This story is a gritty exploration of power, greed, and the elusive quest for truth. The writing paints a vivid picture of New York’s underbelly.
Many thanks to Level Best Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Reads like a cross between an Ed McBain 87th precinct novel and that of a John Grisham.

Terry Devine is an NYPD cop on the take who becomes the subject of an investigation of the vice department to which he belongs.
He decides to co-operate and turn state's evidence. A call girl he has shaken down for money is found murdered and he is accused of the crime.
Years later his daughter is asked to create a short documentary on his story and the corruption within the NYPD of the 1980's.

For anyone who enjoys police crime dramas this is well worth a read.

I received a free copy of “Public Morals” through Net Galley in return for an honest review. Thanks to Net Galley the author and publisher.
I am a fan of hard- boiled detective noir, from classic Chandler to pulps with garish covers, dangerous blondes and cynical detectives who are on the edge of criminal. I was attracted by the blurb offered to “ Public Morals”, but I was repelled by the book.
The novel is set in a New York City even worse, if that can be imagined, than it is now. The main character is a cop ironically named Divine. He is cynical , as morally dirty as a man can get, and completely corrupt. He is a mirror to the corruption of most of the NYPD, There is not much depth to the character Detective Devine; he is pretty much a rotten apple.
The further I read into the story, the less I wanted to keep on reading, as Divine circled the drain.
Maybe there is something to enjoy about this book, but I could not finish it.

In Tom Coffey’s “Public Morals” you plunge into the dark side of New York in 1982. The gritty backdrop of 1980’s New York is painted with grimy realism, capturing the seedy underbelly and soaring ambitions of a city on the edge. Coffey leans into the darkness, crafting a narrative that’s as raw and unfiltered as a shot of cheap whiskey.

The first half grabs you by the collar and drags you on a wild ride with Terence Devine, a Vice cop whose charm is as sharp as his morals are questionable. The investigation into his alleged corruption unfolds like a slow-burning fire, drawing you in with its twists and turns and leaving you wondering who to trust.

But hold on tight, because the second half is where “Public Morals” truly explodes. The pace ramps up like a runaway train, hurtling into a labyrinth of conspiracy, betrayal, and secrets that would make your hair stand on end. Coffey seamlessly integrates Coffey’s daughter, Sheila’s perspective, adding a new layer of intrigue and emotional depth to the story. Just when you think you have a handle on things, the rug gets ripped out from under you, leaving you gasping for air and desperate to keep turning the pages.

The twists and turns in the second half are masterful, each one landing with the force of a gut punch. You’ll find yourself scrambling to piece together the puzzle, questioning everything you thought you knew, and on the edge of your seat waiting for the next surprise to drop. Coffey keeps you guessing until the very last page, leaving you shaken and breathless but ultimately satisfied. “Public Morals” is a knockout blow of a book.

I fear there is a lot of truth in this often dark and nihilistic book, which I hesitate to classify as a thriller as it really cuts across genres. It is a study of “the system” as well as an exploration of relationships. As a child of the 80s, I loved how this book took me back to that time and then placed me in the modern era. It was cleverly and seamlessly done and made for a very evocative reading experience.

What do you do when the justice system has decided that you are guilty of murder? What do you do when those putting you behind bars are the actual crooks, all busy protecting each other? Well, in the case of Terence Devine, you spend 40 years in prison trying to make the best of the situation.

Thought provoking story of people trying to show that power, greed and personal gain make the justice system a very biased system where not all are treated equal.