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Betrayal in Blue: The Shocking Memoir of the Scandal That Rocked the NYPD
The true story of drugs and corruption in Brooklyn's 75th precinct, as told by a cop who lived it, a journalist, and an Edgar Award-winning author.
They had no fear of the cops. Because they were the cops.
NYPD officers Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell knew there were two ways to get rich quick in the Seven-Five. You either became drug dealers, or you robbed drug dealers. They decided to do both. Dowd and Eurell ran the most powerful gang in East New York's dangerous 75th Precinct, the crack cocaine capital of 1980s America. These "Cocaine Cops" formed a lucrative alliance with Adam Diaz, the kingpin of an ever-expanding Dominican drug cartel. Soon Mike and Ken were buying fancy cars no cop could afford, and treating their wives to levels of luxury not associated with a patrol officer's salary. They were daring, dangerous and untouchable--until the biggest police scandal in New York history exploded into the headlines with the arrest of Mike, Ken, and their fellow crooked cops. Released on bail, Mike offered Ken a long shot at escape to Central America--a bizarre plan involving robbery, kidnapping, and murder--forcing Ken to choose between two forms of betrayal.
"When you lie, you steal the truth. Once you have stolen the truth, you can justify stealing anything from anybody."
Adapted from Ken Eurell's personal memoirs of the time plus hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with the major players, including Adam Diaz and Dori Eurell, this book reveals the truth behind the documentary The Seven Five. Edgar Award winner Burl Barer once again teams with award-winning journalist Frank C. Girardot, Jr, and Eurell to bring you an astonishing story of greed and betrayal.
They had no fear of the cops. Because they were the cops.
NYPD officers Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell knew there were two ways to get rich quick in the Seven-Five. You either became drug dealers, or you robbed drug dealers. They decided to do both. Dowd and Eurell ran the most powerful gang in East New York's dangerous 75th Precinct, the crack cocaine capital of 1980s America. These "Cocaine Cops" formed a lucrative alliance with Adam Diaz, the kingpin of an ever-expanding Dominican drug cartel. Soon Mike and Ken were buying fancy cars no cop could afford, and treating their wives to levels of luxury not associated with a patrol officer's salary. They were daring, dangerous and untouchable--until the biggest police scandal in New York history exploded into the headlines with the arrest of Mike, Ken, and their fellow crooked cops. Released on bail, Mike offered Ken a long shot at escape to Central America--a bizarre plan involving robbery, kidnapping, and murder--forcing Ken to choose between two forms of betrayal.
"When you lie, you steal the truth. Once you have stolen the truth, you can justify stealing anything from anybody."
Adapted from Ken Eurell's personal memoirs of the time plus hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews with the major players, including Adam Diaz and Dori Eurell, this book reveals the truth behind the documentary The Seven Five. Edgar Award winner Burl Barer once again teams with award-winning journalist Frank C. Girardot, Jr, and Eurell to bring you an astonishing story of greed and betrayal.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 31, 2017
Yikes! Disheartening and Shocking true-crime read!
BETRAYAL IN BLUE is a story about the infamous scandal within the NYPD during the 1980's that includes a few notable historic incidents of corruption of the past...and present.
Whew! What a read.... and ya know, of all the reprehensible behavior and profiteering for personal gain depicted within these pages...the lying, stealing, selling and taking of drugs, working under the influence, bribes, infidelity, etc. etc. etc. etc......the one story that really disgusted me the most was the scene of a burglary where our two notorious cops answer a call from a teenage girl afraid to enter her home bc of a suspected break-in, and upon their arrival, ask if her parents have any particular valuables that might have been taken so they can check.....and what do they do.....they pocket the hidden $800 in cash missed by the thieves....and then tell the unsuspecting young victim...."Nothing here. They must have got it." Unbelievable!
Loyalty to the force over integrity, and "The Blue Wall of Silence" was a deep issue here within the code of law enforcement, and for some in this novel.....To Serve and Protect.....just a sideline.
Embarrassing time for the NYPD.
Many thanks to NetGalley and WildBlue Press for the complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2024
Temptation
Some jobs come with great perks, and some have unscrupulous temptations. Being young and a rookie with wild ambition in1980s NYPD is just some of this story. Told with captivating and compelling narrative, it reads rather quickly at times.
This book is thought provoking with regard to prohibition and its interference with drug addiction and overdose rates. Medicine belongs with medically trained specialists and not the justice system.
Some jobs come with great perks, and some have unscrupulous temptations. Being young and a rookie with wild ambition in1980s NYPD is just some of this story. Told with captivating and compelling narrative, it reads rather quickly at times.
This book is thought provoking with regard to prohibition and its interference with drug addiction and overdose rates. Medicine belongs with medically trained specialists and not the justice system.
January 9, 2017
Never before has the wife of an infamous corrupt cop been so forthcoming about love and loyalty, trust and betrayal as Dori Eurell in this breakthrough true crime book by two of America's top investigative journalists.
December 26, 2016
I knew there was corruption in the New York Police Department back in the 80s but I never dreamed how bad it really was until I read this book. This was a real eye-opener for me as well as a real page turner. This is a very well written book and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes true stories as well as true crime.
March 23, 2017
Wow
I have heard this story and seen the Documentary The 75. This books goes much deeper into the mindset of criminal cops who disgraced the badge and their responsibility. The book I give 5 stars to is because its a must read and shows the attitudes of cops gone bad and what turning a blind eye towards the criminal behaviors taking place right there out in the open. Cops have a tough job to do and police leadership must be willing to change police culture to one that's intolerant of bad abusive and criminal cops. This books shows what can happen when we neglect this responsibility.
I have heard this story and seen the Documentary The 75. This books goes much deeper into the mindset of criminal cops who disgraced the badge and their responsibility. The book I give 5 stars to is because its a must read and shows the attitudes of cops gone bad and what turning a blind eye towards the criminal behaviors taking place right there out in the open. Cops have a tough job to do and police leadership must be willing to change police culture to one that's intolerant of bad abusive and criminal cops. This books shows what can happen when we neglect this responsibility.
December 29, 2020
Betrayal in Blue is part memoir, part true crime exposé, part social science, and totally engrossing.
The book begins with an overview of New York police history, beginning in the 1800s with the newfound “vice” laws that criminalized prostitution, gambling, and drugs. We see how this led to gangs, mafia, and, all too easily, police corruption.
From there, we’re given background on Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell, the two NY officers lured into the drug scene during the 1980s with the promise of easy money and power. We see how the infamous “Blue Wall of Silence” both ensnares and protects them. Then we watch as it all collapses.
I listened to this on audio, which I thoroughly enjoyed. For me, the narrator has the perfect voice for this type of book. The content never felt dry, and my attention never wandered.
*I received a free audiobook download from WildBlue Press.*
The book begins with an overview of New York police history, beginning in the 1800s with the newfound “vice” laws that criminalized prostitution, gambling, and drugs. We see how this led to gangs, mafia, and, all too easily, police corruption.
From there, we’re given background on Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell, the two NY officers lured into the drug scene during the 1980s with the promise of easy money and power. We see how the infamous “Blue Wall of Silence” both ensnares and protects them. Then we watch as it all collapses.
I listened to this on audio, which I thoroughly enjoyed. For me, the narrator has the perfect voice for this type of book. The content never felt dry, and my attention never wandered.
*I received a free audiobook download from WildBlue Press.*
May 16, 2017
Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell were two cops who ran the most powerful gang in New York's 75th precinct. They were drug dealers and they robbed drug dealers. They stole drugs, money and guns not only from criminals but also from the homes of people who had just called in saying their home had been broken into and they took these things from dead people's pockets. They formed an alliance with Adam Diaz who was the kingpin of a Dominican drug cartel. Mike and Ken were raking in big money and they were buying fancy cars, nice homes, and treating their wives to a life of luxury. Everyone knew what was going on but an officer could not squeal on another officer and the bosses did not want a public scandal so they turned a blind eye. But they couldn't get away with it forever. Mike, Ken and their fellow partners were eventually arrested and soon the newspaper headlines read "The biggest police scandal in New York history"
Wow. The amount of stuff the cops got away with in New York in the 1980's is unreal. It makes me wonder what went on in other places around the world, and how much of it is still happening to this day. Who are we supposed to turn to when the very people who are supposed to protect us are so damn crooked? Mike Dowd especially was just so brazen and so arrogant and flashy. This is quite the story of greed and very interesting (and frustrating) to read about.
Thank you to Netgalley and WildBlue Press for a copy of this book.
Wow. The amount of stuff the cops got away with in New York in the 1980's is unreal. It makes me wonder what went on in other places around the world, and how much of it is still happening to this day. Who are we supposed to turn to when the very people who are supposed to protect us are so damn crooked? Mike Dowd especially was just so brazen and so arrogant and flashy. This is quite the story of greed and very interesting (and frustrating) to read about.
Thank you to Netgalley and WildBlue Press for a copy of this book.
May 9, 2017
A fascinating and at times scary read. Two young guys join the police in New York, full of idealism and the need to serve - or at least wanting a decent career and a way to earn a good living - and are soon stealing drugs, money and evidence as part of the huge NYPD scandal in the 1980's. It is heart breakingly honest about the mess drugs make of people's lives and the many people who exploit the addiction. There are women selling their small children for sex to get their next fix. People committing murder for hire for a couple of hundred dollars. And in the middle of all this, corrupt cops who don't bother solving crimes. It is easy to see how it happened and how even when senior people were aware they turned a blind eye. This is a true story that reads like a novel and is recommended if you like true crime or a fast moving story. It is written in short sentences, fast paced, lots of jargon and quotes and that adds to the tension and the "feel" that you are reading fiction.
I was given copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I was given copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
January 24, 2017
It's almost impossible to believe the extent of corruption in the 75th precinct in NYC, but participants and leaders alike confirm all the wild tales. It's amazing the authors got so many people to participate in the memoir, and it's supremely well told. You can hear each character's personality come through just in the telling. Each has his own narrative quirks and they all sound exactly like you expect from a bunch of New York City beat cops. Narration by Kevin Pierce is excellent.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher, and/or narrator.
I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher, and/or narrator.
April 26, 2017
Reads like a fiction thriller about two dirty NYPD cops in the cocaine heyday. Lots of action but also a memoir and reflection from one of those cops (Ken Eurell)
July 29, 2018
Betrayal in Blue is the other side of the harrowing story of police corruption in NYPD's 75th precinct during the late 1980's from the perspective of Ken Eurell. The strength of this book I found to be the history of police corruption that dates back to the formation of the NYPD and the first half of the book sets it up nicely, it may be a quick jaunt through history while also filling in the backstory of the 77th percinct issues of corruption, but I loved it. The second half of the book we get into the nitty gritty of the crimes committed by our group of rouge police officers which I found to be astonishing and surprising. The book finishes quickly and ties up loose ends quite nicely until it gets to the epilogue, this is where I felt the book went off the deep end a bit pushing the authors desire to make all drugs legal so cops would be less imcentivized to participate in corruption of this nature. As I purchased the audio book version I will say that the sound quality was excellent and the narrator I felt was a perfect fit to tell this story, I felt like I was hearing this story told by a retired P.I. which I found very appropriate. All in all I'd say this was a good and enjoyable read minus a few parts here and there where the writer seems to have inserted his beliefs into the book but it's few and far between.
April 1, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
a story about the infamous scandal within the NYPD during the 1980's that includes a few notable historic incidents of corruption of the past...and present. Reads like a fiction thriller about two dirty NYPD cops in the cocaine heyday. Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell were two cops who ran the most powerful gang in New York's 75th precinct. They were drug dealers and they robbed drug dealers. They stole drugs, money and guns not only from criminals but also from the homes of people who had just called in saying their home had been broken into and they took these things from dead people's pockets. Everyone knew what was going on but an officer could not squeal on another officer and the bosses did not want a public scandal so they turned a blind eye. How true that saying is in real life……
Working in law enforcement we all know of someone who is a bad apple or shocked to find out that someone is a bad apple when they are being walked out of the building or walked out in handcuffs….. As the inmates would always say….everyone has a price….what is your price?!
An enjoyable read for anyone who is a true crime fan or a person in law enforcement…
a story about the infamous scandal within the NYPD during the 1980's that includes a few notable historic incidents of corruption of the past...and present. Reads like a fiction thriller about two dirty NYPD cops in the cocaine heyday. Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell were two cops who ran the most powerful gang in New York's 75th precinct. They were drug dealers and they robbed drug dealers. They stole drugs, money and guns not only from criminals but also from the homes of people who had just called in saying their home had been broken into and they took these things from dead people's pockets. Everyone knew what was going on but an officer could not squeal on another officer and the bosses did not want a public scandal so they turned a blind eye. How true that saying is in real life……
Working in law enforcement we all know of someone who is a bad apple or shocked to find out that someone is a bad apple when they are being walked out of the building or walked out in handcuffs….. As the inmates would always say….everyone has a price….what is your price?!
An enjoyable read for anyone who is a true crime fan or a person in law enforcement…
July 2, 2023
Betrayal In Blue: The Shocking Memoir Of The Scandal That Rocked The NYPD was a great read by Burl Barer, Frank C. Girardot Jr., and Ken Eurell. When your the cops, you have no fear of other cops. NYPD officers Mike Dowd and Kenny Eurell knew they could get rich quick in Brooklyn’s Lower East Side. They could either become drug dealers or rob the drug dealers. They decided that they would do both. They ran the most powerful gang in New York’s dangerous 75th precinct. They formed an alliance with Adam Diaz, the king pin of a Dominica drug cartel. When Mike, Ken and the other crooked cops were arrested it became the biggest police scandal in New York history. When they were realeased on bail, Mike offered Ken a chance to escape to Central America. The plan involved robbery, kidnapping and murder. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.
January 17, 2018
Must read!!
This is a compelling book about police corruption in the seven five precinct in Brooklyn, NY. I had a hard time putting it down after starting it. I saw the documentary “The Seven Five” and had to hear the whole story. This book clears up a lot, especially timelines that are unclear in the documentary.
After more insight into the personal lives of these cops, it makes me wonder what a power house they could have been had they followed a straighter path. Both partners are extremely intelligent and would have been amazing. But to err is human, as this book explains.
This is a compelling book about police corruption in the seven five precinct in Brooklyn, NY. I had a hard time putting it down after starting it. I saw the documentary “The Seven Five” and had to hear the whole story. This book clears up a lot, especially timelines that are unclear in the documentary.
After more insight into the personal lives of these cops, it makes me wonder what a power house they could have been had they followed a straighter path. Both partners are extremely intelligent and would have been amazing. But to err is human, as this book explains.
September 25, 2020
An exciting but often rushed assembly of information. The story is retold, much as in the excellent documentary, but instead of new insights, there's a lot of dumbfounded commentary from Cop A and the narrator. The other, more villainous, Cop B is often rendered a 3-dimensional monster. Also, the narrowed margins where different participants speak is unclear. You have to skip back a page or two to determine who's speaking. Overall, it's an exciting book but doesn't have the depth of "Serpico" or "Prince of the City", and this shocking 80s scandal deserves it.
March 20, 2023
This book is an easy skip. I bought this blind and have never seen the documentary. The stories are compelling, but overall it reads as an amateurish account of buddy cops largely succeeding in their corruption and does not spend much time discussing the consequences. I took specific issue with the author's insinuation in the final chapter that somehow these incidents would be lessened or even prevented entirely if drugs were not illegal.
January 8, 2018
A Lurid Look at NYPD Corruption
"Betrayal..." is an unflinching peek into a time period of police corruption with glimpses of goose bump inducing events. There really are no winners in this story, but that doesn't make it any less important and almost unbelievable, if it wasn't so true!
"Betrayal..." is an unflinching peek into a time period of police corruption with glimpses of goose bump inducing events. There really are no winners in this story, but that doesn't make it any less important and almost unbelievable, if it wasn't so true!
September 2, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this audiobook to review.
This was a really interesting story and I found it wild to know that this all happened in real life and wasn't a TV show. I guess I can see how easy it would be to get caught up in this and then it's too late but it just kept getting more and more extreme. Good listen and very interesting but a bit slow / long for me overall.
This was a really interesting story and I found it wild to know that this all happened in real life and wasn't a TV show. I guess I can see how easy it would be to get caught up in this and then it's too late but it just kept getting more and more extreme. Good listen and very interesting but a bit slow / long for me overall.
October 6, 2025
I didn't like it, thought it would be something more. Seemed like half the book was experts from Eurell's book, was some interesting history of NYPD scandals, and in the end it was just about legalizing all drugs. Seemed the authors point was that it wasn't Eurell's fault, it was the environment, the drug money available, and camaraderie.
June 9, 2017
The story of Mike Dowd and Ken Eurrell has been told many times but this brings together the whole story and lauds it out in excellent detail. While a bit dry at times, I enjoyed the read and enjoyed hearing the whole story.
April 21, 2020
Wow
To protect and serve themselves, is what this book is about. One corrupt cop, in turn, corrupted his partners. They could have said no, but wanted the money, drugs and excitement. Very sad.
To protect and serve themselves, is what this book is about. One corrupt cop, in turn, corrupted his partners. They could have said no, but wanted the money, drugs and excitement. Very sad.
February 20, 2024
Interesting quick read
Having watched and liked the 75 documentary I already knew t the story. This gives Kens side of the story. Well researched and well written. If you don't know the story it reads like a thriller.
Having watched and liked the 75 documentary I already knew t the story. This gives Kens side of the story. Well researched and well written. If you don't know the story it reads like a thriller.
March 19, 2017
Fascinating read
It does not shock me at the significant amount of corruption in the police force. Hard to believe that it took them so long to be caught. Great book
It does not shock me at the significant amount of corruption in the police force. Hard to believe that it took them so long to be caught. Great book
July 16, 2018
Good read. Not a fan of how the author seems to make Ken into a victim of circumstance, but a good read.
April 4, 2021
Great read!
A wonderful and insightful look into nypd corruption as seen by an insider during nyc’s violent cocaine period of the 1980s/90s.
A wonderful and insightful look into nypd corruption as seen by an insider during nyc’s violent cocaine period of the 1980s/90s.
July 18, 2021
Very interesting. It has left me wondering how much corruption in law enforcement there actually is that the public knows nothing about.
August 26, 2022
I've read far better renditions of Dowd and Eurell's story. Ones without grammatical errors or unrelated tangents. A fascinating story I'd recommend reading about, but not this version of it.
February 10, 2017
An eye opener of a book on corruption in the New York Police department in the 1980's. If you enjoy true crime stories, this book is a must read. Many thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
January 20, 2017
Intriguing Retelling of History. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom. Kevin Pierce does an excellent job performing and retelling this intriguing part of America and NYC's history of corruption in our trusted Police Departments. I'm no expert in history, but he authors seemed to have done a great job of gathering research and interviews, and then putting it all in a page-turning narrative. If you love to learn about events in our history, I highly recommend this book, especially in the audiobook format.
December 16, 2016
Betrayal in Blue: The Shocking Memoir of the Scandal That Rocked the NYPD
: Burl Barer , Frank C. Girardot Jr. , Ken Eurell
This story of scandal, corruption, and depravity inside the NYPD is sad. "The Blue Wall," has now been replaced by "The Thin Blue Line." Why had I not heard about these things that happened back East? It was very enlightening.
The narration was well done by the team of Kevin Pierce and Burl Barer.
"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
: Burl Barer , Frank C. Girardot Jr. , Ken Eurell
This story of scandal, corruption, and depravity inside the NYPD is sad. "The Blue Wall," has now been replaced by "The Thin Blue Line." Why had I not heard about these things that happened back East? It was very enlightening.
The narration was well done by the team of Kevin Pierce and Burl Barer.
"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews