Tag Archives: crime

The Black Echo

Posted on January 21, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Black Echo© 1992 Michael Connelly375 pages It’s the week before Memorial Day 1991 in Los Angeles, the city of stars, urban street gangs, and smog — and Detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch has been called in on a Sunday to … Continue reading →

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The Devil’s Punchbowl

Posted on October 30, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Devil’s Punchbowl© 2009 Greg Iles592 pages “This town is under siege, and the biggest threat always comes from within.” Recently I read an interview with David Mack, in which he stated that good drama comes from putting mature characters … Continue reading →

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The Good Guy

Posted on October 16, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Good Guy© 2007 Dean Koontz400 pages “Good guys finish last, Tim.” “Maybe not if they stay in the race.” Tim Carrier’s just an honest working man who enjoys relaxing at a local bar in the evenings, exchanging insults with … Continue reading →

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Casino

Posted on September 16, 2010 by smellincoffee

Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas© 1995 Nicholas Pileggi363 pages The first gangster movie I ever watched was Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas, based off of Nicholas Pileggi’s Wiseguy. Pileggi’s account of life in the Sicilian mob is considerably more gritty … Continue reading →

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The Brethren

Posted on April 20, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Brethren © John Grisham 2000 384 pag                From within the confines of a minimum security prison, three convicted judges spin a web of deceit and extortion across the nation. Relying on a corrupt lawyer with addictions to shuttle … Continue reading →

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Under and Alone

Posted on January 11, 2010 by smellincoffee

Under and Alone: the True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America’s Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang© 2005 William Queen288 pages This fall, I unexpectedly became a fan of  Sons of Anarchy, a criminal drama with a plot reminiscent … Continue reading →

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The Gangs of New York

Posted on January 2, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Gangs of New York© 1927 Herbert Ashbury368 pages A few weeks ago I opted to read Herbert Ashbury’s Gangs of New York to see what his writing style might be like. I have a strong interest in city life … Continue reading →

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Boss of Bosses

Posted on June 17, 2009 by smellincoffee

Boss of Bosses — the Fall of the Godfather: the FBI and Paul Castellano © 1991 Joseph F. O’Brien and Andris Kurins 364 pages A number of years ago I had a considerable interest in the Mafia, from an adolescent … Continue reading →

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Gang Leader for a Day

Posted on April 8, 2009 by smellincoffee

Gang Leader for a Day: a Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets© 2008 Sudhir Venkatesh302 pages One of my ways to find reading related to my interests is to visit Amazon and search for books I have read before and … Continue reading →

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