Patrol Officer N4207, 50-year-old Bumper Morgan, has served in the Hollywood Police Department for 20 years and knows the precinct like the back of his hand.
The main character is a sharp, confidently cool guy — moderately righteous, reasonably honest, and a bit of a stickler. He's a seasoned pro, a war veteran from Japan, and someone who's seen a lot in his lifetime. I really liked how he openly admits when he messes up — saying he dropped the ball here, didn't do so well there, and maybe even overdid it somewhere else.
The story begins on a Wednesday, and by Friday, May 30th, "Bumper" is retiring.
He's served his time, and that's enough — not one day more. Ahead of him lie summer, a woman he loves, and a calm, steady job — nothing like what he deals with here, where you never know what could happen from one minute to the next.
The narrative style is tough and gritty, but at the same time steady and calm.
It's all about everyday police routine — the gear, the specifics, the arrogance of cops who, after years of service, can spot a lowlife from a mile away. There are tales of scumbag gangs, courtroom episodes, illegal bookie operations, and street protests with professional agitators. In short, it's standard police life in the Hollywood precinct — told with a touch of sarcasm and a raw, unromantic honesty that reveals the true nature of the profession.
It's a domestic police novel — not action-packed, but full of rich details and observations.
The story covers just three days of a cop's life — but what days they are!
What's interesting is that the author didn't make the protagonist a detective, but rather a regular hard-working officer — the kind of guy a detective would rely on to pull off a raid on a shady betting operation. The book feels like a tribute to a man devoted to his job, but who also has a life outside of work — beyond 8 to 5. A knight in a blue uniform whose daily schedule includes a mandatory lunch break.
Because of the slow and steady pace of the storytelling, you can't shake the feeling that something's going to happen — you just know it.
And the tragedy does come — perhaps expected, but still surprising when it hits.
I've heard there's a film adaptation, but I haven't seen it yet.
I'm not even sure whether I should — maybe.
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