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Title: Shame the Devil: A Novel by George P. Pelecanos ISBN: 0-440-23635-5 Publisher: Dell Publishing Company Pub. Date: 06 March, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.58 (26 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Perhaps it's not a "mystery"...
Comment: But George Pelecanos continues to write some of the best fiction that's out there. I would rate this a great mystery, even if you know "whodunnit." The characters are smartly written and the book is superbly paced. I first discovered Pelecanos with his last book "The Sweet Forever" and it was great to see how his characters from that book have evolved. If you're tired of reading the same old, same old from writers such as James Patterson and Steve Martini, definitely read this book. Pelecanos is right up there with Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly (two writers whose positive reviews of Pelecanos inspired me to try him). Also, if you're at all familiar with the DC area, Pelecanos captures the setting beautifully. I cannot more highly recommend this book.
Rating: 4
Summary: a tight, well-developed crime novel..
Comment: 'Shame the Devil' is the last in a series of novels by George Pelecanos tracing the lives of Greek immigrants and their decendents living in downtown Washington. While there is no need to read all the previous three novels, which I haven't done, I suggest reading at least one (perhaps the first, 'The Big Blowdown') to gain a historical perpective to the characters, the setting, etc.
'Shame the Devil' is very well-written, complete with excellent characterizations. While it doesn't have much of the drug culture found in the author's other novels it does contain more than its fair share of violence, extreme sadistic violence. The book drips with evil. Simply put, the story is about revenge and redemption. Certainly not in the same league as 'Crime & Punishment' but nonetheless a fine story. My only criticism is that at times, especially towards the end, the author gets a bit soppy. The good guy characters start hugging and snivelling. Why the author chose to insert "Kodak moments" into this hard-hitting novel is anyone's guess.
Bottom line: George Pelecanos is really a terrific crime writer. Enjoy.
Rating: 5
Summary: Nick and Dimitri sitting side by side . . .
Comment: at the Spot. It's about time. SHAME THE DEVIL completes my reading of all of the Pelecanos books and I just have to say what a pleasure it was. SHAME THE DEVIL opens with a brutal robbery and killings at May's Pizza Parlor and the death of 5 year old Jimmy (Dimitri's son) during the getaway of the robbery.
Several things I liked about this book include:
**SPOILERS**
The group meetings of the survivors of the victims who were killed in May's.
The family atmosphere of The Spot including Phil, James, Maria, Mai, Anna, Darnell, Ramon, Dan Boyle and Happy. I could feel the past books coming off the pages when I first entered the Spot in this book.
Nick offering Dimitri a job so he can feel some sort of routine and structure in his life after the death of his child. VERY WELL DONE.
Both Nick and Dimitri's struggle with faith and a higher being.
Loved hearing how well Marcus and Elaine Clay are doing.
The tie-in to the masterpiece, THE BIG BLOWDOWN, which I always considered to be Pelecanos' best work. This one competes so well I'm not sure which one I would choose to be the best.
I know George P. thinks his Derek Strange books are his best but the three Stefanos books and the D.C. quartet are equally as good. I like the Strange series but the Stefanos character both old and young tip the scales for me.
In the end Nick leaves the Spot(as do two other characters) to try to control his drinking. Change is inevitable. It will be interesting to see where that goes should George P. continue this series. (I certainly hope so).
It is definitely beneficial to read these books in order because you really do get the big pay off when you read SHAME THE DEVIL last.
Highly recommended. A MUST READ.
P.S. the William Bell song YOU DON'T MISS YOUR WATER is mentioned here while Dimitri is sitting at the bar and he enjoys listening to it. It's on the HARD REVOLUTION CD. I enjoyed reading about it because the song jumped out me while listening to the CD. I could hear it clear as a bell. I also really enjoy A FOOL FOR YOU, I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG, DON'T FIGHT IT and TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT.
You outdid yourself on this one, G.P.
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Title: The Sweet Forever by George P. Pelecanos ISBN: 044023493X Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 10 August, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: King Suckerman by George P. Pelecanos ISBN: 0440225957 Publisher: Dell Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 August, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Right as Rain by George P. Pelecanos ISBN: 0446610798 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Big Blowdown by George P. Pelecanos ISBN: 0312242913 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 01 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Hell to Pay by George Pelecanos ISBN: 0446611328 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: March, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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