Crime Fiction – Chapin City Blues

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Review:

Every Don Winslow book needs to be narrated by Ed Harris. His cadence just matches the grim, bleak worlds Don Winslow constructs. Maybe they’re worlds he traversed during his time as an investigator. In either case, they are worlds I don’t mind visiting for an hour and change.

Much like Deep Hole, Dietrich follows a flawed man who, at times, seems to be going through the motions. In this case, the man is Richard Dietrich, a homicide detective, who is investigating an obvious mob hit during the summer of ‘77 in New York City. For those not into true crime, this is the summer where David Berkowitz, better known as the Son of Sam, stalked the streets in search of his victims. Despite having a witness to the crime, it seems that everyone on the force is in the mob’s pocket.

Dietrich is one of those books where you feel for the protagonist, but you may want to seek professional help if you relate to them.

Winslow crafts flawed characters and throws them into an equally flawed world. We follow as they see the horrors of their surroundings and try to make sense of it or die trying. Dietrich is no different. We witness a washed up detective knowing that he could go after a mob boss while also understanding that no one in the district attorney’s office will back him up. He understands that even his witness wouldn’t seem credible on the stage. Knowing these things, he has to make the difficult decision of going after the mob boss and potentially putting himself and his witness at risk, or letting the man get away with the crime.

Until next time, keep on huntin’.

Rating:

Review:

I will forever hear Ed Harris’ voice when reading a Don Winslow novel from here on out (though, I’ll be honest, I’ve only read Savages because the movie looked interesting. Spoiler: the novel was miles better than the movie, though it had its moment).

I picked up Deep Hole because I needed something to listen to while I work on my rare book preservation project (it’s not as interesting as it sounds). It was only an hour and change and it’s packed with intense moments, which I’ve come to expect from Winslow’s works (you know, because I only read the one book). Ed Harris’ voice was also a plus side. (It’s also available for free to those with an Audible subscription.)

Winslow uses his ability to pace the story, spending an hour of our time putting us in the midst of the story without wasting a single second. The story follows two characters: Eddie, a surfer who owes a lot of money to a Godfather-type mob boss, and Chris, the mob boss’s nephew who acts as his bookie. In a short time period, Winslow is able to give us a deep insight on the lives of two characters, the relationships with others in their lives, and with themselves. He sets up a bleak, almost grimy visual in our minds with his description that it’s not different from watching a classic mafia movie. And Ed Harris is the perfect choice for narrator as his voice illustrates the mood and tone of the short story.

As I wrote this review, I learned that there are a few more Audible Original stories written by Winslow with Harris’ narration that are also available to Audible subscribers. Until next time, keep on huntin’.