Shakedown

Shakedown follows Los Angeles Secret Service agent Jack Apple as he investigates a counterfeiting operation with ties to organized crime. The case leads him through the underbelly of 1980s L.A., from strip clubs to back alleys, while he contends with corruption both on the streets and within law enforcement. The investigation becomes more complex when Apple must navigate relationships with an informant and a stripper who may have vital information about the counterfeiters. His personal and professional boundaries blur as he gets deeper into the case, testing his principles and dedication to the law. The story tracks both the mechanics of counterfeiting operations and the realities of undercover work in federal law enforcement. Petievich draws from his own experience as a Treasury agent to create an authentic portrayal of Secret Service investigations and procedures. This crime thriller examines themes of loyalty, moral compromise, and the psychological toll of maintaining dual identities in undercover work. The novel asks questions about where lines should be drawn between justice and expediency in law enforcement.

Reviews for Shakedown focus on its authenticity and pacing as a police thriller. Readers note it takes a slower, methodical approach compared to more action-heavy crime novels. Readers appreciate: - Realistic portrayal of Secret Service operations and procedures - Detailed look at counterfeiting investigations - Complex relationships between law enforcement agencies Common criticisms: - Narrative can drag in the middle sections - Some characters lack depth - Technical details occasionally overshadow the story Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (43 ratings) Multiple reviewers mention the book feels more authentic than similar thrillers due to Petievich's law enforcement background. As one Amazon reviewer notes: "The tedium of real police work comes through, making it feel less Hollywood and more documentary." Several readers compare it favorably to Joseph Wambaugh's police procedurals, though note it's not as character-driven.

The Black Marble by Joseph Wambaugh A police detective investigates crime and corruption in Los Angeles while navigating personal relationships and department politics.

Prince of the City by Robert Daley A narcotics detective turns informant against corrupt police officers in New York City, leading to far-reaching consequences within the department.

Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh LAPD officers work cases involving drug dealers, jewel thieves, and street criminals while dealing with internal department pressures.

The Force by Don Winslow A decorated NYPD sergeant leads an elite unit through investigations that expose connections between street crime, corruption, and high-level politics.

L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy Three Los Angeles police officers investigate a series of murders that connect to department corruption and Hollywood scandal in the 1950s.

🗽 Gerald Petievich drew from his 15 years of experience as a U.S. Treasury agent to create authentic details and scenarios in Shakedown and his other crime novels. 💰 The novel delves into the world of counterfeit money operations, a subject Petievich investigated extensively during his career with the Secret Service. 🎬 The book was adapted into a 1988 film titled "Shakedown" starring Peter Weller and Sam Elliott, though the movie plot significantly departed from the novel. 📚 Like many of Petievich's works, Shakedown focuses on the moral complexities faced by law enforcement officers operating in gray areas between right and wrong. 🏆 The novel helped establish Petievich's reputation as one of the most authentic voices in crime fiction, leading critics to compare his work to that of Joseph Wambaugh, another former law enforcement officer turned writer.