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Street Crime Unit 22
Street Crime Unit 22 –Dive into this juicy urban mystery with a city impacted by a series of priest murders…
Buffalo, 1980s
Detectives Mike McNally and Bill “Turk” Matursky are resolving a tense jumper scenario at a highrise in one of the seedier parts of Buffalo, New York when they hear about the gruesome murder of a Catholic priest. As an esteemed older priest is murdered three days later, the detectives are assigned to the special task force to help solve the vicious crimes.
There’s only a single clue to go on, and Mike turns to his long-time friend, Father Mark, to help with their investigation. He offers what he can, but the Church is stone-walling the law at every turn. The detectives have to appeal to the city's underbelly for leads. Through many twists and turns, they discover that the suicide of a fellow cop and a tied-up hooker hold surprising clues.
Meanwhile, Turk is going through a personal crisis. He won’t explain why to Mike who gets more frustrated every time Turk’s rash actions might endanger their lives.
Mike struggles to get past his divorce, but every overture toward a new relationship backfires.
Despite the seriousness of their criminal investigation, they find time to share comical cop stories, and their penny-pinching superior, Captain Burke, has an endless supply.
Can you blend murder with humor? Maybe it’s the only way cops can cope with the horrors of their work.
Buffalo, 1980s
Detectives Mike McNally and Bill “Turk” Matursky are resolving a tense jumper scenario at a highrise in one of the seedier parts of Buffalo, New York when they hear about the gruesome murder of a Catholic priest. As an esteemed older priest is murdered three days later, the detectives are assigned to the special task force to help solve the vicious crimes.
There’s only a single clue to go on, and Mike turns to his long-time friend, Father Mark, to help with their investigation. He offers what he can, but the Church is stone-walling the law at every turn. The detectives have to appeal to the city's underbelly for leads. Through many twists and turns, they discover that the suicide of a fellow cop and a tied-up hooker hold surprising clues.
Meanwhile, Turk is going through a personal crisis. He won’t explain why to Mike who gets more frustrated every time Turk’s rash actions might endanger their lives.
Mike struggles to get past his divorce, but every overture toward a new relationship backfires.
Despite the seriousness of their criminal investigation, they find time to share comical cop stories, and their penny-pinching superior, Captain Burke, has an endless supply.
Can you blend murder with humor? Maybe it’s the only way cops can cope with the horrors of their work.
287 pages, Paperback
Published January 23, 2025
5 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Maria Greene
52 books26 followersI have always been fascinated by historical events, especially British and French. Most of my stories are set in Georgian and Regency England. Some deal with the Jacobite rebellion, and my very first published book was set in Louis XIV's France. I like lots of action and intrigue. The romances set in the Regency period have a bit of intrigue and lots of humor. This year look for the first installment of my fantasy series, TRIALS OF HALLION, Two of Swords, book 1.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 6, 2025
Street Crime Unit 22 by Maria Greene and Patrick Dugan is a gripping and gritty police procedural set against the backdrop of 1980s Buffalo, New York—a city rife with crime, corruption, and social unrest. The novel centers on a determined team of police officers as they confront not only the violence on the streets but also the psychological and emotional toll of their profession.
At the heart of the story are Detective Mike McNally and his steadfast partner Turk, whose cases range from tense hostage situations to deeply unsettling homicides. From a desperate man threatening to jump with his child in his arms to the brutal killing of a respected local priest, the narrative intertwines complex criminal investigations with the deeply personal challenges faced by those in uniform. Through these intense plotlines, the novel explores the humanity behind the badge delving into themes of duty, trauma, loyalty, and resilience.
Immersive Storytelling:
Greene and Dugan excel at bringing 1980s Buffalo to life with striking authenticity. Their use of period-specific details, street-level realism, and raw, emotionally charged dialogue immerses the reader fully in the gritty atmosphere of the time. The cast of characters, from disillusioned officers to hardened criminals, is richly drawn, and their interactions give the story a grounded, character-driven depth that enhances the high-stakes action. The emotional weight of the narrative adds dimension to what is more than just a procedural it’s a human story wrapped in crime fiction.
Editing and Presentation:
The prose is clean, direct, and fast-paced, capturing both the urgency and chaos of frontline police work. Dialogue is sharp and believable, enhancing the authenticity of each scene. The formatting is user-friendly, with clear chapter breaks and well-structured transitions that keep the narrative flowing smoothly. While there are minor issues with pacing in some sections, the overall editorial execution supports a cohesive and engaging reading experience.
Final Assessment:
Street Crime Unit 22 stands out as a taut, well-executed crime novel that offers more than standard genre fare. It blends procedural accuracy with emotional nuance, painting a vivid portrait of law enforcement during a turbulent time in American history. Fans of realistic crime dramas like The Wire or NYPD Blue will find much to appreciate here from its unflinching realism to its morally complex characters. This is a must-read for crime fiction enthusiasts seeking a story with both grit and heart.
At the heart of the story are Detective Mike McNally and his steadfast partner Turk, whose cases range from tense hostage situations to deeply unsettling homicides. From a desperate man threatening to jump with his child in his arms to the brutal killing of a respected local priest, the narrative intertwines complex criminal investigations with the deeply personal challenges faced by those in uniform. Through these intense plotlines, the novel explores the humanity behind the badge delving into themes of duty, trauma, loyalty, and resilience.
Immersive Storytelling:
Greene and Dugan excel at bringing 1980s Buffalo to life with striking authenticity. Their use of period-specific details, street-level realism, and raw, emotionally charged dialogue immerses the reader fully in the gritty atmosphere of the time. The cast of characters, from disillusioned officers to hardened criminals, is richly drawn, and their interactions give the story a grounded, character-driven depth that enhances the high-stakes action. The emotional weight of the narrative adds dimension to what is more than just a procedural it’s a human story wrapped in crime fiction.
Editing and Presentation:
The prose is clean, direct, and fast-paced, capturing both the urgency and chaos of frontline police work. Dialogue is sharp and believable, enhancing the authenticity of each scene. The formatting is user-friendly, with clear chapter breaks and well-structured transitions that keep the narrative flowing smoothly. While there are minor issues with pacing in some sections, the overall editorial execution supports a cohesive and engaging reading experience.
Final Assessment:
Street Crime Unit 22 stands out as a taut, well-executed crime novel that offers more than standard genre fare. It blends procedural accuracy with emotional nuance, painting a vivid portrait of law enforcement during a turbulent time in American history. Fans of realistic crime dramas like The Wire or NYPD Blue will find much to appreciate here from its unflinching realism to its morally complex characters. This is a must-read for crime fiction enthusiasts seeking a story with both grit and heart.
June 10, 2025
Book Review: Street Crime Unit 22 by Patrick Dugan ✨📚
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Set against the gritty, unforgiving backdrop of 1980s Buffalo, Street Crime Unit 22 plunges readers into a city on the brink — where corruption, crime, and personal demons threaten to consume both the streets and the people sworn to protect them. This gripping crime thriller doesn’t just deliver a compelling murder mystery — it masterfully weaves together dark humor, emotional vulnerability, and social commentary, all anchored by a duo of unforgettable protagonists.
👉At the heart of the story are Detectives Mike McNally and Bill “Turk” Matursky — two seasoned cops who’ve seen too much and trust each other with everything, even when secrets begin to fracture their bond. When a respected priest is found murdered in a rundown part of town, it sparks a chilling chain of events. As more clergy become victims, Mike and Turk are pulled into a high-stakes investigation clouded by silence, denial, and institutional obstruction from the Church. But as they dig deeper, they discover that the case isn’t just about murder — it’s about shame, cover-ups, and a past that refuses to stay buried.
✨ What makes this book truly shine is its emotional realism. Mike is haunted by his recent divorce and struggling to rebuild his personal life. Turk, meanwhile, is clearly unraveling, but keeps his pain buried beneath sarcasm and risky decisions. Their dynamic is powerful — raw, flawed, and deeply human. Through their banter, breakdowns, and breakthroughs, readers gain insight into the mental toll of police work and the weight of unresolved trauma.
👉The setting of Buffalo in the 1980s is vividly drawn. From gritty alleyways and crumbling buildings to local dive bars and dingy squad rooms, Dugan captures the era with meticulous detail and authenticity. It’s a love letter to a city forgotten by progress and torn apart by politics and poverty.
👉What’s most impressive is how Dugan blends tones — the darkness of a murder investigation, the humor of everyday cop banter, and the emotional heartache of lives caught in limbo.
Happy reading 😁😁
#bookreview
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Set against the gritty, unforgiving backdrop of 1980s Buffalo, Street Crime Unit 22 plunges readers into a city on the brink — where corruption, crime, and personal demons threaten to consume both the streets and the people sworn to protect them. This gripping crime thriller doesn’t just deliver a compelling murder mystery — it masterfully weaves together dark humor, emotional vulnerability, and social commentary, all anchored by a duo of unforgettable protagonists.
👉At the heart of the story are Detectives Mike McNally and Bill “Turk” Matursky — two seasoned cops who’ve seen too much and trust each other with everything, even when secrets begin to fracture their bond. When a respected priest is found murdered in a rundown part of town, it sparks a chilling chain of events. As more clergy become victims, Mike and Turk are pulled into a high-stakes investigation clouded by silence, denial, and institutional obstruction from the Church. But as they dig deeper, they discover that the case isn’t just about murder — it’s about shame, cover-ups, and a past that refuses to stay buried.
✨ What makes this book truly shine is its emotional realism. Mike is haunted by his recent divorce and struggling to rebuild his personal life. Turk, meanwhile, is clearly unraveling, but keeps his pain buried beneath sarcasm and risky decisions. Their dynamic is powerful — raw, flawed, and deeply human. Through their banter, breakdowns, and breakthroughs, readers gain insight into the mental toll of police work and the weight of unresolved trauma.
👉The setting of Buffalo in the 1980s is vividly drawn. From gritty alleyways and crumbling buildings to local dive bars and dingy squad rooms, Dugan captures the era with meticulous detail and authenticity. It’s a love letter to a city forgotten by progress and torn apart by politics and poverty.
👉What’s most impressive is how Dugan blends tones — the darkness of a murder investigation, the humor of everyday cop banter, and the emotional heartache of lives caught in limbo.
Happy reading 😁😁
#bookreview
January 31, 2025
The City of Buffalo has a savage hunter and his prey is Catholic priests. With little evidence being found at the crime scenes of these brutal killings, the task of apprehending this vicious murderer is assigned to the two partners of the Street Crime Unit. With the Catholic Diocese tying their hands and with holding information there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight before another man of the cloth is possibly slaughtered. Can these two hardened detectives wade through the little info they have received and put a stop to these senseless deaths?
In a well written story in a collaborative effort, the crimes unfold in a truly horrifying manner. The scenes of the homicides are described in horrifying detail which only a psychotic maniac could inflict upon another human being and turned my stomach as I read. The procedures that must be taken by the police to try and stop this crime spree are followed and information trickles in. Will it be enough to find and arrest this animal?
This story not only follows the crimes of the murdered priests but also delves into the lives of the men in blue who are working the streets and the problems that they live with and must contend with all while “protecting and serving” the citizens of the city.
This is a totally engrossing story and one that should be read if you are a reader of crime, thriller and horror stories.
In a well written story in a collaborative effort, the crimes unfold in a truly horrifying manner. The scenes of the homicides are described in horrifying detail which only a psychotic maniac could inflict upon another human being and turned my stomach as I read. The procedures that must be taken by the police to try and stop this crime spree are followed and information trickles in. Will it be enough to find and arrest this animal?
This story not only follows the crimes of the murdered priests but also delves into the lives of the men in blue who are working the streets and the problems that they live with and must contend with all while “protecting and serving” the citizens of the city.
This is a totally engrossing story and one that should be read if you are a reader of crime, thriller and horror stories.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews