Dear Jerome: Letters from a Cop

by Jack Mullen

It is in San Diego, the city of perpetual springtime, that newcomer Billy Considine puts aside guilt and the indecision of youth. Ahead are the seasons of a man’s life. Ahead are four decades of tumult and adventure, pain and joy. Ahead is the maturing of America. It is 1958. Billy is a rookie San Diego cop. Alone and lonely, Billy begins writing letters to his older brother, Jerome, sharing his life on the streets. His life as a new man. The letters continue for thirty years. As Billy grows in writing skill, in understanding, in competence as a police officer, his letters become more polished and insightful. The letters follow Billy through the police academy, patrol work, courtship, life on the vice squad, marriage, promotion to homicide. Billy’s journey takes him through the civil rights movement and race riots, the student revolts of the 1960s, the counterculture/anti-war 1970s, the dynamic growth of San Diego and of the American economy in the 1980s. Billy matures as America matures. It is not always a pretty process.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2019

Reviews

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Really enjoyed the book. It was interesting and entertaining. Had a few chuckles as well. Liked the story and the characters. Would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading. Looking forward to reading more of Jack Mullen books.