Tin Badges: A Novel

By Lorenzo Carcaterra

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Sleepers and The Wolf, hailed as “simply the best” (Steve Berry) and “one of the most intriguing writers around” (Newsweek). . . .
 
A top NYPD detective is pulled out of retirement to take down a notorious drug dealer. But will he risk the only family he’s ever had to crack the case?

As one of the NYPD’s most trusted “tin badges”—retired detectives brought in to solve cases that are beyond the reach of the everyday force—Tank Rizzo has faced off against some of the city’s toughest criminals without breaking a sweat. To tackle a case involving a dangerous kingpin known as Gonzo, Tank turns to his best friend and ex-partner, Pearl; a former mobster living out a seemingly quiet retirement as the owner of Tank’s favorite Italian restaurant; and a team of expert misfits he would trust with his life. But Gonzo will stop at nothing to defend the empire he's built, and won't hesitate to make it personal.

Then Tank gets a call telling him that his brother and sister-in-law, estranged from him for many years, have been killed in a horrific car accident. Tank is the only family left for his orphaned teenage nephew, Chris, although he knows his lifestyle is ill-suited to win him father of the year.

Chris moves in with Tank, and the two circle each other warily. It’s only when Chris reveals an interest in true crime and a genius-level skill with computers that they begin to bond. Chris’s skills may be exactly what Tank’s team needs to take Gonzo down—but getting him involved could put his life at risk.

Advance praise for Tin Badges

“Carcaterra capably combines his trademark adrenaline-fueled action with the emotion involved in Tank taking on a parental role for a sometimes surly teen. All this needs, after a cliff-hanger close, is a sequel, and, fortunately, one is promised.” —Booklist

“Another gem from a writer who has earned his spot at the top echelon of suspense masters . . . Everything here leaps from the page, never stinting on the harsh reality, delivering a spicy, smart, and entertaining adventure.”—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9780345526472

Reviews for Tin Badges

[norinrad10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This one should have been renamed 'Tin Ear". A passable police yarn rendered nearly unreadable by the lack of authentic dialog. Lorenzo Carcaterra is a veteran writer who's books often find themselves on the best sellers list. To his credit, previous efforts, Sleepers and Apaches, were markedly better than this outing. Tin Badges tells the story of a group of retired police officers who handle the hard cases for the NY Police Department. Cases that for whatever reason, the NYPD couldn't bring to resolution. A sub-plot involves the nephew of the teams's leader Tank Rizzo, who suddenly finds himself an orphan and forced to move in with Rizzo when his parents are killed in a mysterious car crash. Rizzo speak in a manner familiar to anyone who's ever watched an episode of Hillstreet Blues or Law and Order. Rizzo is meant to be one of those gruff, tough guys with a heart of gold characters, but on more than one occasion I found myself thinking, "What a dick."Proceed with this one at your own risk, just know that there are much better crime novels available and while spending time with this pedestrian read, you are not enjoying them.

[dokfintong · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Bottom ShelfI really disliked this book. It's about disabled cop (although one never hears that his wound bothers him) cop who occasionally takes on consulting work for the police department. For each assignment he pulls together a team of oddballs and misfits to pull off an improbable heist. Sound like a movie franchise we all know???The writing is stiff and bland. Themes, settings, jokes inserted only to allow Mr. Caracterra to use historical details to add "color" to what is really basic, plot-driven writing. This happens, then that happens and then they do this other thing in this church that was built in XXX and used by XXX and decorated by XXX. The jokes are stupid.My reading notes highlights improbable happenings, behaviors, and dialogue I consider way out of reality for the actors (can't say "characters" because there are no characters here, only automatons). And every good thing in the book is "top-shelf", a writing tic that is irritating as hell.As far as I am concerned, this book isn't worth reading even as a freebie. You have much better things to do with your life.I received a review copy of "Tin Badges" by Lorenzo Carcaterra from Random House – Ballantine through NetGalley.com.

[darcia_10 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Lack of attention to details ruined this book for me. From the book's description, we know Tank gets custody of his nephew. But here's the problem: there is no will naming Tank, or anyone else, as the child's guardian. And yet, there is no social worker, no hearing, no legal proceedings at all. Tank simply tells the kid he gets to decide where he wants to live, and then the kid packs a bag and off they go.Attention to detail doesn't get better as the story moves along. Issues were either ignored, such as the child's family home that was simply abandoned, or they were completely implausible in how they played out.The genre's tone is hard-boiled, in that way of a tough, morally ambiguous main character with a lot of grit. Tank is interesting in that sense, if not slightly overdone. The female characters are largely absent. The bad guys are total stereotypes. And then, after unrealistic action scenes, we come to the end, where we're left with a cliffhanger. I dislike cliffhangers.You might love this book if you're a fan of the old pulp fiction detective stories, and if you're not concerned about details making sense. I won't be continuing on with this series.*I received a review copy from the publisher, via Amazon Vine.*

[grumpydan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tank is a retired police detective who now makes his living investigating cold cases. He was born to be a cop and loves the job, and his relationship with the Police Chief lets him do what he loves to do. With his former partner and a crew of non-cops, they work on these cases. When Tank’s estranged brother and sister-in-law die in a car crash, he also takes on the role of parent for his nephew. When the gang gets a cold case that is not really that cold and involves drug dealers and crooked cops, the s#$t hits the fan. This is a faced paced thriller that not only deals with the criminal aspect but the personal side tow. Relationships are fleshed out so that you love these characters and feel for them. The story keeps going and I didn’t want it to end. Am looking forward to the next chapter in hopefully a new series involving Tank and his crew.

[jannid-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“Tin Badges” is a terrific readLorenzo Carcaterra has written an exciting roller coaster of a story about a couple of beaten up retired NYPD detectives who cannot quite bring themselves to just sit around in rocking chairs - or wheelchairs. Tank and Pearl are flawed, yet good people doing some of the most difficult work possible - chasing cold cases from NYPD. I am rooting for Tank’s nephew and cannot wait for Book 2! This one was an advance copy from the publisher - thank you!

[robynelee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an excellent crime novel with a clean, spare writing style that moves the plot along quickly, which is important as it was hard to put down. The characters felt like real people, like some folks I may have already met. This is the second of the author’s books I have read, and I enjoyed both immensely. Great story. Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC. #TinBadges

[bonnie.franks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A truly remarkable detective/cold case/family story! I would give it more stars if I could.I have always been a fan of detective stories. I have never read one with quite the angle of this one and I appreciate every word of it. The characters are relatable, I felt their pain and their happiness. I felt the awkwardness of being a teenager. I felt the truthfulness of dealing with bad things on a daily basis. The honesty. The action! Can't forget the action in this book! The writing! The writing is what glues it together and makes it all work and run the way it does. I loved this book. So will you.More, please, more.I received my copy of this book from NetGalley.com and the publisher. Many thanks to them.

[jfe16 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Review of uncorrected proofTommy Rizzo, commonly referred to as Tank, now works as a tin badge whenever the chief of detectives hands the retired NYPD detective an unsolved case to investigate. Both Tank and his partner, Frank Monroe, better known as Pearl, suffered severe injuries while working their last on-the-job case, injuries that left Pearl wheelchair-bound. But Pearl remains an important part of the team Tank has gathered to assist him in these cold case investigations.Tank accepts a rape/assault cold case from Chief Ray Connors; early in the investigation, it becomes clear that there are unanticipated aspects to the case and the case takes a dangerous turn when cocaine dealer Juan Marichal Gonzalez, known on the street at Gonzo, becomes the focus of the investigation. Complicating matters for Tank, he unexpectedly becomes the guardian for his nephew, Chris, when the teen’s parents die in an automobile accident. As much as Tank wants to protect Chris and the other members of his self-adopted family, the danger associated with the case grows as the investigation changes in unexpected ways. Will Tank be able to find the answers and bring down the criminals without endangering the lives of those he holds most dear?This absorbing tale of police and drug pushers isn’t short on action, but as police work often is, it is gritty. The fast pace, aided by short chapters, keeps the suspense building and the tension mounting. Believable, well-developed characters populate the story; it is these strong characterizations, and the vivid sense of place, that give the narrative its realism. Although readers may predict some of the outcomes in advance, the plot takes several surprising twists that ratchet up the apprehension for the reader. With most of the major plot points addressed as the unfolding story comes to a close, a completely unexpected revelation is certain to surprise the reader as it foreshadows the next installment of the series.Highly recommended.I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books and NetGalley #TinBadges #NetGalley