Street Rats

Rating:
Summary: The Crime Novel at its Best!
Review: I'll be entirely honest, I've never been a huge fan of the crime novel; I've always been partial to horror (which Curran also writes with brilliance). But once you get into Street Rats, it's impossible to put it down. The characters are full and lively; you care about some of them and absolutely hate others (in a good way, of course). The plot is tense; the suspense and pacing, perfect; and the conclusion is explosive. Whether you're a fan of crime fiction or not, pick up a copy of this book. If you don't, I just might have to whack ya!

Rating:
Summary: Down on the mean streets!
Review: Kick ... crime novel! As a fan of Elmore Leonard for years, I'm always on the lookout for good crime fiction. Rarely do I find it, but STREET RATS is a wonderful exception to the rule. This book pulls you in from the first page and gives you a gritty, realistic look at professional criminals and their hell-for-leather lifestyles. In the mean streets of Milwaukee, a gang of thieves is hired to heist an armored car and end up being killed off one by one. If you like your fiction weak and bloodless, don't bother applying here. STREET RATS is tough, brutal, and uncompromising. The writing is incredible, the dialouge pulled straight from life, and the characterizations flawless. And you know what? Despite the grim subject matter, this book has a great sense of humor, too!

Rating:
Summary: Mafia 101
Review: Let's start this off by saying I'm not a big fan of crime thrillers or mysteries, but I'm a sucker for true crime. Which is how this reads, in a certain way, because Curran conjures up such a detailed vision of the underworld of crime that it is a reality unto itself. By the time you're done with Street Rats you'll not only have a solid understanding of the Milwaukee crime world, but how the Russian Mafia operates, how the surveillance detectives do their jobs, how the criminal biker gangs fit into organized crime-heck, you'll be able to organize your own million-dollar heist!

Did I mention I'm also a sucker for intriguing characters? Yes sir, and Tim Curran delivers them in abundance. Any single one of these people could be the focus of another entire novel: Jimmy "Blades" Circurro, Harry Swain, Tony "Black" Zirra, Crayfish the dirty detective...the list goes on and on. I couldn't wait to keep reading and find out what happened to these characters.

The plot itself revolves around an armored car robbery worth more than $15,000,000. Does it go bad? Yes. Is there betrayal and redemption? Do people get tortured and murdered? Oh yes! Crime hounds take note. At times I felt like the action didn't quite live up to the buildup, while at others I was really caught off guard.

Being familiar with Curran's unique imagery-laden brand of horror it was interesting to see him operating with a more "mainstream" voice. A good read, and a good writer to keep an eye on