True Blue Detective

True Blue Detective #1

by Vito Zuppardo

Ride along with the New Orleans Police Department as the officers work together to solve unusual happenings in this unique, historic city.

You’ll meet Zack Nelson, a former police officer, now living in a retirement center because of his daughter-in-law’s illness. While he’s not keen to move, he does so temporarily to help his son, Tom, and Patty cope with the medical issues.

Zack still got a lot of detective in him and senses that something is wrong with all the supposedly natural deaths that are happening, not only to his family but with the older folks who are seemingly in good health. He works with the police officers to help untangle and solve several ongoing crimes that seem to surround and affect him.

Along with his new roommate Dave, and two engaging sisters, Pearl Ann and Emma Lou (genteel Southern women), the foursome are involved with touring New Orleans, getting involved in social events, tasting an amazing array of New Orleans food and drink, participating in shoot-outs, and creating a few hijinks of their own.

This fast-paced story is filled with mystery, humor, international black-market sales, Southern charm, and characters you won’t soon forget. You’ll visit the French Quarter, the Garden District, the Warehouse District, and be a guest at an unusual funeral held in a true New Orleans custom.

This is the first book in the True Blue Detective series. The author, Vito Zuppardo, is a former resident and New Orleans expert who helps create a visual tour through the Crescent City that makes it come alive for the reader.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

304 pages, ebook

Published October 31, 2015

About the author

Vito Zuppardo started collecting pieces of information in 1986 from each trip to Las Vegas, Bahamas, Monte Carlo, and the other many casinos he represented. His main job was keeping his clients happy which was a full-time job while they were vacationing at luxury casino resorts.

Vito is the author of 5 novels and started writing in 1996. His fist novel Alluring Lady Luck was based on true events from his 25 years in the casino business operating high limit gaming customers to various casinos around the world. Nevada Gaming Control said Vito Zuppardo was one of the most successful casino representatives in Nevada producing over 60 million dollars in revenue in three years. It’s his life adventures that make his books fun to read, and characters stand out.

Vito was born and raised in New Orleans and moved to Baton Rouge, after Hurricane Katrina.

Life is truly what you make of it.

Reviews

[Paula Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based in New Orleans, retired cop Zack is asked to move out of his son's home and stay at a retirement home as his daughter in law is now fighting cancer and doesn't need the added stress of taking care of her father in law. There is some funny business going on at the retirement home and with help from his new roommate and new lady friends they investigate. Also help from some of the police officers he knew when he was still active. It was a good mystery but it left you wondering what was going to happen next.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that was very enjoyable reading as Zack Nelson, a retired police officer now in a Nursing Home, finds mystery and murders very close to home! He gets his new friends at the home involved, also using old friends from the police force. Suspense, humor and just living life makes this story easy to follow and I am definitely looking into more from this author!!

[Bettyboop · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Blue Detective has what it takes to be a ‘goodread’. The storyline held my interest and the characters, Zack, retired cop and friends plus detective Mario seemed real making the story believable. It had action, humor and told an intriguing story that I couldn’t put down. Kept me guessing how the plot which covered 19 years was all going to be discovered and stopped. Love happy endings and getting there was a great ride with a retired cop. The lack of thorough editing made the story telling more realistic is a good way to read past errors.

[Trish Goodgame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storyline with several twists and turns. Sad that so many had to die before the conclusion of the book. Interesting characters, especially Zack the elderly retired cop placed in the retirement home. It did seem a bit odd thpugh that in the book initially he was described as someone not to be left alone anymore because of age and forgetfulness etc, but in the retirement home, he is bright, alert and very astute. Ends with a bit of a cliffhanger which continues with book 2.

[Mohammedrabiu Abdullahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never realized there is an Abattoir for human being until I read this book. Look a what Dr. Ross and his Architecture Jack are working.

But Sir, the way you challenges Lindsey school (University of Turlane) over Armano School (University of Loyola) I feel rough. What if to said I am Alumnus of University of Turlane? I won't forgive you.

You are just another version of James Hardley Chase. You book kept me company, over all the days that I spent reading it. I am looking forward to read the others series.

[Betty Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, exciting novel. Zack nelson a retired cop is delegated to a nursing home as he is becoming forgetful and can't be left alone. The nursing home is the same one where his wife died unexpectedly several years ago. He became close friends with 4 people at that home. Together those four helped to solve a crime and put a gang out of existence. Read the book to see how these sleuths along with the police dept managed to do this.

Warning: This book is hard to put down!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read from this author.

The plot associated with the story builds as you read along. It is interesting watching someone other than the police work at solving this murder puzzle.


I was caught up right from the beginning with this story and it kept my interest right through the end which was well done.


I am looking forward to read more and highly recommend this book.

[Peggy Tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of danger, action and suspense, murders and mayhem. It grabbed me from page one and was unputdownable till it was finished. Zack Nelson is a New Orleans Police retired detective living in a retirement home where he starts having problems with one staff member and events happen quite quickly, requiring help from his friends at the police department. It's enjoyable, entertaining reading. I loved it.

[Annie Cheviron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, great mind pictures of the New Orleans I grew up with. Great action from beginning to end.

I have now found a new to me author in this writer. It is really a variety of styles..mystry..cosy..human interest, and yes, action packed murder. I read the first all through! Not a lot of sleep, but rested well when I did. I recommend this to anyone who wants a really good read and a great series.

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read Zake a retired New Orleans detective moves into a retirement and tries to adjust. As they say you can take the detective out of the department but not the department out of the detective and he tries to solve shootings of his daughter-in-law and a mystery with the home. His roommate and 2 other female habitants join him on awide and funny roll through New Orleans-

[daniel jaloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Blue Detective has what it takes to be a ‘goodread’. The storyline held my interest and the characters, Zack, retired cop and friends plus detective armando seemed real making the story believable. It had action, humor and told an intriguing story that I couldn’t put down.
Excellent reading looking forward for more

[Sherry Arrasmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Definite page turner

Glad I found you. Your books are well-written and thought out. I have had my Creative writing Master classes reading your books especially those Shoppe to write their own books .I explain the background of a book greatly enhanced their audience. Thank you I love all your novels and some are enjoying them as well. Keep writing.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once a cop always a cop even when your 71 y/o and living in a retirement community. You can't shut it off, you see things and you hear things and when things don't add up you get very suspicions. Zack knows something is very wrong but he just doesn't know where to start his investigation. Come along with him when find out just what is happening.

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense and riveting mystery investigation that will in no way bore you. It is a in depth story line that will keep you at the edge of your seat waiting to read the next page as your read it all. I loved it!! get your copy today its a must read!

[Joan Barstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a real complicated who-done-it...this one's for you. A lot of different crimes happening, and it's fun to try to outsmart the detectives, and come up with who-done-it before the author tells you.

I really enjoyed this, and hope to read more from this author.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this book. it was a really interesting read from the very beginning .
I also enjoyed the little humour that was added to the mystery and leading clues. The characters were likeable and because of my age I could certainly relate .

[Diane Worthen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, keeps you on the edge of your seat

Very good read. This keeps you on the edge of your seat. Plus it describes various parts of the city of New Orleans, which is wonderful if you've never been.

[Sean Flanagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite several tries, couldn't get past the second chapter. This book is so poorly written that I found myself cursing Zuppardo's elementary and middle school English teachers for their total failure to perform the minimum requirements of their profession.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great characters and good dialogue. There were some very nice plot twists but overall the plot was a bit choppy. I was particularly dismayed that one of the major villains remained alive and free at the end. And what were the police cars doing on the final page?

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age dosent matter

Oh my goodness I could not put this down till I was done. So exciting so much fun annd so much action from start to finish. One of the best detective books I've read so far.

[Curtis Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a good book about the brotherhood of the officers in blue.
Retired Detective Zack was both humerus and professional, although taking a few risks and bending a few rules.
Vito Zuppardo has done a great job telling this story.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A greedy doctor found a way to get organs to a lucrative black money. The bodies add up, so did his gambling debts. When Zack a retired cop moves into a retirement home, he notices something is wrong, deadly wrong. With detective Mario and his new friends, they set out to catch him. Good series.

[Sandy Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Loved this book especially the spunk of the senior citizen characters in the story. Can't wait to read his next book.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed immensely! Good story. Very likeable characters. The story was excellent. Although everybody who should have karma brought on them, did not get it. Dr Ross lives to see another day.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I loved the plot and the characters. I read this book in one sitting. I enjoyed the plot. It was full of excitement and intrigue.

[Pamela R. Ballinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved third

This was a funny and delightful book. The characters of Zack and Dave were so much fun. Zack must be based on a real retired officer. He was so realistic.

[Marcia Ditter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written detective story.
The story takes place in New Orleans, the home of the New Orleans Saints, great drinks and excellent food.
If you want a good read, then this is the book.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vol 1, True Blue Detective is a classical New Orleans Noir. We travel with the N.O.P.D. murder squad, seen for the most part through the eyes of Mario Deluca. We will also spend a lot of time with Zack, Emma Lou, Pearl Ann, and Dave, residents of a retirement home in central N.O. Zack Nelson is a retired N.O. policeman, the father of current police officer Tom Nelson. Zack likes to keep his nose firmly implanted in the pulse of the city, staying in touch with the underground and the cop shop through friends and family. He and his posse help keep us informed. And this could be personal - over the years Zack's wife and their son Tom's wife, both registered organ donors with healthy hearts, died of a heart attack after uncomplicated, basically minor surgery, just before being released to go home. Released from the hospital Dr. Ross calls home.

At about $100,000.00 per organ, Dr. Ross is keeping the worldwide black market in organs for transplant stocked with those viable parts harvested from his patients and shipped to where in the world they are needed by his European friend Dr. Amir. Dr. Ross seldom waits for his patients to die naturally. Or even be one of his patients. And he has staff to handle the paperwork if the patient isn't already a registered organ donor. His man Jack is a great help in getting the patient dead, to the surgery ward for Dr. Ross to harvest and refrigerate any organs that are needed, then to the airport to meet Amir's jet. It is as you would expect a very lucrative undertaking. And of course, Jack works at the nursing home housing Zack and his friends.

As you see, this is a complex crime, very well presented, and the bountiful city of New Orleans plays a heavy role in our tale. Mario runs a fine investigation but he is bound by all those rules and reservations required of police department employees. Zack, of course, is no longer bound by those strictures. Hope you are prepared for an old-fashioned, very intense ride.

Reviewed on November 21, 2022, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review at Kobo or GooglePlay.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

( Format :Audiobook )
" I have a big gun. Don't make me use it."
From organ trafficking, through murder and cancer and gang violence, to infidelity, the bullying of old folk and residents behaving badly in a retirement home, all set in New Orleans, this sometimes comedy could have been be a good story if better presented. As it was, for this reader, it failed to hold together. Narration by Reed Shepherd was fast, nearly noir, with a throw away delivery, but expressive and with individual voicing.

This book could be easily converted into a film with a lot of impact, actors breathing life into the rather two dimensional characters, with surprises, as well as sadness and action, mixed into the nearly slapstick humour reminiscent of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

I had expected much more: but it was simp!y too disjointed. What happened to the story thread of Dr.Ross and his gambling? And so many heart attacks. Really? I did like the chauffeur, Howard, however. This book was a freely gifted complimentary download from FABC. My thanks to the rights holder who made this possible.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is rare that I abandon a book but "True Blue Detective" was almost unreadable from the start. I forced myself to continue but after 70 pages I just gave up. The story is interesting but the writing is poor - it seems almost like the author can see it in his mind but lacks the vocabulary to flesh out the story beyond a certain point.
It could be just me, but I feel this book needed a second writer - someone who could up the ante a little bit and give it the 'oomph' that would have transformed it.