With the approval of the chief of detectives, Retired NYC Detective Tank Rizzo and the crew he assembled, work on cold cases. He nephew Chris, a somewhat computer whiz, digs in his fathers death and mothers and discovers all is not what it appeared to be. At the same time, Tank looks into an accounting firm his brother worked for. Was his brother getting to clos to what the firm was trying to hide? I found this book to be a good thriller that kept me turning pages. ( )

I actually did read the first book in this series, Tin Badges, so it was nice to have the background, although I don’t necessarily think you need it. If you start with this book you can pull most everything together without reading book one. This book starts where book one left off, with our reluctant hero Tank now having taken on the responsibly of being guardian to his 15 year old nephew after the untimely death of both of his parents. Book one introduces Chris, the nephew’s, theory that his parents death was an arranged homicide, and we pick up there as Tank and his unlikely team start digging into the meat and bones of just who could have wanted Chris’s parents dead. While this investigation starts to get underway, Pearl comes to Tank requesting his help investigating a possible false imprisonment after the cop tied to the arrest is found to be linked to a series of wrongful charges. So Tank sets about to correct two wrongs. The characters are always a fun part of this story, even if some things seem a little far fetched. There is more heart in this novel perhaps than book one, although this one was also a little cornier to me. If you liked book one, you should also like this one. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This is a story about a retired New York City police officer who, under often the direction of the Chief of Detectives, works with a disparate group of people on unsolved crimes. I read the first in the series and enjoyed it. Tank, the main protagonist, is a rough and tough individual who prefers fine wine, good Italian food, and museums to beer and bars.

This time, Tank is working two cases that are close to him. The first involves the death of his brother and sister in law which occurred in the prior novel. Chris, the surviving son, comes to live with his uncle; he is convinced that his parents car crash was more than accidental…it was murder. The second case involves a highly decorated dirty cop whose phenomenal clear record is due to coercive tactics.

This is an exciting, well plotted story. The involvement of the police chief and US Attorney’s office as well as the questionable not to mention violent tactics utilized to solve the cases strained credibility. But, if you can get beyond that, it is an enjoyable read. ( )

Review of uncorrected eBook file

Injured in the line of duty and now retired, New York Police Department Detective Tommy Rizzo, better known as Tank, works either cold or unsolved cases for Chief of Detectives Ray Connors. Tank has a small team of associates, including his now wheelchair-bound partner, Frank “Pearl” Monroe, a retired mobster, a professional boxer, and a psychic. Also on the team: the United States Attorney, an agent from the FBI, his nephew, Chris, and a dog named Gus. Their investigation? The death of Chris’s parents in an automobile accident.

Computer wunderkind Chris has discovered the accounting firm where his father [Tank’s brother] worked is involved in money-laundering . . . and is responsible for the death of his parents. And, as if that weren’t enough for Tank to be investigating, Pearl wants to free Randy Jenkins, an unjustly-imprisoned family friend.

Detective Eddie Kenwood’s signed-confession rate may be the highest in the department, and he may have built his career on putting men in prison, but he doesn’t mind railroading a suspect into signing a confession, even if he knows that suspect is innocent. The incarceration of Randy Jenkins is just such a case, and Tank is determined to free the innocent man, find those responsible for his brother’s death, and bring Eddie Kenwood to justice. Has he finally taken on more than he can handle? And will bringing down the corrupt cop force him to reveal his deepest secret?

Second in the series [following “Tin Badges”], this absorbing tale is as gritty as it is fast-paced. Short chapters help ramp up the tension, but there’s suspense built into the situations Tank and company find themselves in as they investigate the accounting firm and look for a way to prove Kenwood’s crimes in order to free an innocent man and find justice for those wrongly convicted because of the man's corrupt actions.

Anchored by a strong sense of place, the narrative brings realistic, nuanced characters to the telling of the tale. There is no shortage of action here . . . the unfolding story races along at breakneck speed. The complex, twisting plot pulls readers in from the first page; unexpected revelations keep those pages turning as readers root for Tank and his crew.

The intriguing story wraps up nicely with the turning of the final page and readers are sure to find themselves ready to jump right into a new adventure with the honest, justice-seeking Tank.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine / Ballantine Books and NetGalley
#Payback #NetGalley ( )