Tag: Lou Manfredo

Dusted Off: Rizzo’s Daughter by Lou Manfredo

Rizzo's DaughterRizzo’s Daughter

by Lou Manfredo
Hardcover, 304 pg.
Minotaur Books, 2012

Not the best of the Rizzo books, but it’s still one of the most compelling and honest (and brutal) books I’ve read this year.

Manfredo has never shied away from the ethical gray areas — this time he dives in further than before (and honestly, maybe veers to the more black than gray area).

The mini-cases that are featured here, alongside the two major cases, as perhaps more interesting than their counterparts and once again give you insight into the world of the NYPD as much as they give you something interesting to read. The procedure is authentic, the violence isn’t dazzling as it is in similar books, which makes it more brutal and more real.

Even though this wasn’t my favorite, what Manfredo has set up for the two Rizzos in blue can’t come fast enough for me. So glad I stumbled onto this series.

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3 Stars

Dusted Off: Rizzo’s Fire by Lou Manfredo

Rizzo's FireRizzo’s Fire

by Lou Manfredo
Hardcover, 304 pg.
Minotaur Books, 2011

It’s always tough to follow up a strong first book–and Manfredo isn’t the first author to come up a little shorter the second time around.

Still, it’s a solid read. Each page, each moment screams “authentic.” Not just because of what Manfredo used to do, though that certainly helps. The way that Rizzo and Cil have to juggle cases, call in and ask for favors, cut deals with all sorts of unsavory types, play politics, so on and so forth–if that’s not as close as you can get to reality, I don’t know what is.

The central case is less-than-gripping, but it’s still good to see solid procedure in a police procedural (even if our heroes cut a few corners). And I could sit and listen to Sergeant Rizzo tell war stories and share his philosophy of crime solving for hours.

Not a great book, but a really good one.

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3 Stars

Dusted Off: Rizzo’s War by Lou Manfredo

Rizzo's WarRizzo’s War

by Lou Manfredo
Hardcover, 290 pg.
Minotaur Books, 2009

Wow! Where has Manfredo been all my life? This was a gripping tale with great characters and just enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Sure, I have no way of knowing how authentically the characters, situations, and ethics of the NYPD detectives are depicted, but man, it couldn’t feel more authentic. You get the feeling you’ve been shadowing actual detectives for eleven months by the time you’re done.

Can’t wait for the sequels!

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4 Stars

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