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Confessions of a Catholic Cop
An insider's tale of a dedicated pair of New York City cops who uncover a heinous scheme of arson that will keep you spellbound from begining to electrifying end.
- GenresThrillerNonfiction
306 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2006
21 people are currently reading
927 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Fitzsimmons
10 books36 followersThomas Fitzsimmons doesn’t write crime fiction from imagination—he writes it from memory. A real-life private investigator, celebrity bodyguard, and former NYPD officer, Fitzsimmons has lived the kind of gritty, high-stakes New York stories most authors research from behind a desk. His background reads like a pulp novel with a twist of Hollywood: Navy veteran, Ford model, soap-opera actor, NBC television personality, and trusted confidant to the rich and infamous. Raised in a tight-knit Irish Bronx neighborhood and born into a family of career cops, Fitzsimmons enlisted in the Navy after high school, serving aboard a guided missile cruiser during the Vietnam War. The experience sparked a lifelong commitment to public service, leading him to the NYPD, where he spent a decade patrolling the notorious precinct immortalized in Fort Apache, The Bronx. His arrest record included armed robbers, drug lords, and arsonists—his off-duty hours, meanwhile, were spent in front of cameras.
Discovered by Ford Modeling Agency legend Joey Hunter, Fitzsimmons transitioned from street patrol to studio lights, landing modeling gigs and eventually co-hosting NBC’s magazine-format show Now. When the entertainment world came calling, he traded his badge for a SAG card and never looked back. He went on to star in over 150 commercials, appear in soap operas like One Life to Live and Texas, and become a fixture in the fashion and television industries.
But Fitzsimmons never strayed far from his roots. Drawing on his NYPD experience and global law enforcement connections, he became a top-tier security consultant to A-list celebrities, earning recognition as a trusted expert on shows like Good Morning America. His writing—three noir crime novels, a slew of short stories, and a blisteringly candid memoir—channels the raw tension, dark humor, and moral ambiguity of a life lived on both sides of the velvet rope.
His latest work, Thomas Fitzsimmons – The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, is already stirring controversy and buzz. If you’re looking for fiction with bite, memoir with muscle, and storytelling that walks the beat between grit and glamour—Fitzsimmons delivers.
Discovered by Ford Modeling Agency legend Joey Hunter, Fitzsimmons transitioned from street patrol to studio lights, landing modeling gigs and eventually co-hosting NBC’s magazine-format show Now. When the entertainment world came calling, he traded his badge for a SAG card and never looked back. He went on to star in over 150 commercials, appear in soap operas like One Life to Live and Texas, and become a fixture in the fashion and television industries.
But Fitzsimmons never strayed far from his roots. Drawing on his NYPD experience and global law enforcement connections, he became a top-tier security consultant to A-list celebrities, earning recognition as a trusted expert on shows like Good Morning America. His writing—three noir crime novels, a slew of short stories, and a blisteringly candid memoir—channels the raw tension, dark humor, and moral ambiguity of a life lived on both sides of the velvet rope.
His latest work, Thomas Fitzsimmons – The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man, is already stirring controversy and buzz. If you’re looking for fiction with bite, memoir with muscle, and storytelling that walks the beat between grit and glamour—Fitzsimmons delivers.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 21, 2011
Puzzling Title, Good Story
Thomas Fitzsimmons is a relatively new, independent author who was a New York City cop for ten years and is also a Vietnam veteran. As such he ha plenty of experience with the darker side of human nature and he uses it well in his debut novel. His lead character, Michael Beckett, is a likeable guy, a good cop, a decent human being who was raised in an Irish Catholic family and who works part time as an actor on the television program Law and Order. I thought the latter was an interesting addition to his character because much of the story-telling in Fitzsimmon's novel reads rather like a Law and Order script – one of the few contemporary television programs I have actually watched.
The story is pretty straight-forward. A series of arsons has plagued a neighborhood in the South Bronx and it is pretty obvious somebody is up to no good but who and why? Beckett and his partner Vinnie D'Amato have some clues but pulling all of them together is a daunting task. Especially when they are juggling far more cases than they have time to deal with, non-stop pressure from within the police department, a highly critical public, obnoxiously persistent news reporters, problems at home, and no shortage of inter-personal conflicts between Beckett and D'Amato who is openly jealous of his partner's new-found celebrity.
Fitzsimmons writes well and I liked the shifting POV. Chapters alternated between Beckett's first-person narrative and a third-person POV that gives the reader a different perspective on the action – and there is plenty of action. Fitzsimmons writes with the confidence and authority of experience and it comes through powerfully throughout the story.
He also has a real gift for his secondary and minor characters. Some of them were just perfect. He is accomplished at characterization and eve those characters that might have slipped into cliché had such individual personalities that it made it interesting. He also has a dry sense of humor and he made me chuckle with his political activist Reverend Al Dullard (“dull” being the opposite of “sharp”.)
This is action-packed, gritty, violent, straight-forward story-telling without a lot of suspense or mystery. In fact, to me the biggest mystery was why the book was titled as it was since, other than mentioning that he grew up in an Irish-Catholic family, Beckett doesn't seem to have much connection to his religion. Toward the end of the book, after a particularly violent shoot-out, he goes to his parish priest and asks for Confession (the scene reminded me of a few Law & Order episodes in which Detective Eliot Stabler does the same thing.)
I liked Fitzsimmons style. The violence was tough in places and parts of it were very sad but I couldn't help but care about both Beckett and D'Amato. In fact all of the characters were interesting – I felt a special attachment to D'Amato's long-suffering wife. So, if you are looking for plenty of action, interesting characters and a good story, this will do. I admit I kept waiting for more about the “Catholic” aspect of Beckett's life and felt a little mislead when not much happened.
I read the Kindle version and there are some serious formatting issues. There is no break or indenting on most of the paragraphs which makes it hard to follow at times. Also, for some reason, the author kept spelling “psycho” as “physco” – not a big deal but it did make me wonder if he'd ever seen the Hitchcock movie..
Thanks for reading.
Thomas Fitzsimmons is a relatively new, independent author who was a New York City cop for ten years and is also a Vietnam veteran. As such he ha plenty of experience with the darker side of human nature and he uses it well in his debut novel. His lead character, Michael Beckett, is a likeable guy, a good cop, a decent human being who was raised in an Irish Catholic family and who works part time as an actor on the television program Law and Order. I thought the latter was an interesting addition to his character because much of the story-telling in Fitzsimmon's novel reads rather like a Law and Order script – one of the few contemporary television programs I have actually watched.
The story is pretty straight-forward. A series of arsons has plagued a neighborhood in the South Bronx and it is pretty obvious somebody is up to no good but who and why? Beckett and his partner Vinnie D'Amato have some clues but pulling all of them together is a daunting task. Especially when they are juggling far more cases than they have time to deal with, non-stop pressure from within the police department, a highly critical public, obnoxiously persistent news reporters, problems at home, and no shortage of inter-personal conflicts between Beckett and D'Amato who is openly jealous of his partner's new-found celebrity.
Fitzsimmons writes well and I liked the shifting POV. Chapters alternated between Beckett's first-person narrative and a third-person POV that gives the reader a different perspective on the action – and there is plenty of action. Fitzsimmons writes with the confidence and authority of experience and it comes through powerfully throughout the story.
He also has a real gift for his secondary and minor characters. Some of them were just perfect. He is accomplished at characterization and eve those characters that might have slipped into cliché had such individual personalities that it made it interesting. He also has a dry sense of humor and he made me chuckle with his political activist Reverend Al Dullard (“dull” being the opposite of “sharp”.)
This is action-packed, gritty, violent, straight-forward story-telling without a lot of suspense or mystery. In fact, to me the biggest mystery was why the book was titled as it was since, other than mentioning that he grew up in an Irish-Catholic family, Beckett doesn't seem to have much connection to his religion. Toward the end of the book, after a particularly violent shoot-out, he goes to his parish priest and asks for Confession (the scene reminded me of a few Law & Order episodes in which Detective Eliot Stabler does the same thing.)
I liked Fitzsimmons style. The violence was tough in places and parts of it were very sad but I couldn't help but care about both Beckett and D'Amato. In fact all of the characters were interesting – I felt a special attachment to D'Amato's long-suffering wife. So, if you are looking for plenty of action, interesting characters and a good story, this will do. I admit I kept waiting for more about the “Catholic” aspect of Beckett's life and felt a little mislead when not much happened.
I read the Kindle version and there are some serious formatting issues. There is no break or indenting on most of the paragraphs which makes it hard to follow at times. Also, for some reason, the author kept spelling “psycho” as “physco” – not a big deal but it did make me wonder if he'd ever seen the Hitchcock movie..
Thanks for reading.
August 6, 2011
From being an actor on a big-time TV show, to cruising the downtrodden streets of the Bronx in search of killers, comes the "Confessions of a Catholic Cop."
This story unfolds like a criminal show on TV with it's main character, Michael Beckett, leading the way. He's been with the NYPD for 10 years now and thinks he's in need of a change but circumstances and alot of unexplained drama keeps pulling him back in. Follow his story as he witnesses a horrible tragedy and vows to take on the ones responsible. This journey involves high-rollers with alot of money on the line, greed, jealousy, psychotic friends, territorial rottweilers, and a swweet, but frightened, young lady. Come see how this author puts it all together to create one very high-paced, action-packed drama that is sure to please.
This book is really far from my usual choice of what to read, but I can honestly say that I did thoroughly enjoy it. Mr. Fitzsimmons definitely makes this highly suspenseful tale very real to the reader. His writing style draws you right in and you can't hlep but keep turning the pages to keep up with what is going to happen next. It is so genuine, I caught myself gasp out loud at the description of when the mother and child was consumed in a fire. I couldn't help myself. It was like seeing it happen right in front of me. I'm sure this author brings a tremendous amount of his own experiences to his writing and it definitely makes for gripping reading material!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an action-packed, gripping drama, with mystery, suspense,and even a tinge of romance thrown in.
This book was kindly provided to me by it's wonderful author for my honest review.
This story unfolds like a criminal show on TV with it's main character, Michael Beckett, leading the way. He's been with the NYPD for 10 years now and thinks he's in need of a change but circumstances and alot of unexplained drama keeps pulling him back in. Follow his story as he witnesses a horrible tragedy and vows to take on the ones responsible. This journey involves high-rollers with alot of money on the line, greed, jealousy, psychotic friends, territorial rottweilers, and a swweet, but frightened, young lady. Come see how this author puts it all together to create one very high-paced, action-packed drama that is sure to please.
This book is really far from my usual choice of what to read, but I can honestly say that I did thoroughly enjoy it. Mr. Fitzsimmons definitely makes this highly suspenseful tale very real to the reader. His writing style draws you right in and you can't hlep but keep turning the pages to keep up with what is going to happen next. It is so genuine, I caught myself gasp out loud at the description of when the mother and child was consumed in a fire. I couldn't help myself. It was like seeing it happen right in front of me. I'm sure this author brings a tremendous amount of his own experiences to his writing and it definitely makes for gripping reading material!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an action-packed, gripping drama, with mystery, suspense,and even a tinge of romance thrown in.
This book was kindly provided to me by it's wonderful author for my honest review.
September 8, 2011
Confessions of a Catholic Cop is a gritty police novel that centers on NYPD officer Michael Beckett who finds himself in the middle of a highly organized crime spree in the Bronx. He must trust his instincts and his police work to find out who is responsible – and make them pay.
The book switches between first and third person narration, which makes it a bit confusing for the reader to keep up with. The setting and descriptive details the author uses are authentic, but seem to be overdone. It leaves the reader trying to focus too hard on the details being described instead of being transported to the scene in their minds. Also, there are several grammar and spelling errors throughout the book. The novel is a straight forward police/crime drama. There are no twists in the plot and there is virtually no suspense. Fans of the TV show Law & Order will appreciate this book for its methodic flow and storytelling.
Fitzsimmons has a long history of police work, which gives him the advantage of knowing what really happens as a New York police officer. The reader is given a rare look into the life and mind of a cop and comes out feeling like they have a better understanding and appreciation for the work and struggles that the police force faces every day.
The book switches between first and third person narration, which makes it a bit confusing for the reader to keep up with. The setting and descriptive details the author uses are authentic, but seem to be overdone. It leaves the reader trying to focus too hard on the details being described instead of being transported to the scene in their minds. Also, there are several grammar and spelling errors throughout the book. The novel is a straight forward police/crime drama. There are no twists in the plot and there is virtually no suspense. Fans of the TV show Law & Order will appreciate this book for its methodic flow and storytelling.
Fitzsimmons has a long history of police work, which gives him the advantage of knowing what really happens as a New York police officer. The reader is given a rare look into the life and mind of a cop and comes out feeling like they have a better understanding and appreciation for the work and struggles that the police force faces every day.
August 14, 2011
Fantastic read !!! I really enjoyed this "cop action" book by Thomas Fitzsimmons. Colorful characters, and a great development of a story. Not necessarily a who-dun-it. The reader knew who were the bad guys and who were the good guys right from the beginning. I found myself reading quickly to see what was going to happen next. I hope Mr. Fitzsimmons continues on with the main character Beckett. Lots of possibilities for a continuing series.
January 19, 2024
No TV/Hollywood fabrications in this book. I've known enough law enforcement officers to recognize that this is a real cop story, told by a real cop. Lots of David Runyon characters, scary situations, with a bit of romance. Highly recommended. - Richard III
March 23, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked pretty quickly. This book has murder, good cops, bad cops, mob type people, a business tycoon, infedelity, new love, AND the set of Law & Order! Needless to say, this book is SO good!
I won this book from Goodreads and I'm so glad I did! This was my first read by Thomas Fitzsimmons. I'm definitely going to read more!
I won this book from Goodreads and I'm so glad I did! This was my first read by Thomas Fitzsimmons. I'm definitely going to read more!
July 9, 2024
I wasn’t sure what to expect based on the title. The story was really great. It kept me intrigued and wondering what was going to happen next. I enjoyed the character of Beckett. I hope there will be more adventures for him.
March 18, 2017
Suicide and Murder
Things go crazy for Mike and his partner deal with murder and suicide and life will get crazy before it gets better
Things go crazy for Mike and his partner deal with murder and suicide and life will get crazy before it gets better
November 9, 2011
Thomas Fitzsimmons is another new author for me. I have been reading a lot of new authors lately, with some hits and some misses. This one was definitely a hit. I really enjoyed this police procedural. The protagonist in the story is Michael Beckett, a cop in the South Bronx district of New York, which is purported to be the worst district in the city. Beckett is a complex character with many facets. He is part good cop, part pragmatist, and part narcissistic actor. He has just finished a recurring guest role on the TV show Law & Order, and has decided that being a policman in the Bronx is no longer for him, when he gets drawn into an arson investigation that turns his life upside down. As the story progresses, we meet a cast of characters that are all connected to Officer Beckett in some way, drawing us farther and farther into the snares of the arson investigation. As the story draws you in, you begin to feel a bit like Officer Beckett, in that you just can't seem to leave it alone. You feel compelled to follow the investigation through its twists and turns, arriving with him at the ultimate conclusion. And the conclusion, although not a huge surprise, contains a few "Ah ha" moments of its own.
According to the author bio, Thomas Fitzsimmons has spent a number of years with the NYPD as an officer, as well as some time as a consultant and writer, so he writes of what he knows. His story is wonderfully gritty and compelling as a book about cops on the streets of New York should be. The characters are human and displayed with all of their troubles and foibles shining through. The action is real and will keep you on the edge of your seat. A great debut from this new author and a must read if you like stories about the "cop on the street".
According to the author bio, Thomas Fitzsimmons has spent a number of years with the NYPD as an officer, as well as some time as a consultant and writer, so he writes of what he knows. His story is wonderfully gritty and compelling as a book about cops on the streets of New York should be. The characters are human and displayed with all of their troubles and foibles shining through. The action is real and will keep you on the edge of your seat. A great debut from this new author and a must read if you like stories about the "cop on the street".
September 15, 2011
have to be honest; I was a little hesitant about doing this review. I'm more of a history, biography, "top 10 book club” type of girl. When I saw the cover, I tried to get my husband to read it and do the review, I thought it was more his type of book. He told me I, “had agreed to do the review and had an obligation to the author and publisher”, and even though I’m stubborn and reluctant to admit this, he was absolutely correct.
Let me reiterate, that which has been said a thousand times ...you can’t judge a book by its cover! Confessions of a Catholic Cop is a white knuckled, first-rate mystery. Thomas Fitzsimmons, the author and an ex-New York City police officer takes you on a journey through the shadows of the gritty New York Bronx. You meet a wide variety of characters from high powered NY executives to local thugs, and corrupt cops to sketchy bar owners.
The story follows an honest Bronx cop, who moonlights as a supporting character on Law and Order, and his very disturbed partner, as they try to solve a string of mysterious arsons. Clue after clue brings them closer to what they suspect is a huge cover-up. The action is non-stop and the mystery propels you deeper and deeper.
This book does contain strong language and violence; however, it is necessary to relay an authentic story. In general, this book was a fascinating read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling mystery.
Let me reiterate, that which has been said a thousand times ...you can’t judge a book by its cover! Confessions of a Catholic Cop is a white knuckled, first-rate mystery. Thomas Fitzsimmons, the author and an ex-New York City police officer takes you on a journey through the shadows of the gritty New York Bronx. You meet a wide variety of characters from high powered NY executives to local thugs, and corrupt cops to sketchy bar owners.
The story follows an honest Bronx cop, who moonlights as a supporting character on Law and Order, and his very disturbed partner, as they try to solve a string of mysterious arsons. Clue after clue brings them closer to what they suspect is a huge cover-up. The action is non-stop and the mystery propels you deeper and deeper.
This book does contain strong language and violence; however, it is necessary to relay an authentic story. In general, this book was a fascinating read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling mystery.
August 28, 2011
I was torn between giving 3 and 4 stars. This book from the beginning grabs your attention and immerses you in the world of NYPD and its politics. The story is told form the point of view of Michael Beckett and through the story you understand his struggle with violence and his sense of guilt.
I really enjoyed the story -- it was a thrill ride but I had issues with violence and language. Looking beyond those, the journey with Beckett and his scumbag partner, D'Amato, felt very real.
The book ends with Beckett talking to his parish priest and he admits he doesn't feel any remorse for killing people in a shootout especially since there were bad. So much for guilt! However, he is vehemently pursues justice for those who have been wronged and that brings no guilt only redemption.
This book was generously provided by the author for review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2011
"Confessions of a Catholic Cop" is a powerful, page-turning thriller about love, trust and the search for true identity. The story delves into the dark and dangerous streets of New York City's South Bronx, where NYPD cop Michael Beckett and writer Solana Ortiz uncover a trail of corruption that leads to some of the City's most powerful people. Author Thomas Fitzsimmons, a former NYPD cop who worked in the precinct where the book is set, has the unique ability to put you into the storyline, making you feel like you are taking part in the action. His vivid storytelling comes from years of living what he writes - and it makes for an exciting and excellent story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a thriller, a love story or just loves to read. I can't wait for book #2!
August 11, 2011
"Confessions of a Catholic Cop" is a powerful, page-turning thriller about love, trust and the search for true identity. The story delves into the dark and dangerous streets of New York City's South Bronx, where NYPD cop Michael Beckett and writer Solana Ortiz uncover a trail of corruption that leads to some of the City's most powerful people. Author Thomas Fitzsimmons, a former NYPD cop who worked in the precinct where the book is set, has the unique ability to put you into the storyline, making you feel like you are taking part in the action. His vivid storytelling comes from years of living what he writes - and it makes for an exciting and excellent story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a thriller, a love story or just loves to read. I can't wait for book #2!
September 17, 2011
I must say that I enjoyed this book. There was a bit of overdrama in the book with a studley~dudley, macho man main character, which I normally pan in books, but it worked with this one. I couldn't see the "cop" characters written any other way...
September 7, 2016
Gritty law enforcement thriller. Written with the authentic voice that comes from first hand experience in the field. Evident within the first few chapters, the dialogue and characters scream New York city rules.
October 30, 2016
Typical crime novel
Lots of action but typical crime story. Predictable in the bad boy cop with models. It was a decent read but missed opportunities in the story line.
Lots of action but typical crime story. Predictable in the bad boy cop with models. It was a decent read but missed opportunities in the story line.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews