"Blood and the Badge" by Michael Cannell is the tale of two NYPD officers who were paid to provide information and even kill for the Mob.

Those intricate, expansive and often horrific exploits drive Michael Cannell's "Blood and the Badge ... On the other, writing about the Mafia is to write about life, family, love, betrayal ...

On the other, writing about the Mafia is to write about life ... This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Blood and the Badge': The story of NY cops who killed for the Mafia ...