Steroid Blues

Richard La Plante calls on his psychology background as well as his knowledge or martial arts and physical culture to write this darkly weird novel. As in his previous thrillers Mantis and Leopard, this story revolves around a serial killer with an unusual motif. This time rather than martial arts related murder, the killer is taking out body builders in decidedly disturbing ways. This is a good novel that does an admirable job of describing the steroid culture that has become so much a part of modern bodybuilding and modern sports. La Plante adroitly describes the psychological body image distortion (so similar to female eating disorders) that is the trap of those that sculpt their bodies by diet and exercise, along with 'roid rages and all of the negative effects of steroid addiction. La Plante again teams up Karate man/medical examiner Joey Tanaka and Detective Bill Fogerty (his main protagonists from both 'Mantis' and 'Leopard'). In my opinion the return of Tanaka and Fogerty seems a bit forced...as if La Plante had written this novel as a stand alone story, but publishers felt that he needed the selling power and strength of the two characters from his previous books. I have no information on this, this simply my impression. Never-the-less, Steroid Blues is a satisfying read that those steeped in the physical culture of weight lifting will readily recognize and for those unfamiliar with the culture, this is an interesting and entertaining introduction to the dark side of bodybuilding. Another good novel by Richard La Plante.

Another good read in the trilogy. Make sure to read Mantis first and then Leopard before continuing onto Steroid blues. I highly recommend them all.

hey :)hm... i think i'm writing too many reviews tonight. anyways, this book was really cool. i predicted how the ending would be like towards the middle of the book, and i knew something was up with jack since the beginning of the book.... you just know there's something wrong with him! i really like the story. i read this book durring SSR time in my english class and my teacher always plays this "clasical" music (it's supposed to help you concentrate on what you're reading) and in the book it talks about this certain song that they play. as a result of that, now every time that i go into my english teachers class and the music is playing i automatically think about the book. it's a cool book to read, you should read it. if you have any questions about the book you can email me at: [email protected]. later, take care :)

It is about an odd stereroid/bodybuilding/racist subculture in Pennsylvannia. I think most people who read it will like it.