Cry for Help

by Marco Conelli

Veteran narcotics detective Caleb Alden is a portrait of tolerance… Enduring the suicide of his teenage son, the dissolution of his marriage, and the aggravation brought on by incompetent supervisors has only made him better at what he does. When set to launch a major investigation into the Bronx heroin czar, a man called the Nasty One, the hierarchy of the NYPD insists on interfering. Caleb packs up his twenty plus years of service and retires. Walking away from life as a cop turns out to be the least of his problems, as he now finds himself alone, unchallenged, and hearing uncompromising voices. Battling for a new purpose in life, he connects with his old friend and colleague Sergeant James Paul McCormack. The Sergeant is under intense pressure to find a killer who has been decorating New York City with dead women, displayed in acts of vulgarity. When he confides in Caleb, the retired detective discovers a heroin connection that may lead to the murderer’s identity and agrees to help. But, time may be running out for the two friends... As Caleb starts receiving cryptic religious messages in the mail, he can’t help but wonder if it’s a cry for help in the form of divine intervention, or if he is one of the Nasty One’s pawns. Cry for Help is a gritty crime thriller that grips you from the first page. Praise for Marco Conelli ‘Conelli delivers a nail biter of a thriller.’ -Marcia Clark, Former Los Angeles Prosecutor & NY Times Best selling author ‘Conelli's real life experience as a New York City detective shines through in this riveting story that is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages all night long.’ - Marcia Clark, Former Los Angeles Prosecutor & NY Times Best selling author Marco Conelli is a former NYPD detective and author of the Matthew Livingston Young Adult Mystery Series . His 2011 release, Matthew Livingston and the Politics of Death , received the Silver Falchion award for best new mystery. Cry for Help , his first adult-crime novel, introduces Caleb Alden and James Paul McCormack, two tenacious, fast-moving protagonists dissecting the desperate landscape of New York’s forgotten borough, The Bronx.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2016

About the author

Marco Conelli is an active veteran Detective in the NYPD. His love of the science of deduction and famous fictional detectives of our folklore inspired him to create Matthew Livingston and write his first young adult novel, "Matthew Livingston & the Prison of Souls". Marco's teenage detective is unlike any before, as his character directly inherits his author's crime solving abilities and dilligent pursuit of justice. Marco Conelli resides in New York, where he still serves the NYPD and continues to write more Matthew Livingston books.
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Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caleb Alden is a veteran narcotics detective, who retires in fit of anger. He's suffered the loss of his teenage son to suicide. His wife has left him. And just when he's about to break a major case against a well-known drug lord, Nasty One, his supervisor brings in two cops to help him .. only they're both employed in Internal Affairs. They have never worked the streets. Alden could have retired two years ago, and today was the day he retired.

Reduced to replacing kitchen cabinet knobs to keep busy, he re-connects with an old friend .... Sergeant James Paul McCormack. McCormack is involved in a murder case with the killer who is leaving dead women all over New York City.

Alden sees a connection to the drug lord he almost bagged and agrees to help his friend. But then Alden starts receiving religious medals and messages in the mail. Who is contacting him ...and why? Does it have something to do from a case in the past ... or the current case he's helping with?

He needs answers fast .. and time is running out not only for himself, but also for his friend.

This is a well-written crime thriller. It's fast-paced, suspenseful, with gritty dialogue and well-developed characters. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

Many thanks to the author / Endeavour Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cry for Help

I enjoyed reading your book. It was fast paced and kept my interest. I will look forward to reading more by Marco Conelli.

[Vivian Byfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different

Like I said different, most definitely not glossy about police work, or the characters. Seemed very real in regards to the officers and their feelings towards the job.

[MelMon Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice long read filled with twist and turns. The cops and the criminals in a nutshell. Will the good guys win? You have to read to see how it ends.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always wanted to be a private investigator ... i bet you see so much and deal with a lot of suspenseful.
Set in New York city, deep rich plot. so many details about the police activity going on, I love that. it's all in the details. right? i believe so. I love Marco's writing style. well done. I love a good detailed suspenseful read. edge of your seat kind of ride or read, whichever you pick. Can't wait to see what more Marco does write in the future, wishing him much success, this is my 1st read and will certainly not be the last. Well done! ( :

[Suzanne Borcherds · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read


Fast paced exciting read. all the characters were well developed. I would definitely recommend it to my friends.
Realistic characters who have a great relationship makes for fun reading.