I liked many things about this book but it wasn't what I would call an easy read. It takes place in an alternate history of the United States in the 1I liked many things about this book but it wasn't what I would call an easy read. It takes place in an alternate history of the United States in the 1920's. Much of the US is familiar - Chicago, California, but there are also a couple other states that don't presently exist - Cahokia and Deseret, which seem to be run mainly by Native Americans and were settled by the Jesuits (if I understood correctly). So the Native Americans speak their own language, but our protagonist Barrow is a cop who is Native American but not local so he doesn't speak the language which makes his life more complicated. People see him and based on his looks assume he speaks the language. He has a white cop partner, Phin who is kind of a jerk (I laughed out loud when the long harassed police secretary nailed him in the hand with a stapler after her slapped her behind one too many times.) Barrow doesn't harass women and is much more likeable. The detectives investigate the murder of a man on top of an office building, which was done in a ritualistic manner and frankly a bit gory for my taste. There are complications with local politics, the catholic church and the Klu Klux Klan. We root for Barrow though, who in his off time is a talented Jazz pianist. Good book but I had to concentrate on who was who and what was happening to keep it all straight in my mind....more
First published in 1957 and recently rereleased in the Vintage Crime Black Lizard collection. This is the first in the Harlem Cycle series featuring cFirst published in 1957 and recently rereleased in the Vintage Crime Black Lizard collection. This is the first in the Harlem Cycle series featuring cops "Grave Digger" Jones and "Coffin" Ed Johnson from the 126th precinct in Harlem. Black cops who are not respected by black people, they are partners who will shoot first and sort out the details later. The book starts out with a bang (no pun intended) and never lets up. A violent non-stop slice of life in the Harlem underworld of the 1950's with con artists, pimps, prostitutes, criminals, a nun impersonator, and a femme fatale with an all too trusting boyfriend. It all starts with a con to turn $10 bills into $100 dollar bills. This has the potential to be a blistering action/crime movie like LA Confidential. They might even have to tone it down to keep an R Rating. But it is an exciting ride, and I will read more of this series if I can get ahold of copies....more
A condo-type housing development is its own sort of village in a remote part of Alaska. Tunnels connect to parts of a former military base that has moA condo-type housing development is its own sort of village in a remote part of Alaska. Tunnels connect to parts of a former military base that has mostly been abandoned after earthquake damage in the 1960's. But the teenage residents like to explore the tunnels. Body parts have washed up on the beach. Is it a murder or suicide or what? Told by different narrators, we get to know a visiting former APD detective and the people in the village. This is sort of a locked-room setting as the village is remote and due to a blizzard, a tunnel connecting them with the outside world is temporarily shut down, stranding the detective and trapping everyone inside. With its own school, hotel, stores, infirmary and post office, the city is a bustling place with tourists in the summertime, but in the winter very few people live there and most don't stay for more than a few years. An excellent place to hunker down if you are on the run or have something to hide. What mysteries are the residents hiding?...more
Russian detective Arkady Renko has been pushed into a desk job he doesn't want. However he agrees to help a criminal looking for his adult daughter whRussian detective Arkady Renko has been pushed into a desk job he doesn't want. However he agrees to help a criminal looking for his adult daughter who has recently disappeared, a violinist involved with a democratic political leaning group in Russia. Detective Renko gets caught up in a mystery, a new romance, and is dealing with a health issue of his own. I liked it and would read more in this series....more
A good police procedural set in Scotland in the 1970's. Focuses on a mysterious plane crash into an apartment building. The crashed plane is removed tA good police procedural set in Scotland in the 1970's. Focuses on a mysterious plane crash into an apartment building. The crashed plane is removed to the airport for examination but the wreckage is mysteriously blown up. Why? A criminal plot with many moving parts is unraveled by the police. Would read more by this author....more
A man's secret life is revealed during the investigation of his murder. My favoriteA man's secret life is revealed during the investigation of his murder. My favorite...more
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