Lands End: a novel

Set in 2010, the principal character, Phil McManus is an officer assigned to the SFPD Richmond District Station on 6th Avenue in the City-By-The-Bay. He is approaching retirement age and is being "nudged" off the force by an ambitious sergeant who doesn't want McManus tainting the younger officers assigned to the station.In the interest of transparency, I should note I was born at then-Children's Hospital on California Street near Laurel Village and lived within two blocks of Richmond Station from the mid-1940's until the late 1950's. As a result I am quite familiar with many of the settings described in this novel and was disappointed by the inaccuracy of some of those locations named."Lands End" opens with McManus sitting in his patrol car on the Lincoln Park Golf Course in the extreme northwestern portion of San Francisco. Feeling the pressure to retire, he is contemplating committing suicide by "eating his gun" rather than leave the only life he has ever known. He cannot go through with the final act. He holsters his gun and leaves the patrol car to take a walk.With this opening to the book, Bill Fox is beginning to set the physiological aspect of the story; the portrayal of a man whose life is so tied to a single purpose that he sees no future beyond his job.Walking away from his car he wanders toward Lands End, comes too close to the edge, stumbles, finds finds himself sliding toward the rocks below. Caught by a branch, he struggles to regain the solid ground above in the course of which he loses his uniform cap. Once back on his feet, he is moving back toward his patrol car when he encounters a mutilated body near the 4th tee of the golf course.Enter the police procedural and background portions of the novel.McManus's struggle with the establishment; and his journey of self-discovery; and his accidental solving of the murder (though not given credit publicly) are compelling reasons to read this book. The development of the story-lines brings readers along for a ride that is fascinating. The novel is a page-turner.My 3-star rating is based on the unnecessary use of vulgarity throughout the book. I am by no means a prude but this book has way too much use of the "F"-word. It adds nothing to the otherwise competent writing. In fact, it detracts from the quality and is very likely to turn-off readers who might otherwise thoroughly enjoy Lands End.

Lands End is a stark ,brutally honest portrayal of the emotional and Psychological baggage suffered by one veteran San Francisco Police officer .The reader is given a glimpse of big city policing through the minds eye of a patrolman as he approaches the unhappy prospect ofretirement. .The narrative is a very human portrayal not only of a cops life but also of the fears and apprehensions that we all experience in regards to growing old in a society that values youth over wisdom .San Francisco natives will easily relate to the people and places depicted in the book.Something as seemingly benign as the sensation of watching the fog roll in over Twin peaks or as shocking as the carnage of a tragic automobile collision in front of the Cliff house will resonate with those individuals( like myself ) who have spent a lifetime growing up ,working and residing in the city by the bay.The story is set in contemporary times but the main characters frame of reference is steeped in the bygone era of pre dot.com,gentrified SF.The book is.An easy read yet compelling enough that i finished it in 2 days ..Cheers to Bill Fox for presenting a work of fiction from the perspective of that all too rare breed ...the Native San Franciscan .

This is a GREAT book. It's filled with all kinds of emotions. its exciting, sad, happy , innocent.Shows reality of what goes on outside of our own chaotic lives.Great writer. Made it so much fun to read while the story takes you on a roller coaster.It ignited some new thoughts. My crazy life has been full of events but a cop witnesses as much in half a day.We hear about some mistakes on behalf of some cops and this book clearly shows how hard it is to be a cop and all the emotions they face as a human while we tend to think they are iron robots. I surly appreciate them a lot more than before.If you have ever been to San Fransisco or lived in California you may get an extra kick out of it. It's cool reading a story of places you've been before.I loved it and highly recommend it.Enjoy reading it!!!!

…”the fogs back in. Time for a consultation with Foggy.” Have you ever found yourself daydreaming on a foggy day…lost in a cool, grey haze of memories, hopes & regrets? With this foggy backdrop, Officer Phil McManus, the protagonist, takes us on an exciting glimpse into the life of a native San Francisco street cop resisting his inevitable retirement. I loved Lands End: the sensitivity of Officer McManus, the difficulty of putting closure on the past, & the equally difficult task of facing the future. As a native San Franciscan, this exciting murder mystery was a page turner, evoking memories of navigating life in 1960-70’s San Francisco. For those new to the Bay Area, you’ll get a first hand peak into another generation’s journey through the fog, & you’ll love the ride!

For anyone who loves a good mystery with a lot of twists and turns this book is for you. The main character Phil McManus is on a journey. Such an interesting story that you really want to be his partner sitting next to him in his patrol car. The story is set in the City as those of us privileged enough to be born there (San Francisco) affectionally call it. It is dark, a bit twisted and a great read. Kudos to the author for capturing the feeling of all the small neighborhoods with little cafes and corner markets in SF, the cop on the beat and the environment of the squad room as well. Totally captivating. Buy this book, read it then pass it on, everyone will enjoy it.