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Midtown Blue #1
The Deuce
Just when New York City police officer Tony Cavalucci is about to stop trying to combat crime, corruption on the job, and a failing family life, he is partnered with Joe Fiore, another Italian-American cop who exudes the strength and confidence for which Tony has been searching. A first novel.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 5, 2017
Caught off guard by this one. Downloaded it when it was offered free as a Kindle First. No indicators that it was in the Christian Fiction genre. I guess you have to be familiar with the various Christian publishing companies to know. I was all set to read some gritty, hard-edged NYC cop story. Yeah, well. . . .
Yes, this is a well written book with good characters and the descriptions of working for the NYPD and living in NY seem pretty authentic, but what you aren't told about this book is that it's "Christian Fiction." You don't realize this at first, but after a few chapters, the main character(a cop) gets stuck with a new partner. The main character is a depressed, lonely early 30's guy who drinks daily and has a highly dysfunctional family(a bitter mom, a dad who left the main character's mom for a younger woman(who seems to be proud of being a homewrecker), etc. Anyway, the new partner soon reveals himself to be a Jesus Freak and spends his time trying to counsel the main character about finding God and tells him and the crooks they encounter how much Jesus loves them all.
The main character accepts all this Jesus stuff and becomes "born again" a little too quickly and easily and the next thing you know, he and his partner are having Bible study and reading and discussing the bible during downtime during their shifts.
If you can't stomach this sort of thing, skip past this one. It's basically a "My life sucked until I gave it to God," story. I should have known something was up when I read several chapters involving cops that drink heavily and womanize and not a single swear word in the dialogue.
I don't regret reading the book, but I certainly am not paying money to read the others(this apparently is a series).
Yes, this is a well written book with good characters and the descriptions of working for the NYPD and living in NY seem pretty authentic, but what you aren't told about this book is that it's "Christian Fiction." You don't realize this at first, but after a few chapters, the main character(a cop) gets stuck with a new partner. The main character is a depressed, lonely early 30's guy who drinks daily and has a highly dysfunctional family(a bitter mom, a dad who left the main character's mom for a younger woman(who seems to be proud of being a homewrecker), etc. Anyway, the new partner soon reveals himself to be a Jesus Freak and spends his time trying to counsel the main character about finding God and tells him and the crooks they encounter how much Jesus loves them all.
The main character accepts all this Jesus stuff and becomes "born again" a little too quickly and easily and the next thing you know, he and his partner are having Bible study and reading and discussing the bible during downtime during their shifts.
If you can't stomach this sort of thing, skip past this one. It's basically a "My life sucked until I gave it to God," story. I should have known something was up when I read several chapters involving cops that drink heavily and womanize and not a single swear word in the dialogue.
I don't regret reading the book, but I certainly am not paying money to read the others(this apparently is a series).
May 17, 2020
Too much religion for me
Way too much bible quoting for me. I don’t mind a little religion woven into a story, but this has so much, I found it off putting.
Way too much bible quoting for me. I don’t mind a little religion woven into a story, but this has so much, I found it off putting.
June 3, 2023
What a steaming pile of crap! A cop's conversion to Christianity wrapped up in a police procedural, and a by-the-numbers one, at that. This couple needs to hang up writing and go into street corner proselytizing. That way, I won't be blindsided into wasting my time!
August 15, 2012
When I started this book, I honestly didn't think I was going to like it; but it turned out to be a nice surprise. Thirty-something, hard drinking, fast living, Tony Cavalucci who is a cop with the NYPD feels he doesn't have much left to live for. Tired of the job, lost his girlfriend, and generally discouraged by his job; he's ready to give up on life. When his partner is hurt and he is assigned to Joe Fiore, he meets a copy who exudes confidence, is filled with joy and meets life head on. Tony begins to find out what makes Joe this kind of man and in turn meets a Christ he never knew that puts him back on the road to life.
November 30, 2017
CKN Christian Publishing did readers a favor by bringing this book to our attention. Not too long ago I reviewed another book by F.P. Lione, which by the way is a writing team, not a single author. It's apparent the team loves to use New York City as a setting. So first of all, if you are a country loving person like me, don't turn away from the book because of this. Give it a fair chance. It is well worth it.
Second, if you are a person who easily gets lost in the trees for the forest, you may struggle a little bit with the beginning half of the book. There are a lot of details, but if you take a moment and look at the big picture, there is a good reason for this. The first half of the book sets the scene, the premise, and the background of the main character, Tony Cavalucci, a 10-year veteran NYPD cop. The reason I say this is because this writing team demonstrates a rare quality I do not find often in the writing industry, in my opinion. Wannabe writers often hear the warning, "show, don't tell." In other words, don't just tell the reader what you want them to know, show them. Make it an experience. Most writers I know try really hard to do this, but it isn't easy to accomplish. Well, if you want to see how it is done, then read this book. But you must read it all the way through to the end without judgment to understand the point of the story. I'm afraid many readers just won't get it. The pace is not the breakneck speed we are used to when watching crime and cop shows on television. It tends to move more slowly at first, picking up the pace mid way. It could possibly be too easy to get lost in the details and miss the crux of the matter.
Thirdly, if you love police procedurals, this is a story you'll enjoy. At the very least, the first half of the book is about the daily life and matters during the main character's patrol with his partner Joe. Just be aware this is not written to give you an adrenaline rush. What I appreciate about this part of the book is that it is gritty and nasty, but not crude or graphic. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's family reading, but it is a good clean read without filth. The point however in this first section is that you feel what Tony feels about his life. I think the authors did a remarkable job in portraying the despair and futility that hits Tony day after day. It is written in such a way that the reader is meant to feel this with him. If you don't, you may miss the crucial turning point for this good cop in the second half of the book.
I won't say much about the turning point of this story except to say that it takes time and it's subtle. It's not as easy as turning Tony from sour to saint. Not at all. In fact, the way the story ends is much more true to life than most Christian fiction books I read. Instead of a definitive end, you could say that at the conclusion of the book you feel that this is just the beginning for Tony. I felt that way and thought to myself, "I would definitely want to read more." So if the hints are true, and this is a series, then I'll be very happy to read more. I hope you will too when you read this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from CKN Christian Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Second, if you are a person who easily gets lost in the trees for the forest, you may struggle a little bit with the beginning half of the book. There are a lot of details, but if you take a moment and look at the big picture, there is a good reason for this. The first half of the book sets the scene, the premise, and the background of the main character, Tony Cavalucci, a 10-year veteran NYPD cop. The reason I say this is because this writing team demonstrates a rare quality I do not find often in the writing industry, in my opinion. Wannabe writers often hear the warning, "show, don't tell." In other words, don't just tell the reader what you want them to know, show them. Make it an experience. Most writers I know try really hard to do this, but it isn't easy to accomplish. Well, if you want to see how it is done, then read this book. But you must read it all the way through to the end without judgment to understand the point of the story. I'm afraid many readers just won't get it. The pace is not the breakneck speed we are used to when watching crime and cop shows on television. It tends to move more slowly at first, picking up the pace mid way. It could possibly be too easy to get lost in the details and miss the crux of the matter.
Thirdly, if you love police procedurals, this is a story you'll enjoy. At the very least, the first half of the book is about the daily life and matters during the main character's patrol with his partner Joe. Just be aware this is not written to give you an adrenaline rush. What I appreciate about this part of the book is that it is gritty and nasty, but not crude or graphic. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's family reading, but it is a good clean read without filth. The point however in this first section is that you feel what Tony feels about his life. I think the authors did a remarkable job in portraying the despair and futility that hits Tony day after day. It is written in such a way that the reader is meant to feel this with him. If you don't, you may miss the crucial turning point for this good cop in the second half of the book.
I won't say much about the turning point of this story except to say that it takes time and it's subtle. It's not as easy as turning Tony from sour to saint. Not at all. In fact, the way the story ends is much more true to life than most Christian fiction books I read. Instead of a definitive end, you could say that at the conclusion of the book you feel that this is just the beginning for Tony. I felt that way and thought to myself, "I would definitely want to read more." So if the hints are true, and this is a series, then I'll be very happy to read more. I hope you will too when you read this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from CKN Christian Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
August 10, 2019
This Midtown Blue series is great! I love gritty stories about cops working in metropolis settings, these take place in New York City, where crime never stops. This also has a nice Christian slant to it as this cop struggles with his faith while dealing with new friendships, family drama and working with all kinds of cops, good and bad. The Christian aspect doesn't shove itself down your throat, either, like so many other Christian based books do.
This series is believable, readable and at times extremely intense. The authors are a married couple who are retired cops, I believe, so they write about what they know and they write well.
A good read!
This series is believable, readable and at times extremely intense. The authors are a married couple who are retired cops, I believe, so they write about what they know and they write well.
A good read!
April 15, 2023
Not a fan. The writing was almost wooden. I woke up at such and such a time, I brushed my teeth, but my toothpaste was almost gone, then I had coffee for breakfast, then I did this, then I did that. I realize that the focus of the book was on the spiritual transformation of the main character which was written about better, but the description of the policework that surrounded that was very matter-of-fact and aimless. There was too much "we responded to an alarm, but we didn't find anything". Maybe it was to give the reader a more realistic view of policework since not everything is exciting all the time.
November 18, 2019
I really wish I could give this book more stars. Through most of it I was captivated by the story of a list man telling me the story in Long form of how he came to know Christ... But there were too many moments where I just cringed at the incorrect doctrine or the doctrine that was not clear enough to about the misunderstanding of a list person who knew nothing about God or salvation. So I do not personally recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2019
Loved this series
I don’t know how many different ways I can say this but
I didn’t want this series to end
I loved Joe and Tony but I wanted the family to continue through until all of them made a stand for Christ
I don’t know how many different ways I can say this but
I didn’t want this series to end
I loved Joe and Tony but I wanted the family to continue through until all of them made a stand for Christ
December 17, 2020
This is exactly what I was looking for on research material about the life of a cop in NYC (with the Christian message in it). I’m so glad I came upon this series. I can’t wait to read all the other books!
PS: the book reads as a “documentary” which it was exactly what I needed for my research.
PS: the book reads as a “documentary” which it was exactly what I needed for my research.
March 19, 2024
A whole lot of realistic police-on-the-street material, but way too much detail and just not engaging for me. Kinda slow and boring.
February 3, 2015
When I found out that F.P. Lione (pen name of husband and wife authors Frank & Pam Lione) was a veteran of the NYPD and a child of NYPD detectives, I knew this book would be authentic. And on each page I felt that authenticity in the details of NYPD cop, Tony Cavalucci's life, both on duty and off.
This book reads a lot like a documentary, or an uncut taping of Cops. And that's a good thing. It all begins when Tony, hungover and struggling to perform his duties, is assigned a new partner: good-guy Joe Fiore. Not what Tony needs on an already bad day. And to make matters worse, Fiore is a Christian. Like oil trying to mix with water, Tony isn't looking forward to mixing with Fiore. But getting a new partner is just the tip of the iceberg of Tony's troubles. Soon he faces the prospect of his childhood home being sold right out from under him by his father and step-mother, which only escalates his drinking problem and the disfunctionality of his Italian family. Will the stresses of the job and his growing despair take him out for good? Or will someone intervene before it's too late?
THE DEUCE doesn't sugar-coat anything. Whether it's the description of a suicide-by-hanging crime scene, or Fiore boldly sharing his faith, this novel is all about reality - what it's really like to work the midnight shift in one of the world's busiest cities, and most importantly, what it's really like when God grabs hold of your life and won't let go. You may need a little caffeine to get through some of the long descriptions (running several paragraphs in spots), but that's a small quibble for an otherwise excellently written first novel.
F.P. Lione is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. I recommend this novel (Book 1 in the Midtown Blue series) to fans of police procedurals for its details of police work, but also to readers of contemporary novels.
This book reads a lot like a documentary, or an uncut taping of Cops. And that's a good thing. It all begins when Tony, hungover and struggling to perform his duties, is assigned a new partner: good-guy Joe Fiore. Not what Tony needs on an already bad day. And to make matters worse, Fiore is a Christian. Like oil trying to mix with water, Tony isn't looking forward to mixing with Fiore. But getting a new partner is just the tip of the iceberg of Tony's troubles. Soon he faces the prospect of his childhood home being sold right out from under him by his father and step-mother, which only escalates his drinking problem and the disfunctionality of his Italian family. Will the stresses of the job and his growing despair take him out for good? Or will someone intervene before it's too late?
THE DEUCE doesn't sugar-coat anything. Whether it's the description of a suicide-by-hanging crime scene, or Fiore boldly sharing his faith, this novel is all about reality - what it's really like to work the midnight shift in one of the world's busiest cities, and most importantly, what it's really like when God grabs hold of your life and won't let go. You may need a little caffeine to get through some of the long descriptions (running several paragraphs in spots), but that's a small quibble for an otherwise excellently written first novel.
F.P. Lione is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. I recommend this novel (Book 1 in the Midtown Blue series) to fans of police procedurals for its details of police work, but also to readers of contemporary novels.
December 16, 2011
A long read, but a really good book. Despite the on the job scenes and details of Tony's home life, this book was mainly about Tony coming to God with the help of his new partner Fiore.
Fiore was a little textbook with his sharing of Jesus at first, but that seemed realistic after I thought on it-he basically repeated what most of us learn. So, kept to the basics, which probably worked best in this case. Most importantly, you could tell he was sincere and genuinely was concerned for Tony's well being. The fact the sharing got more personal as the book went on, definitely helped.
What I liked most, though, was Tony's journey. He didn't understand Christ and his love at first. He struggled, made mistakes, and Fiore stuck by him through family and venturing into dating again. It felt real, and I got a little choked up toward the end seeing Tony's character transformation in action.
My only real complaint was a personal preference. There is an excessive amount of detail in this book. You will know everything Tony eats, wears, or goes at every hour of the day. Everything. It is horribly monotonous, especially in the beginning. On the other hand, it does an amazing job of dragging the reader down to Tony's level of depression and pointlessness. On that front it works pretty well, and it does pick up as Tony's attitude changes for the better.
Overall? I really liked it. It was a great, sincere tale of Tony starting his journey to know Christ. I'm glad I stuck it through.
Fiore was a little textbook with his sharing of Jesus at first, but that seemed realistic after I thought on it-he basically repeated what most of us learn. So, kept to the basics, which probably worked best in this case. Most importantly, you could tell he was sincere and genuinely was concerned for Tony's well being. The fact the sharing got more personal as the book went on, definitely helped.
What I liked most, though, was Tony's journey. He didn't understand Christ and his love at first. He struggled, made mistakes, and Fiore stuck by him through family and venturing into dating again. It felt real, and I got a little choked up toward the end seeing Tony's character transformation in action.
My only real complaint was a personal preference. There is an excessive amount of detail in this book. You will know everything Tony eats, wears, or goes at every hour of the day. Everything. It is horribly monotonous, especially in the beginning. On the other hand, it does an amazing job of dragging the reader down to Tony's level of depression and pointlessness. On that front it works pretty well, and it does pick up as Tony's attitude changes for the better.
Overall? I really liked it. It was a great, sincere tale of Tony starting his journey to know Christ. I'm glad I stuck it through.
March 8, 2013
I borrowed this book from a friend of mine who is a police sergeant. I look up to him a lot not only because of what he does but through the journeys and battles he's been through. When I hit a tough spot in my life several years ago he recommended this book along with several others. It has a topic of which I am very familiar with and one that I wish I was more involved. It is very well written and doesn't force anything on you but allows you to open yours eyes. One of the moments in the book that had me open my eyes was on page 220 "He said that in 2 Peter 1:3, the Bible says God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness. We can win our battles if we see things through the eyes of faith instead of our own eyes. To do something that we know we can do doesn't take any faith."
June 6, 2014
This book is an interesting account of a fictional , New York City cop, and his struggles. Writen by F.P. Lione a former member of the NYPD, the book is full of descriptive details, that gives you a good idea of the events taking place. It is very interesting, it takes you through though the daily events of the cops shift, while also showing the problems inherent with living a reckless life style. The protagonist Joe is a cop struggling in his persoal life, and his partner shows him how God can help. I find it hard to explain any more of the book without spoiling it. It's an interesting read and I recommend it, however it becomes less interesting towards the end of the book. I guess the theme of this book would be change. The plot would be how Joe fights his demons with the help of a good friend and God.
August 1, 2012
This will probably go down as one of the worst books I have ever read. The characters were flat. There was no plot outside of the main character starting to question his values. To me this was just an account of a cops day to day life. There was no real antagonist, unless you count the protagonist as the antagonist. This may be the case in this story as he seems to be his own worst enemy. The postive things about this story is the the protagonists partner. I really liked the way he carried himself. Confident and full of God's love. He showed this to everyone that he came in to contact with, he truly exemplyfied what being a man of God is all about. It's to bad the rest of the story couldn't measure up to his standards.
May 5, 2013
when I was looking through the library database this wad labeled under mystery/ thriller. It was mislabeled. Through the first half the book the only thing that kept me turning pages was my inate stubbornness. That said this was a good story of one man finding his way through life and his faith. the story lags in parts, but it is solid all in all.
September 6, 2011
i really liked the book. I thought it was extremely realistic for what it's like being a police officer and I thought the story line was extremely believable. i am looking forward to reading the next two in the series
April 15, 2013
I liked it. This book is by Christian authors. Sometimes the characters in these types of books are wishy-washy, but in this book I thought there was some depth to them. Book was a bit "preachy" for my taste, but I'm sure that was what the authors had in mind.
February 14, 2012
I didn't particularly like the hero in the early part of the book, but the whole message is his redemption, and he is a changed person at the end.
August 6, 2013
Enjoyed this novel, especially once I realized it had been mislabeled. Will read others in series.
July 27, 2022
I found this story believable, and enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews