Book of the Week: Sean Chercover's "Trigger City"

Sean Chercover set the bar pretty high with his first novel, the Gumshoe Award-winning Big City, Bad Blood. It would be natural to expect that his follow-up book might have trouble matching up. But I'm pleased to report that Trigger City is not just the equal of Chercover's debut, it's even better. Chicago PI Ray Dudgeon is hired by a grieving father to investigate his late daughter's life. Dudgeon's not doing so well himself, still recovering from the abuse, both physical and psychic, that he took in the first book. Those two elements combine to set the PI down a dangerous path that sees him involved with some nasty stuff, including a government conspiracy that finds Dudgeon in way over his head. The plot might be a little over-the-top, but Chercover makes it work. He's a smooth, deft writer, Dudgeon is a great character, and the city of Chicago makes a fine backdrop for this hardboiled tale. What more could you ask for?

Comments

[Tasha Alexander]

FANTASTIC book

[I.J.Parker]

Very glad you like it and not at all surprised. Will look for it right away. The Shamus judges were pretty unanimous on the high quality of BIG CITY, BAD BLOOD.

[Rob]

I think Sean very well could bring back the traditional detective novel. I've been hard-pressed to find new detective writers worth reading. And some of the old ones aren't doing so hot either. You're pretty much stuck with Robert Crais. Though Dave White looks promising.

In fact, if anyone has any suggestions on good authors of PI novels, I'd love to hear them.

[Guyot]

Who?

[Cameron Hughes]

Montgomery will hurt me, yes he will, but The Dawn Patrol by Don Winslow was a great P.I. novel.

[spyscribbler]

Awesome title! Loved the first one.

What's it about Chicago? All of a sudden a lot of my favorite writers live there. :-)

[Sean Chercover]

Thanks, guys! David - thanks so much for the shout-out.

Really glad you guys are enjoying the book.

[Geoff / EasternStandardCrime.com]

Just reviewed this one myself. My favorite read since I started the blog.

[TracyReaderDad]

I thought "Big City, Bad Blood" was terrific. I'm glad this one is it's equal or better. I'm looking forward to reading it.

[Rafe McGregor]

I've not read any of Chercover's work yet, but I think it's time I changed that...