What do you think?
Rate this book
Apaches
Remember these names: Boomer. Dead-Eye. Pins. Geronimo. Reverend Jim. Mrs. Columbo. They were great cops. The best cops. But they are cops no more.
Now they are apaches--a renegade unit working on their own.
With this novel, the author of the stunning #1 bestseller Sleepers returns to the mean streets he knows so well. And in doing so, he has written his most explosive, electrifying, and startling book yet. It is the early 1980s. Crack cocaine has made its devastating appearance. Violence is escalating and so is an unnerving lack of morality. Things are happening that have never happened before.
One of those things is the brutal kidnapping of an innocent 12-year-old girl. But the kidnapper has made a deadly mistake. He has brought Boomer Frontierie back to life, back to the streets. And back into action. A New York City detective forced to retire after being wounded in a drug bust, Boomer thirsts to return to the life he loved--the life of a cop. When an old friend turns to him for help, Boomer has the excuse he needs. And when the simple kidnapping turns into something more, something much more evil, even more horrifying, Boomer realizes that he can once again find a way to serve justice.
There are others like Boomer. Cops who can no longer be cops. He brings them together, bringing them back to life as well. Even as they face almost certain death.
Apaches is the story of an extraordinary band of cops. Some might call them criminals. Some might call them heroes. But theirs is a world where good is always shadowed by bad, where right is almost indecipherable from wrong, and where the living can, within mere moments, cross over to the world of the dead.
Lorenzo Carcaterra has written the most exciting novel of the year. Like Sleepers, it is a book that will never be forgotten.
From the Hardcover edition.
Now they are apaches--a renegade unit working on their own.
With this novel, the author of the stunning #1 bestseller Sleepers returns to the mean streets he knows so well. And in doing so, he has written his most explosive, electrifying, and startling book yet. It is the early 1980s. Crack cocaine has made its devastating appearance. Violence is escalating and so is an unnerving lack of morality. Things are happening that have never happened before.
One of those things is the brutal kidnapping of an innocent 12-year-old girl. But the kidnapper has made a deadly mistake. He has brought Boomer Frontierie back to life, back to the streets. And back into action. A New York City detective forced to retire after being wounded in a drug bust, Boomer thirsts to return to the life he loved--the life of a cop. When an old friend turns to him for help, Boomer has the excuse he needs. And when the simple kidnapping turns into something more, something much more evil, even more horrifying, Boomer realizes that he can once again find a way to serve justice.
There are others like Boomer. Cops who can no longer be cops. He brings them together, bringing them back to life as well. Even as they face almost certain death.
Apaches is the story of an extraordinary band of cops. Some might call them criminals. Some might call them heroes. But theirs is a world where good is always shadowed by bad, where right is almost indecipherable from wrong, and where the living can, within mere moments, cross over to the world of the dead.
Lorenzo Carcaterra has written the most exciting novel of the year. Like Sleepers, it is a book that will never be forgotten.
From the Hardcover edition.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
112 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Lorenzo Carcaterra
49 books695 followersNumber-one New York Times bestselling author Lorenzo Carcaterra's highly successful career spans more than 25 years of writing for the diverse fields of fiction, non-fiction, television, and film.
Born and raised in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Carcaterra landed his first job in the newspaper business as a copy boy for The New York Daily News in 1976. He worked his way up to entertainment reporter before leaving the paper in 1982, heading for the green pastures of then-Time Inc. and TV-Cable Week, as senior writer. Nine months later, the magazine folded, leaving him unemployed. A four-month stint at People magazine was followed by an odyssey of writing for a string of start-up publications—Picture Week, Entertainment Tonight Magazine, Special Reports Magazine—and freelancing for dozens of others—The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsday Sunday Magazine, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and Twilight Zone Magazine among them.
In 1988, Carcaterra turned to television as a Creative Consultant for the syndicated weekly series Cop Talk: Behind the Shield, produced by Grosso-Jacobson Productions. That led to a job as Managing Editor for the CBS weekly series Top Cops, also with Grosso-Jacobson Productions. Running for four seasons, from 1990 to 1994, the show is still in syndication today worldwide. In addition, he worked on a dozen other pilots, one of which––Secret Service (NBC)––made it to air. It was while at Grosso-Jacobson Productions that Carcaterra wrote and published his first two books, A Safe Place and Sleepers.
First published in hardcover in 1993, A Safe Place: The True Story of a Father, a Son, a Murder, attracted widespread critical acclaim, with Newsweek calling it, “unforgettable—a remarkable book.” Currently in its 14th printing, it has been sold to 11 foreign countries and has sold close to 220,000 copies.
The 1995 publication of Sleepers, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, catapulted Carcaterra to national attention. Sold to 35 foreign countries and now in its 38th printing in the United States, the book has sales exceeding 1.8 million copies. In 1996, Sleepers was made into a feature film starring Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, and Jason Patric. Carcaterra served as co-producer on the project, which was directed by Academy Award winner Barry Levinson. To date, the movie has earned in excess of $500 million worldwide in combined box-office, video, DVD, and TV sales.
Carcaterra made a smooth transition into writing fiction with his first novel, Apaches, a New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback. Published in a 14 foreign countries, the book has sold more than 450,000 copies and been optioned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
He followed that with Gangster, published in hardcover in 2001. The book has sold over 375,000 copies since its 2002 release as a Mass Market Paperback. The novel has been optioned by Joe Roth and been sold to 15 foreign countries.
Carcaterra then wrote Street Boys, a World War II saga inspired by an incident which occurred in Naples, Italy, in 1943. Warner Bros. and Bel-Air Entertainment bought the rights to the story in March 2001 before it was written, and developed the project for director Barry Levinson. Carcaterra wrote the screenplay. The paperback was released in July, 2003 and has since sold 150,000 copies.
Carcaterra's next novel Paradise City was published in hardcover by Ballantine in September 2004 with the paperback following a year later. To date, the novel has sold over 100,000 copies and was optioned by Fox Television to be developed as a weekly series.
In 2007, Carcaterra published Chasers, a sequel to his bestseller Apaches. The paperback version was published in the spring of 2008 and movie rights to the story are once again controlled by Jerry Bruckheimer Productions.
With that, Carcaterra took a different turn and has just completed hi
Born and raised in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Carcaterra landed his first job in the newspaper business as a copy boy for The New York Daily News in 1976. He worked his way up to entertainment reporter before leaving the paper in 1982, heading for the green pastures of then-Time Inc. and TV-Cable Week, as senior writer. Nine months later, the magazine folded, leaving him unemployed. A four-month stint at People magazine was followed by an odyssey of writing for a string of start-up publications—Picture Week, Entertainment Tonight Magazine, Special Reports Magazine—and freelancing for dozens of others—The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsday Sunday Magazine, Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and Twilight Zone Magazine among them.
In 1988, Carcaterra turned to television as a Creative Consultant for the syndicated weekly series Cop Talk: Behind the Shield, produced by Grosso-Jacobson Productions. That led to a job as Managing Editor for the CBS weekly series Top Cops, also with Grosso-Jacobson Productions. Running for four seasons, from 1990 to 1994, the show is still in syndication today worldwide. In addition, he worked on a dozen other pilots, one of which––Secret Service (NBC)––made it to air. It was while at Grosso-Jacobson Productions that Carcaterra wrote and published his first two books, A Safe Place and Sleepers.
First published in hardcover in 1993, A Safe Place: The True Story of a Father, a Son, a Murder, attracted widespread critical acclaim, with Newsweek calling it, “unforgettable—a remarkable book.” Currently in its 14th printing, it has been sold to 11 foreign countries and has sold close to 220,000 copies.
The 1995 publication of Sleepers, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, catapulted Carcaterra to national attention. Sold to 35 foreign countries and now in its 38th printing in the United States, the book has sales exceeding 1.8 million copies. In 1996, Sleepers was made into a feature film starring Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, and Jason Patric. Carcaterra served as co-producer on the project, which was directed by Academy Award winner Barry Levinson. To date, the movie has earned in excess of $500 million worldwide in combined box-office, video, DVD, and TV sales.
Carcaterra made a smooth transition into writing fiction with his first novel, Apaches, a New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback. Published in a 14 foreign countries, the book has sold more than 450,000 copies and been optioned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
He followed that with Gangster, published in hardcover in 2001. The book has sold over 375,000 copies since its 2002 release as a Mass Market Paperback. The novel has been optioned by Joe Roth and been sold to 15 foreign countries.
Carcaterra then wrote Street Boys, a World War II saga inspired by an incident which occurred in Naples, Italy, in 1943. Warner Bros. and Bel-Air Entertainment bought the rights to the story in March 2001 before it was written, and developed the project for director Barry Levinson. Carcaterra wrote the screenplay. The paperback was released in July, 2003 and has since sold 150,000 copies.
Carcaterra's next novel Paradise City was published in hardcover by Ballantine in September 2004 with the paperback following a year later. To date, the novel has sold over 100,000 copies and was optioned by Fox Television to be developed as a weekly series.
In 2007, Carcaterra published Chasers, a sequel to his bestseller Apaches. The paperback version was published in the spring of 2008 and movie rights to the story are once again controlled by Jerry Bruckheimer Productions.
With that, Carcaterra took a different turn and has just completed hi
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 23, 2023
In terms of the genre and this being rated strictly as a cop / vendetta thriller, I'd give it four stars. The characters are each distinct, the pace is good, and there is a decent amount of action.
However, as a general read, I'd give it two stars. The dialogue is nothing but cliches and is painful to read at times, parts of the plot are just silly, and the resolution concludes way too quickly and fizzles out.
However, as a general read, I'd give it two stars. The dialogue is nothing but cliches and is painful to read at times, parts of the plot are just silly, and the resolution concludes way too quickly and fizzles out.
May 14, 2011
One of the most unintentionally hilarious books I have ever read. Just terrible. From the premise to the idiotic nicknames of the characters, the incredibly low quality of this book calls into question whether Mr. Carcaterra could have actually written a book like Sleepers.
November 10, 2007
I really liked this group of injured, disabled, compromised, wild ex-cops. They go after the bad guys and no Miranda rights when they get there! Lots of action. Can't wait for a sequel.
June 16, 2007
For all of those missing children and women, that are never found.
This was one of those books I was dying to read but wasn't allowed to. When I did turn 16 I understood why my family made me wait. Apaches is one of the most horrific stories of greed. Not for the faint of heart, or those with weak stomachs, but worth trudging through. Lorenzo's characters are human, with their own faults, but each with their own tragic history and still willing to fight for this country's safety.
For anyone who wonders that there might just be something going on behind closed doors that we don't hear about on the news...read Apaches. Although it is a story of fiction, it opens those eyes to a true reality.
This was one of those books I was dying to read but wasn't allowed to. When I did turn 16 I understood why my family made me wait. Apaches is one of the most horrific stories of greed. Not for the faint of heart, or those with weak stomachs, but worth trudging through. Lorenzo's characters are human, with their own faults, but each with their own tragic history and still willing to fight for this country's safety.
For anyone who wonders that there might just be something going on behind closed doors that we don't hear about on the news...read Apaches. Although it is a story of fiction, it opens those eyes to a true reality.
September 22, 2017
If you’re familiar with the author’s most famous book, Sleepers (made into a Barry Levinson film of the same name back in the 90s), please understand Apaches is a very different animal. Apaches is more of a cartoon, only for adults. It’s like Lorenzo Carcaterra decided to make his version of Walter Hill’s The Warrior, only he uses a gang of ex-cops in perhaps the grimiest era of NYC’s history. It can be filthy and mean, but these are the good guys. It’s really fun. Look for its sequel, Chasers.
May 6, 2021
A book filled with empty cliches; would kind of make sense as a B grade crime/action flick (probably produced by Dick Wolf?), but bewilderingly unsatisfying as a novel.
May 14, 2022
A bit of a slow burner but with an all action ending
September 4, 2018
Oproti Spáčům ještě drsnější zápletka, i když takové věci se nedají srovnávat. Míň odsýpá oproti nepřekonanému debutu Spáči, které mají navíc dvě časové roviny, a jsou výjimkou, která potvrzuje pravidlo, kdy se velmi povedlo i filmové zpracování (B. Pitt, R. De Niro, D. Hoffman ad.my link text ). Až moc drsná a za vlasy přitažená kriminálka, a v českém vydání vyšla jako bichle netahatelná do MHD;-)
May 7, 2017
Seemed to start O.K. and just spiralled into another story that featured a lot of young cops out on disability chasing down a major drug trafficker. All of thse wounded heroes were absolutely amazing and should have bben wearing capes fitted with the American flag. A bit pretentious in the overall story as characters go but that does seem to fit the overkill some authors are going for these days.
September 5, 2017
Excellent cop story! I loved it so much that I bought the other two books by the same author! Can't wait to read them! This book would make an EXCELLENT movie. Too bad movie producers don't realize how many GREAT books there are out there that would make great movies (so much better than reruns and pre/sequels.)
November 18, 2020
Only one word can describe this book ...... visceral.
July 9, 2025
I liked some parts. Not a fan of other parts.
Some of the events were unexpected, which is a very good thing.
The final result was also expected, but that is very typical with these books.
I didn't buy the dialogue. it seemed fairly cheesy and fake given the situations the characters were in.
While they all had unique backgrounds, many of the characters' dialogue could have been swapped. Of the (five?) males in the group, and even the female, they all talked exactly the same way and said exactly the same types of comments. The speaker could have been interchangeable. Maybe that is how cops are, but I still wasn't buying how they spoke during life and death situations.
The "evil person" was particularly bad ass, and I wish there was more said about her.
The use of the babies seemed very far-fetched. I cannot imagine that ever working. It would be obvious to people ...especially after 3 long flights?
The story of the little girl was interesting. The dude was of course a total scumbag. Based on the way the author introduced the girl, I wasn't buying how she reacted to what was happening to her and the things she said. It didn't ring true for an 11-12 year old with the sheltered family life and lack of experiences that the author gave in her background.
overall...a 5 or 6 out of 10
Some of the events were unexpected, which is a very good thing.
The final result was also expected, but that is very typical with these books.
I didn't buy the dialogue. it seemed fairly cheesy and fake given the situations the characters were in.
While they all had unique backgrounds, many of the characters' dialogue could have been swapped. Of the (five?) males in the group, and even the female, they all talked exactly the same way and said exactly the same types of comments. The speaker could have been interchangeable. Maybe that is how cops are, but I still wasn't buying how they spoke during life and death situations.
The "evil person" was particularly bad ass, and I wish there was more said about her.
The use of the babies seemed very far-fetched. I cannot imagine that ever working. It would be obvious to people ...especially after 3 long flights?
The story of the little girl was interesting. The dude was of course a total scumbag. Based on the way the author introduced the girl, I wasn't buying how she reacted to what was happening to her and the things she said. It didn't ring true for an 11-12 year old with the sheltered family life and lack of experiences that the author gave in her background.
overall...a 5 or 6 out of 10
September 27, 2021
DNF'd this one...
I hate to do that, but I just can't see wasting my time on a horrible book, when there are so many great ones out there, just waiting to be read...
To all you would-be-authors out there: if you aren't an expert on a subject, and aren't willing to put in the research to become knowledgeable - JUST DON'T WRITE ABOUT IT!!
Carcaterra obviously knows squat about guns or cars, but tries to act like he does...
If you are one of those people who don't mind glaring inaccuracies in your books, movies, or TV shows - you will probably enjoy this book. If you are detail oriented and familiar with firearms and automobiles - this book will drive you CRAZY!!!
You have been warned...
I hate to do that, but I just can't see wasting my time on a horrible book, when there are so many great ones out there, just waiting to be read...
To all you would-be-authors out there: if you aren't an expert on a subject, and aren't willing to put in the research to become knowledgeable - JUST DON'T WRITE ABOUT IT!!
Carcaterra obviously knows squat about guns or cars, but tries to act like he does...
If you are one of those people who don't mind glaring inaccuracies in your books, movies, or TV shows - you will probably enjoy this book. If you are detail oriented and familiar with firearms and automobiles - this book will drive you CRAZY!!!
You have been warned...
April 30, 2020
Just a book that I picked up from work, from our communal bookshelf. Was quite hard to get into, took me till about halfway through to start getting into the flow of the book.
Ended up really enjoying it, they over-explained things at the start I feel. Trying to introduce everyone, just felt like too much, didn't need that much inside information.
It did seem like they wrapped it up very quickly once introducing a big bad boss. I enjoyed the storyline though, not sure if I would recommend it, but if you like crime novels wouldn't turn you away from this one.
Ended up really enjoying it, they over-explained things at the start I feel. Trying to introduce everyone, just felt like too much, didn't need that much inside information.
It did seem like they wrapped it up very quickly once introducing a big bad boss. I enjoyed the storyline though, not sure if I would recommend it, but if you like crime novels wouldn't turn you away from this one.
August 11, 2022
“Apaches” is a very good book about several ex-cops that had their careers cut short for different and violent reasons. They go by Boomer, Dead-Eye, Pins, Mrs Columbo, Rev. Jim and Geronimo or you can call them by their new name, Apaches.
This story takes place in the early 1980’s and a young girl is kidnapped. The problem for the kidnapper is that a retired cop by that goes by Boomer finds out about this kidnapping. Boomer wants to feel like a cop again so he goes on the hunt for the girl.
Boomer gets help from his partners as he goes after the bad guys.
This story takes place in the early 1980’s and a young girl is kidnapped. The problem for the kidnapper is that a retired cop by that goes by Boomer finds out about this kidnapping. Boomer wants to feel like a cop again so he goes on the hunt for the girl.
Boomer gets help from his partners as he goes after the bad guys.
August 25, 2020
If there isn't officially a literary genre called "Revenge Porn", then "Apaches" might be a fitting book to kick it off. Seven ex-cops whose professional careers ended on a bum note reassemble to take down a gang of despicable low-lifes, some of whom have sadistically murdered their family members. The whole thing is fast-moving and very brutal, not for the weak of stomach. Carcaterra is a good writer but this was just too much for me.
March 1, 2022
Man, this was a twisted, violent read. I mean, twisted!
Carcaterra takes the reader all over the place in this, his second novel. The first third of the book is broken down into 5 sections. We meet 5 different police officers - who are then no longer police officers.
After a kidnapping, the team of 5 join together, Apaches, they call themselves - and take matters into their own hands. Kidnapping. Sex Slaves. Drugs . . . Wow!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the thriller, JOHNNY BLADE
Carcaterra takes the reader all over the place in this, his second novel. The first third of the book is broken down into 5 sections. We meet 5 different police officers - who are then no longer police officers.
After a kidnapping, the team of 5 join together, Apaches, they call themselves - and take matters into their own hands. Kidnapping. Sex Slaves. Drugs . . . Wow!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the thriller, JOHNNY BLADE
March 12, 2023
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Like some reviews have already said, this book does hold true to some classic police clichés and stereotypes. However, as someone who loves watching NCIS, Law and Order, Criminal Minds etc this was like having that in book form so I didn't mind. There are some plot holes but not so many that I couldn't enjoy the story.
This book is a slow burn for sure, but it's worth pulling through. You think everyone important survives until all hell breaks loose within the last 20 pages
Like some reviews have already said, this book does hold true to some classic police clichés and stereotypes. However, as someone who loves watching NCIS, Law and Order, Criminal Minds etc this was like having that in book form so I didn't mind. There are some plot holes but not so many that I couldn't enjoy the story.
This book is a slow burn for sure, but it's worth pulling through. You think everyone important survives until all hell breaks loose within the last 20 pages
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2018
A good old yarn about a bunch of washed up cops who take on a drug queen ... each has their own reason to head back to their previous career, and each has a specialty that is necessary for the 'big fight'. A nice easy read.
October 18, 2019
I'm currently going through Carcaterra's earlier works and having a good time. He writes well and I enjoy watching his plots and characters develope. This title is a gruesome plot I found hate to engage it only because of the plot line.
But I finished it and moved on to the next one.
But I finished it and moved on to the next one.
October 8, 2021
Lorenzo Carcaterra is an awesome writer and his book 'Apaches' is indicative of that -- you feel as if you are there in the moment with the characters. I love all his books and I highly recommend 'Apaches'.
April 9, 2024
I love these cops. Even though this is a work of fiction it hurt my heart. I usually pass my books over to my adult son but this one went into the garbage. It's the second book I put there and I've only thrown 2 away all my life. The first was A Safe Place by the same author
May 19, 2024
Great Read
This book has always been a favorite of mine. The characters are well-developed and the plot sucks you in from the start. Parts of the story will infiltrate your dreams so be careful…. Very good book!
This book has always been a favorite of mine. The characters are well-developed and the plot sucks you in from the start. Parts of the story will infiltrate your dreams so be careful…. Very good book!
March 16, 2025
Starts well as you get to know the characters, drew me in to see how it would all pull together. Sadly the book fizzled out as it progressed. The storyline had promise but just fell a bit short of reaching it's potential. Still a decent enough read.
January 15, 2018
Fast paced
The book sets a fast pace and holds interest. The story is a bit over the top, but not so far out that you can't enjoy it. A good diversion for sure.
The book sets a fast pace and holds interest. The story is a bit over the top, but not so far out that you can't enjoy it. A good diversion for sure.
May 5, 2018
I truly enjoy Lorenzo Carcaterra. The pages turn so fast I have to keep a fire extinguisher by my side while I read this book!!
June 9, 2020
Wow!!! Read this one. Gritty and realistic cop story....
September 16, 2020
As gritty and authentic as the crime ridden New York it chronicles. Great writing and great characters.
January 25, 2021
I really enjoy this writer's style of writing but this novel was just too graphic for me. I couldn't finish it.
January 7, 2022
Loved this book and loved the police officers/characters in it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews