The Blue Knight
by Joseph Wambaugh

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Book Summary Information

• ISBN13: 9780316921466
• Condition: New
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Book Reviews of The Blue Knight

Book Review: As usual, Wambaugh delivers.
Summary: 5 Stars

The novel tells the story of Bumper Morgan, a Los Angeles beat cop who is three days from retirement. Bumper is a big, fat, loveable glutton with a bit of a sadistic streak. We follow his last few days on the police force while he begrudgingly drives his patrol car through his long time beat in LA. Bumper explains that he prefers walking the beat, but since hes too old and fat he is forced to drive  his legs arent what they used to be.

Bumper tells his own story, and everything is told through his eyes. As usual, Wambaughs gifted use of sharp, witty dialogue and scathing common-man analysis of the streets brings Bumpers story to life. Everyone on his beat loves him. Restaurant owners pile heaps of culinary delights in front of him on a daily basis, and its obvious Bumper LOVES to eat many times my mouth started watering while reading the descriptions of a wide variety of foods laid out for this loveable cop.

When hes not eating (a rare occasion, or so it seems), Bumper meets with other locals: strip club owners, convenience store managers, even homeless bums whom he pays for info on the local crooks. Bumper is proud of himself for paying his informants out of his own pocket rather than paying out of the PDs kitty; he thinks it keeps his sources anonymous and safe.

As warm, loveable and thoughtful our hero is, there is a sadistic side to Bumper Morgan as well. Hes not above turning up the heat on the undesirables, and it seems to me that its considered to be part of the job for him; certainly nothing to think twice about. Witness the bookie that nearly gets his arm broken after trying mail his book back to himself. This bookie stands by a mailbox and as soon as he sees the heat coming, drops his stuff in the slot this time, he didnt get his arm out of the box fast enough, so Bumper takes the opportunity to crush his arm into the box while pumping for info. Youd think incidents like this would make the reader dislike Bumper; not so. His matter-of-fact tone and the fact that he doesnt dwell on his use of physical force makes you feel as if brutality is a part of his status quo. It is this attitude that proves to be Bumpers undoing once you get to the surprise ending. There is another stunningly crafted scene in which Bumper embellishes the truth in court. Hes not above fibbing a little to get these goofs behind bars.

Sharp witted, thoughtful, funny, human, brutal, warm, disturbing, violent, and truthful, The Blue Knight is a bright spot for Wambaugh. His police stories are far beyond your average police procedural; in fact, I havent read any novel by Wambaugh which follows a set formula. Those unfamiliar with his writing style may note that Quinton Tarantino follows a similar vein when it comes to script writing. The difference is that while the wit is similar between the two, it is Wambaugh who has a more clear idea of how to make the slick verbiage work to establish realism, rather than Tarantinos more tongue-in-cheek approach. Bumper Morgan is REAL. Recommended.

Literature & Fiction Books

• Books > Subjects
• Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Police Procedurals