onegoodmove: Right as Rain

What is the difference between crime fiction and a mystery. I suppose crime fiction doesn't necessarily have a mystery to solve but just getting the bad guys. I read both. I recently read my first novel by George P. Pelecanos. His novels are described as crime fiction, but there is just enough mystery about whodunit that for me it straddles the line. I can tell you that if you haven't read any Pelecanos you're missing out on some good stuff. Right as Rain one of this more recent offering's tells the story of Derek Strange private investigator working his magic in our nations capital D.C. The essential components are here drugs, love, and loyalty. Pelecanos develops very real characters along with a compelling story line. I love the way he describes his characters through some nifty dialogue. Here is some dialogue between Quinn, a former cop, and a used car salesman. It is clever, it is real, all without being too cliched.

"How you doin today, sir?" said a startling nasal voice behind Quinn.

Quinn turned to find a short, thin, middle-aged black man standing before him. The man wore thick glasses with black frames and a knockoff designer sport jacket with a white shirt and balloon-print tie.

"Doin' fine," said Quinn.

"The names Tony Tibbs. They call me Mr. Tibbs. Ha Ha just kiddin man. Actually they call me Tony the Pony around here "cause I give good ride" ya know what I'm sayin? I didn't catch your name did I?"

"It's Terry Quinn"

"Irish, right?"

"Uh-huh"

"I never miss. Pride myself on that, too. Hey you hear about the two Irish gay guys?" Tibbs frowned with theatrical concern. You're not gay, are you?"
"Listen___"
"I'm playin' with you buddy; I can see you are all man.
So let me ask you again: You hear about the two Irish gay guys?"

"No"

"Patrick FitzGerald and Gerald Fitzpatrick. Ha Ha!"

Quinn looked Tony Tibbs over: pathetic and heroic, both at the same time.

I haven't enjoyed a crime novel this much since I read Ed McBain's 87th Precinct novels a decade ago.

Pelecanos seems to have it all: Good plot, interesting characters and great writing.

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