Criminal Instinct Prequel to the True Blue Detective: True Blue Detective

By vito zuppardo

What a great series. The stories captured me on the first page, and then it got better with every page I turned.

 

From a beloved master of crime fiction, True Blue Detective features Mario DeLuca, the hard-boiled detective of the New Orleans French Quarter.

A detective with something to prove and desperate for justice. Mario DeLuca always wanted to be a cop and put bad guys behind bars. Can he bring law and order to the streets of New Orleans, or will his dream of bringing the city's worst thugs to justice cost him more than he ever dreamed?

 

This story is a prequel, taking place immediately before the events in the first book of the True Blue Detective series.

 

The series has action, drama, mystery, relationships, and crime and is a front-row seat from a New Orleans cop's perspective: cruising the streets, dealing with injustice, visiting local businesses, and interacting with the exciting people in this unique, historic city.

• Language: English
• Publisher: vito zuppardo
• Release date: Apr 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393823490

vito zuppardo

Encouraged by the feedback received from readers of his first book, based on true events of his years of dealing with high rollers in Las Vegas and by the interest displayed by the movie industry, Vito wrote an adaptation of his debut novel Alluring Lady Luck for the  big screen. The novel was received well by critics and readers, and received inquiries from Hollywood.   Vito Zuppardo is the author of 5 novels and started writing in 2010. He spent 25 years in the casino business operating high limit gaming customers to various casinos around the world.  It's his life adventures that make his books fun to read, and characters stand out.   Reviews state 'characters are very well defined' and 'the story captured me on the first page and then it got better with every page I turned.   Vito released the first novel Alluring Lady Luck in 2010 Inspired by a true story by the man behind the most exclusive high-stakes gaming party jets to casino around the world.    In 2011 Tales of Lady Luck a well-received book dug deeper into characters on the exclusives VIP list.   Vito, turned his attention to writing thrillers and the first novel True Blue Detective was a hit. Followed by Crescent City Detective, and a series called Voodoo Lucy, Tupelo Gypsy.   Vito was born and raised in New Orleans and moved to Baton Rouge, after Hurricane Katrina. Life is truly what you make of it.

Book preview

Also by

Vito Zuppardo

True Blue Detective series

True Blue Detective

Crescent City Detective

Vieux Carré Detective

Street Justice

Escape To New Orleans

Two Kinds of Justice

Irish Bayou

The Auction House

Voodoo Lucy series

Tupelo Gypsy

Revenge

Club Twilight

Mirror of Lies

Lady Luck series

Alluring Lady Luck

Tales of Lady Luck

WANT MORE?

START THE VOODOO LUCY

and

TRUE BLUE DETECTIVE SERIES

AT THE END OF THIS BOOK.

CHAPTER ONE

The life of a New Orleans drug enforcement police officer can be overwhelming, especially one working undercover. Even when he’s off duty—he’s on. Watching his surroundings had become second nature for Mario DeLuca. He observed a guy sitting alone peek at his watch every few minutes in the restaurant. Mario wondered if he was waiting for a date to show or something terrible was about to happen. The guy was too nervous for a blind date.

The cop mentality stepped in; maybe he was the driver for a holdup, a drug drop, or a scam. It was not clear, but Mario had an eye on him. He was half-listening to the beautiful woman he dated recently, who was sitting across the table. She was giving him a rundown on her day at the hospital. He was interested but couldn’t repeat to her one thing she’d said.

Mario was a devoted cop looking to make a detective, and this was the lifestyle he chose. On his nightstand at home was the book that changed his life: The Police Academy Handbook, the guide to becoming a New Orleans police officer. He’d run his hand over it every night, kind of a ritual before drifting off to sleep, reminiscing about the Christmas that changed his life.

Mario! Kate demanded in a tone unbecoming to her. Did you hear anything I said?

He reached for her hand with the broad smile that won her over months ago. I heard everything you said. Just don’t ask me to repeat any of it.

Bringing her into his world was something she hated but tolerated. He explained why he was so intrigued by the guy across the room. The little bullshit details that no one else would pick up on or care about. She listened to why the way the man glared at the front entrance, his body language, and the way he cocked his head every time the hostess seated a guest was so important.

She admitted that the guy looked jumpy. Maybe he’s going to propose to the love of his life, she said with a glare Mario had seen often.

Mario shot that theory down, explaining if that were the case, he’d touch the pocket the ring was in—even pull it out and open the box. Check the diamond he was so proud of.

There, did you see that?

The guy had reached inside his coat around his belt for the third time. Mario caught it; Kate didn’t notice.

An older couple finished dinner at a nearby table, and the man looked over the bill. She pointed across the room at the table for two. Okay, Mr. Wannabe Detective, tell me what that older couple is discussing.

Mario observed, silent for a few seconds. He’s going to question the bill. He didn’t know the special dinner was so expensive. Mario laughed. "People are too embarrassed to ask the dinner price when ordering, then get pissed to see the cost