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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's a beauty in the way Pelecanos writes a genre that often lacks it. You can feel the yearning in every one of his characters—yearning to succeed, to be loved, to know a parent or a loved one you never got a chance to. So even when one of his books don't blow you away, there is still a lot to sink your teeth into.
Reading Hell to Pay, I realized my problem with George Pelecanos. He takes himself too damn seriously. Would a little humor lessen the impact? It's not that the characters never have fun, but even the descriptions of the good times are serious - tinged with regret, perhaps, or the memory of previous sadness. Sometimes I'm in the mood for that, but this time I wasn't. Need to let some time pass before reading number three.
That said, Pelecanos is still at the top of his game. The first Strange/Quinn book focused almost entirely on the past. This one rarely mentions their shared history, and propels them both forward in surprising ways. I admire Pelecanos for keeping things moving, character-wise. Most series authors succumb to stagnation, figuring that whatever made the first book popular will ensure continued success. Pelecanos's novels read like he's never satisfied with what he's done.
That said, Pelecanos is still at the top of his game. The first Strange/Quinn book focused almost entirely on the past. This one rarely mentions their shared history, and propels them both forward in surprising ways. I admire Pelecanos for keeping things moving, character-wise. Most series authors succumb to stagnation, figuring that whatever made the first book popular will ensure continued success. Pelecanos's novels read like he's never satisfied with what he's done.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Basically read it in one long sitting, the momentum, and worry, building from Chapter One. The prose is sometimes clunky, as is the social commentary, but Derek Strange is a compelling character, more than a little like Matt Scudder. The series also has Block's dark, melancholy tone. Cinematic, in the best way.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I mentioned in my review of the first Quinn and Strange novel that you aren't supposed to really love Quinn and Strange, exactly. The detective novel requires you, on some level, to believe in the moral qualities of the detective so they aren't just a busybody. Strange fulfills that purpose in the first novel; Quinn, even right at the end, we are not supposed to fully think he's great. In this, the second book of the series, this approach bears fruit. Quinn still is who he is, and around the edges you still see that his views on race and violence still have a dark undercurrent to them. Yet this time he is the one who receives acceptance and support, while Strange, who is a bit more of a judgmental figure, is genuinely challenged on his moral stances and actions. Some he rises to. On others he fails.
About two thirds of the way through the book, Strange, who has been investigating the suitor of a friend's daughter as a favor, is confronted by that suitor after Strange uncovers a secret. The suitor directly comes at Strange's moral judgment and turns it around on him. Both the reader and Strange are hit hard by it.
The bad guys are given inner lives, and because our heroes struggle so much you start to truly understand the conflict between them. This goes into my "best private eye novels of all time" list, with a bullet. An incredible work.
About two thirds of the way through the book, Strange, who has been investigating the suitor of a friend's daughter as a favor, is confronted by that suitor after Strange uncovers a secret. The suitor directly comes at Strange's moral judgment and turns it around on him. Both the reader and Strange are hit hard by it.
The bad guys are given inner lives, and because our heroes struggle so much you start to truly understand the conflict between them. This goes into my "best private eye novels of all time" list, with a bullet. An incredible work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Trafficking, Murder
I wish I could give this a 3.5. Reminded me of Michael Connelly in the sense that his main character is a sort of anti hero. Derek Strange is a complex man with moral conflicts of his own but is also driven by a strong sense of right and wrong in the bigger world. Connelly does a good job as an author keeping the focus at the individual level whereas Pelecanos flirts with making statements about systemic change.
My concern is that his message is a little muddy as so much if the story and this type of drama relies on a sensationalistic and over generalized perspective on urban life.
My concern is that his message is a little muddy as so much if the story and this type of drama relies on a sensationalistic and over generalized perspective on urban life.
read this b.c pelecanos is a writer for The Wire, and was curious enough to give this a try. the one is the second in a series, the first is right as rain- both are pretty good, solid crime fiction.