Detective First Grade

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The main character, Brian Mckenna, is so likable and clever. Lots of "behind the scenes" peaks at how cops really investigate. Sometimes a little steeped in the details, but it's all so fascinating that it didn't bother me. Unusual climax at the end...great action!

Good police procedural. Contained almost too many names and aliases - I sometimes lost track in the middle of the book, but that didn't disrupt the story flow. The last 100 pages really pick up, and kept me up late into the morning. Great ending. Can't wait to begin Dan Mahoney's second in the series Edge of the City.

When I find an author new to me, I like to go back to the beginning and read all of his/her books in chronological order. So, with Dan Mahoney, I began with Detective First Grade. A former New York City police captain, Mahoney knows his territory. This is a police procedural for real, without excess flab, and a rivetting plot line. Fine characterizations, clean prose, and slow-but-steady action build to a gratifying climax. My only quibble is with the ending (literally.) Everything is resolved and then, wham! Done. That aside, though, this is a good, solid book and I'm anticipating with pleasure reading all Mr. Mahoney's other books. This book is a definite must-read for those who want an inside look at how a big-city police force sometimes operates.

I read Black and White and Once In, Never Out. In that order. Reading this gave me alot of the missing parts of Det McKenna's story. This one was good, alot of real cop stuff with whos got the best "hook", which bosses are on the ball, the nicknames, and mostly the treating of dinner. The storyline was interesting. If you did like me and read Mahoneys others 1st, do like me and read this one. The character does all the real things cops do, spiced up some for the storys sake, but not overboard. The way Mckenna and Brunette met was something. On the farm as its known. I believe Mahoney could have went further into the perils of those who end up on the farm, but the interest in a book on that would'nt interest many. The denial of it and the false reality that some can quit drinking and remain normal on a daily basis, isnt a topic of interest. The truth be told, in jobs where ego, power, and dealing with the less desirables of the world are concerned, the attitude displayed by active alcoholics and those who quit with out a program, are the best to have. It makes it easier to bend the truth to fit our needs and to disregard our well being for personal gain. As the interesting Mckenna does. All in all, i look very forward to reading Edge of the City and Hyde.

I enjoyed this book, partly because of the fact that i served as a detective in the NYPD's major case squad for three and a half years. The procedurual details and even the operational details were well crafted and added to the book's authanticity. The chief of detectives was much like the man i served under and the man refered to as a dog's reproductive organ was a lot like the man who I worked for when I was in the Special Investigations Division. In all, Mahoney's tale of cop life was both authantic and very entertaing. I recomend this book to any former cop(like myself) or anyone who enjoys police fiction