Shame the Devil by George P. Pelecanos Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Shame the Devil
Book Review: Pelecano's eight novel is his best work to date.
Summary: 5 Stars
Adventures of pi Nicky Stefanos and ex-small-time drug dealer Dimitri Karras continue in Washington DC with this magnificient book which is George P. Pelecano's best work to date. You might call it crime fiction, I'd call it simply literature. Shame The Devil is compelling and engaging study of guilt, loss and substance abuse as much it is high-octane & streetwise crime noir. Also recommended: King Suckerman (tribute to blaxploitation), Sweet Forever and Nick Stefanos trilogy: Firing Offence, Nick's Trip and Down by The River. Pelecanos has also written noirish Big Blowdown which is set in 40's/50's Washington. Read them all. PS. Does anyone has idea where can I obtain Shoedog - Pelecanos third book?Book Review: Loss is the major theme as the Washington trilogy completes.
Summary: 3 Stars
The final book in Pelecanos' Washington trilogy looks at death and its impact on those left behind. An attempted hold-up of a pizza parlour leaves behind a devastating trail of violence that reverberates across the years. The friends and family of the victims meet regularly as a self-help group but the scars are slow to heal. The old wounds are re-opened as the men behind the heist come back to town. After the high violence opening, the book sags a little as we catch up with characters from previous books. Another problem is the character of Frank Farrow who initiates the killing spree, escapes with the money and then is seemingly content to be a washer-up in a small town. Some of the writing is of high quality, though - the meditations on the death of a child are particularly moving. There is some attempt to debate the existence of a hereafter - and the book even hints that something does follow. As the plot cranks up again towards the end all this can be put aside in a rollercoaster of revelation and thrills.Book Review: Superb!
Summary: 5 Stars
Pelecanos does it again,I have yet to be disappointed with any of his books.Initially,I thought its not King Suckerman and was prepared for a let down.No need however,although it lacks the zip and all round sassiness of Suckerman it more than compensates in other ways.I really got to care about these characters and the decline of Karras from earlier books was sad,brave of Pelecanos to let such a character become a shadow of his former self though.Nick is a fantastic creation,one of many in the Pelecanos canon and I really hope we havent seen the last of him.
There is an underlyng melancholy in all his books of late but that doesnt stop them from racing along.As ever big themes are explored in a hard boiled way and there is wit in abundance.I was genuinely sad when I finished this book and finding something to replace it is proving difficult.
If you are new to Pelecanos I wouldn't start with this,I would begin at the beginning.You are in for a treat anyway.
If you are familiar with his work,relax buy it.it is up there with any of his others.I envy you,I have no Pelecanos left unread and I am bereft.
Book Review: Superb. Sadly, all too credible.
Summary: 5 Stars
Hardboiled, clear and violent. Nonetheless an excellent, tautly written book. Ugly main character who sadly was all too believable.There was an edge of redemption which softened the blows.Book Review: Between the Eyes
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent piece of writing, but not an easy read. Pelecanos delivers punch after punch with powerful credibility. Another excellent work from a master of the genre. This is a novel that will stand the test of time - and be held up as a testament to the times it was written in.