Book Review: Down By the River Where the Dead Men Go

Reviewed By: Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM

Down By the River Where the Dead Men Go     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
George Pelecanos
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator   Noir
Series: Nick Stefanos # 7
1995, Serpents Tail, 240 pages / $13.00

This book featuring Nick Stefanos, was a little to close to home for me in some respects. I, like Nick, have woken up in a public park after drinking too much. Of course I didn’t wake to a dead body. This book drew me in so fast I had to stop reading and reorient myself. Pelecanos’ ability to write about problem drinking is uncanny. But then again, Pelecanos’ writing always is.

The story in this book is so real feeling that it could have come from the headlines of almost any paper. Calvin Jetter is murdered and Nick needs to know why and by who. He reluctantly teams up with one Jack LaDuke, who is a very enthusiastic young PI. Between the two of them they find the who and what and why behind the murder, and bring it to a violent conclusion. The story is strong and believable.

The ability of Pelecanos to bring the dark side of humanity to life is frightening. While reading I kept being reminded of things I went through while I was drinking. This book is as much about Nick’s struggle with his dark side as anything else. This book is noirish, hardboiled, hip and culturally on top of things. A great read. A wonderful read. A dark read.

A must read.

Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM