Perp Walk
Probation Officer Corey Sullivan's job is to manage and supervise convicted criminals. But when Manu Salaber is released from federal prison, Corey sees an opportunity.
A sadistic enforcer turned crime lord, Manu once held judges, politicians, and entire neighborhoods in a grip of fear and favors. Everyone knows his name. No one controls him.
Until now.
Corey takes the case, knowing full well it could make his career or end his life. Soon, he enters a high-stakes game of manipulation where trust is in short supply.
A razor-edged, morally complex thriller, PERP WALK is the first book in the Corey Sullivan series by John Moccia
Write what you know, as the saying goes, and Moccia is a former federal probation officer. He vividly sets the scene: “No matter how well they’d been doing, each visit here was a reminder of a very bad day, the day a set of cuffs had been attached when they were informed that the party was over.” He excels at punchy Elmore Leonard–like dialogue that drips with menace. Salaber’s fierce intro casts a long shadow that will loom in the reader’s imagination; on the one hand, one might want more scenes between him and Sullivan, but on the other, his absence makes his impact on Sullivan all the more powerful. Run, don’t walk, to pick up this auspicious series debut ~ Kirkus Reviews
Moccia’s novel follows Federal Probation Officer Corey Sullivan as he decides to take a case that will either further his career or end his life. Moccia writes with grit and realism that reminds one of reading Ed Mc Bain’s famous 87th Precinct novels. Like McBain, Moccia does a grand job at giving detailed descriptions of the inner workings of the justice system without feeling jumbled or boring. The flow of Moccia’s writing is smooth and tight without losing any important character or plot development. The plot is structurally sound, and the gritty city setting is top-notch. Those who love crime fiction will find the story fascinating. ~ U.S. Review of Books
I enjoyed this book.
Has an easy flow…like a river current steadily pulling you along, and with anticipation…what’s around the next bend. Insightful, regarding Federal agencies, their relationships, politics, hierarches, judges and how they view and interact with each other. And the probation officers, their perceptions, approaches, psychology, dangers, highs and lows in dealing with an array (misdemeanors to dangerous felons) of cases and clients. Corey, a U.S. Federal Probation Officer, the center piece of this story, takes you on a journey of personal human emotions when dealing with parolees. Corey is challenged with his conviction and those of the system. The author is an excellent storyteller. His characterization of the people and descriptive dialogue masterfully move you seamlessly through the story.
Bienvenido to Perp Walk
—Murray L. (GoodReads)
Riveting.
John Moccia's mastery of his genre is the product of his own life experience, but that alone is not enough. You have to be a real writer. Moccia is.
—M. C. Smith, author of The Blue River Restaurant & Tavern
In this compelling legal thriller
the author artfully balances judicial realism with fictional suspense. As a former Federal probation officer, I appreciated the nuanced character development of courthouse personnel, judges and members of the protagonist's caseload. These personalities and their interactions are skillfully woven together in this gritty story. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this fascinating book.
—John A Yerman, Ph.D.
Perp Walk was for me
an eye opening look at the role of the Federal Parole officer's dealings with the assortment of Federal parolees that stream through the Federal Court weekly. The job requires the skills of a social worker, a therapist and even clergyman as well as infinite patience. PO Corey Sullivan appears to embody these traits until he takes on the infamous and brutal Manu Salabar as a 'client.' Moccia's book unfolds with the cynicism and dose of humor for which he's known. Perp Walk is a satisfying and enlightening look at our Federal Parole system.
—KayDee (Amazon Reader)
Provides a Front Row Seat to
the world of Criminals and Federal Probation and Parole
Full Disclosure: As a retired DEA Agent, I had the pleasure of working with the author on a number of cases in Honolulu. I was also aware of his stellar reputation as a Federal Probation Officer from other members of federal law enforcement as well as Federal Judges.
In this book the author gives the reader a front row seat into the culture of the federal probation and parole officer as well as their monumental task of assisting their probationers and parolees in integrating back into society while maintaining vigilance regarding their return to criminal behavior.
The book allows the reader to see the types of offenders that are assigned to the Probation Officer and how the Officer has to deal with each type offender and personality. I appreciated the author's use of humor in the book especially dealing with the differences between the various federal law enforcement agencies. The author does an outstanding job weaving all the stories together and bringing us to a surprising but satisfying conclusion.
—Jack Zalewski (Amazon Reader)
John Anthony Moccia
has crafted a realistic drama, true to both criminal motivations and social work psychology… With professional expertise and sympathy for both victims and perpetrators of crime, Moccia has opened the lid on an underworld reality that most readers will find original and fascinating.
—Greg Lyons, Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Composition, University of Texas at Austin, author of Body and Culture and Literature of the American West