Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Blood and the Badge:
Sometimes the apple falls right next to the damn tree.
Quick synopsis:
The story of two corrupt NYPD detectives in the 1980s.
Fact for Non-History People:
When an internal police trial is conducted there is no fifth amendment protections or appeals.
Fact for History Nerds:
Actual mafia members really loved the movie Goodfellas.
My Take on Blood and the Badge:
I get a visceral reaction to bad guys who are supposed to be good guys. I know it clearly is because I come from a family of law enforcement officers who are not scum that prey on people for money like the main characters of Michael Cannell’s Blood and the Badge. It has been quite a while since I read a book where I wanted to skip to the end because I needed the satisfaction of the villains getting their comeuppance. It still felt hollow.
Cannell tells the story of two dirty detectives Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa. Eppolito actually was the son of a major Mafia member. He somehow became a police detective and, well, exactly what you think would happen, happened. Cue my shocked face.
Cannell writes at a brisk pace, and I don’t know if it will be too much for someone just dropping into the story of La Cosa Nostra activities during the 70s. For instance, I wanted a lot more about how terrible cops like Eppolito and Caracappa could thrive in the NYPD during this time. Cannell almost assumes the reader would know why and that may leave a few people scratching their heads.
In the end, this is a book that is perfect for someone who wants their story to be, “just the facts and no fluff.” For someone who wants to understand the big “why” then you will probably still enjoy it but be left wanting more.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press.)
Verdict:
An enraging true crime story. Buy it here!
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