Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Marked Man: Frank Serpico’s Inside Battle Against Police Corruption" by John Florio and Ouisie Shapiro is a compelling narrative that delves into the life and legacy of Frank Serpico, the maverick New York City police officer whose fight against corruption in the 1960s and '70s captured the nation's attention.

The book is a gritty and inspiring account that doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of police work. It paints a vivid picture of Serpico, a man of unwavering integrity and stubborn idealism, who stood against the systemic corruption that plagued the NYPD. His story is one of courage and conviction, as he refused to take bribes or turn a blind eye to the misconduct that was all too common among his peers.

Florio and Shapiro's work is commendable for its clear narrative and the inclusion of substantial passages from original interviews with Serpico, which lend an authentic voice to the story. The book provides an overview of Serpico's colorful lifestyle and his journey from being a hot-potato transfer across precincts to a whistleblower who would not be silenced, even after being shot during a drug bust in what many suspect was a setup.

While the book is light on specific details, it does not detract from the powerful message it conveys about the importance of standing up for what is right, even if it means standing alone. The authors highlight the reforms and changes in government attitudes and police culture that followed the scandal Serpico exposed, yet they also acknowledge the ongoing challenges and the persistence of the "blue wall of silence."

"Marked Man" is a reflection on the enduring struggle for justice and transparency in law enforcement. It's a must-read for those interested in social themes, history, and nonfiction narratives that explore the complexities of morality within institutions.

In essence, this book is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for integrity and the impact one individual can have on society.

In the book Marked Man by John Florio, we learn about a man named Frank Serpico Who became a part of the Brooklyn PD and swore to uphold the law but when he sees corruption in the police department that he loves he still holds true to his oath and almost loses his life doing it. Usually a policeman can stake his life on his fellow boys in blue but what if they were the ones to fear. This was a great story and it’s one I had heard about long ago but never in such great detail I truly enjoyed this book anyone who wants to read a story about a real hero should read this one about Frank Serpico. It is definitely a True Crime tail you won’t soon forget. I want to thank McMillan‘s children’s publishing group, the author and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Wow. This is not the kind of book I would normally pick up off the shelf at a bookstore or library, but I am really glad I read it. The structure of the book is a little unusual in that it’s eight chapters written like a biography—third-person point of view, recounting events chronologically. The chapters are broken down into shorter sections with breaks between them. Between the chapters, Serpico speaks to us directly in short notes in which he discusses how he felt at a particular moment or what he expected would happen next. I loved the way this pulled me into his life story and made me feel connected to him.

The short sections within each chapter make this a pretty quick read, too. I think I read it in a little over two hours or so. I also read it all in one day because I couldn’t stop thinking about it every time I closed the book.

I’m so glad we have brave officers like Frank Serpico who have had the courage to stand up for what’s right, even when it would have been so much easier to look the other way. Reading this book makes me only more convinced that we need outside accountability for police departments everywhere so that if there are issues, they can be fairly addressed.

I think readers who enjoy fast-paced nonfiction, biographies, or true crime stories will enjoy this one.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

Not the book for me! I didn't really enjoy the fictionalized version of a real life scenario and found myself not caring about the storyline. I think this is a really interesting way to tell a story - this just wasn't the story I wanted to read.

Interesting story about a man I had never heard of.
I would easily pass this on to my teenage boys to read.
Plot moving, page turner about doing what is right.


There is unfortunately one strong use of profanity in the beginning. It is actually a direct quote from Serpico, but they could have done without it.

Thank you for NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

Oh my goodness, I felt so much intensity when hearing about frank! The citations and glossary were so helpful. I loved hearing more about these kind of stories!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I thought this was super interesting and I had never heard of the man before. Where I think it's lacking is the length, I think for the audience I would have made more of a connection to what is happening today--it seems fairly obvious, but sometimes things need to be stated out loud.

The age group recommendation for this book at 12-18 years old is perfect. The story of Frank Serpico and his battle against police corruption is told without much gore. However, authors John Florio and Ouisie Shapiro kept just enough danger and suspense to keep it a page turner for all ages.

Florio and Ouisie manage to cover complicated topics like police corruption and the “Blue Wall of Silence” in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. The use of pictures kept the story engaging and helped me put a face to many of the names in the story. Florio and Ouisie also included a Glossary with many “need to know” terms. However, they did a great job explaining each term through their writing that I never felt the need to flip through pages to check meanings.

I did take off one star, because despite the book being only 90 pages I was able to put it down twice. I am 25 and have worked in the criminal legal system for a few years. I think most 12-18 year olds with an interest in justice, police, or police corruption will find this to be a 5 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for providing me with this eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. It will be a great addition to any child’s bookshelf or library.

I enjoyed reading this quick refresh on the whole Serpico story as its been so long since I read the original book. Quite a story and quite a man. It was good to find out how he did after the police force. We need more like him, especially these days.