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jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was the third Pelecanos book I've read and, though all three have been good, this was the first one to take me any where. Of the three I've read (the other two being King Suckerman and Drama City, this is definitely the most compelling story and has a good edge to it. Also, his D.C. atmosphere is at its best here. There was never a moment in my mind that I forgot the story takes place in 1972. A solid read.
harmless_old_lady's review against another edition
4.0
Fabulous! The writing is so crisp and evocative, and the nostalgia is enveloping: the cars, the music, the clothes and the blown-out fros. The "Robert Hall" suits! who remembers Robert Hall? menthol ciggies. One of the vignettes in this book ended up as a scene in the TV show "The Deuce." This is entertainment of a high order, and I'll be borrowing every one of Mr. Pelecanos' books my library carries.
axolotlquestions's review
4.0
Since King Suckerman was my introduction to Pelecanos, it was good to see him return to the '70s. While it probably has less to say than some of his works, it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
tristanrobinblakeman's review
2.0
I wish I could recommend this book - the characters were very interesting - and the plot premise was, as well, I think.
I say "I think" because, frankly, half the time I was lost. I didnt' know who was doing what and which side they were on. It wasn't a plot device - it was just confusing.
I kept reading it, because, as I said, the characters were quite intriguing and I was curious how it all turned out.
Sadly, after finishing it, I'm still not sure.
This book was sadly in need of a good editor.
I say "I think" because, frankly, half the time I was lost. I didnt' know who was doing what and which side they were on. It wasn't a plot device - it was just confusing.
I kept reading it, because, as I said, the characters were quite intriguing and I was curious how it all turned out.
Sadly, after finishing it, I'm still not sure.
This book was sadly in need of a good editor.
knowledgelost's review
3.0
Derek Strange left the police department to set up shop as a private investigator while his old partner Frank “Hound Dog” Vaughn remained. When a young woman comes to Strange to help find a costume ring, it leads him right to Vaughn’s active homicide case. Now both of them are working together trying to find a ruthless killer known as Red Fury.
George Pelecanos is best known as a writer for The Wire; I will admit I’ve not watched the show in its entirety but I thought I will try one of his books. I picked up this book because it was accessible but soon found out it was book five in a series about Derek Strange & Frank Vaughn. Luckily enough this read like a standalone and still felt like I learnt enough about the two to enjoy this book.
This book reminds me of those 1970’s pulp movies, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with that same feel. You have the typical cool, badass African American who goes around kicking ass and then you have his former partner who is as hard-boiled as they come but since he is a cop he does things by the book. This is almost like a buddy cop situation but because they are not working together it doesn’t turn into anything formulaic.
Pelecanos packs a lot of detail into this novel; the cars, the clothes and the action packed plot but most of all the music. I cannot help but wonder if George Pelecanos was obsessed with music at the time of writing this book, because it really came through. Not only does he mention songs, albums and artists but who was playing what instrument and a little review of the song according to the character. Never have I read such an obsession with music since American Psycho.
I’m not sure if Strange had an afro but I can’t imagine him any other way with his bellbottom pants; it really was an image driven novel. I think with all the work George Pelecanos did with TV helped him world build and paint a picture. There were some clunky parts of the book but nothing really that would detract from the enjoyment of Pelecanos hard-boiled style.
I want to read more books in this series, as well as try out some of his other standalone novels. While this was book five, it was enough to convince me to explore more of this author’s catalogue, but I can’t help but wonder if reading this series out of order was one of my major problems with the book. I hear many people talking about The Night Gardener, so maybe that will be my next step into George Pelecanos style.
This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/04/17/book-review-what-it-was/
George Pelecanos is best known as a writer for The Wire; I will admit I’ve not watched the show in its entirety but I thought I will try one of his books. I picked up this book because it was accessible but soon found out it was book five in a series about Derek Strange & Frank Vaughn. Luckily enough this read like a standalone and still felt like I learnt enough about the two to enjoy this book.
This book reminds me of those 1970’s pulp movies, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel with that same feel. You have the typical cool, badass African American who goes around kicking ass and then you have his former partner who is as hard-boiled as they come but since he is a cop he does things by the book. This is almost like a buddy cop situation but because they are not working together it doesn’t turn into anything formulaic.
Pelecanos packs a lot of detail into this novel; the cars, the clothes and the action packed plot but most of all the music. I cannot help but wonder if George Pelecanos was obsessed with music at the time of writing this book, because it really came through. Not only does he mention songs, albums and artists but who was playing what instrument and a little review of the song according to the character. Never have I read such an obsession with music since American Psycho.
I’m not sure if Strange had an afro but I can’t imagine him any other way with his bellbottom pants; it really was an image driven novel. I think with all the work George Pelecanos did with TV helped him world build and paint a picture. There were some clunky parts of the book but nothing really that would detract from the enjoyment of Pelecanos hard-boiled style.
I want to read more books in this series, as well as try out some of his other standalone novels. While this was book five, it was enough to convince me to explore more of this author’s catalogue, but I can’t help but wonder if reading this series out of order was one of my major problems with the book. I hear many people talking about The Night Gardener, so maybe that will be my next step into George Pelecanos style.
This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/04/17/book-review-what-it-was/
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