The Black Marble

"The Black Marble" is one of my favorite of Wambaugh's novels. Taking a distinct step away from the boy's club that marked his three earlier novels, the author blended in an offbeat, reluctant romance into the storyline and made it fit beautifully with the character arcs of the protagonist and his partner. Touching, outrageously funny and filled with pathos, this is one story that stayed with me for a long time after I finished the book.

I discovered Wambaugh 2 years ago and this is the fifth one I've read. I have read so many bad books this year that this one shines out. Great plot, great characters, easy to read. Highly recommended

"The Black Marble" is not only the author's best, but quite possibly the best of the entire genre. Wambaugh's trademark dark humor, authentic Los Angeles setting, and genuinely likable characters propel this fast-paced tale about the LAPD and a dog-napping scheme gone woefully wrong. A.A. Valnikov, a slovenly, boozy, but tender-souled Slavic veteran, is determined to rescue the doggie in distress. His new partner, Natalie Zimmerman, is determined to get him fired from the Force and out of her life... until she comes to know him and the nightmares which torment him. This book is as terrific today as it was twenty years ago, even if now a trifle "dated". It's often poignant, sometimes tragic, frequently hilarious, and ultimately heart-warming. Read it; it will leave you feeling good and wishing you could really meet the characters!

I loved "The New Centurions" and "The Blue Knight" and "The Glitter Dome" and I find his latest books to be big disappointments. This book, however, is something else. Wambaugh takes it to a new level. Magnificent!!

This has all the Wambaugh hallmarks: eccentric characters, crude humor, intelligence. If you like action, humor, "real" people and not cardboard characters, police stories, this is a great book.