Loss

LoveReading Says

Like Dashiell Hammett; read Tony Black.

Hammett back in the 1930s brought a darkness and suitably complex characters to crime and mystery books, where Sam Spade’s or the Continental Op’s personalities and emotional heritage was as important as the plots they became involved in. Tony Black’s Gus Dury is an Edinburgh journalist whose life has been destroyed and, through involuntary crime investigations, is being rebuilt piece by piece. Both authors reflect the despair brought along by corruption and alcohol and poignantly evoke real life’s reality.

Recommended:

Dashiell Hammett - RED HARVEST. An insidious web of corruption envelopes a whole city. Has never been filmed despite a slew of projects, but think CHINATOWN or the Coen Bros’ MILLER’S CROSSING, which were strongly inspired by Hammett’s book.

Tony Black - LOSS. Gus Dury is trying to patch up his broken marriage, but sinister undercurrents surrounding him and the rotten state of the city all conspire against his likely success. But he keeps on fighting, despite his many weaknesses.

Reviewed by Maxim Jakubowski
Maxim Jakubowski is a London-based novelist and editor.
More reviews by Maxim Jakubowski

About Loss

Gus Dury is a changed man. He is off the Edinburgh streets and back with estranged wife, Debs. He has promised her that he won't get involved in any more dodgy cases which the police can't or won't solve.

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