Under the Bright Lights

Daniel Woodrell is probably not a household name unless you are at my house. I confess up front that Woodrell is top five on my list of living crime writers. So even though this, his first novel, may have a few holes, I enjoyed it nonetheless primarily due to his fabulous gift of prose. Rene Shade, a retired professional boxer of dubious talents, is now a detective on the Saint Bruno police force. His family has strong ties to the community with one brother a city attorney and the other the owner of a rough and seedy watering hole frequented by the who's who of local criminals. Shade's mother operates a pool hall (above which Shade lives) and his father is only a rumor, having long ago abandoned the family to pursue his gambling career. In this story our hero is assigned to investigate the murder of a local black political boss. Within moments of surveying the crime scene in the victim's home he knows that this was a premeditated kill and not a burglary gone wrong, the conclusion the Mayor wants drawn. However, rather than following his superior's instructions to find it a random shooting, Shade and his partner, How Blanchete, investigate what they know to be a political hit. The plot and pacing is good but leaves a few fizzled plot lines such as the conflict between Shade and his attorney brother who expects the investigation to be quickly resolved to the Mayor's satisfaction. This confrontation is set up early but is never revisited or resolved. Other seemingly important characters are introduced and then disappear without re-emerging. However, the somewhat pedestrian plot is far outshined by Woodrell's words. He is such a powerful writer that the other shortcomings seem unimportant. The sharp dialogue is authentic, blending nicely with the steamy, fetid southern bayou atmosphere that is also done so well by James Lee Burke. While Shade himself is a strong main character, the rookie hitman, Jewel Cobb, is equally terrific as a best supporting actor. Woodrell paints the perfect picture of a nieve young country boy who thinks he has what it takes to dish out violence and crime in the big city. The brash and foolish Cobb soon collapses under the pressure of actual violence meted out by actual bad guys. Under the Bright Lights is a strong start for a terrific writer. The contrast of lyrical wording and raw violence are well mixed for a fabulous read. Even if you never go on to enjoy any other works by Woodrell (and I strongly urge that you do) this book can stand on its own as a terrific example of southern literature or what the author refers to as "Country Noir."

Not long ago a friend of mine, who is a famous writer and great writing teacher, told me that Daniel Woodrell deserves to be listed among the best contemporary English language writers. Not in the U.S., but the world. Not in crime, mystery or thriller, but all categories. I've now read everything Woodrell has written and I agree that he is something else altogether. I started at the beginning and read each in order and he gets better every book. When is he going to be famous and sell like mad? I don't know, but it has to happen. Read him now, so you can tell your pals that you knew him when.

A great start to a great series! The "Rene Shade novels" by Daniel Woodrell will kick your royal petunia from here to kingdom come!