While not quite as gritty as I expected, Tin Badges is a solid crime novel. It’s very smart and both the plot and characters keep you intrigued.

I loved Tank Rizzo, and especially loved how family, friendship, and the streets all intertwined here.

Carcarterra’s writing style is tight and stylish, making this a compelling read.

I enjoyed this and would like more Tank Rizzo books in the future!


*ARC Provided via Net Galley

It's been a number of years since I last read one of Lorenzo Carcaterra's novels and to be honest, I haven't kept up with his career. But I would know the name anywhere and was really excited to see he has a new novel coming out.

I thought the premise of this novel was great and the first few chapters had me hooked. Unfortunately, after those chapters, the pace slowed down quite a bit and didn't pick up again until about the halfway mark. I stuck with it and went on quite the thrill ride until the end.

I loved the strength of the characters in this book. Each one was well developed. The short, snappy chapters and appropriate headings made it easy to keep track of the timeline and settings. The initial crime that spiraled into something much greater was interesting to figure out.

I didn't care for some of the lengthy descriptions of characters that weren't crucial to the storyline. Also, I felt like Chris's acceptance into the group and his living situation with his uncle was too easy. For a kid who just lost both of his parents, I expected more conflict between him and his uncle. There were some tense moments, but not enough. We're told that Chris is angry, but I wasn't really seeing it. The ending of this book set up a nice opportunity for a sequel and if that happens, I'm hoping this is something that's explored a bit more.

Overall, this was a quick read and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent. The story moves smoothly from beginning to end. There is humor, action, loss. I was touched at the beginning, loss that was poignantly done. The bad guys are well and truly written. This does end with a set up for the next book. Well done with a bite.

There's a lot of sweating going. I think the novel may have set a record for the number of characters who were sweating, usually from the back of the neck. One guy's sweat was pooling at his feet! Top that, will you? As it is, the novel did not make me sweat. It was a bit of a comic book. The plot is very straightforward, and we are given numerous scenarios where the protagonist could die. Of course, we knew he wouldn't. As for a police novel, well, it wasn't entirely unrealistic. The bad cops got their due, and it turned out that the chief wasn't crooked too. All in all, a pleasant read at the beach or on a short flight.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Tin Badges represents one of my favorite types of thrillers - it's part police procedural, part gritty street fight, and part character study. Tank and his partner, Pearl, are former NYPD detectives who were forced to retire because of severe job-related injuries. Both are rough and tough yet there is a moral compass that guides them to fight the bad guys and not ever give up. They are well-rounded characters who find joy in music and good food rather than dank bars and shoddy behavior. Their retirement, with Pearl now severely disabled, has not put them out of the crime fighting scene; they and a small team of specialists now quietly work specially chosen cases under the auspices of the chief of detectives. Some of the "specialists" may have been on opposites sides of the law but all have a sense of honor and responsibility to community.

Tank has never married and when his estranged brother and sister-in-law are killed in a car accident, Tank finds himself as the guardian of their fifteen-year-old son, Chris. Chris may be young but he is mighty with a computer so his unique skill set makes him a viable team member. Their relationship is awkward and tentative but Tank's basic humane core has another opportunity to be expressed.

The current case involves a cold case of two women brutally assaulted during a home invasion. It isn't long before drugs, crooked cops, and money laundering come into the story. Again that moral compass keeps Tank et al focused on what's right. It's a long, complicated, bloody war with no one left unscathed.

Carcaterra leaves an open question at the end of this satisfying read that perhaps could be the foundation for a sequel.
#NetGalley #TinBadges

Sometimes I find myself drawn into a book because of a certain combination of characters, and Tin Badges has this in spades. "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—" Tommy (Tank) Rizzo, retired from the police force because of an injury, is given cold cases in a sort of freelance manner.

He and his former partner Pearl, who is now confined to a wheelchair, have assembled a team of various misfit experts whose operations have not always been legal. Their most recent case is a vicious attack on two women and a connection to a brutal drug lord

Then Tank gets a call that his brother and sister-in-law have been killed in a car accident. The brothers have had no contact for years, and Tank finds himself guardian of an almost fifteen-year-old nephew that he doesn't even know.

Devastated by the death of both parents, angry that an uncle who has had no contact with his family is now his only choice for a home, young Chris is bitter, but curious about the case Tank and his unorthodox team are involved in. With outstanding computer skills and an interest in crime solving, Chris wants to work his way into the investigation. Chris also believes his parents were murdered and needs Tank to believe him.

Fast-paced and full of action and suspense, Tin Badges may not pass the reality test, but it will suck you in as you fear for the (relatively) good guys and despise the evil-doers.

The next one in this new series is definitely on my list as I want to find out more about the situation that occurred when Tank and his brother were young and about how he and Chris are going to solve the murders that are intimately connected to them both.

Read in May; blog review scheduled for Aug. 15, 2019.

NetGalley/Random House/Ballantine
Crime/Suspense. Aug. 27, 2019. Print length: 304 pages.

I had not read anything by this author before but after reading this, I certainly will remedy that situation. Tommy (Tank) Rizzo and his partner Pearl both leave the NYPD at the same time following a tragic confrontation that leaves Pearl a paraplegic and Tank emotionally shattered. He and Pearl both become tin badges - former cops called upon for special operations. This special op is a doozey - bring down a powerful drug lord and his empire.
Tank enlists the help of his various contacts, including the owner of Tank's favorite Italian restaurant who is a former wise guy with lots of connections.
Adding to all this chaos, Tank's brother and sister-in-law are killed in an auto accident and their son, Tank's nephew and only other family, comes to live with him. He brings with him a boatload of teenage angst and attitude.
I liked the characters in this book. They are flawed but likable. They do what they need to do in order to accomplish what they need to accomplish. The author is well versed in the police environment and the environs within which they operate. This is a well written book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime fiction.

How have I missed reading this author until now?!! I was hooked as soon as I read the first few pages! The characters and setting are both realistic and very believable. Fast paced story that captivates and holds your interest. I think I'd like to have a guy like Tank hang around! Looking forward to a follow up book with this motley crew.
No book report or spoilers from me, the jacket cover gives adequate info to tweak your interest.
If you like a good thriller that's not gorey or over uses profanity along with hint of family and romance you will love this book! Find a comfy spot though, once you start you won't be able to put the book down!
Thanks to the author,publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. I received this book in an exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

First book I’ve read by this author, and I could hardly put it down. The plot was great, but the character development was even better. Good and bad “good guys”, good and bad “bad guys”, and strong relationships between characters played pivotal roles in the story. The book can be read as a stand-alone, but the ending leaves room for a series to follow. Retired detective Tank and his partner, Pearl, bring together a remarkable team to work a cold case. Here’s hoping the gang gets together for a sequel.

5 stars

This is an addictive novel. I almost wanted to start it over as soon as I finished it.

In it, we meet retired detective Tank Rizzo, his partner and closest friend Pearl and a new gang of “irregulars.”

At the request of the Chief of Detectives of the NYPD Tank and Pearl are pulled out of retirement to investigate an attack on two women. It turns out to be a much bigger investigation than originally imagined. Following the clues in the case leads them to Gonzo, a semi-crazed drug lord. This guy plays for keeps.

Tank, Pearl, Chris (Tank's orphaned teenage nephew), come up with a brilliant, bold and daring plan to capture Gonzo and his band of n'er-do-wells with the aid of some old wise guys, gypsies and the NYPD.

This is a remarkable book. Mr. Carcaterra's psychological insights into Tank, Pearl and the others' personalities are brilliant. He lays out their histories and very smoothly subtly shows the motivations and reasons for their behavior, both currently and in the individual's past. He explains very well why are the way they are. And he makes it look effortless. (Which I'm sure it is not.) He captures the essence of the relationships between people.

The writing is excellent, as is the plotting of this story. I would love to read more about Tank, Pearl and the gang. I surely hope there is another novel about them.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

This book has an interesting premise: both retired cops and retired Mafia guys band together to try to stamp out a drug lord who has threatened both of them, (The enemy of my enemy....) The characters and plot thickens beyond this simplistic summary, however, and makes for some enjoyable reading and interesting circumstances with the strange bedfellows. While some of the scene descriptions could have been put together with a bit more care, overall I enjoyed this mystery and the issues that it raised about just who is a criminal and who is law enforcement. Suggest you try it out for yourself.

Review of uncorrected proof

Tommy 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

I devoured Tin Badges in one day. I hadn't realized that Lorenzo Carcaterra had also written one of my recent favorites, The Wolf, because the stories were very different.

Tin Badges is a detective thriller - set in today's New York with retired Tank Rizzo and his partner Pearl and their team of unorthodox crimefighters. Tank and Pearl were forced into retirement after significant, debilitating injuries in the line of duty. While Tank and Pearl are unable to work as regular police, their Captain gives them cold cases to solve.

The latest cold case leads to an eruption of violence and a link to a dangerous drug ring. Just as Tank and Pearl undertake to solve this case, Tank's younger brother is killed and Tank takes in his teenage nephew, Chris. Chris has plenty of anger and resentment against the uncle that was absent his entire life. But Tank and Chris share an interest in solving crimes/mysteries. Chris is a tech wizard and wants to help the team solve the latest mystery. When their investigation leads gun wielding criminals to attack those close to Tank, Tank and Pearl must decide how far to take the fight.

I loved the characters - beyond Pearl, Tank and Chris we have Tank's girl friend, the daughter of a "connected" boss, the retired mafioso (old school and with principles), the unconventional crime fighting team and their close relationships. Tin Badges introduces us to a team of unorthodox skills and players their adventure draws us in. Tin Badges is an engrossing, fun read!

Lorenzo Carcaterra has written another great novel with Tin Badges. An absolute page turner of a cop thriller.

"Tank" Rizzo is one of NYPD's Tin Badges, retired cops brought on in the hopes to solve old cases. Tank is handed a case of a burglary gone wrong. When Tank took the case, he wasn't aware that it would bring him across the paths of drug lord Gonzo. To help him solve the case he involves his former partner Pearl, a retired mobster, a band of misfits and Tanks nephew, which moved in with him, after losing his parents due to a traffic accident.

I thoroughly enjoyed Tin Badges, even though crime fiction is not my usual go to and the characters where easily like-able even though they had their flaws. The book is a fast read and I am looking forward to reading more books involving Tank and his companions.

I am a big fan of Lorenzo Carcaterra and his new novel did not disappoint. Tank Rizzo is a retired NY police officer who occasionally takes unsolved cases and investigates them--hence the name tin badge--with his own personal team (which includes his former partner, wheelchair bound Pearl) looking for possible facts and an outcome that the police have missed in their initial investigation. He is a tough-nosed, hard guy who lives alone but does have a soft spot for his girlfriend and her father who own the restaurant up the street that he frequents. He gets a case involving two women who were raped and beaten in their apartment that he begins to investigate. At the same time, in upstate New York his brother whom he does not speak to anymore, dies in a car accident with his wife leaving Tank's 14 year old nephew Chris suddenly in his care. Confirmed bachelor Tank and orphaned Chris have many adjustments to make. Tank's team's investigation digs deep into the case at hand and Chris manages to get involved because of his excellent computer skills. This is a wonderful old-school crime story that I really enjoyed reading. Tank is a fabulous new crime solving lead along with his partner Pearl and his interesting cast of people on his investigative team including his beyond-his-years intelligent nephew. I look forward to the next installment!!! Great first book to a new crime series. Thanks so much to NG for the ARC!!!

Retired cops working on a cold case B&E/rape discover the case is actually the tip of an iceberg of drug related crime. A quick read, plenty of action, and I enjoyed the relationships between the central characters, especially the former policeman and the "retired" mobster. Suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. Tin Badges would, in my opinion, translate well to the big screen. Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing the digital ARC in response for my honest review.

Another excellent book by Carcaterra. The ending ends the book but at the same time leaves it open for a continuation. A very good thriller and impossible to put down.

Mr Carcaterra has been absent from the literary scene for a while due to personal reasons but fortunately for his readers has returned with a good story, solid writing and unforgettable characters: in other words as good as he ever was. Tin Badges is the designation given to retired detectives that have been asked to return to temporary duty to work on a case that for one reason or another is out of the reach of the active police.
"Tank" Rizzo has been retired along with his partner Pearl after an arrest went wrong and both were severely injured. Pearl reduced to becoming a paralyzed man confined to a wheel chair. As the novel opens Tank and his ex partner have been handed a case involving a gangster kingpin named Gonzo. Tank assembles a group of the people that he normally assembles to help on the case. These include an ex gangster who is the father of the woman that Tank has been involved with and who manages the restaurant that Tank frequents.
As Tank's group begins to operate to bring down Gonzo he is hit with the horrible news that his brother and sister-in-law have been killed in an auto accident. Tank is the only relative that Chris, his brother's son has, is brought kicking and squirming to live with him. While his nephew is getting settled in he manages to enter the world of Tank's team and it is found that he is a computer genius whose talents prove useful in the move against Gonzo.
Similarly to Mr Carcaterra's previous novels once the reader is grabbed very quickly this book is impossible to put down until finished. What their operation entails in their move against Gonzo is the main part of the book. Most important, though, is the description of the team assembled, how they work together, and what their particular skills are. I trust that I am correct in making the judgement that this book is just the first of succeeding novels about Tank and his group and the unorthodox ways they handle cases. It is also a safe assumption that these novels, and other non related ones will be well done and capture the author's readers quickly and keep them glued to the book until the end

It has been awhile since I read Lorenzo Carcaterra. This book is as great as I remember the rest. His characters are well defined , the story and action are nonstop....His crime novels are unputdownable.