colorful characters as the Big City does. Everything comes together in the end, and in the meantime I was treated to a well-written, enjoyable little detective tale that I polished off in about 3 sittings. I recommend this one quite highly. Enjoy!
December 2, 2020
Super fun NYC caper with a dash of romance, comedy, crime and a tour of NYC food and neighborhoods. Fast paced and witty writing.
April 3, 2012
The new debut "The Cop With the Pink Pistol" written by broadcast veteran Gray Basnight is now making his mark in print. Published by Ransom Note Press, the novel has already got the praise from many critics including Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal. We also had the privilege of reviewing this book and what comes next is our take.
A Brief Summary:
This book, in a nutshell is a murder mystery centered around NYPD homicide detective Donna Prima. She doesn't do jiggle. She isn't into shoes or jewelry. She doesn't wear makeup: Donna Prima's sole concession to modern womanhood is the pink .38 she wears strapped to her ankle. Not that she has much opportunity to use it, having been demoted to desk duty for a serious infraction of NYPD regulations.
On a routine burglary follow-up in Greenwich Village, Donna meets soap-opera actor Conner Anderson (Crawford on the top-rated Vampire Love Nest), who alerts her to some strange goings-on in a liquor store across the street. Sick of being chained to her desk, Donna decides to investigate. Meanwhile, the Feds need her help on a cold murder case as they investigate a theft from a nuclear power plant.
But would-be detective Conner Anderson wants to come along for the ride. And Donna, an Italian-American from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, can't deny the mutual chemistry she feels with this Southern WASP from Tupelo, Mississippi. Taking on Conner as a civilian partner proves to be the start of something beautiful and the biggest risk of Donna's life.
Our Take:
The novel starts with a simple incident, an insignificant apartment burglary, which introduces the demoted New York Detective Donna Prima to the reader. From there, a gripping plot emerges and keeps the reader absorbed till the end.
Basnight has a unique quality in his writing which I have rarely seen in other modern mystery authors. He masterfully weaves together several realistic plot lines, including an unsolved murder in Greenwich Village, missing uranium from a nuclear power plant, and some suspicious beneath a liquor store and adds the right dose of humor all along.
The author's portrayal of the street life in Manhattan, Brooklyn and outer boroughs is as real as it can be and though the story includes a lot of cinematic remarks and Pulp-Fiction sort of dialogues, the readers familiar with NYC life can clearly see the book's strong ground in reality.
From the owner of a Falafel restaurant in Greenwich Village, to Donna's Aunt Mary (who has come to visit from Italy) to the rude bartenders in downtown Manhattan, the book is filled with likeable characters. Basnight is not shy in promoting his point of view regarding current cultural challenges: One example is when he pokes at the vampire frenzy which is going on in the media world these days and the impact it might have on the new generation's view of the world.
Overall, this is as close as you get to capturing street life of a NYPD cop. A truly hilarious and gripping read.
There is more at http://www.mysterytribune.com or @mysterytribune
A Brief Summary:
This book, in a nutshell is a murder mystery centered around NYPD homicide detective Donna Prima. She doesn't do jiggle. She isn't into shoes or jewelry. She doesn't wear makeup: Donna Prima's sole concession to modern womanhood is the pink .38 she wears strapped to her ankle. Not that she has much opportunity to use it, having been demoted to desk duty for a serious infraction of NYPD regulations.
On a routine burglary follow-up in Greenwich Village, Donna meets soap-opera actor Conner Anderson (Crawford on the top-rated Vampire Love Nest), who alerts her to some strange goings-on in a liquor store across the street. Sick of being chained to her desk, Donna decides to investigate. Meanwhile, the Feds need her help on a cold murder case as they investigate a theft from a nuclear power plant.
But would-be detective Conner Anderson wants to come along for the ride. And Donna, an Italian-American from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, can't deny the mutual chemistry she feels with this Southern WASP from Tupelo, Mississippi. Taking on Conner as a civilian partner proves to be the start of something beautiful and the biggest risk of Donna's life.
Our Take:
The novel starts with a simple incident, an insignificant apartment burglary, which introduces the demoted New York Detective Donna Prima to the reader. From there, a gripping plot emerges and keeps the reader absorbed till the end.
Basnight has a unique quality in his writing which I have rarely seen in other modern mystery authors. He masterfully weaves together several realistic plot lines, including an unsolved murder in Greenwich Village, missing uranium from a nuclear power plant, and some suspicious beneath a liquor store and adds the right dose of humor all along.
The author's portrayal of the street life in Manhattan, Brooklyn and outer boroughs is as real as it can be and though the story includes a lot of cinematic remarks and Pulp-Fiction sort of dialogues, the readers familiar with NYC life can clearly see the book's strong ground in reality.
From the owner of a Falafel restaurant in Greenwich Village, to Donna's Aunt Mary (who has come to visit from Italy) to the rude bartenders in downtown Manhattan, the book is filled with likeable characters. Basnight is not shy in promoting his point of view regarding current cultural challenges: One example is when he pokes at the vampire frenzy which is going on in the media world these days and the impact it might have on the new generation's view of the world.
Overall, this is as close as you get to capturing street life of a NYPD cop. A truly hilarious and gripping read.
There is more at http://www.mysterytribune.com or @mysterytribune
July 12, 2012
"Why do women think they need pearls or eye shadow? All a woman really needs to be a women is a brain and - in her case - a pink pistol."
Gary Basnight has written a beautiful mystery with a powerful lead detective. Donna Prima is a strong independent NYPD Dectective. She follows the rule, well most of them. Breaking them has landed her in a boring desk job as punishment. Just itching for some real work Donna has to wait and do followup reports. That's were she meets Conner Anderson, the soap star. Conner stirs something in Donna she might have forgot she even had, plus he has a case for her. Somethings going on in the bar on his street. Conner's been watching them.
Over all this was a reaqlly fun read. I loved the interaction between Donna and Conner. She's a strong American Itialian cop and he's a Southerner. At first he's just a distraction from what's going on in her life, until he really does discover some real crime. The charactrer are well written. They have layers and we can see them grow and become more than friends. Plus their are multiple mysteries going on that may or may not be connected.
If your looking for something fun to read this is your book. It has a strong female lead that has to save the male.
Gary Basnight has written a beautiful mystery with a powerful lead detective. Donna Prima is a strong independent NYPD Dectective. She follows the rule, well most of them. Breaking them has landed her in a boring desk job as punishment. Just itching for some real work Donna has to wait and do followup reports. That's were she meets Conner Anderson, the soap star. Conner stirs something in Donna she might have forgot she even had, plus he has a case for her. Somethings going on in the bar on his street. Conner's been watching them.
Over all this was a reaqlly fun read. I loved the interaction between Donna and Conner. She's a strong American Itialian cop and he's a Southerner. At first he's just a distraction from what's going on in her life, until he really does discover some real crime. The charactrer are well written. They have layers and we can see them grow and become more than friends. Plus their are multiple mysteries going on that may or may not be connected.
If your looking for something fun to read this is your book. It has a strong female lead that has to save the male.
Read
January 26, 2013 Donna Prima,an Italian female New York detective demoted to desk duty for a serious infraction of NYPD rules, who doesn't like makeup or jewelry and carries a pink pistol. Conner Anderson, soap opera actor living in Greenwich Village whose apartment is burglarized, and suspicious activity across the street at a neighborhood bar and a liquor store. Throw into the mix, a trash hauling company, FBI agents and a nuclear plant.
This is an interesting and at times funny fiction mystery set in New York and Pennsylvania. This is the debut novel of author Gray Basnight and guaranteed to be a winner with mystery readers who like interesting and unusual characters. Definitely plenty of unusual characters.
I would recommend this book to all fiction and mystery readers.
This is an interesting and at times funny fiction mystery set in New York and Pennsylvania. This is the debut novel of author Gray Basnight and guaranteed to be a winner with mystery readers who like interesting and unusual characters. Definitely plenty of unusual characters.
I would recommend this book to all fiction and mystery readers.
March 23, 2012
This book is one of those that the title sounded better to me than the book was. If the work was told in first person, I think the flow would have been much better. It tries to be a gritty police drama, crossed with a film noir hard-boiled detective and fails. I couldn't even finish it I got so bored.
April 7, 2012
Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum have nothing on Gray Basnight and Donna Prima. This is a top-notch mystery with a charismatic female detective as the heroine. She's pure Brooklyn and a pip besides. Fun reading and a clever story line from a first-time novelist. Definitely has the makings of a series with Donna as the star. If you like Stephanie Plum, you'll love Donna Prima.
August 4, 2012
It's a beach read. Not to be taken too seriously, but enjoyed with a cold beverage in your hand. I had a hard time picturing chasing a garbage truck in a Smart car. I have a hard time picturing two people in a Smart car anyway, let along one of them with claustrophobia. Stretching it a bit, but it's summer fiction !
July 16, 2012
Good 1st publishing effort & start of a series. A little too coincidental how the various cases dovetailed. The interviews with people of interest were well done. Nice little bit of philosophy on the immigrant take of the American Dream.
April 10, 2013
I got to about 70% through this book and I'm not the least bit into it and had no desire to finish it. I was really bored for the majority of the book so far and don't like any of the characters. I'm moving on to other books at this point.
April 24, 2013
This was merely pleasant.
May 7, 2012
Liked the storyline, but not the writing style which seemed jumpy to me.
September 16, 2012
Good 1st novel. While reading I could envision the author at his laptop typing while channeling the scene playing out in the mental space around him.
July 13, 2012
meh. Wasn't the worst book I read but wasn't a real page turner. didn't like the writing style at all.
August 25, 2012
What a quirky ride! Great descriptive narrative!
March 6, 2014
NYPD Detective Donna Prima makes for interesting reading. A good mystery and the pink pistol adds a good touch of humor.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews