Sandra Nichols Found Dead: A Jerry Kennedy Novel

When I read "The Friends of Eddy Coyle" years ago, it had a huge impact on my writing...I thought it was one of the most exciting books I'd read in years. Being from Boston, too, I was thrilled, because so few novels coming out of my town really capture its gritty quality...and the dialogue...primo!!!The I read "The Verdict" and saw the movie...wow. And then I wandered away and didn't read anything else by George V. Higgins for years. I just picked up the Recorded Books, Inc. book on tape of "Sandra Nichols" at the library, as read by the incomparable George Guidall and I was blown away by how great Higgins is with characterization and dialogue. I note that a previous reviewer found the book too "talky," but I am a reader who LOVES dialogue...good dialogue...it's so rare. I could riff on GVH's characters ad infinitum. For all those writers who need a lesson in writing great dialogue, and readers who adore fun, juicy, quirky characters, and for all those literary people who believe that CHARACTER IS FATE, then this novel is for you. Thank you, again, Mr. Higgins, for being there.