Police, Lies and Alibis: The True Story of A Front Line Officer by John Donoghue

Police, Lies and Alibis: The True Story of a Front Line Officer by John Donoghue
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - over 3 days

Pages - 235

Publisher - Matador

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Discover what REALLY happens in the police.
Is the discovery of a headless corpse the work of a serial killer?
When do police & paramedics fall out?
Who killed Yoda?
What is a Death Fart?
Why do some criminals think they are ‘worth it’?
Who invented the Crying Machine?
How do you beat the burglar?
Why do the police have to pay particular attention to boobs?

Come on patrol with PC Donoghue and get the answers to all these questions and more.

Police, Lies & Alibis is the fascinating and hilarious account of a year in the life of a front line police response officer, and the only humorous police book written by a serving officer who is not hiding his identity. It is the follow-up book to Police, Crime & 999, a book which still remains hugely popular today, with over 250 5-star Amazon reviews, and which garnered positive feedback from a number of national publications



My Review


Have you ever wondered just what happens in the day of a police officer? You need wonder no more. Donoghue gives a hilarious, honest, brutal and at times very un pc account of the times and trials police officers face whilst trying to perform their duty. From ridiculous call outs, criminal daftness, violence, the harsh and at times terrifying moments officers have to face, the reader is given short honest bursts into the days of a copper.

There are some really cringe moments in the book, you think surely no human being could or would behave in such a manner but yes they can and they do, sorry no spoilers. Donoghue has a knack for capturing the events with frank and brutal honesty, writing that will have you hiding behind your hand mortified or laughing out loud at folks antics.

As with his previous book there will be some folk who are outraged, thinking it un pc and even poor taste discussing some of the tales in the book. The reality is this is what the officers have to face day in and out and if you didn't have humour I doubt our officers would be able to go back out every day. I love the antics of folks but also how the police manage to cope in the face of danger, anger, loss or just inappropriate behaviours by some members of the public. Books written by folk working within the public sector are brilliant if you like that kind of raw undiluted honesty, I bloody love it. Donoghue writes as if he is in the room gabbing to you, giving you a vivid picture of what he has experienced! 4/5 for me this time, I have read this author before and will read him again. Thanks so much to the author for providing me with a review copy!

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Police, Crime & 999 by John Donoghue

Police, Crime & 999 by John Donoghue
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off 3 days

Pages - 296

Publisher - Troubador Publishing

Blurb from Amazon

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes in the police? What bizarre 999 calls are made to the emergency services? Why can wearing two pairs of socks make you a suspect? What is the link between police and vampires? Which Royal arrest never made news headlines? What covert sign do officers make when they no longer wish to talk to you? After successful careers in both the military and business, John Donoghue realised that the higher you get in any organisation, the less fun you have. So, after handing back his expense account and company car, he joined the police in search of excitement and thrills... and discovered some surprising answers to these puzzling questions. PC John Donoghue reveals all in his fascinating and hilarious true account of a year in the life of a front line response officer. Names and places have been changed to protect the guilty... but if you call the police, maybe, just maybe, it could be Police Constable John Donoghue turning up at your door. This book will appeal to anyone interested in crime and police, as well as fans of autobiographies and humour.



My Review

In this book, PC John Donoghue gives a hillarious, un pc and dare I say it, shocking insight into what life as a policeman and dealing with the public is actually like. True stories in relatively short bite chapters at different criminals, situations and mishaps he has experienced and how he has handled them with his fellow officers.

I do love a book that has real life encounters with members of society, especially those from different walks of life. Truth can always be far stranger than fiction and Donoghue gives us a small glimpse at some of lifes colourful characters.

There are quite a few laugh out loud tales in the book that some people will think are made up because people just don't do things like that, they really do and some will leave your jaw hanging! There will be a minority of folk who may find one or two turns of phrases to be offensive or possibly even judgmental, however if you read the book as it was intended you will see it for what it is. There is no denying how hard a serving officers job must be and humor is sometimes the only thing you have to get you through the horrors and reality that is some people's life. So when you pick up this book, keep that in mind and I am sure you will love it.

Funny, witty, well written and in chapters that aren't to lengthy that if you have a busy life you can easily dip in and out. I think Donoghue would be hilarious to watch on a stage doing a book tour, the hilarity just jumps off the page and I did burst out laughing once or twice so maybe not a book for public transport reading.

This is my first dance with this author, I would certainly read him again and he does have at least one more book like this if not more. A look at how different some folk live laced with humor and the dark reality that is some folks actual lives. Thanks to Crime Book Club for introducing me to a new author and Donoghue himself for providing a copy for review. As always, all views are my own, available to buy from Amazon in paperback or kindle, 4/5 for me this time.

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