jimmypat's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book I’m reading in a series that I’m calling “quarantine life”. With all of our libraries closed due to the corona virus, I’m left to cull through my own shelves for books that I haven’t read yet.
This book has been on my shelf for 18 years, so it’s probably been that long since I’ve read a Pelecanos novel. Despite a rough start (more in that in a moment), I was pretty engaged with this novel- mainly due to Pelecanos’ gift with dialogue. It also reminded me of his other works, where much of the action centers around the relationship of two guys (white and black) where they talk incessantly about music.
This book stays firmly in 3 star territory due to a couple of reasons:
- When reading, I’m not interested in commercials. However, Pelecanos kept singing the praises of Craftsmen tools, Heineken beer, Pay Day bars, and Tabasco. Check out this example, where after listing all the Craftsmen tools in Strange’s trunk Pelecanos writes “When he could, Strange always bought Craftsman - the tools were guaranteed for life and he tended to be hard on his equipment.” What the heck is this crap? Did Sears pay for this product endorsement?
- Gratuitous and unnecessary sex scenes. A lot of them. That coupled with (pun intended!) the main characters casual disregard for the women in their lives was a bit much.
Despite those items, I’m likely to read the next book. There was enough going on to make me curious to see what happens next with these guys.
This book has been on my shelf for 18 years, so it’s probably been that long since I’ve read a Pelecanos novel. Despite a rough start (more in that in a moment), I was pretty engaged with this novel- mainly due to Pelecanos’ gift with dialogue. It also reminded me of his other works, where much of the action centers around the relationship of two guys (white and black) where they talk incessantly about music.
This book stays firmly in 3 star territory due to a couple of reasons:
- When reading, I’m not interested in commercials. However, Pelecanos kept singing the praises of Craftsmen tools, Heineken beer, Pay Day bars, and Tabasco. Check out this example, where after listing all the Craftsmen tools in Strange’s trunk Pelecanos writes “When he could, Strange always bought Craftsman - the tools were guaranteed for life and he tended to be hard on his equipment.” What the heck is this crap? Did Sears pay for this product endorsement?
- Gratuitous and unnecessary sex scenes. A lot of them. That coupled with (pun intended!) the main characters casual disregard for the women in their lives was a bit much.
Despite those items, I’m likely to read the next book. There was enough going on to make me curious to see what happens next with these guys.
gregtrob's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read from Pelecanos with Strange as the main character. I found the plot in this one very interesting and it kept me riveted to the book.
jdcorley's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How to make a mystery/crime story have racial elements without falling into stereotype - get very, very, very specific. Every single character in this from the racist redneck meth dealers to the innocent young kid present at exactly one interview has a point of view, a history and Pelecanos carefully lays it out with understanding, even if not acceptance. See what you think of Terry Quinn by the end of this book that supposedly introduces him to the private-eye job that will be the source of the next few books. Tell you one thing, Pelecanos absolutely doesn't expect us to just love him and think he's great.
The one exception to the rule of Pelecanos' relentless, detailed focus on personal viewpoints and history are drug users. In this story a drug addict has no point of view and no interiority at all; they're just a vehicle driving towards an overdose. There's not an ounce of sympathy to the addict anywhere in here, even when rescuing (this is not a euphemism) one is the core objective of the last fourth of the book.
The one exception to the rule of Pelecanos' relentless, detailed focus on personal viewpoints and history are drug users. In this story a drug addict has no point of view and no interiority at all; they're just a vehicle driving towards an overdose. There's not an ounce of sympathy to the addict anywhere in here, even when rescuing (this is not a euphemism) one is the core objective of the last fourth of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Addiction, and Gun violence
mayoroffailure's review against another edition
4.0
This book made its way onto my to reads list because I learned that the author was one of the many writers for the The Wire, a TV show that had fever pitch fandom all through its run and for a good long while after. Now for those that haven't seen the wire but like the true crime genre you need to stop what your doing and go watch some of it.
The story of Right as Rain is one that seems pretty simple on surface level but the further you get into it the deeper it becomes, the base story is as follows. Terry Quinn pulls over while on his beat and ends up shooting an off duty black police officer who was threatening another citizen. Years later a black private detective is hired to look back into the case and he uncovers a leviathan of information.
The best part about this book has to be the characters, weather its Terry Quinn, Derek Strange or any of the other characters all of them feel wholly unique and all of them clearly belong in the universe the book is set in. Both the dialogue and the writing are also great and both make the universe that Mr. Pelecanos sets up extremely convincing and extremely immersive. None of the novel feels like wasted space and it moves along at a satisfying pace that makes you want more right after you close the back cover.
I also appreciate that Mr. Pelecanos used the novel as a vehicle to explore some real issues, I think that too many detective and crime stories no a days simply have cookie cutter themes or characters. The book tackles perhaps one of the biggest themes with race issues and equality in our modern day people and police. It talks about the changing issues within racial tensions, profiling, and making oneself seem more diverse in order to be accepted. I think the smartest part with how Mr. Pelecanos deals with the topic of race is that he doesn't overdo it. Racism is something that can cause an author to get self righteous or take it to an extreme that isn't needed but Mr. Pelecanos is able to navigate the line between shying away from the issue and over doing the issue with the quality of a master.
The only thing I didn't like is really just a personal choice, if I had been writing it then I would have set the novel in the 1970's rather than modern day. This book has such a seventies vibe to it that there were moments that I think even Mr. Pelecanos wanted it to take place in the seventies and if he had this would have been one of the best crime novels I've ever read. I simply think that the plot would have been in perfect position if it had taken place in the mid or late seventies.
Right as Rain is a great novel with one of the best casts of characters that I've seen in a long while. If you like crime fiction or detective fiction then your going to absolutely love this one. If you like hard boiled writing with great character development then you'll also love this novel. This novel has very limited problems and its definitely just like its title, Right as Rain.
The story of Right as Rain is one that seems pretty simple on surface level but the further you get into it the deeper it becomes, the base story is as follows. Terry Quinn pulls over while on his beat and ends up shooting an off duty black police officer who was threatening another citizen. Years later a black private detective is hired to look back into the case and he uncovers a leviathan of information.
The best part about this book has to be the characters, weather its Terry Quinn, Derek Strange or any of the other characters all of them feel wholly unique and all of them clearly belong in the universe the book is set in. Both the dialogue and the writing are also great and both make the universe that Mr. Pelecanos sets up extremely convincing and extremely immersive. None of the novel feels like wasted space and it moves along at a satisfying pace that makes you want more right after you close the back cover.
I also appreciate that Mr. Pelecanos used the novel as a vehicle to explore some real issues, I think that too many detective and crime stories no a days simply have cookie cutter themes or characters. The book tackles perhaps one of the biggest themes with race issues and equality in our modern day people and police. It talks about the changing issues within racial tensions, profiling, and making oneself seem more diverse in order to be accepted. I think the smartest part with how Mr. Pelecanos deals with the topic of race is that he doesn't overdo it. Racism is something that can cause an author to get self righteous or take it to an extreme that isn't needed but Mr. Pelecanos is able to navigate the line between shying away from the issue and over doing the issue with the quality of a master.
The only thing I didn't like is really just a personal choice, if I had been writing it then I would have set the novel in the 1970's rather than modern day. This book has such a seventies vibe to it that there were moments that I think even Mr. Pelecanos wanted it to take place in the seventies and if he had this would have been one of the best crime novels I've ever read. I simply think that the plot would have been in perfect position if it had taken place in the mid or late seventies.
Right as Rain is a great novel with one of the best casts of characters that I've seen in a long while. If you like crime fiction or detective fiction then your going to absolutely love this one. If you like hard boiled writing with great character development then you'll also love this novel. This novel has very limited problems and its definitely just like its title, Right as Rain.
martyfried's review
4.0
This is my first read from this author, and the first in a series - and a very strong start, in my opinion. I definitely plan to read more of these.
It's a gritty, down-to-earth story that takes place in Washington, DC in places where most of us would never see, and about people we probably would never meet. And for many of them, we wouldn't want to meet, although there are some that I wouldn't mind meeting, such as Derek Strange, a Black detective/former cop and his office manager/girlfriend. He teams up with a troubled White former cop who is part of his investigation, and they become friends. Together, they go after some real low-life drug dealers.
I think the author did a great job of exposing the under-belly of Washington and making it seem real. I don't know if it's really authentic, of course, but the characters all seemed to come alive, and I felt I knew them all. I look forward to more from this author.
It's a gritty, down-to-earth story that takes place in Washington, DC in places where most of us would never see, and about people we probably would never meet. And for many of them, we wouldn't want to meet, although there are some that I wouldn't mind meeting, such as Derek Strange, a Black detective/former cop and his office manager/girlfriend. He teams up with a troubled White former cop who is part of his investigation, and they become friends. Together, they go after some real low-life drug dealers.
I think the author did a great job of exposing the under-belly of Washington and making it seem real. I don't know if it's really authentic, of course, but the characters all seemed to come alive, and I felt I knew them all. I look forward to more from this author.
cmasson17's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nonna7's review against another edition
5.0
I've enjoyed reading Pelecanos off and on, although his books have never been at the top of my TBR list. However, having just finished watching The Wire from start to finish, I was in the mood for one of his books. I pulled this one off the shelf and was riveted almost from the beginning. This book introduces the Derek Strange and Terry Quinn, two very different people who come together on an investigation. Derek is a middle aged black private investigator and former police officer. This book does not go into whether Derek left the police force on his own, retired or what the story is. When the mother of Chris Wilson, a slain police officer, asks him to investigate her son's death because of a cloud on his record that she believes is wrong, he is not sure what he can do. It's not a moneymaker as his secretary and lover, Janine, reminds him more than once. He starts his investigation with Terry Quinn, the young police officer who shot Chris Wilson. Quinn soon becomes part of the investigation as he confronts his own racism. It soon becomes obvious that there was much more to this shooting than first meets the eye. There's so much to this book. It's full of complex people and issues. As I was reading this, I got to like Strange and Quinn more and more because they are both flawed and recognize their flaws. This is a violent and bloody book with a lot of surprises. I loved it.
stevelaflamme's review against another edition
4.0
Une bonne enquête de la vieille école, un bon portrait des problèmes de tensions entre Blancs et Noirs aux États-Unis - une question encore criante de contemporanéité. Seuls bémols : les antagonistes sont terriblement caricaturaux et unidimensionnels... et la traduction française, épouvantablement franchouillarde.