Little Black Dress

What a clever book this is! Estleman's novels about "ex"-hitman Peter Macklin are distinguished by a hearty cynicism about human behavior and a black -very black-sense of humor. These books are as good as, though quite different from, the critically Parker novels of "Richard Stark" (Donald Westlake). As to similarities, Estleman's Macklin, like Stark's Parker, is almost devoid of personality except for his radical and persistent scepticism about other people's motivations. Macklin, like Parker, is a survival machine pure and simple with no illusions about what to do to survive. But while Parker is still energetically a player in the game, Macklin hopes to get out, to become as respectable as he already is --by temperament and deliberate strategy-- bland. Parker's femme accepts the truth about Parker's nature; Laurie, Macklin's wife, can't come to grips with the violence that keeps intruding in her new life. In this excellent crime noir novel, Macklin meets Laurie's mother, the mother-in-law from hell, and finds that her boyfriend is a player just like he used to be: he spots for a gang of sociopathic robbers who have eyes on his girlfriend's bookstore. It's no surprise that violence erupts. Estleman, a master of the crime novel, handles it all adeptly, but an added pleasure is the way Estleman blends the comic and the violent. This is a very good book. David Keymer Modesto CA

Hit man Peter Macklin "steals" Laurie by persuading her to become his wife although her mother Pamela raises an eyebrow or two since he is her age not her daughter's age. However, his profession's retirement plan is death so he and his spouse leave Detroit to move to her hometown in Ohio where they plan to buy back her late grandfather's farm. Bookstore manager Pamela is seeing Ben Grinnell, who Peter recognizes as a peer at his former employment. Peter rejects coincidence and assumes that the "case man" is in town either to set him up or more likely select a location for robbery. Peter assumes the obvious moment would be when best selling author Francis Spain hosts an autograph sale at the bookstore. However, like Peter Ben wants out, but the mob has other thoughts about individuals retiring alive. Peter expects violence and prepares accordingly although he hides his knowledge from his beloved who expects honesty in their relationship. High noon is coming to Ohio on two fronts that of the mob with state police involvement and that of the relationship between the Macklins. This is a terrific thriller starring a fabulous cast headed by the Macklins who are seeking a niche together while external forces have other ideas especially for Peter. The story line is cleverly set up with Peter believing that he can have love and post mob living in his middle age with his Laurie. Once that is established, Loren D. Estleman pulls out the rug from underneath peter and the reader as he spins the intrusion plot with several twists. Fans of powerful thrillers with solid casting will appreciate the enjoyable LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Harriet Klausner