Wednesday, September 24, 2008

George Pelecanos' 5 most important crime novels

George Pelecanos is the author of many crime novels set in and around Washington, D.C.: A Firing Offense, Nick's Trip, Shoedog, Down By the River Where the Dead Men Go, The Big Blowdown, King Suckerman, The Sweet Forever, Shame the Devil, Right as Rain, Hell to Pay, Soul Circus, Hard Revolution, Drama City, and The Night Gardener.

His latest novel is The Turnaround.

Pelecanos was also an Emmy nominee for HBO's The Wire.

For Newsweek, he named his five most important crime novels...and addressed two related issues:
A CLASSIC YOU'VE REVISITED WITH DISAPPOINTMENT:

"The Godfather" by Mario Puzo. Except for the page that features Sonny and the bridesmaid. That page never disappoints.

A BOOK YOU HOPE PARENTS READ TO THEIR KIDS:

"True Grit" by Charles Portis. A great adult novel with a strong, teenage female protagonist.
Read more about Pelecanos' most important crime novels.

Listen to an excerpt from The Turnaround.

Visit the official George Pelecanos website.

--Marshal Zeringue