Reviews

An often moving and nostalgic paean to the vibrancy of boyhood friendships and the minutiae that make up a life. 

 —Kirkus Reviews

Beneath the Polish Moon by Jake Kaminski is a story of a lifetime. Luke Karpinski comes from a family of Polish immigrants who settled in Milwaukee, escaping the Second World War. The Polish Moon, the famous Milwaukee clocktower, stands faithfully watching over its residents, forever reminding them there is no place like home. Luke grew up during the 1960s. It was a simple and carefree time for him and his friends in the neighborhood. Yet, as time goes by the world around Luke begins to change. After high school, motivated to “protect and serve,” Luke moves to Miami and becomes a police officer. Gradually, the job Luke loves takes a toll on him. The sweetness of childhood becomes soured by the ugliness of the violent crime. However, his heritage and memories of life “beneath the Polish Moon” never leave him. They are precious reminders, spanning time and distance, beckoning Luke to come home.

Jake Kaminski’s Beneath the Polish Moon is brilliantly nostalgic. The narrative captures your heart from the beginning and keeps a grip on it to the end. Mr. Kaminski masterfully uses the literary device of flashbacks written within a linear structure. The time shifts are easy to follow and eloquently reveal the development of the main character. The good ole days versus the harshness of the here and now create an internal struggle within the protagonist. As the parallel timelines merge, the past collides with the present, causing the protagonist to self-evaluate and question his life choices. It was obvious as I read the novel, the intimacy the author has with his characters. Kaminski wrote from his heart and personal experience, penning his characters as precious threads woven into the tapestry of life. The characters are charming, sincere, and relatable, and each of them uniquely contributes to the character growth of the main character. Furthermore, the narrative is wonderfully descriptive, allowing the reader to become part of the time and setting. Beneath the Polish Moon is a compelling story of family, friendship, and boyhood adventures, as well as a legacy of love and loss, all enveloped in the reality of time and eternity.

 —Cheryl Rodriguez – Reader’s Favorite

Beneath the Polish Moon is a work of literary fiction by Jake Kaminski. It follows the life of an undercover cop from his relatively quiet home in Milwaukee to his law enforcement career on the crime-filled streets of Miami. Luke Karpinski cannot help but be altered by his experiences. Through it all, the childhood memories of his family, the Polish neighborhood where he grew up, and his best friend Eugene are like a comfortable old quilt consigned to a trunk in the attic until its warmth is needed one last time. Does Luke ever succeed? Does he have regrets about his life as a cop in Miami? Or will his old neighborhood and his comforting childhood memories eventually beckon him back even though he knows it cannot be the same as it was?

I enjoyed reading Beneath the Polish Moon. Jake Kaminski’s narrative is skillfully written, vivid in description, and flows at a good pace. In Luke, we have a protagonist we can relate to and a story that is both engaging and poignant. Described as “a good man trapped in a violent world,” Luke is utterly human as he struggles with balancing work and family. Though we don’t all face the same level of stress he does at work, many of us also struggle to find that same balance. Alternating between episodes of Luke’s boyhood and his adult life, Kaminski weaves a story that both honors the values of friendship and family and acknowledges the personal price many cops pay as they battle crime.

-Kimberlee J Benart – Readers’ Favorite

Beneath the Polish Moon by Jake Kaminski is a slice-of-life tale that follows the life of Luke Karpinski, a first-generation Polish immigrant living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who becomes a Miami PD cop later in his life. Split into two separate narrative arcs, one follows Luke’s childhood in Milwaukee, growing up in the early 60s alongside his friends, while the other showcases his life as a police officer in a drug-infested Miami in the 70s and the 80s. Luke grows up in the Polish neighborhood, having numerous adventures with his friends, Eugene and Stanley. Later as a Miami city cop, he leads undercover missions against the cartel members from Colombia. His job as a police officer takes a heavy toll on his personal life, leading him to return once again back home.

An intimate tale filled with nostalgia and brotherhood that deftly portrays the passage of time in one’s life, Beneath the Polish Moon is an enthralling voyage exploring the human condition. Author Jake Kaminski expertly showcases the conditions in which Polish nationals escaped to America at the dawn of World War II and carved successful lives for themselves and their children throughout the decades. This is one of the finest examples of slow-burn storytelling. The characters have well-developed backstories that add layers to their personalities, providing conflict to their motives. The climax felt bittersweet yet satisfying nonetheless as Kaminski adds a unique twist toward the end. If you enjoy slice-of-life stories, I highly recommend Beneath the Polish Moon.
–Pikasho Deka – Readers’ Favorite
Beneath the Polish Moon by Jake Kaminski begins in a Milwaukee southside neighborhood known as Polonia. Built when these streets were home to thousands of Polish immigrants, it became known as the “Polish Moon”. Felicja and her mother were one of the families that escaped the German invasion. Unfortunately, her father did not survive. Felicja married Joe and their son Luke is the main character in this story. Together with his friends Eugene, Stanley, and Gus, they get up to all kinds of adventure and mischief, giving their parents endless worries. Thankfully their parents are forgiving and love their sons unconditionally. Luke dreams of making the world a better place and helping people, so he goes on to become a police officer in 1974 and spends his entire career working for the Miami Police Department’s Central District Station with his partner Marco Romero. Luke marries Kate O’Neil and they have two daughters, Nina and Hannah. Sadly, Luke does not manage to spend much time with his family, and his personality changes as he is exposed to crime and violence, often involving people living in poverty. Luke becomes a legend in the police force and moves up through the ranks. As Luke gets older, he regrets spending more time at work than with his family.
What an incredible story, expertly written. The characters are so well described that they feel alive, and Jake Kaminski manages to capture their spirits and personalities as the children grow from little boys to young men. The scenes and locations remind me of a time when life was much simpler, when children were disciplined and respectful of other people. When they played outside and weren’t afraid to get dirty or try something new and daring. Once Luke becomes a police officer, we learn of the stress and trauma that is put upon the men in blue, their dedication and commitment that so many of us take for granted. The impact on their family lives and the damage to their souls is shown through the words of Kate. One of the most important messages in this story is the importance of a loving family home, which all children need in order to grow into caring adults. In the world of a child, the simplest activities can be an adventure and true friendships are cherished for a lifetime. “The true magic is in those people who populate our personal universe. They become a part of the fabric of our lives. We hold them tight; capture their essence like fireflies in a summer mason jar.” A thoroughly enjoyable and heart-warming novel, highly recommended for adults and teenagers.
–Natalie Soine – Readers’ Favorite
5/5

A most compelling and action-packed read

For those whose interest is in a fast-paced action novel, this is a great read. The action is compelling and is described authoritatively and believably. There are few lulls and the plot flows smoothly and logically. If you like writers such as Lee Child, you’ll love this. The author takes us through the adventures of a group of Native American men (and women) scouts and trackers, the Shadow Wolves, who pursue various wrongdoers as agents of the federal government. The story begins with a unit of the US army attempting to cope as peacekeepers during the vicious civil war in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Here, the frustrations of their role and the brutality of the setting makes the difficulties of intervention almost insuperable. From here the action fast forwards to the present when a unit formed from a core of these peacekeeepers is directed against a highly organized group of Mexican human traffickers and narcoterrorists in the Arizona desert. The story of how the Shadow Wolves track and eventually engage the bandits is told with nailbiting tension as every move of the hunters and hunted is described and explained. The outcome and its aftermath are as satisfying as one would wish. A complicating insight within the narrative concerns the effects of competing interests within the US law enforcement addressing this kind of crime. This aspect of the book brings a sense of real-world complexity which serves to dramatize the difficulties faced by the Shadow Wolves, A terrific book and one that would make a great movie. We should all look forward to more novels by this author.
–Antony E. Simpson
5/5

Excellent book and story! A must read!!!

I am a very picky reader, if I don’t get drawn in to a story within the first paragraph or chapter, I simply put the book down, and not go any further. This book captured my attention from the first few words, and I am glad to report that I did not put the book down, because it just got better and better every chapter. I was drawn to the real world violent drug trade conflict, the culture clash, the characters, the adventure and the action. I could definitely see this story on the big screen one day. Definitely a must read, the author clearly has some background and technical experience, you will not be dissapointed! If you’re looking for a new exciting book, look no further, go ahead and get this, you will not be dissapointed. Great piece of storytelling!!!!

–EM
5/5

Classic battle of good vs. evil here and abroad.

Shadow Wolves is an excellent read. Kaminski cleverly weaves a riveting tale of good vs evil starting in the Old World then morphing into the New World. Kaminski paints a picture of emotions, attitudes, all five senses, and locations with his words. The pages turn quickly as the story unfolds. A must and exciting read.

Captain James Schultz – Retired. Sarasota Police Department.

–James Schultz

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