Cop Without a Badge: The Extraordinary Undercover Life of Kevin Maher

by Charles Kipps

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COP AND KEVIN MAHER? KEVIN DOESN'T HAVE A BADGE. AND HE DOESN'T PLAY BY THE RULES.

Cop Without a Badge tracks confidential informant Kevin Maher as he helps the NYPD, the FBI, and many other law enforcement agencies solve cases that range from robbery to extortion to homicide. In the process, Kevin becomes the highest paid CI the DEA ever had.

But Kevin's motives are more complicated than simply money. Having been arrested for Grand Theft Auto at the age of sixteen, his felony conviction prevents him from being what he always wanted to a police officer. So now he's out to prove to himself he truly is what he could've been. A cop. Even without a badge.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1996

Reviews

[Mauricio Villa]

Only 2 things in this book are true; name change and arrest, PAY ATTENTION PUH LEASE.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked this book, I reserved it for the sole purpose of reading about Danielle, from the Real Housewives of New Jersey. There were only about 25 pages in the book dedicated to Danielle. She definately was, as in the show, indicated in involvement with Kidnapping, Extorsion, Prostitution, and being involved with the Columbian Carelle. Not a bad read, but not something that is worth waiting months for from the library.

[Sandie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lucky me! I noticed this book at a local church thrift store and purchased it for fifty cents.......and I may have overpaid at that. If this book was supposed to be some sort of expose, the only thing it managed to expose was that Kevin Maher is a guy with lousy judgement who tosses decent women under the bus while he "loves" junkies and crack whores. This "confidential informant" is nothing more than a sociopath who used anybody and everybody to get the money that would support his appetite for coke, fast cars, and loose women. This book shows just how far our criminal justice system has fallen when it is forced to pay big bucks to creeps like Kevin in order to apprehend wrong-doers.(Maybe we should turn him loose in Congress). All I can say is that the world is in a sorry state. Whoever it was that said "crime doesn't pay" obviously never met Kevin Maher.

My advice is "Stick to The National Inquirer or The Star" for all the latest dirt. Their information is probably more factual than Kevin's fantasy and won't leave you feeling like you need a bath.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I occasionally watched "The Real Housewives of New Jersey", I couldn't resist putting this book on order at the library after the drama between Jacqueline and Danielle about Danielle's alleged past. This book was a good read .... well written and full of details. As far as the degree of Danielle's involvement in this crime saga, all I can say is, "WOW!"

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have requested this from the library because I am obsessed with The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Kidnapping, drugs, and Danielle? I may skim the chapters that don't concern the housewife I love to hate.

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the premise sounded very interesting and thought it would be one of the more fascinating memoirs I've read but I was deeply disappointed. Probably had to high hopes for this but don't seem like a lot of others liked it either.

[Adna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a non-fiction book about a man named Kevin Maher. Kevin made some bad choices as a teenager and those bad choices ruined his dream of becoming a police officer. He therefore has to live his life with "might-have-beens" and so close to his dream. If we lose one dream, should we not dream another?

I think young people should read this book in order to see that an individual should grow up as a law abiding citizen. We are human and we make mistakes but we must learn from those mistakes and the mistakes and examples of those who lived before us. We must be open to change because that is the only way we can become better human beings. For Kevin, the people who changed his life for the better, were officers Jim Doherty and Bobby Colaneri.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book in my filing cabinet and realized I read it about 15 years ago.

I just remember it being trashy.

Did not feel the need to re-read it and I’m sure someone gave it to me because I would never have paid money for it.

I only thought of it because I’m doing a re-watch of RHONJ from Season One…. When it was still fun to watch.

I hope no one pays money for this sleepy book.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really, I only read the small section about Danielle from The Real Housewives. I was less impressed than I thought I'd be.

[Riley K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this book two days ago, read halfway through in one night and then had to abandon it. The book follows a guy who was a teen criminal and becomes a police informant. He gets information out of the guys he went to jail with to commit them of crimes...all of the crimes being murders. I started to get quesy reading about the cases and then couldn't sleep last night! So I threw the book across the room.

[Graceanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about being a paid informant for Law Enforcement. Kevin Maher lived on the edge for many years, but deep down all he ever wanted to do was be a cop, so being an informant was the closest way he could accomplish his dream. Kevin went on one rollercoaster ride after another and you will feel that when you read this book...very entertaining read.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I need to say that I am a "Housewife" junkie and I wanted to read this book because of the reference on the New Jersey show.
That being said, this is a very good and fast read. I had trouble putting this down. It is a true story and I found myself being drawn to Kevin, the main character. He has lived quite the life and I hope maybe there will be a follow-up on his adventures.

[Abby Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I'm an avid Real Housewives of NJ watcher!! Had to read it just to learn more about Danielle aka Beverly Merrill!

[Jaci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book only because if the controversy over it on the Real Housewives of New Jersey. It wasn't bad, but go figure they made a big deal over somebody discussed on maybe ten whole pages.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cop Without A Badge is a true story about Kevin Maher, who at age 17 makes some bad decisions and his life changes forever. The story takes you through Kevin’s life in the 70s, 80s, and the beginning part of the 90s as a criminal, prisoner, and a CI.

I found this story fascinating. I think anyone who likes the The Fast and the Furious, Scarface, The Sopranos and any cop show would really enjoy this book. It is fast paced, interesting, exciting, and though 400 pages it’s a quick read. It is very hard to put down!

I forgot why I wanted to read this book!. Then once I started googling to see if a movie was made about it. I realized it’s because of The Housewives of New Jersey! I’m so glad a read it without the expectation of hearing about Danielle. She was barely in it, but that was fine with me!

I feel like Kevin was a kid who got let down by the system. His goal was always to become a cop and he was never able to for fill that dream. Kevin went on making some good choices and making some very bad choices, but he always seemed to be able to get his head back above water. I’m not sure how I feel about him. Usually a character in a story is easily decided to be a good guy or a bad guy, but Kevin is a real person and real people make poor decisions and are still good people. Some of his actions really annoyed me, to the point that I thought he needs to grow up and straighten himself out. I kept thinking how trouble seems to find him, but how much of that is chance verse how much of it isn’t.

Despite my feelings on Kevin, this is by far my favorite read of 2019!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came for information on Danielle Staub, I got (some) information on Danielle Staub.

Granted, I knew it wasn't going to be the Danielle show. You get less than a chapter's worth of information about her, and I knew that going in. I liked a little historical context for her behavior, and I got what I came for.

As for the rest of the book... eh. Kinda boring. Lots of twists and turns, sure - I almost feel like if his story was told with less bravado it would have more emotional weight. Like, kid goes from stealing cars, to jail, to working as an informant, and grappling with addiction. There's a lot to work with there. And while I don't super like Maher as a person (based on this book), while there was a lot of time spent with him in jail, it certainly held a lot more weight. The stakes seemed much higher.

The second half of the book was just a bit more detached. We get told he's losing Beth, but since women are written to have explosive sex with and be inseparable from, then mentioned in passing, we don't hear a lot more.

Anyway, this is a biography. I can't exactly criticize the story because it's a dude's life, but it's kind of an eh read.

[Gillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has the makings of a good story and the first chapter drew me in. But, after about page 85 it began to feel ham-handed in its approach and continual repetition of the theme - Kevin Maher wanted to be a cop and used his position in the seedy underbelly of the tri-state to do the right thing (I know, I know I heard you 50 times already and we're only a third of the way through the book!) And, its constant attempt to paint Kevin in the best light possible (sure some bad behavior is mentioned- drug use, boys will be boys - that kind of thing) made it feel like there was more to the story than what was written.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had been languishing on my Kindle for a while and I decided to pick it up since on this past week's episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey, Danielle's name change was brought up again, so I figured I was overdue to read the book that caused the table flip heard around the world.

The parts pertaining to Danielle...I'm sorry, Beverly...are somewhat few and far between, but the rest of the book filled with Kevin Maher's tales of being a police informant were actually really interesting. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Miss Murder · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Beverly Merrill is a coke whore"!
I, of course, picked this book up after watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey. However, "Cop Without a Badge" is a very interesting and even humorous book by itself. Kipps keeps you gripped by the dangerous situations Kevin Maher finds himself in. These situations are so crazy and dangerous it makes you second guess whether it is actually a work of non-fiction.
Kevin Maher's life is one that deserves an entire novel, and I was not disappointed reading it - plus, it provided great ammunition for some drama on reality TV.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cop Without a Badge reads like a thrilling novel. Maher's narrative of working undercover is intriguing and eye opening. However aside from aiding in getting criminals convicted the memoir leaves the reader unsatisfied. As we never see how Maher turns away from drugs, crime and infidelity to pursue a life not plagued by bad decisions. Although he lead a thrilling life there is much to be desired for his character. It seems he never learns his lesson.

[Julia R · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's probably healthy to try to read a book every now again about someone you cannot relate to at all, so that's good!

I read this book for a Real Housewives book club. Danielle appears for about 40 pages 3/4 through the book. I am honestly SHOCKED that anyone from RH discovered this book and Danielle's connection to it. I'm interested to understand how production did it.

[Megan Westrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting life, however I believe the subject suffers from not realizing that when everyone around you is an asshole, you might be one, too. Or that police used him and only respected him for what gains he could provide, not for who he was. Kevin is another example of how laws are overlooked when it benefits out corrupt justice system.

[Kendra Singletary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for the sole purpose of reading about Danielle and the allegations that led to infamous table flip. There are about 30 pages in the book dedicated to her. It’s a quick read. Some of the stories are fascinating while other story lines drag.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like true crime and If you watch housewives of New Jersey and know who Danielle staub aka Beverly Merrille is you will find this an interesting read. The true story of crime throughout the '80s/ '90s that she was involved in also wraps up with J. Ripken the serial killer.

[Laura Heitzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cop Without A Badge

I enjoyed this book. Lots of insight into the world of a CI in the late 80's and early 90's.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this book due to watching the infamous episode on RHNJ and damn the book was excellent!! I want to reread it and I never reread books!

[Michael Mcquillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read and honest read on a person who was a professional informant

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it for Beverly. It was a quick, interesting, and an easy read, but not incredibly well written.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read with an unsatisfying ending.