The Force

The Force is the 7^th Don Winslow book reviewed in the blog, and in this one, he’s changed venues from Southern California to New York City. Winslow’s character and plot development have only gotten better, and if it’s possible, even more gripping. Detective First Grade Dennis John Malone was a veteran sergeant of NYPD’s most elite unit, The Manhattan North Special Task Force. He had graduated from the police academy with all the necessary idealism, but then he faced the real world of police action and the erosion that happened to his idealism. This is a story about corruption, guns, drugs, and sex. After decades on “Da Force” when Denny finally got arrested and placed in the MCC (Metropolitan Correction Center), he thought to himself, “At least, at last, tell yourself the truth. You know exactly how you got here. Step by motherfucking step.” This novel is about Denny’s steps of degradation, the environment in which that occurred, and the myriad of people who were most impacted by his decisions. This is not a book with good guys – just bad guys. Great writing – if you start this book, be prepared to put the rest of your life on hold until you’ve turned the last page.