The Night Gardener
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Among aficionados of crime fiction, the name of George Pelecanos is revered. And the fact that he is not particularly known to the general public -- who spend their money on far less accomplished authors -- only adds to the lustre of his reputation among those who have discovered him. If you are wondering why this is the case, pick up The Night Gardener, and the chances good that you will see the appeal of this highly accomplished author.
Stephen King has called Pelecanos 'perhaps the greatest living American crime writer', and one of the reasons for this praise may be the total verisimilitude of his writing: this is crime fiction that makes most entries in the fields seem glossy and insubstantial. The plot here involves unsolved crimes and a killer who has never been brought to justice. In 1985, a ruthless individual was kidnapping teenagers, killing them and dumping their mutilated bodies in public parks. 20 years have passed, and detectives Gus Ramone and Dan Holiday -- who worked on the original case -- have taken different career trajectories: Gus has made Detective Sergeant, while Dan has lost his job over a series of irregularities. But then a boy is found murdered in a public park, and both men find themselves seeking closure on a dark case from their pasts. All the things that distinguish Pelecanos' best writing -- flinty characterisation, solid plotting and a marked social concern -- are present here. If you haven't already, it's time to join the legions of Pelecanos admirers. --Barry Forshaw. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Review
"an exciting crime novel that shows the long shadow that violence throws" SUNDAY TIMES "Unmissable" LONDON LITE
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'The Night Gardener' tells the story of a police investigation into the death of a black youth in Washington DC. The apparent murder matches a series of unsolved killings that occurred 20 years previously. Gus Ramone and Dan Holiday, two cops who worked on the earlier cases, come together again to solve the latest crime. But their lives have diverged in the intervening two decades; family man Ramone remains a police officer, whereas the boozy, single Holiday had to leave the force under a cloud.
This straightforward premise is developed well by Pelecanos, who examines family relationships and racial issues in US society today along the way.
Aside from having a decent plot, a deal of reading pleasure can be had from Pelecanos's use of language, especially his dialogue, which is always snappy and authentic and often darkly humourous.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-constructed crime novel, that delivers social comment without slowing the narrative. I've read that Pelecanos has contributed to the acclaimed US series 'The Wire' - anyone who likes this or its ilk, eg 'The Shield' would probably find this a worthwhile read. Readers who've already tried Pelecanos only need to know this maintains his usual high standard.
This straightforward premise is developed well by Pelecanos, who examines family relationships and racial issues in US society today along the way.
Aside from having a decent plot, a deal of reading pleasure can be had from Pelecanos's use of language, especially his dialogue, which is always snappy and authentic and often darkly humourous.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-constructed crime novel, that delivers social comment without slowing the narrative. I've read that Pelecanos has contributed to the acclaimed US series 'The Wire' - anyone who likes this or its ilk, eg 'The Shield' would probably find this a worthwhile read. Readers who've already tried Pelecanos only need to know this maintains his usual high standard.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to give this perfect novel five stars. It is Pelecanos at his best. Superb dialogue enveloping a fine mystery. And he has time for some moralising. I feel Pelecanos is right up there with Elmore Leonard for sheer atmosphere and grittiness.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It took me a while to warm to this novel but by the time I'd finished it I was pretty much glowing. It's less of a thriller and more of a literary crime novel. The plot is hardly gripping - no cliff-hanger endings, no mysteries, no conventional action in the form of fights and chases, and no real twists and turns. Instead, what you get is an enchanting portrait of how a real homicide unit interacts - not only with itself but also with its suspects and with its local community. The characters are as real as any I have encountered in the genre - no cliched detectives here; rather uniformed cops with families to feed, bills to pay and vocational callings to fulfill. The dialogue is wonderfully authentic but it was the sheer humanity - the frailty, strength, bitterness and compassion - of the cast that really moved me. Progress on the central murder is slow but this only reflects the reality of the story. I do have some sympathy with the reviewer who complains that the book often reads like a street directory of Washington DC, and I am undecided on the merit of the final page. (Possibly brilliant; possibly a little trite). This isn't a page-tuner but it was an absolute pleasure to read. You'll love the Ramone family by the end of the book and you'll have a great deal of respect for the previously antagonistic 'Doc' Holiday. Don't expect fireworks. Instead, enjoy a masterclass in characterisation and dialogue and savour a biting yet sympathetic snapshot of life on the streets of DC.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Too much information
Another reviewer complains that this book displays too much familiarity with the Washington DC street map. I'd agree with that, but I'd go further. Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. P. Walton
Homicide - Life on the streets of DC
If you've come to Pelecanos after The Wire, episodes of which he co-wrote and co-produced, then you won't be disappointed. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Bill
the butler did it
Pelecanos is a good, flowing writer and I enjoyed this book.
However, if he was trying to make a particular racial point I did not get it, this was perhaps because this... Read more
However, if he was trying to make a particular racial point I did not get it, this was perhaps because this... Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2008 by L. Giovnilli
Not worth the postage
A random collection of shallow characters framed by a dull pointless story line. The only purpose of the book seems to be to demonstrate a certain knowledge of the street map of... Read more
Published on 27 July 2008 by Frogman
New direction,same high standard
I have just made a start into rereading GP's back catalogue and got through the Nick Stefanos trilogy when I got this. Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2006 by A. Murdoch
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