The Blue Flame
-
-
4.3 • 50 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
Private investigator Derek Strange returns in a riveting drama about revenge, greed, and redemption—from bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer for HBO’s The Wire and Treme, George Pelecanos.
He was curious. It was the cop in him. That flame was still alive.
The neon “Strange Investigations” sign may be flickering in disrepair outside his office, but private investigator Derek Strange is still accepting new cases. When a flashy drug lawyer hires him to prove an alibi for an accused murderer, Strange can’t help getting drawn into the darkness.
In his hunt for answers, he stands his ground against some of Washington, D.C.’s most dangerous criminals, and a police department that doesn’t entirely welcome his interference. As the violence escalates and claims another victim, the raised stakes force Strange to question his own moves. Are his instincts still intact?
The Blue Flame is signature Pelecanos: tough, smart, rich with details of a time and place—and at its core, exposing the good and bad that exist side by side in so-called heroes and villains alike.
Customer Reviews
First in class writing.
Few authors have the ability to create an atmospheric setting in the first few pages. And then to populate his story with credible portraits of 100% realistic characters. That Mr Pelecanos makes this look easy and effortless is how you can tell just how good he is. Among great authors of this century and the last, George Pelecanos is among a select group that includes Hemmingway, Cormac McCarthy and James Lee Burke. His dialogue moves like the best of Elmore Leonard. Bottom line, George Pelecanos is indeed, an American literary treasure and should be celebrated as such.
The Blue Flame (as in so many of Pelecanos books) reveals the author’s true love and understanding of the DC culture, and he rewards the reader with little factual nuggets like the famous DC police chief (now head of NFL security) and always drops the names of musical recordings that are nothing less than gems from the 60s and 70s. I come away with the feeling that a hang with George Pelecanos would be an education in soul music, food, and how to be a man at street level in the DC.
This book, The Blue Flame is not complicated, but neither is it simplistic. It’s just very good in fact excellent entertainment. The bad guys are bad, the good guys are as good as real people get. The cops dont do motive, psychology or coincidence. They act like real homicide detectives. This is a 5 star read. Enjoy!
Loved it!
So wonderful to be reunited with my old dear friend Derek Strange. More please! Don’t make us wait so long!