What do you think?
Rate this book
Officer Down
The Chicago Police Department says Samantha Mack shot her partner, Fred, during the confusion of a bungled pursuit. Mack says it was their quarry, a violent pedophile named Marco Trovic, who fired the deadly round in that darkened room. But Mack was knocked out and can’t really say what happened.
When no evidence of Trovic is found on the scene and the bullet is shown to have come from Mack’s own gun, the Department labels Fred’s death as a case of friendly fire.Back at the station, it seems no one believes Mack’s account. Not Internal Affairs investigator Alex O’Conner, and not even Mack’s lover, whose best attempts at support leave her as cold as the wind whipping across Lake Michigan.
With the Department looking to quiet the bad press, Mack can’t count on anyone to help her track down Trovic. Even if she can somehow find him in the dark recesses of Chicago’s underworld, can she prove that Trovic was the shooter? With her back to the wall and her career at stake, now it’s time for Mack to take matters into her own hands to clear her name—and avenge her partner’s death. Officer Down is the winner of the 2006 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
When no evidence of Trovic is found on the scene and the bullet is shown to have come from Mack’s own gun, the Department labels Fred’s death as a case of friendly fire.Back at the station, it seems no one believes Mack’s account. Not Internal Affairs investigator Alex O’Conner, and not even Mack’s lover, whose best attempts at support leave her as cold as the wind whipping across Lake Michigan.
With the Department looking to quiet the bad press, Mack can’t count on anyone to help her track down Trovic. Even if she can somehow find him in the dark recesses of Chicago’s underworld, can she prove that Trovic was the shooter? With her back to the wall and her career at stake, now it’s time for Mack to take matters into her own hands to clear her name—and avenge her partner’s death. Officer Down is the winner of the 2006 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Schwegel
12 books54 followersTheresa Schwegel was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is the author of four crime novels set in and around the Chicago area. Her debut, Officer Down, was published in 2005, and subsequently won the Edgar® Award for Best First Novel. In 2008, she received the 21st Century Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation in recognition for an emerging artist with ties to Chicago. Her fifth novel, The Good Boy, is a family epic that combines the hard-boiled grit of her acclaimed police thrillers with the intimate portrait of a young boy trying to follow his heart in an often heartless city. The book will be released November 5th this year.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 18, 2016
This is not the best crime book I have read....and I have read quite a few. I might have given it a 3.5 , but I was quite taken by the writing, the author's descriptions of Chicago, and even the character development. The writing was better than the story in my opinion. As another reviewer noted the dialogue was somewhat sappy on occasion, but then more than a few characters (to include the oft baffled, befuddled, and hammered heroine, Samantha Mach) were saps. I will read another Theresa Schwegel novel should I find one.
April 12, 2020
I had to sit on this one for a little while. All sorts of books have marketing phrases on the front of them these days, but something about "an impressive debut" being on the cover of this one just made me angry when I finished reading it. I wanted to give this book 1 star initially. But how it's reviewed is not the same as the actual book's quality, so I want to try to keep those two separate. Though I admit my opinion of the book and that review quote are pretty much at odds with each other.
And yet I finished reading it. I know. It was cliche, boring, completely formula and not at all impressive like the quote on the front claimed... but I spent money on it and it wasn't that long of a book. The ending did redeem the book just a little for me. It was the kind of book that wasn't so bad I had to put it down, just interesting enough that I kept hoping it would redeem itself on the next page.
And yet I finished reading it. I know. It was cliche, boring, completely formula and not at all impressive like the quote on the front claimed... but I spent money on it and it wasn't that long of a book. The ending did redeem the book just a little for me. It was the kind of book that wasn't so bad I had to put it down, just interesting enough that I kept hoping it would redeem itself on the next page.
June 8, 2024
Fabulous thriller
December 10, 2018
Picture a police scenario gone wrong, Officer Samantha "Smack" Mack and her temporary partner, Fred enter a house with the intent of taking down a known child molester, Marko Trovic. Well, when the dust settles, Fred's no longer with us and Smack is suspected of taking her own partner down with friendly fire. Her memory of the event, granted, she's concussed so pretty fuzzy about the facts, but her recollections don't agree with the department's conclusions. However, she's on administrative leave nonetheless.
So, she's time on her hands to devote to taking Trovic down for good, by herself. As the department readies to close the case, Smack increases her efforts, breaks all the rules, puts herself in even more danger as the list of suspects expands and her life is in real danger.
An engaging read, I found Smack pretty daunting and maybe that's truly what's needed for a female officer in this circumstance, plausible and engaging indeed.
So, she's time on her hands to devote to taking Trovic down for good, by herself. As the department readies to close the case, Smack increases her efforts, breaks all the rules, puts herself in even more danger as the list of suspects expands and her life is in real danger.
An engaging read, I found Smack pretty daunting and maybe that's truly what's needed for a female officer in this circumstance, plausible and engaging indeed.
August 1, 2012
There are lots of super cops in crime fiction blessed with razor-sharp minds and martial art skills. Samantha Mack isn't one of them. She's a terrible cop whose mind is mostly dulled by alcohol or blows to the head.
Sam's partner gets killed in a confused shooting, and she is blamed for it. Not my favorite plot (cop accused of murder), but it works well with this character. She starts her own messy, inefficient investigation while dodging the IA and spying on her married lover, mixing it all up with lots of booze and self-loathing. She's impulsive, short-tempered and ridiculously emotional, but so well-developed that it's possible to sympathize with her. I kept wanting to cook her a warm meal and tell her to ditch the married asshole (her eating habits really bothered me - every time she was about to have a proper meal, some criminal or Internal Affairs guy interrupted her and she ended up eating cold pizza for breakfast).
A nice, quick read with a neat and tidy ending.
Sam's partner gets killed in a confused shooting, and she is blamed for it. Not my favorite plot (cop accused of murder), but it works well with this character. She starts her own messy, inefficient investigation while dodging the IA and spying on her married lover, mixing it all up with lots of booze and self-loathing. She's impulsive, short-tempered and ridiculously emotional, but so well-developed that it's possible to sympathize with her. I kept wanting to cook her a warm meal and tell her to ditch the married asshole (her eating habits really bothered me - every time she was about to have a proper meal, some criminal or Internal Affairs guy interrupted her and she ended up eating cold pizza for breakfast).
A nice, quick read with a neat and tidy ending.
May 17, 2016
This is a pretty decent Chicago cop novel; Theresa Schwegel gets a lot of things about the city and about the job. Most of all she gets that a female cop faces challenges the guys don't.
Samantha Mack covers a shift for a cop who calls in sick, partnering with the officer who broke her in (and used to be her lover). They follow a tip from a snitch into an ambush; after a shootout in the dark Samantha is out cold and the partner is dead. The ballistics say it was her gun that killed him.
Nobody but her seems to want to know what really happened; her current lover, a homicide dick, has the case but also has a wife and his own agenda. Yeah, it's a little complicated.
Tough, driven, and just a tad self-destructive, Samantha Mack is complex and credible, a woman trying not to crack under the pressure of dealing with an unforgiving job and male expectations.
Samantha Mack covers a shift for a cop who calls in sick, partnering with the officer who broke her in (and used to be her lover). They follow a tip from a snitch into an ambush; after a shootout in the dark Samantha is out cold and the partner is dead. The ballistics say it was her gun that killed him.
Nobody but her seems to want to know what really happened; her current lover, a homicide dick, has the case but also has a wife and his own agenda. Yeah, it's a little complicated.
Tough, driven, and just a tad self-destructive, Samantha Mack is complex and credible, a woman trying not to crack under the pressure of dealing with an unforgiving job and male expectations.
March 25, 2007
Okay, I'm trying to read some Agatha and Golden Dagger winners and nominees. This book is about a Chicago cop who gets accused of accidentally killing her partner during a sting operation. I'm only about a 1/3 of the way through; the action level is high, and there is some snappy dialogue.
August 24, 2009
I was disappointed in this Edgar Award Winner. The main character was too stupid to be real.
February 3, 2018
J'ai d'abord été attirée par la couverture (que je trouve toujours aussi réussie d'Acte Sud) et le résumé a finit de me convaincre !
L'idée de départ était bonne ... mais ça s'arrête la.
Et même si j'ai bien aimé le personnage de Samantha : une femme forte et flic de talent qui ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds.
Les péripéties sont trop prévisibles et surtout il n'y a pas d'énigme digne de se nom ! Dommage ...
L'idée de départ était bonne ... mais ça s'arrête la.
Et même si j'ai bien aimé le personnage de Samantha : une femme forte et flic de talent qui ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds.
Les péripéties sont trop prévisibles et surtout il n'y a pas d'énigme digne de se nom ! Dommage ...
December 20, 2017
I didn't much like this book. I read it for my book club.
The main character is a female cop, having an affair with a married co-worker. Her former partner is killed; lots of angst over did she do it.
It's a fairly good story, but I didn't like any of the characters. You could have named this book "Despicable Officers".
The main character is a female cop, having an affair with a married co-worker. Her former partner is killed; lots of angst over did she do it.
It's a fairly good story, but I didn't like any of the characters. You could have named this book "Despicable Officers".
August 27, 2017
This won an Edgar Award? I mean, it wasn't bad - I just didn't like the main character at all. She was your typical portrayal of a stupid female and I had higher expectations for her - I expected her to be stronger than she was.
August 1, 2022
Edgar prize winning debut novel by Theresa Schwegel, not a series. Protagonist is Sam Mack, female Chicago cop in a shit load of trouble. Great {and accurate} Chicago area detail. It's nice to have a female protagonist in a noirish story, but too much relationship exploration for my tastes.
June 8, 2017
An adequate police thriller. Enjoyable, but not particularly memorable.
January 9, 2018
This was a very busy book — lots of action, often hard to know just what was going on. I ultimately didn’t care about any of the characters. Glad to be done. Not sure why I finished it.
July 8, 2018
Buono.Va detto che il tema trattato è molto sfruttato.Quì l'eroina è alle prese con i suoi problemi di coppia. ,Niente di originale.
June 26, 2019
Not very interesting!!!
January 18, 2020
Very good story
January 22, 2025
A Review of Officer Down: The Gritty Struggle for Truth in a Shadowed World
There’s something captivating about a story that delves into the dark corners of human morality, a tale that gets its hands dirty while exploring justice and betrayal. Theresa Schwegel’s Officer Down, a debut novel that won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, is one such tale. It invites readers into a murky world of corruption and flawed characters, all while following the harrowing journey of Samantha Mack, a Chicago cop whose life unravels after a deadly incident. The book has many strengths, but its occasional reliance on soap opera-style drama may distract readers seeking a more grounded story.
Theresa Schwegel’s rise in the crime fiction genre began with Officer Down, published in 2005. The novel was born out of Schwegel’s keen interest in law enforcement dynamics and her ability to craft a deeply flawed but relatable protagonist. Set against the gritty backdrop of Chicago, the book offers an unflinching view of a police department riddled with corruption and the personal toll it takes on those within its ranks.
Winning the Edgar Award for Best First Novel was no small feat for a debut author. Schwegel’s incisive writing and sharp character development resonated with critics, setting her apart as a fresh voice in a crowded genre. The novel also set the stage for her subsequent works, where she continued to explore complex themes of morality, loyalty, and personal redemption within the framework of crime fiction.
At its core, Officer Down is as much about Samantha Mack’s internal battles as it is about the external forces working against her. Schwegel’s writing is crisp and evocative, immersing readers in the tense, shadowy world of Chicago law enforcement. Samantha is a richly drawn character—tough yet vulnerable, determined yet conflicted. Her struggles with isolation, a toxic affair with her married superior, and the fallout from a botched operation create a compelling portrait of a woman grappling with the weight of her choices.
However, the novel’s reliance on melodramatic elements occasionally undermines its strength. Personal dramas, particularly Samantha’s romantic entanglements, sometimes veer into soap opera territory, detracting from the more profound narrative about institutional corruption and personal accountability. While these elements add layers to Samantha’s character, their heightened presence can feel disproportionate, especially in a story with such a strong foundation of grit and realism.
Critics and readers alike praised Officer Down for its unflinching portrayal of a female officer navigating a male-dominated profession rife with challenges. Samantha Mack’s voice—a blend of vulnerability and resilience—struck a chord, particularly with readers looking for layered, authentic protagonists. The book’s gritty setting and Schwegel’s attention to detail further enhanced its appeal.
That said, some critics noted that the melodramatic elements detracted from the overall impact of the story. While the book successfully tackled heavy themes like loyalty, betrayal, and systemic corruption, the soap opera-style personal dramas occasionally felt out of place, creating a tonal inconsistency that divided some readers. Nevertheless, Officer Down remains a notable debut that established Schwegel as a promising talent in the genre.
Officer Down is an ambitious and memorable debut that combines a gripping police procedural with a deeply personal character study. Its strengths lie in its atmospheric writing, rich protagonist, and exploration of moral ambiguity. However, its tendency to lean into melodramatic storytelling may not appeal to every reader. For those who can navigate its occasional tonal shifts, the book offers a rewarding dive into the darker side of law enforcement and humanity.
#CrimeFiction #OfficerDown #GrittyReads #FlawedHeroes #SoapOperaTwist
There’s something captivating about a story that delves into the dark corners of human morality, a tale that gets its hands dirty while exploring justice and betrayal. Theresa Schwegel’s Officer Down, a debut novel that won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, is one such tale. It invites readers into a murky world of corruption and flawed characters, all while following the harrowing journey of Samantha Mack, a Chicago cop whose life unravels after a deadly incident. The book has many strengths, but its occasional reliance on soap opera-style drama may distract readers seeking a more grounded story.
Theresa Schwegel’s rise in the crime fiction genre began with Officer Down, published in 2005. The novel was born out of Schwegel’s keen interest in law enforcement dynamics and her ability to craft a deeply flawed but relatable protagonist. Set against the gritty backdrop of Chicago, the book offers an unflinching view of a police department riddled with corruption and the personal toll it takes on those within its ranks.
Winning the Edgar Award for Best First Novel was no small feat for a debut author. Schwegel’s incisive writing and sharp character development resonated with critics, setting her apart as a fresh voice in a crowded genre. The novel also set the stage for her subsequent works, where she continued to explore complex themes of morality, loyalty, and personal redemption within the framework of crime fiction.
At its core, Officer Down is as much about Samantha Mack’s internal battles as it is about the external forces working against her. Schwegel’s writing is crisp and evocative, immersing readers in the tense, shadowy world of Chicago law enforcement. Samantha is a richly drawn character—tough yet vulnerable, determined yet conflicted. Her struggles with isolation, a toxic affair with her married superior, and the fallout from a botched operation create a compelling portrait of a woman grappling with the weight of her choices.
However, the novel’s reliance on melodramatic elements occasionally undermines its strength. Personal dramas, particularly Samantha’s romantic entanglements, sometimes veer into soap opera territory, detracting from the more profound narrative about institutional corruption and personal accountability. While these elements add layers to Samantha’s character, their heightened presence can feel disproportionate, especially in a story with such a strong foundation of grit and realism.
Critics and readers alike praised Officer Down for its unflinching portrayal of a female officer navigating a male-dominated profession rife with challenges. Samantha Mack’s voice—a blend of vulnerability and resilience—struck a chord, particularly with readers looking for layered, authentic protagonists. The book’s gritty setting and Schwegel’s attention to detail further enhanced its appeal.
That said, some critics noted that the melodramatic elements detracted from the overall impact of the story. While the book successfully tackled heavy themes like loyalty, betrayal, and systemic corruption, the soap opera-style personal dramas occasionally felt out of place, creating a tonal inconsistency that divided some readers. Nevertheless, Officer Down remains a notable debut that established Schwegel as a promising talent in the genre.
Officer Down is an ambitious and memorable debut that combines a gripping police procedural with a deeply personal character study. Its strengths lie in its atmospheric writing, rich protagonist, and exploration of moral ambiguity. However, its tendency to lean into melodramatic storytelling may not appeal to every reader. For those who can navigate its occasional tonal shifts, the book offers a rewarding dive into the darker side of law enforcement and humanity.
#CrimeFiction #OfficerDown #GrittyReads #FlawedHeroes #SoapOperaTwist
November 9, 2013
I picked up this book based on a recommendation from Goodreads.
The premise – a police officer’s partner is gunned down and the officer is suspected of having killed him – sounded interesting. Sadly, I was disappointed.
Mostly it was because I couldn’t warm up to the main character, Samantha Mack. She seemed more interested in sorting out her messed up love life than finding out who really killed her partner and clearing her name. When she did try to find out, she went about it in the most inept way possible. It wasn’t until the very last chapters that she started acting and thinking like a cop. And she seemed to do everything possible to sabotage the investigation and her career. We like main characters who risk everything to solve a crime – especially one they’ve been accused of – but Sam went totally off the reservation, doing the dumbest things imaginable.
Then there was the subplot that started with Sam rear-ending a Jag that seemed it might lead to some clue critical to the main plot. Instead, after rearing its head several times, it fizzled out lamely.
On the plus side, the plot was interesting with plenty of twists and turns, leaving the reader wondering who was a good guy and who was a bad one. But that by itself is not good enough.
Sorry, Teresa, I won’t be reading any more of your books.
The premise – a police officer’s partner is gunned down and the officer is suspected of having killed him – sounded interesting. Sadly, I was disappointed.
Mostly it was because I couldn’t warm up to the main character, Samantha Mack. She seemed more interested in sorting out her messed up love life than finding out who really killed her partner and clearing her name. When she did try to find out, she went about it in the most inept way possible. It wasn’t until the very last chapters that she started acting and thinking like a cop. And she seemed to do everything possible to sabotage the investigation and her career. We like main characters who risk everything to solve a crime – especially one they’ve been accused of – but Sam went totally off the reservation, doing the dumbest things imaginable.
Then there was the subplot that started with Sam rear-ending a Jag that seemed it might lead to some clue critical to the main plot. Instead, after rearing its head several times, it fizzled out lamely.
On the plus side, the plot was interesting with plenty of twists and turns, leaving the reader wondering who was a good guy and who was a bad one. But that by itself is not good enough.
Sorry, Teresa, I won’t be reading any more of your books.
May 9, 2012
Officer Down has two key strengths. First is the character development. Samantha Mack has a spiky persona - emotional, impulsive, insecure, confrontational, needy, with a dose of self-loathing. A woman operating it an environment dominated by testosterone-fuelled men, hyped up on stress and sexist banter, she fronts up to any challenge. Her love life is a mess and she’s developing a drink problem. She might not be the most lovable of characters, but she's well penned. The other principal actors are keenly observed. Second, the story is well plotted and told. Schwegel does a good job of portraying the unsettling, doubt and paranoia of Mack’s world as it is turned upside down and she becomes less and less sure of who to trust. There is no sudden revelation and as the truth slowly dawns on her and the reader, Schwegel manages to maintain the tension and work in a couple of nice twists. The pacing has a nice tempo and the dialogue credible. Some of the police procedural elements didn't quite seem right, and Mack makes some dubious decisions, but I'm no expert on Chicago police procedure and the poor decisions were in character. Officer Down is an uncomfortable read at times as Mack crashes about somewhat wildly given her state of mind, but I nevertheless enjoyed it.
August 23, 2016
BEWARE OF SPOILERS. I DON'T HIDE OR PROMOTE MY REVIEWS. (I write them to help remember what I've read, as book titles don't stick with me).
Chicago-philes will enjoy the settings in "Officer Down," which the author has written in relentless present tense.
First, I learn this apparently common-sense young female officer carries a grudge against her former police partner. Then I watch her and the former partner have to work an evening shift together.
Shots are fired when the two go into a dark building without backup, and I'm not understanding why police investigators want to blame her for what they claim is an accidental shooting.
I watch her, too, having an affair with a married fellow officer.
For a supposedly cool, calm collected female officer, she's exercising bad judgment. It goes from bad to worse.
Boyfriend turns out to be dirty. Buddy officers who want to give her advice are dirty. Internal-affairs guys posing as regular officers think she's dirty.
But "Smack" -- nickname for the female officer, whose real name is Samantha Mack -- eventually figures it all out. She uses her smarts, athleticism. bluster and a touch of good luck to end up alright.
Chicago-philes will enjoy the settings in "Officer Down," which the author has written in relentless present tense.
First, I learn this apparently common-sense young female officer carries a grudge against her former police partner. Then I watch her and the former partner have to work an evening shift together.
Shots are fired when the two go into a dark building without backup, and I'm not understanding why police investigators want to blame her for what they claim is an accidental shooting.
I watch her, too, having an affair with a married fellow officer.
For a supposedly cool, calm collected female officer, she's exercising bad judgment. It goes from bad to worse.
Boyfriend turns out to be dirty. Buddy officers who want to give her advice are dirty. Internal-affairs guys posing as regular officers think she's dirty.
But "Smack" -- nickname for the female officer, whose real name is Samantha Mack -- eventually figures it all out. She uses her smarts, athleticism. bluster and a touch of good luck to end up alright.
August 15, 2007
OFFICER DOWN (Police Procedural-Chicago-Cont) – Ok
Schwegel, Theresa – 1st book
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2005- Hardcover
Officer Samatha Mack is called in from her day off to go out on call with her former partner, Fred Maloney. They go after a pedophile, Trovic. Sam wakes up in the hospital with a head injury, Fred has been killed and the bullet came from Sam’s gun. After her and her married lover tells her the police aren’t looking for Trovic, Sam finds she has no support from her superiors, IA is investigating her and she’s on her own to clear her name.
*** There are several reasons why I didn’t like this book more. The protagonist was realistic, but I never really liked her for felt empathy for her. Nor did I have any real feeling for any of the characters. Some of the police procedure did not ring true to me. Chicago is always a good setting, but was never really used to create a strong sense of place. The story held my attention and I did finish the book, but I can’t say I’d seek out another by this author. My reaction was lukewarm, at best.
Schwegel, Theresa – 1st book
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2005- Hardcover
Officer Samatha Mack is called in from her day off to go out on call with her former partner, Fred Maloney. They go after a pedophile, Trovic. Sam wakes up in the hospital with a head injury, Fred has been killed and the bullet came from Sam’s gun. After her and her married lover tells her the police aren’t looking for Trovic, Sam finds she has no support from her superiors, IA is investigating her and she’s on her own to clear her name.
*** There are several reasons why I didn’t like this book more. The protagonist was realistic, but I never really liked her for felt empathy for her. Nor did I have any real feeling for any of the characters. Some of the police procedure did not ring true to me. Chicago is always a good setting, but was never really used to create a strong sense of place. The story held my attention and I did finish the book, but I can’t say I’d seek out another by this author. My reaction was lukewarm, at best.
March 15, 2010
The summary given in the box above makes the plot seem really tantalizing. Since it also won an Edgar award, I was expecting great things from this book.
I was sadly disappointed. The premise sounds good, but the writing does not satisfy me. Yes, I know Samantha is traumatized having just lost her partner, but I could not warm up to her character at all. She struck me as having a lot of problems preventing me from thinking she was a good officer. Way to muchof a loose cannon for me to respect her as a good cop.
In one scene, she is so distrustful of her married lover, Mason Innes, she sneaks onto his property and spies on him and his wife throught the window. Samantha spends about 220 pages of the book re-acting--instead of taking action. The last 80 pages or so Ms. Schwegel gets her act togther and the pace improves a bit. There ARE good bits of writing here and there, but I surely would not have expected this book to win an Edgar award. Recommended if you like to check ount new authors or first novels; otherwise, there are many better mysteries out there.
I was sadly disappointed. The premise sounds good, but the writing does not satisfy me. Yes, I know Samantha is traumatized having just lost her partner, but I could not warm up to her character at all. She struck me as having a lot of problems preventing me from thinking she was a good officer. Way to muchof a loose cannon for me to respect her as a good cop.
In one scene, she is so distrustful of her married lover, Mason Innes, she sneaks onto his property and spies on him and his wife throught the window. Samantha spends about 220 pages of the book re-acting--instead of taking action. The last 80 pages or so Ms. Schwegel gets her act togther and the pace improves a bit. There ARE good bits of writing here and there, but I surely would not have expected this book to win an Edgar award. Recommended if you like to check ount new authors or first novels; otherwise, there are many better mysteries out there.
November 17, 2008
I just finished this book and I really had mixed feelings about it. I liked the story line, but really felt that Sam, being a vetran police officer and all really did some pretty stupid things. I realize she was "in love" but come on. I would still think that your police training would kick in at some point, especially when you are hiding outside in peoples backyard in the snow, like no one is going to find your footprints and know that someone's been there?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2013
I loved this book. First time I read this author. Chicago Police Department Sam Mack signed up to serve and protect. ADay got hechtic and shooting begins and turns out evidence shows Samantha was the shooter... she would never shoot her partner. She is off the case and she is on leave of absence.
She finds out some colleagues are bad and is having a hard time trying to believe the good from the bad. Will Sam earn self respect and get her job back find out in OFFICER DOWN
She finds out some colleagues are bad and is having a hard time trying to believe the good from the bad. Will Sam earn self respect and get her job back find out in OFFICER DOWN
March 28, 2015
2005 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
Police Thriller - Samantha Mack and her partner enter a building looking for a pedophile. Sam is hit from behind and awakes to find her partner dead with her gun. The establishment wants to sweep the incident under the rug as friendly fire. Her married lover, Homicide Detective Mason Imes, heads the investigation. Complex debut novel with no really likeable characters.
Police Thriller - Samantha Mack and her partner enter a building looking for a pedophile. Sam is hit from behind and awakes to find her partner dead with her gun. The establishment wants to sweep the incident under the rug as friendly fire. Her married lover, Homicide Detective Mason Imes, heads the investigation. Complex debut novel with no really likeable characters.
August 30, 2008
This was a good cop book. The main character was a little rough around the edges. So she was likable, but I got frustrated with her at times when she did stupid stuff.
There's a love story, but again, it's likable - not lovable.
Overall, a good read, but didn't get sucked in so much that I miss the characters now that the book is over.
There's a love story, but again, it's likable - not lovable.
Overall, a good read, but didn't get sucked in so much that I miss the characters now that the book is over.
April 30, 2010
Samantha Mack is a cop with a drink problem and a married lover. Her problems get even worse when she and her partner go to arrest a paedophile, her partner gets shot and she wakes up in hospital with concussion and accused of murder. Strangely, I really liked Sam because her problems made her flawed and this makes her human. Very enjoyable crime novel as Sam tries to find out the truth.
July 13, 2010
I'm always seeking out a hidden gem, unfortunately this isn't one of them. Schwegel's writing is strong, she has a good sense of urgency in her prose; the plot, however, drifted into standard fair.
I was also disappointed by the female protaganist--yet another woman who desperately falls in love with the wrong man.
I was also disappointed by the female protaganist--yet another woman who desperately falls in love with the wrong man.
October 5, 2015
I couldn't get past the third chapter. The beginning had enough unique writing but then I just knew the story was going to get stupid. I skipped a head a bit to see if it was worth the read...nope STUPID! Language and a woman with no morals...not interested. Its been done before and it is beyond old.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews