Book Review: Done for a Dime

Reviewed By: Donna M - RAM

Done for a Dime     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
David Corbett
Class/Genre:   Mystery

Black saxophonist Raymond 'Strong' Carlisle is a man who could start a fight in an empty room. At the beginning of the book he's lying outside his home in tense and edgy Rio Mirada, having been shot in the back. There's no lack of suspects to choose from. On the last day of his life Carlisle got into a fight in a bar, argued with his son, and had an altercation with a local gangbanger. The two white cops assigned to the case are Murchison and Stluka. Murchison is basically a good cop who's been ground down by his job. His partner Stluka is racist, cruel and heartless. As well as the universal themes of corruption and racism, the book is heartbreakingly personal in its depiction of human frailty and loneliness, love and hate, despair and anger. In one sense it's not an easy book to read, exploring as it does such dark themes. However it's also full of hope and love. It's a book with heart and soul, emphasized by the lyrical, passionate writing.

Donna M - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Donna M - RAM