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The Man Who Came Uptown

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The Man Who Came Uptown

By: George Pelecanos
Narrated by: James Shippy
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About this listen

Anna Byrne is a jailhouse librarian. Most days, she loves her job and shares the life-affirming power of books to people who would have no hope without them. Often, she can get too close and forget some of these men are dangerous criminals.

But some of them never had a chance. Like Michael Hudson, who's been locked up awaiting trial before his sudden release. He's happy and relieved but can't shake the question preying on his mind: how comes the witness who put him behind bars is suddenly refusing to testify?

There's a man who might have the answer, but he wants something first. Phil Ornazian is a private investigator who moonlights as a petty criminal. He's not exactly proud of it, but times are hard in Washington DC. People have to change to survive, or die trying.

But everything comes at a price and, at some point, everyone has to pay....

©2018 George Pelecanos (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group
Crime Thrillers Thriller Fiction Suspense Mystery

Critic Reviews

"He is, quite simply, among America's finest crime writers. This latest story does not disappoint...lyrical, beautifully observed and constantly surprising, it is a delight." (Daily Mail)

"In his first novel for five years, Pelecanos demonstrates why he deserves to be regarded as one of the best American crime novelists... It's a moving tale, beautifully told." (The Times)

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A great American thriller ..

Ken Follett recommended this in a youtube interview.
Pelecanos is the writer of TV dramas esp The Wire, Treme & The Deuce. He is a writer of smart literate crime fiction based around Washington DC. The dialogue is a joy, the stripped-down, soulful black prose.
This book deals with moral ambiguity and authentically flawed characters. The author is very big on the redemptive power of books. Going Uptown means getting out of prison, Michael Hudson is introduced to books and book discussions in prison by the mobile librarian Miss Anna.
Michael gets out thanks to the other central character Phil Ornazian, a DC private investigator, who loves his wife and 2 kids, but has a taste for vigilante justice. Together with retired cop Thaddeus Ward they take on pimps who treat their prostitutes badly, guys who traffic young girls and neo-Nazi thugs who descend upon suburban parties.
I finished this 8hr in 1 day.
Very enjoyable addictive listen. Highly recommend.

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