Category: Crime Publisher: Expendable Man Publishing
ISBN-10: 0985036605
Type: Fiction
Pages: 240
Copyright: April 20, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780985036607
Rookie detective Shannon Lynch is up against doubting colleagues and two men who return from her past.
A police procedural set in Albany, NY, in the year 2000, Making the Grade is the story of rookie detective Shannon Lynch--the first women detective in the Albany department and how she deals with doubting colleagues and two men from her past who become factors in a major murder case.
Excerpt
It was getting late. Shannon had time for one more round on the isotonic machines before heading to the showers. Despite her effort to beat the morning rush—she’d been the second person in line when the doors opened at 5:30—there were people waiting for every machine. Her anxiety level was going through the roof. She couldn’t afford to be late for her first day moving up.
She wasn’t sure when she’d made the decision, but at some point her job had become the number one priority in her life. Most everything she did revolved around being a good cop. That paid off when she got the promotion to detective grade.
Downstairs—more obstacles. The shower room was never this crowded. Of course, the only shower available was the one that barely had any pressure. It would have to do.
She had chosen to wear the most conservative of the outfits she’d purchased the week before at Lord & Taylor—the first time she’d ever shopped at that store. Now, having blow-dried her hair, Shannon stood in front of her locker trying to decide whether she had the courage to show up for work. Maybe she should go home and call in sick, or better yet, resign and put up a sign in front of her apartment building: “Single Girl, Needs Husband. No Requirements.”
Professional Reviews
Fun Mystery
Making the Grade is a mystery and character study rolled into one. As an avid mystery reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this book except that it often kept me up too late at night!
The protagonist is a female detective, Shannon Lynch, who gives us an interesting look into what it is like to pursue a career in a mostly male profession. She faces many challenges in her new role, especially when a murder case turns into a serial killer saga with twists and turns that move toward her.
Making the Grade is a fun read with enough plot twists and suspense to offer a good book for summer vacation.
Strong Female Character
Making The Grade by Peter Pollak is the 2nd book of his that I've enjoyed. The 1st was The Expendable Man. Making the Grade is a great vacation read. It has a "can't put it down appeal" and moves along at a fast pace. I loved the strong female main character who makes it "in a man's world"! I also like that it took place in a familiar (for me) area, the city of Albany, N.Y. As a classmate of Mr. Pollak, I appreciate the dedication. Keep up the good work, Pete!! I highly recommend Mr. Pollak's books to anyone who enjoys a good read.
Hard to Put Down
This crime novel is a page turner which is hard to put down. It is Mr. Pollak's second book and is equal to his first in exciting pace and absorbing story. Set in Albany, New York, Making the Grade, traces the work experiences and challenges of the first women detective in the Albany Police department. This is a great read. Also recommend Pollak's first book, The Expendable Man.
Ever wondered what it is like to be a rooky police detective? What if you were the first woman detective on staff? What if your first case was a no breaks murder by a bona fide psychopath? Shannon Lynch is on her first day of duty as a detective and she immediately feels that her new workmates don’t really trust her and won’t until she proves herself. She knows this is a serious job and she is determined to meet the standards. Her new boss, Lieutenant Keller, says he at first will not appoint Shannon to a partner, but attach her to two other detectives, Al Joiner and Chuck Miles, to basically just observe. Shannon is not impressed and Joiner and Miles’ reception of her leaves her even more peeved. Peter Pollak has written a novel that grips the reader right from the start guiding them through the working of a case that takes the police to standard and not so standard territory.
This is a ‘hard boiled’ police yarn ideal for any reader wanting to be entertained. While Pollak’s approach to police work is standard, giving us some idea of the routine of a police job, the events are hardly standard and are narrated in an exciting style. Pollak surprises us, shocks us and keeps us on tenterhooks. Most of the book is written from Shannon’s point of view, however, at key points we also see into the lives and thoughts of other characters. This gives variety and depth.
From the start we gain a liking for Shannon and in time we come to understand Joiner and Miles. These characters ring true and are well crafted. While the style is ‘hard boiled’ we still feel that Shannon and her partners, and even the perpetrator are real. They are not in any way larger than life. Shannon slowly evolves over time developing into a more complex view of her work and life. Joiner and Miles also change, though to a lesser extent.
Making The Grade is chiefly about success. What is success? How do we get there? What should be our mental attitude to both success and failure? So much of modern society revolves around this issue and the topic arises early, when we are young. We may consider ourselves beyond that but we all have to take tests, keep our jobs, be accountable to our friends and family.
Indeed a second issue is friends in trouble. Some people are pure users and others are not. How do we decide who to help and who not? Pollak does not give us any pat answers, but instead chooses to raise questions in our mind. Life is never easy to navigate.
Closely connected to friendship is the issue of loyalty. Once again it is recognised that life is complex and there are no easy answers.
As I have indicated the book has a lot to do with a woman trying to make it in a man’s world. Feminists will not be offended by the novel, but Pollak is not issuing standard polemics. Pollak recognises that there certainly IS a male power system, but once again life is seen to be complex. This is definitely not a cut out detective story with cut out opinion. Shannon is a feisty capable woman, but she does shed a few tears (though she certainly struggles for control with fortitude). She never was and never will be a stay at home with the kiddies ‘little woman’.
Pollak has got the psychology of his novel right. Most of all this is not your standard out there over the top psycho. The killer could easily pass for any man in the street, except of course when he is in the act of actually killing someone. Martha Stout is a psychologist who is successful both as an academic and in a flourishing clinical practice and her book The Sociopath Next Door makes it clear that these people are very good at appearing normal and even helpful. Indeed a psychopath could be living next door to you and you wouldn’t even know it. Pollak’s killer certainly fits this picture. The details I have mentioned and others make it clear that the author has certainly done his research on this one.
The law is of course an institution of society and Pollak invites some contemplation of the matter. What is the purpose of the law? The philosopher Michel Foucault has challenged the law, saying it is another power system used to manipulate the masses in such a way that ruling elites are reinforced. Would we, however, survive without it? Once we step out of our comfortable lounge room into the hustle of everyday living we may learn that life can be unpleasant, dangerous. Even the ‘safety’ of our homes is not an assured fact.
Close to the discussion of the law and society is that of bureaucracy. Organizations certainly can put ridiculous restraints on people, but then again some order is needed to make systems work.
At 255 pages this book is excellent for a weekend read on the patio. It is interesting and entertaining, with some excitement and characters that are believable. Making The Grade can be read purely as light entertainment, but also has some depth if you care to look for it. Don’t get me wrong: it is not a boring philosophic tome. All in all the book is a great read, especially for those interested in police yarns.
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