Captain Butterfly

by Robert Leuci

Leuci, the former New York cop whose exploits were documented in The Prince of the City , follows up his first two novels, Doyle's Disciples and Odessa Beach , with this tense story about steely Captain Butterfly, Marjorie Butera, a 19-year veteran of the force. Assigned to the Internal Affairs Division, charged with finding proof of the corruption in the force, Butera's investigation focuses on vicious Inspector Ronald Janesky. But Janesky--in line for promotion to commissioner, with a record based on illegal arrests and torturing prisoners--is apparently untouchable. Captain Butera's fellow (male) officers fear Janesky and despise the Butterfly as a female snitch. Only her lover, journalist Charles Rose, supports her decision to expose the crooked cop. Leuci alternates steamy scenes of love-making with gritty slices of New York life punctuated by bloody, violent clashes before the decisive confrontation takes place between the evil, unprincipled inspector and his female nemesis. If the adventure is not entirely credible, it is exciting, fast paced and a boost to feminists. -Publishers Weekly

Genres: Mystery

254 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 1989

About the author

Aka Bob Leuci

Robert Leuci was an officer with the New York City Police Department for more than twenty years (1959-1981), known for his work exposing corruption in the police department and the criminal justice system.After retiring from the NYPD he wrote novels, short stories, TV episodes and a memoir of his years on the force. He taught and had residencies at over forty universities and law schools, and lectured on morality and ethics erosion at many US police departments and the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia. The book (by Robert Daley) and the film Prince of the City are based on a portion of Leuci's police career. In 1999 he received the South County Center for the Arts Literary Prize. He was an Adjunct Professor of English and Political Science at the University of Rhode Island. Leuci passed away on October 12, 2015 at the age of 75 after complications from surgery.

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Captain Marjorie Butera, IAD
SETTING: Brooklyn, NY
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Captain Marjorie Butera (Captain Butterfly) has been with the police for 19 years and is hard driven and tough. She's now in Internal Affairs and is obsessed with taking down Chief Ronald Janesky, a vicious piece of work who has great support because he gets results, even though he uses extreme measures. She trusts no one, including her lover, and is confrontational and stubborn. The characters were well drawn, and the plot, sadly, seemed all too accurate. I had several issues with the conclusion that resulted in a feeling of disappointment after a pretty good read.

[Cws]

M Leu

[Edward Renehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly good cop/crime fiction. Leuci knows NYC policing inside and out, and knows how to spin a great story. Addictive. Highly recommended.