Pelican Bay

The author has been a writing instructor in California's prisons, as well as a parole officer. It shows. The book is utterly simple and transparent as pulp fiction, yet it is utterly deep look and feel of how the minds and lives of life's desperadoes really work. I really appreciate the occassional pieces like this one which don't over-psychologize, nor over-explain how what I think of as really bad people act and think, or don't think. Says it's based on real events, and I don't find that hard to believe. Well worth the evening it will take to read it.

As a prison and parole insider, I am pretty skeptical when it comes to "correctional" fiction. Yet, the parolees Hallford presents reflect composites any law enforcement officer will recognize. In fact, they may be too real for non-cops to understand. The problem is the public's existing perceptions and Hallford's reality are worlds apart. Unlike ALL of what Hollywood produces, this book will give the reader a GOOD look at BAD actors. The story is fast, vividly narrated and consuming. I recommend it to all who enjoy crime fiction in the tradition of Wambaugh.

The story revolves around the infamous Pelican Bay maximum security prison in California with a cast of souless and seedy characters. This is one of the finest examples of modern pulp fiction I've read so far. And I've read many. Compares favorably with mid 20th century noir writing. Highly recommended!