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Mostly officer Tony Cavalucci just wants what every hardworking Christian wants: peace, work, a strong relationship with the Lord, and a little romance. He’s no longer drinking, and strives to live a life worthy of his new relationship with the Lord. But’ it’s tougher than he imagined. While his partner, a well seasoned Christian, seems to always do the right thing, Tony battles with responding to everything in the flesh, nothing seems to have changed and he wonders why his first response isn’t with prayer? Why did he always think the worst of someone? How come his walk with the Lord seem nothing like that of his partner?
Tony is in love with Michelle and her young son Stevie. They go to the same church and share a bond that is missing in all of Tony’s relationships, especially with his family. They are dysfunctional with a capital D. Judgmental, rude, conniving, vindictive, rude, malicious, and just plain mean, is how the Cavalucci family conducts themselves. Tony feels a certain obligation to visit with them, they are family after all, but Michelle can’t or rather, won’t, subject her young son to their cruel behavior. Tony’s not just pushed to deal with NYC’s bad guys, and surviving on a measly cop’s salary, but dealing the family bad guys, too. Tony’s given up the booze, but at least that took the edge off. He wonders if turning back to the bottle might lighten his burden. And, what about the Faith? Wasn’t that supposed to help?
In the meantime we get a stark glimpse into the gritty reality that is policing in New York City. Tony is on New Years Eve duty at Times Square and he’s not excited about it. Security is tight and people are always less than disciplined. In fact, with so many bodies in Times Square on New Years Eve it isn’t a matter of what crime will be committed but how many.
Between struggles with his family, job, faith, and romance, we care about the big guy and when Tony is forced to make difficult decisions that will forever change his way of life, we pray he makes the right choices.
THE CROSSROADS is the second in the Midtown Series. I enjoyed it more than the first book in the series The Deuce (which I did like) mostly because actions lead to more action. In The Deuce the authors (a husband and wife team) set up great scenarios only to have nothing happen. No bad guy getting his due. This time, there are conclusions to some of the situations. Also, the authors continue to use police lingo which adds authenticity to the story, but this time they add definitions. (While definitions are helpful they draw the reader out of the action. I suggest a terminology list at the back of the book where readers can flip to if they are stuck on a phrase or word.)
If you’re a reader who enjoys gritty, real, purposeful faith rimmed fiction, you’re going to love this series.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
October 22, 2005
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