Rating: 
Summary: a tight, well-developed crime novel..
Review: 'Shame the Devil' is the last in a series of novels by George Pelecanos tracing the lives of Greek immigrants and their decendents living in downtown Washington. While there is no need to read all the previous three novels, which I haven't done, I suggest reading at least one (perhaps the first, 'The Big Blowdown') to gain a historical perpective to the characters, the setting, etc.'Shame the Devil' is very well-written, complete with excellent characterizations. While it doesn't have much of the drug culture found in the author's other novels it does contain more than its fair share of violence, extreme sadistic violence. The book drips with evil. Simply put, the story is about revenge and redemption. Certainly not in the same league as 'Crime & Punishment' but nonetheless a fine story. My only criticism is that at times, especially towards the end, the author gets a bit soppy. The good guy characters start hugging and snivelling. Why the author chose to insert "Kodak moments" into this hard-hitting novel is anyone's guess. Bottom line: George Pelecanos is really a terrific crime writer. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: a tight, well-developed crime novel..
Review: 'Shame the Devil' is the last in a series of novels by George Pelecanos tracing the lives of Greek immigrants and their decendents living in downtown Washington. While there is no need to read all the previous three novels, which I haven't done, I suggest reading at least one (perhaps the first, 'The Big Blowdown') to gain a historical perpective to the characters, the setting, etc. 'Shame the Devil' is very well-written, complete with excellent characterizations. While it doesn't have much of the drug culture found in the author's other novels it does contain more than its fair share of violence, extreme sadistic violence. The book drips with evil. Simply put, the story is about revenge and redemption. Certainly not in the same league as 'Crime & Punishment' but nonetheless a fine story. My only criticism is that at times, especially towards the end, the author gets a bit soppy. The good guy characters start hugging and snivelling. Why the author chose to insert "Kodak moments" into this hard-hitting novel is anyone's guess. Bottom line: George Pelecanos is really a terrific crime writer. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: A FITTING FINALE
Review: According to Pelecanos, this is his final hard-boiled D.C. book for a while, so fittingly, he's used it to bring back many of the characters from his seven previous books to try and provide some closure on this part of his writing career. So, while it works on its own merits, it's really a better idea to go read the previous books to fully appreciate this one. As with many of his books, it starts with a bang: a robbery turned massacre in NW Washington, DC in 1995. The story then skips ahead to 1998, where we find the relatives of those killed dealing with their grief, and the killers itching to escape their low profiles. The story is peppered throughout with the usual pop culture references Pelecanos and I love, and plenty of local scenery. Pelecanos slowly brings the these characters and their baggage together for a final nasty showdown and some measure of catharsis and resolution. Great stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: A short read, fortunately
Review: Actually, 2.5 stars. The first put-off (not the author's fault, of course) is I got this book at a Mystery book store. It's not a mystery. You always know 'whodunit'. Neverthelesss, I'm glad it was a relatively short read (300 pages) since the action didn't really start until 2/3 through the book. Had it been longer I might have given up before finishing.
Rating:
Summary: Nick and Dimitri sitting side by side . . .
Review: at the Spot. It's about time. SHAME THE DEVIL completes my reading of all of the Pelecanos books and I just have to say what a pleasure it was. SHAME THE DEVIL opens with a brutal robbery and killings at May's Pizza Parlor and the death of 5 year old Jimmy (Dimitri's son) during the getaway of the robbery. Several things I liked about this book include: **SPOILERS** The group meetings of the survivors of the victims who were killed in May's. The family atmosphere of The Spot including Phil, James, Maria, Mai, Anna, Darnell, Ramon, Dan Boyle and Happy. I could feel the past books coming off the pages when I first entered the Spot in this book. Nick offering Dimitri a job so he can feel some sort of routine and structure in his life after the death of his child. VERY WELL DONE. Both Nick and Dimitri's struggle with faith and a higher being. Loved hearing how well Marcus and Elaine Clay are doing. The tie-in to the masterpiece, THE BIG BLOWDOWN, which I always considered to be Pelecanos' best work. This one competes so well I'm not sure which one I would choose to be the best. I know George P. thinks his Derek Strange books are his best but the three Stefanos books and the D.C. quartet are equally as good. I like the Strange series but the Stefanos character both old and young tip the scales for me. In the end Nick leaves the Spot(as do two other characters) to try to control his drinking. Change is inevitable. It will be interesting to see where that goes should George P. continue this series. (I certainly hope so).
It is definitely beneficial to read these books in order because you really do get the big pay off when you read SHAME THE DEVIL last. Highly recommended. A MUST READ. P.S. the William Bell song YOU DON'T MISS YOUR WATER is mentioned here while Dimitri is sitting at the bar and he enjoys listening to it. It's on the HARD REVOLUTION CD. I enjoyed reading about it because the song jumped out me while listening to the CD. I could hear it clear as a bell. I also really enjoy A FOOL FOR YOU, I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG, DON'T FIGHT IT and TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. You outdid yourself on this one, G.P.
Rating:
Summary: Nick and Dimitri sitting side by side . . .
Review: at the Spot. It's about time. SHAME THE DEVIL completes my reading of all of the Pelecanos books and I just have to say what a pleasure it was. SHAME THE DEVIL opens with a brutal robbery and killings at May's Pizza Parlor and the death of 5 year old Jimmy (Dimitri's son) during the getaway of the robbery. Several things I liked about this book include: **SPOILERS** The group meetings of the survivors of the victims who were killed in May's. The family atmosphere of The Spot including Phil, James, Maria, Mai, Anna, Darnell, Ramon, Dan Boyle and Happy. I could feel the past books coming off the pages when I first entered the Spot in this book. Nick offering Dimitri a job so he can feel some sort of routine and structure in his life after the death of his child. VERY WELL DONE. Both Nick and Dimitri's struggle with faith and a higher being. Loved hearing how well Marcus and Elaine Clay are doing. The tie-in to the masterpiece, THE BIG BLOWDOWN, which I always considered to be Pelecanos' best work. This one competes so well I'm not sure which one I would choose to be the best. I know George P. thinks his Derek Strange books are his best but the three Stefanos books and the D.C. quartet are equally as good. I like the Strange series but the Stefanos character both old and young tip the scales for me. In the end Nick leaves the Spot(as do two other characters) to try to control his drinking. Change is inevitable. It will be interesting to see where that goes should George P. continue this series. (I certainly hope so).
It is definitely beneficial to read these books in order because you really do get the big pay off when you read SHAME THE DEVIL last. Highly recommended. A MUST READ. P.S. the William Bell song YOU DON'T MISS YOUR WATER is mentioned here while Dimitri is sitting at the bar and he enjoys listening to it. It's on the HARD REVOLUTION CD. I enjoyed reading about it because the song jumped out me while listening to the CD. I could hear it clear as a bell. I also really enjoy A FOOL FOR YOU, I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG, DON'T FIGHT IT and TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT. You outdid yourself on this one, G.P.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps it's not a "mystery"...
Review: But George Pelecanos continues to write some of the best fiction that's out there. I would rate this a great mystery, even if you know "whodunnit." The characters are smartly written and the book is superbly paced. I first discovered Pelecanos with his last book "The Sweet Forever" and it was great to see how his characters from that book have evolved. If you're tired of reading the same old, same old from writers such as James Patterson and Steve Martini, definitely read this book. Pelecanos is right up there with Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly (two writers whose positive reviews of Pelecanos inspired me to try him). Also, if you're at all familiar with the DC area, Pelecanos captures the setting beautifully. I cannot more highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps it's not a "mystery"...
Review: But George Pelecanos continues to write some of the best fiction that's out there. I would rate this a great mystery, even if you know "whodunnit." The characters are smartly written and the book is superbly paced. I first discovered Pelecanos with his last book "The Sweet Forever" and it was great to see how his characters from that book have evolved. If you're tired of reading the same old, same old from writers such as James Patterson and Steve Martini, definitely read this book. Pelecanos is right up there with Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly (two writers whose positive reviews of Pelecanos inspired me to try him). Also, if you're at all familiar with the DC area, Pelecanos captures the setting beautifully. I cannot more highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: 2/7/00 Addendum
Review: Everyone's entitled to his/her own opinion, but I strongly disagree w/some of these 5 star reviews. STD is better than most of what's out there, but it is not in the same ballpark as Big Blowdown or Sweet Forever (both of which I loved). One can't deny that it has far less action and it takes far longer to get moving than BB and SF. Pelecanos is a wonderful writer, but this is not his best work.
Rating:
Summary: Hardboiled and then spiced to deviled eggs.
Review: George Pelecanos is one of the best writers working today. Are his books formulaic? You bet, just like there is a formula for making Bookers or rocket fuel. He always gets the mixture just right. Other reviewers who have taken issue with his mentioning cultural references contemporary to the time of the story, and details relating to how the characters' lives work, just don't "get it" and should go back to reading Patricia Cornwell. Shame the Devil continues to tie together the lives of the main protagonists and secondary characters that wend and weave together all of Pelecanos's novels. Readers should not be put off by the geographical setting of the books around the DC area beyond the halls of power and the Mall. Investing some time with Pelecanos will reward the reader with a great tale and some insight into what is a fasinatingly unique place in America.
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