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Brooklyn Motto
Fans of Richard Price, Charlie Huston, and Jonathan Lethem will love this coming-of-age New York-centric detective noir debut from esteemed filmmaker and screenwriter Alex Johnson.
New York City, 1998. New York is changing around Nico Kelly, and he can feel more coming.
A private investigator and self-proclaimed photographer, Nico is stuck in a loop of city contracts and self loathing. What little middle class there was is disappearing-long-standing factories are moving out and taking their reliable neighborhood jobs with them, and Mayor Rudy Giuliani's police force has the streets in a stranglehold.
Nico spends his days looking for fraudsters while taking photos of municipal employees on disability claims. He spends his nights trying to get rid of the nagging feeling that his day job makes him a professional snitch-traversing dive bars, playing pinball, and fighting through the haze of hungover mornings and blurry evenings.
Pushing thirty years old and feeling split between his American and Latin heritage, between youth and adulthood, Nico finds himself at a precipice-who is he and what should he become?
When Nico witnesses and records a murder during one of his insurance fraud investigations, bodies start to turn up all around him and he's forced into solving a mystery he didn't ask to solve. Humorous, gritty, and real, Nico's search for what it means to be human takes him through the deepest and darkest parts of New York City.
New York City, 1998. New York is changing around Nico Kelly, and he can feel more coming.
A private investigator and self-proclaimed photographer, Nico is stuck in a loop of city contracts and self loathing. What little middle class there was is disappearing-long-standing factories are moving out and taking their reliable neighborhood jobs with them, and Mayor Rudy Giuliani's police force has the streets in a stranglehold.
Nico spends his days looking for fraudsters while taking photos of municipal employees on disability claims. He spends his nights trying to get rid of the nagging feeling that his day job makes him a professional snitch-traversing dive bars, playing pinball, and fighting through the haze of hungover mornings and blurry evenings.
Pushing thirty years old and feeling split between his American and Latin heritage, between youth and adulthood, Nico finds himself at a precipice-who is he and what should he become?
When Nico witnesses and records a murder during one of his insurance fraud investigations, bodies start to turn up all around him and he's forced into solving a mystery he didn't ask to solve. Humorous, gritty, and real, Nico's search for what it means to be human takes him through the deepest and darkest parts of New York City.
276 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2025
About the author
Alex R. Johnson
1 book29 followersJohnson’s feature film TWO STEP premiered to critical acclaim at SXSW and went on to become a New York Times Critic’s Pick, as well as remaining 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
His screenplay NORTHEAST KINGDOM was selected for the Black List. It was acquired by Paramount Pictures for Platinum Dunes to produce, with Johnson attached to direct.
His screenplay ANY ROUGH TIMES ARE NOW BEHIND YOU was selected by the Austin Film Society’s Artist Intensive lab. There, he spent three days working one-on-one with late director Jonathan Demme, an experience that was as inspiring as it was creatively life changing.
He also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Ernest Tidyman’s novel, BIG BUCKS, for Pascal Pictures.
His debut novel, BROOKLYN MOTTO, was released in March of 2025.
Prior to writing and directing, Johnson was a seasoned NYC based commercial and documentary producer. He started his career at the legendary Maysles Films and then branched off to work with other directors, including producing the feature documentary I AM SECRETLY AN IMPORTANT MAN for filmmaker Pete Sillen.
Johnson's family hails from the Andes of Ecuador. A government brat, he moved frequently but was raised mostly between New York City and the suburbs of DC.
He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
His screenplay NORTHEAST KINGDOM was selected for the Black List. It was acquired by Paramount Pictures for Platinum Dunes to produce, with Johnson attached to direct.
His screenplay ANY ROUGH TIMES ARE NOW BEHIND YOU was selected by the Austin Film Society’s Artist Intensive lab. There, he spent three days working one-on-one with late director Jonathan Demme, an experience that was as inspiring as it was creatively life changing.
He also wrote the screenplay adaptation of Ernest Tidyman’s novel, BIG BUCKS, for Pascal Pictures.
His debut novel, BROOKLYN MOTTO, was released in March of 2025.
Prior to writing and directing, Johnson was a seasoned NYC based commercial and documentary producer. He started his career at the legendary Maysles Films and then branched off to work with other directors, including producing the feature documentary I AM SECRETLY AN IMPORTANT MAN for filmmaker Pete Sillen.
Johnson's family hails from the Andes of Ecuador. A government brat, he moved frequently but was raised mostly between New York City and the suburbs of DC.
He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 6, 2026
A strong 4-star listen—bold, gripping, and hard to tune out.
Brooklyn Motto by Alex R. Johnson is a gritty, compelling listen that pulls you straight into its world and doesn’t let go.
The narration absolutely elevates the story—capturing the tone, edge, and emotion in a way that makes it feel immersive and real. It’s the kind of audiobook that keeps you locked in, wanting just one more chapter.
The story itself is sharp and engaging, with strong character work and a steady momentum that keeps things moving without losing depth. While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the overall execution more than delivers.
A solid 4-star listen—raw, engaging, and definitely worth the audio experience especially if you have either lived or never lived in NYC!
Thank you to HFI and the author for gifting me this ALC through NetGalley. As always, this review are my candid thoughts and opinions.
Brooklyn Motto by Alex R. Johnson is a gritty, compelling listen that pulls you straight into its world and doesn’t let go.
The narration absolutely elevates the story—capturing the tone, edge, and emotion in a way that makes it feel immersive and real. It’s the kind of audiobook that keeps you locked in, wanting just one more chapter.
The story itself is sharp and engaging, with strong character work and a steady momentum that keeps things moving without losing depth. While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the overall execution more than delivers.
A solid 4-star listen—raw, engaging, and definitely worth the audio experience especially if you have either lived or never lived in NYC!
Thank you to HFI and the author for gifting me this ALC through NetGalley. As always, this review are my candid thoughts and opinions.
February 12, 2025
Alex Johnson is one part Lethem, two parts (Elmore) Leonard, and ten parts uniquely and wonderfully himself. If you love New York and you love small-time crime, this is for you.
April 9, 2025
I won this one through a Goodreads Giveaway. Fun thing is that it came with an autographed card and a sticker. Now for the book review … I loved that it was set in the late 90’s. Alex captured the old school feel from that time period perfectly. VHS tapes, camcorders, walkman’s, pinball machines, etc. I loved Nico’s storytelling. It felt like sitting down at a bar with a friend and them telling you about the craziness of their life the past few weeks. Made for a very easy read. I was a little disappointed with how things turned out, but it also flowed well with the story. If you’re looking for a quick, easy read of a crime thriller that will take you on a walk down memory lane, this is the book for you.
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April 19, 2025I really enjoyed this book!! A lot of action and intrigue, up until the very end. Writing reminded me a little of Stuart Woods, I would read another book by this author.
Thank you Alex R Johnson and Lightning Source for gifting me a copy of a great book!
Thank you Alex R Johnson and Lightning Source for gifting me a copy of a great book!
November 13, 2025
Absolutely loved this fast-paced, often humorous crime drama set in late 90s NYC. It brought back a lot of great memories (and some that reminded me of the rougher edges of that time). Would definitely recommend.
July 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 1990s New York, Brooklyn Motto follows Nico, a private investigator who finds himself pulled into a case that becomes about far more than simply uncovering the truth. I loved all the little details that anchored the story in its time—from VHS tapes and Discmans to pagers—which made the setting feel authentic without becoming gimmicky.
Nico was an easy character to spend time with. He's observant, persistent, and quietly compassionate, and I enjoyed following him as he untangled the mystery while navigating the people in his life. The supporting characters felt equally grounded, and their relationships gave the story its emotional weight.
The audiobook narration was a real highlight for me. It suited Nico's voice well and brought the humour, tension, and quieter moments to life, making it an easy and engaging listen.
The pacing was a little uneven in places, and there were times when I wanted the investigation to move a little faster. Even so, I enjoyed the journey and appreciated that the story balanced its mystery with themes of family, loyalty, and finding where you belong. I found it to be a story that quietly grows on you, and by the end I felt like I'd spent time with real people in a vividly realised 1990s Brooklyn.
Set in 1990s New York, Brooklyn Motto follows Nico, a private investigator who finds himself pulled into a case that becomes about far more than simply uncovering the truth. I loved all the little details that anchored the story in its time—from VHS tapes and Discmans to pagers—which made the setting feel authentic without becoming gimmicky.
Nico was an easy character to spend time with. He's observant, persistent, and quietly compassionate, and I enjoyed following him as he untangled the mystery while navigating the people in his life. The supporting characters felt equally grounded, and their relationships gave the story its emotional weight.
The audiobook narration was a real highlight for me. It suited Nico's voice well and brought the humour, tension, and quieter moments to life, making it an easy and engaging listen.
The pacing was a little uneven in places, and there were times when I wanted the investigation to move a little faster. Even so, I enjoyed the journey and appreciated that the story balanced its mystery with themes of family, loyalty, and finding where you belong. I found it to be a story that quietly grows on you, and by the end I felt like I'd spent time with real people in a vividly realised 1990s Brooklyn.
March 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Loved that it was set in 1998 - pagers, discman, VHS tapes, the club, worries about y2k…
Nico was an interesting narrator, wasn’t sure I could trust his telling of what was happening. I was rooting for him, and shaking my head at him and also nervous for him…. It was the perfect combination for the main character.
New York City in the late 90s, bad cops, private eyes and friends that protect you.
Nico was an interesting narrator, wasn’t sure I could trust his telling of what was happening. I was rooting for him, and shaking my head at him and also nervous for him…. It was the perfect combination for the main character.
New York City in the late 90s, bad cops, private eyes and friends that protect you.
June 2, 2025
I won a digital copy of this (I never usually win anything!) and really enjoyed it. Set in '90s New York Nico is a PI who finds himself in trouble when he accidentally films a murder.
It zips along and is full of larger-than-life characters and plenty of nostalgia. Like if Philip Marlowe had a pager and an Ecuadorian aunt-chauffeur.
Great debut novel.
It zips along and is full of larger-than-life characters and plenty of nostalgia. Like if Philip Marlowe had a pager and an Ecuadorian aunt-chauffeur.
Great debut novel.
February 13, 2025
What a great read! It’s like Carl Hiaasen and Nick Hornby decided to tackle Brooklyn in the 90’s together. I look forward to more books like these from Mr. Johnson.
March 24, 2025
A Jem of a read
Once I started this book, I could not put it down.
A roller-coaster ride of sleuth mixed with the reality of family
Dynamics.
RM
Once I started this book, I could not put it down.
A roller-coaster ride of sleuth mixed with the reality of family
Dynamics.
RM
August 8, 2026
Wow, this was SO good!! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at first as I don’t typically go for this particular genre, but I devoured the whole thing in one sitting. As a long time New Jerseyan, I felt right at home with the quirky cast of New Yorkers. This book is rife with cultural and physical references that anyone from this neck of the woods will recognize immediately. Alex R. Johnson did such a wonderful job translating the buzzy energy of NYC into writing. I’ve never read anything quite like it and can’t wait to read more of his stories!
I was lucky enough to win the ebook in a StoryGraph giveaway, but also got ahold of an ALC through NetGalley. I started off reading the ebook, but once I switched over to the audiobook, I never went back. If you read this, DO NOT miss out on the audiobook experience! The narration is incredibly well done. Bobby Daniel Rodriguez uses a different voice for each character and perfectly captures each of their unique personalities. He has skyrocketed to the top if my Favorite Audiobook Narrators list. I will blindly follow him into anything else he reads!
I would recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor who likes to read. I actually cannot think of any other parameters for enjoying this book. Added bonus for anyone who has lived in the NY/NJ area, but thats definitely not a requirement. You will find something to love here no matter where you’re from. Anyone who knows me IRL, consider this your warning. I will not be able to shut up about this book for a little while. In short? READ IT!
Thank you to StoryGraph for the awesome ebook, and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review!
I was lucky enough to win the ebook in a StoryGraph giveaway, but also got ahold of an ALC through NetGalley. I started off reading the ebook, but once I switched over to the audiobook, I never went back. If you read this, DO NOT miss out on the audiobook experience! The narration is incredibly well done. Bobby Daniel Rodriguez uses a different voice for each character and perfectly captures each of their unique personalities. He has skyrocketed to the top if my Favorite Audiobook Narrators list. I will blindly follow him into anything else he reads!
I would recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor who likes to read. I actually cannot think of any other parameters for enjoying this book. Added bonus for anyone who has lived in the NY/NJ area, but thats definitely not a requirement. You will find something to love here no matter where you’re from. Anyone who knows me IRL, consider this your warning. I will not be able to shut up about this book for a little while. In short? READ IT!
Thank you to StoryGraph for the awesome ebook, and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review!
August 13, 2026
This was an engrossing mystery with plenty of personality to spare, in the best possible way. Overall, this was a rewarding story with great pacing and suspense. It nicely balances heart and dramatic edge... Plus I cannot fully articulate an almost fondly gritty quality it has in spades.
The protagonist, Private Investigator Nico, is the perfect lens through which to experience the story. The real selling point for me was the compelling and colorful supporting characters Johnson populated the pages; it was an absolute masterclass. I love the local color; however cliché the sentiment, it feels like the late '90s New York City scene is a character unto itself.
The audiobook casting was *chef's kiss*. There is so much synergy, as the narrative style and the narrator work together seamlessly. It doesn’t feel like listening to an audiobook so much as letting a good friend hold court to recount an insane story. I hung on every word with rapt attention.
I would rate this 4.5 while broadly and heartily recommending this to all mystery fans, New Yorkers and beyond.
Thanks to NetGalley, HFI and author Alex R. Johnson for a courtesy copy for review consideration. My review reflects my genuine and unbiased opinion.
The protagonist, Private Investigator Nico, is the perfect lens through which to experience the story. The real selling point for me was the compelling and colorful supporting characters Johnson populated the pages; it was an absolute masterclass. I love the local color; however cliché the sentiment, it feels like the late '90s New York City scene is a character unto itself.
The audiobook casting was *chef's kiss*. There is so much synergy, as the narrative style and the narrator work together seamlessly. It doesn’t feel like listening to an audiobook so much as letting a good friend hold court to recount an insane story. I hung on every word with rapt attention.
I would rate this 4.5 while broadly and heartily recommending this to all mystery fans, New Yorkers and beyond.
Thanks to NetGalley, HFI and author Alex R. Johnson for a courtesy copy for review consideration. My review reflects my genuine and unbiased opinion.
August 12, 2026
This was a fun read. I definitely enjoyed the characters. It’s single-person POV, fast paced. I think the author does a good job of describing the atmosphere and overall essence of Brooklyn. I listened to the audio from NetGalley, which I appreciate. I only wish I had the written script to follow along because sometimes I can get distracted- and this is a book you want to stay focused. It’s quick.
August 6, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and HFI for an ALC of this book.
This book is an excellent read but more importantly and excellent audiobook. Bobby Daniel Rodriguez narrates and feels like a young John Leguizamo. The characters are true individuals that have their own cadences and voices. This is truly a masterclass in narration.
The book itself is brilliant. It feels like you are watching a crime drama unfold. It’s funny and thrilling with dialogue that is vivid, punchy, and at times shocking.
A true hidden gem that needs more eyes on it and is a joy to read.
This book is an excellent read but more importantly and excellent audiobook. Bobby Daniel Rodriguez narrates and feels like a young John Leguizamo. The characters are true individuals that have their own cadences and voices. This is truly a masterclass in narration.
The book itself is brilliant. It feels like you are watching a crime drama unfold. It’s funny and thrilling with dialogue that is vivid, punchy, and at times shocking.
A true hidden gem that needs more eyes on it and is a joy to read.
August 5, 2026
I won this book in a giveaway.
Brooklyn Motto creates an atmosphere that invoked all five senses. It takes the reader along for a tour of 90s Brooklyn. However, it’s not doing New York any favors between the rats, cockroaches, drugs, racism, corrupt cops, and grimy bars.
The ending left me somewhat unsatisfied. Regardless, I did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone who likes mystery, noir, or feels stuck in their current situation.
Brooklyn Motto creates an atmosphere that invoked all five senses. It takes the reader along for a tour of 90s Brooklyn. However, it’s not doing New York any favors between the rats, cockroaches, drugs, racism, corrupt cops, and grimy bars.
The ending left me somewhat unsatisfied. Regardless, I did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone who likes mystery, noir, or feels stuck in their current situation.
July 15, 2026
Received an Advanced Audiobook Copy from Netgalley!!
Set in New York City in 1998, Brooklyn Motto follows Nico Kelly, an insurance investigator with a private investigator's licence that he's never really put to use. Quiet, observant, and shaped by a difficult childhood, Nico is the kind of protagonist who notices the details others miss.
When he accidentally witnesses and records a murder during one of his investigations, what begins as an ordinary assignment quickly spirals into something much darker. As more bodies start piling up, Nico finds himself pulled into the city's underbelly, searching for answers he never intended to find.
The writing is gritty, grounded, and evenly paced, with New York itself feeling like a character. I enjoyed following Nico through the city's streets as he pieced together the mystery. While the story didn't completely wow me, it kept me engaged throughout.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job. The voice modulation added personality to the characters and made the story feel more immersive and dramatic.
Overall, this was a solid crime mystery with a compelling setting and an enjoyable listening experience.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Set in New York City in 1998, Brooklyn Motto follows Nico Kelly, an insurance investigator with a private investigator's licence that he's never really put to use. Quiet, observant, and shaped by a difficult childhood, Nico is the kind of protagonist who notices the details others miss.
When he accidentally witnesses and records a murder during one of his investigations, what begins as an ordinary assignment quickly spirals into something much darker. As more bodies start piling up, Nico finds himself pulled into the city's underbelly, searching for answers he never intended to find.
The writing is gritty, grounded, and evenly paced, with New York itself feeling like a character. I enjoyed following Nico through the city's streets as he pieced together the mystery. While the story didn't completely wow me, it kept me engaged throughout.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job. The voice modulation added personality to the characters and made the story feel more immersive and dramatic.
Overall, this was a solid crime mystery with a compelling setting and an enjoyable listening experience.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
July 3, 2026
I was given an advanced listener of this works Audio book from NetGalley free of charge in return for an honest review .
The Narration works really hard to bring the New York City of 1998 to life for the listener. The narrator does try very hard to give each character their own voice and manner of speaking though at times it does drift and its almost like they forget who is speaking. Over all though really good.
In this story we meet Nico Kelly a pi and self- proclaimed photographer. His jobs aren't the grind of chasing cheating spouses or even the exciting world of crime scene photography. No He spends his days and some of his nights working to catch municipal employees who try to claim they are more injured than they are. It makes him feel like a professional snitch, he's not proud of it but hey everyone has to make a living.
One day hes called into his boss's office and told to tail a cop. He especially hates cop jobs, they can be vindictive. But he hates an empty bank account even more so he takes the job. He doesnt expect that to lead to him witness dirty cops killing a cop.
Looking for an easy way out he decides that this is now his bosses problem. He takes his tape and gives it to the boss. The trouble starts when his boss turns up dead in what looks like a suicide set up.
The story is a fast paced mystery and it builds super quick. It has some slice of life moments but not so many they detract from the main action or muddy the waters. All in all a very good read for a lazy summer afternoon or evening.
The Narration works really hard to bring the New York City of 1998 to life for the listener. The narrator does try very hard to give each character their own voice and manner of speaking though at times it does drift and its almost like they forget who is speaking. Over all though really good.
In this story we meet Nico Kelly a pi and self- proclaimed photographer. His jobs aren't the grind of chasing cheating spouses or even the exciting world of crime scene photography. No He spends his days and some of his nights working to catch municipal employees who try to claim they are more injured than they are. It makes him feel like a professional snitch, he's not proud of it but hey everyone has to make a living.
One day hes called into his boss's office and told to tail a cop. He especially hates cop jobs, they can be vindictive. But he hates an empty bank account even more so he takes the job. He doesnt expect that to lead to him witness dirty cops killing a cop.
Looking for an easy way out he decides that this is now his bosses problem. He takes his tape and gives it to the boss. The trouble starts when his boss turns up dead in what looks like a suicide set up.
The story is a fast paced mystery and it builds super quick. It has some slice of life moments but not so many they detract from the main action or muddy the waters. All in all a very good read for a lazy summer afternoon or evening.
February 6, 2026
Excellent private eye novel in the the Elmore Leonard vein, although driven more by introspection and private monologue where Leonard is all about the dialogue, set in a 1990s New York that is so detailed you'll feel you had been there back in the day, even if you weren't. I learned about this book from Alex P. Johnson's appearance on Tom Scharpling's The Best Show, and I'm glad I did because it's right up my alley - smartly done genre fiction with a shrewd eye for detail, characterisation, and loads of naturalistic detail.
The characters are well-sketched and diverse in a realistic and unforced way that reads as very New York, I especially enjoyed the character of Frankie Balls, a Dominican kid who goes to hardcore matinees at City Gardens. Johnson has a knack for getting the details exact and correct where they matter. Other authors might just peg a character as a punk rocker who frequents CBGBs and call it a day. As a lifelong music obsessive my early New York visits in the late 1990s and early 2000s were pilgramages to places like Other Music, Tunnel, and later on The Hook and 285 Kent, all of have long since vanished so it was a lot of fun to revist a little bit of that era, and you can't help but get pulled in when the protagonist has a similar name to yours. The youthful romance scenes are handled very well and read more realistically than in any other book I can think of.
The end of this book feels like a setup for Nico's further adventures and I'lll be eagerly awaiting those, and I can't be the only one who could see an excellent film set in this world someday. Johnson's confidence in doing a detective story his way in his world inspires me to do more writing of my own, and that's the highest mark I can think of for a book like this.
The characters are well-sketched and diverse in a realistic and unforced way that reads as very New York, I especially enjoyed the character of Frankie Balls, a Dominican kid who goes to hardcore matinees at City Gardens. Johnson has a knack for getting the details exact and correct where they matter. Other authors might just peg a character as a punk rocker who frequents CBGBs and call it a day. As a lifelong music obsessive my early New York visits in the late 1990s and early 2000s were pilgramages to places like Other Music, Tunnel, and later on The Hook and 285 Kent, all of have long since vanished so it was a lot of fun to revist a little bit of that era, and you can't help but get pulled in when the protagonist has a similar name to yours. The youthful romance scenes are handled very well and read more realistically than in any other book I can think of.
The end of this book feels like a setup for Nico's further adventures and I'lll be eagerly awaiting those, and I can't be the only one who could see an excellent film set in this world someday. Johnson's confidence in doing a detective story his way in his world inspires me to do more writing of my own, and that's the highest mark I can think of for a book like this.
June 3, 2026
I proper enjoyed this book! This isn’t my usual book genre, although I had a phase of detective noir books a couple of decades ago, but thanks to NetGalley and HFI I was able to access an Advanced Listener Copy.
Listening to this reminded me of Raymond Chandler and Graham Greene and even a bit of Paul Auster.
The book does what all good fiction should - it uses the language to create an atmosphere as well as tell a story. The dark corners, the intimacy of the big city hitting hard against its anonymity, drugs, booze and never really knowing who anyone truly is.
The audiobook is adeptly read with a strong Brooklyn accent (very different to my native Yorkshire!). It took a couple of chapters for me to settle into that, however once I had I was already hooked in by the story.
Nico is a Private Investigator that takes photos. He doesn’t do much else as his job is to spy on folks receiving disability pay outs from their jobs to prove they’re actually fine. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get past that (I’m disabled) but I did, and the story evolves into a gripping tale of bad cops, suspicious suicides and shady bars.
The narration is mostly well paced, although I felt it sped up a bit too much closer to the end (if listening on an app with a speed control that wouldn’t be an issue). It flows and whilst it builds tension and suspense, it’s not too much that it felt unmanageable for my nervous system! There’s also not much gore so that was a big tick from me.
The ending was good, and it felt open, leading to a series of books with Nico as the main character perhaps? The supporting cast - Frankie and Cookie - would also hold good for further character and story development as I really enjoyed their part in Brooklyn Motto.
Listening to this reminded me of Raymond Chandler and Graham Greene and even a bit of Paul Auster.
The book does what all good fiction should - it uses the language to create an atmosphere as well as tell a story. The dark corners, the intimacy of the big city hitting hard against its anonymity, drugs, booze and never really knowing who anyone truly is.
The audiobook is adeptly read with a strong Brooklyn accent (very different to my native Yorkshire!). It took a couple of chapters for me to settle into that, however once I had I was already hooked in by the story.
Nico is a Private Investigator that takes photos. He doesn’t do much else as his job is to spy on folks receiving disability pay outs from their jobs to prove they’re actually fine. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get past that (I’m disabled) but I did, and the story evolves into a gripping tale of bad cops, suspicious suicides and shady bars.
The narration is mostly well paced, although I felt it sped up a bit too much closer to the end (if listening on an app with a speed control that wouldn’t be an issue). It flows and whilst it builds tension and suspense, it’s not too much that it felt unmanageable for my nervous system! There’s also not much gore so that was a big tick from me.
The ending was good, and it felt open, leading to a series of books with Nico as the main character perhaps? The supporting cast - Frankie and Cookie - would also hold good for further character and story development as I really enjoyed their part in Brooklyn Motto.
June 7, 2026
Thank you to Alex R. Johnson, HFI and NetGalley for the ALC.
This review will encompass both the narration and story.
The narration was both a hit and a miss for me. The narrator had a comfortable voice to listen to, and did well with differentiating between the characters by adding slight pauses to the dialouge and personality to the accents. The pacing was a bit rushed though, especially during the descriptive scenes, and inner monologue of the main character. I didn't feel like he was given the same "personality" treatment as the side characters, and as a whole made it sound like a script was being dictated to me for a while. It got better as I got further along in the audiobook.
The story itself was interesting, funny and definitely engaged "the little gray ones". I clocked on to the perp pulling the strings in the shadow early on, and had a "hah, gotcha" moment when they were first observed tampering with things. Nico was an interesting character with believeable flaws, and I enjoyed his chemistry with Maggie. Cookie was probably my faourite of all the side characters, I really enjoyed the segments with her and the way the narrator voiced her. I was a little let down by the ending in that I wanted certain someones to get some just desserts too, but we can't have all we want in life.
All in all I recommend giving this a read and a listen to, and give it a strong 3.7 out of 5
This review will encompass both the narration and story.
The narration was both a hit and a miss for me. The narrator had a comfortable voice to listen to, and did well with differentiating between the characters by adding slight pauses to the dialouge and personality to the accents. The pacing was a bit rushed though, especially during the descriptive scenes, and inner monologue of the main character. I didn't feel like he was given the same "personality" treatment as the side characters, and as a whole made it sound like a script was being dictated to me for a while. It got better as I got further along in the audiobook.
The story itself was interesting, funny and definitely engaged "the little gray ones". I clocked on to the perp pulling the strings in the shadow early on, and had a "hah, gotcha" moment when they were first observed tampering with things. Nico was an interesting character with believeable flaws, and I enjoyed his chemistry with Maggie. Cookie was probably my faourite of all the side characters, I really enjoyed the segments with her and the way the narrator voiced her. I was a little let down by the ending in that I wanted certain someones to get some just desserts too, but we can't have all we want in life.
All in all I recommend giving this a read and a listen to, and give it a strong 3.7 out of 5
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October 23, 2025For the most part, I thought this story was fairly good, including the comedic and nostalgic aspects.
On the positive side, the narrator allowed me to visualize what was going on well enough to form a clear mental picture, and I could imagine watching an adaptation on film or television. The dark humour throughout the novel made me chuckle periodically, along with some of the frequent sarcasm. I liked having 29 reasonably short chapters among 260 pages to help things feel like they were moving along. Since chapter one mentions 1998, I had some idea of what to expect in terms of the atmosphere, and I found much of the technology mentioned to be consistent with that era, which brought back memories of the time (e.g., pagers, pay phones, and VHS tapes). People who remember those days might the book similarly relatable in that way. The vocabulary was also very simple.
Content or trigger warning: frequent profanity, especially using various words that begin with f. Of course, that was the negative side for me, apart from some negative stereotyping about people in New York. This book isn't exactly a treatise on good manners, LOL. :-)
The novel is enjoyable in many ways, so there is potential for the book’s readership to continue to grow over time.
I am grateful to have received the book through a Goodreads giveaway. Peace be with you.
On the positive side, the narrator allowed me to visualize what was going on well enough to form a clear mental picture, and I could imagine watching an adaptation on film or television. The dark humour throughout the novel made me chuckle periodically, along with some of the frequent sarcasm. I liked having 29 reasonably short chapters among 260 pages to help things feel like they were moving along. Since chapter one mentions 1998, I had some idea of what to expect in terms of the atmosphere, and I found much of the technology mentioned to be consistent with that era, which brought back memories of the time (e.g., pagers, pay phones, and VHS tapes). People who remember those days might the book similarly relatable in that way. The vocabulary was also very simple.
Content or trigger warning: frequent profanity, especially using various words that begin with f. Of course, that was the negative side for me, apart from some negative stereotyping about people in New York. This book isn't exactly a treatise on good manners, LOL. :-)
The novel is enjoyable in many ways, so there is potential for the book’s readership to continue to grow over time.
I am grateful to have received the book through a Goodreads giveaway. Peace be with you.
August 3, 2025
‘Brooklyn Motto’, a new novel by my old friend Alex R Johnson is absolutely magnificent!!! It’s simultaneously a hard boiled murder mystery, replete with crooked cops and local politicians, and an insider’s view of NYC in the late 1990’s…. the bars, bodegas, seedy after hours joints and subway jaunts that made this time so special in my home town. There is a density to Alex’s style that never feels clunky, but rather finds you greedily slurping up all the luscious detail that NYC—and especially Brooklyn—provided so plentifully at the time. I don’t get a chance to read much these days—my 9 mo daughter now runs the show—but I’m thrilled to have been able to experience ‘Brooklyn Motto’!! This is a must-read for fans of 1990’s NYC or simply anyone who appreciates well crafted crime fiction. This is a truly special work. Bravo, Alex!!
June 6, 2026
Nostalgic and entertaining.
We follow Nico, a private investigator who specializes in fraud cases and is stuck in the monotony of work while grieving the loss of his father. Everything changes when he witnesses a murder committed by none other than New York’s finest.
I felt completely transported to the Big Apple. From the narrator’s accent to the gritty atmosphere and compelling murder mystery, the audiobook was an immersive experience.
This felt like watching the classic TV show New York Undercover in book form. The nostalgia, suspense, and unmistakable New York energy made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Nico, a private investigator who specializes in fraud cases and is stuck in the monotony of work while grieving the loss of his father. Everything changes when he witnesses a murder committed by none other than New York’s finest.
I felt completely transported to the Big Apple. From the narrator’s accent to the gritty atmosphere and compelling murder mystery, the audiobook was an immersive experience.
This felt like watching the classic TV show New York Undercover in book form. The nostalgia, suspense, and unmistakable New York energy made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2026
A noir detective novel that’s a love song for Brooklyn. The main character works as a photographer for a private investigator, and captures something shady on video that may implicate some police officers in a crime. Now he has to bring the crime to life before his is ended. Gritty and, at times, gripping. An atmospheric, well-told tale with a well-narrated audiobook.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #BrooklynMotto for review purposes. It is currently available.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #BrooklynMotto for review purposes. It is currently available.
June 10, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, HFI and Alex R. Johnson for the early access to the audiobook.
This is a noir mystery set in NYC in the 90's. Nico Kelly, a disillusioned young PI in 1998 New York stumbles into a murder conspiracy and, in trying to solve it, finds several obstacles but also interesting people along the way.
I loved the narrator! He was great and really gave a lot of texture to the story.
As for the story and the characters, I struggled to connect and was not particularly hooked. Still, it is enjoyable, very cinematic.
This is a noir mystery set in NYC in the 90's. Nico Kelly, a disillusioned young PI in 1998 New York stumbles into a murder conspiracy and, in trying to solve it, finds several obstacles but also interesting people along the way.
I loved the narrator! He was great and really gave a lot of texture to the story.
As for the story and the characters, I struggled to connect and was not particularly hooked. Still, it is enjoyable, very cinematic.
June 17, 2026
What a fun audiobook! Honestly, this was such an unexpected romp into detective noir. I listened to this while driving on a long trip and found myself thoroughly invested in the characters and their outcomes. Nico’s character was very well portrayed, but honestly, I couldn’t get enough of Cookie and Frankie. The whole story is smart, witty and a thoroughly enjoyable action-packed escape into New York City during the late 90s. Hats off to the narrator on this one as well.
Thank-you to NetGalley, HFI and Alex R. Johnson for the ALC.
Thank-you to NetGalley, HFI and Alex R. Johnson for the ALC.
June 1, 2026
I had never heard of Brooklyn Motto or the author Alex R. Johnson prior to receiving an ALC on NetGalley, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the descriptive writing from the author. The story being set in New York in the 90’s was intriguing as well as following a PI who witnessed a murder while investigating insurance fraud. I really enjoyed every bit of Johnson’s story telling from start to finish!
June 1, 2026
Nico small time investigator, maybe bigger in the future, is doing ok. But then he gets a job that brings real trouble, and a number of deaths. Told to leave it alone, well that’s not his thing really. He is an investigator after all, and ultimately he liked to go on living. He has friends to help, though some of his friends are maybe not so much for looking out for Nico. Thank you to HFI and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
June 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brooklyn Motto hooked me right away with its gritty 90s New York atmosphere and messy, flawed, genuinely interesting characters. I loved the noir feel and the way the story kept pulling me in, even when I wasn’t fully sure where it was going. I wasn’t crazy about the ending, but the journey was still very worth it. Also, the audiobook narrator was amazing and added so much personality to the story.
Brooklyn Motto hooked me right away with its gritty 90s New York atmosphere and messy, flawed, genuinely interesting characters. I loved the noir feel and the way the story kept pulling me in, even when I wasn’t fully sure where it was going. I wasn’t crazy about the ending, but the journey was still very worth it. Also, the audiobook narrator was amazing and added so much personality to the story.
November 25, 2025
I loved this book! It was funny, sad, suspenseful and entertaining! It’s about Nico Kelly who investigates people that may be committing insurance fraud. He has some family drama, a cast of interesting characters and a few murders! It takes place mostly in Brooklyn, and is so realistic it could’ve been anywhere, USA!
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