Second Pelecanos book. Although slow at times, a must read for any fan of Pelecanos or the Nick Stefanos character. This particular edition has a wonderful (and apparently unusual) cover, which I will upload at some point. ( )

A marked improvement over the first book in Pelecanos' "Nick Stefanos" series, ("A Firing Offense"). Some of the symbolism is a little blunt, but it's a quick, slick read with little fat. Looking forward to reading the next one.

Judging by the (literally) dozen of musical references in this book, and the near-constant flow of bourbon, I think Stefanos/Pelecanos and I would get along fine, damn fine. ( )

So dig these novels ( )

I began reading George Pelecanos after binge-watching The Wire a few years back and discovering he was one of the creative minds behind it. I've bounced around in his catalog ever since and finally got around to Nick's Trip, his 2nd novel. It's a beaut, with a good plot, great characters, and real noir writing.

As with all his books, Pelecanos has a knack for painting a scene, particularly those set in the DC area. He obviously is a music fan and always includes aural sensations in his prose, which I find to be an interesting and unique touch. If you're familiar with the music of the eras in which he sets his stories, it's almost like having a soundtrack while reading. That may just be me, though.... Otherwise, his writing is excellent- stripped down, first-person, extremely direct and descriptive.

Nick's Trip has the part-time PI, Nick Stefanos, engaged in a couple mysteries, one involving an old high school friend who appeared out of nowhere, and the other the murder of an acquaintance that hasn't been solved. There's a lot of brutality, a little sex, and a lot of drinking involved. In fact, the only real problem I had with the story was that the impairment caused by the excessive drinking described throughout should have impeded a lot of the action, but it seemed to have no effect. I realize Stefanos would be described as an alcoholic, but even with a high tolerance it should have had an impact.

The author does a fine job developing his characters, with Stefanos being done particularly well. The stories bounce back and forth between his engagements, tied together by characters who frequent the bar where Stefanos is primarily employed. Although the PI and detective work proceed pretty conventionally, both situations are concluded in surprising fashion.

I'm glad I went back to (nearly the) beginning to see where the author began and to gauge how much he's grown. In the books he's written since, he's introduced different characters, professions, and eras, but through it all it's obvious that he loves the DC area, its people, and music. He's a favorite. ( )

In Nick Stefanos’ second book, he is now officially a PI. Nick’s Trip has him taking on two cases, one of a friend whose murder had gone unsolved long enough, the other in the person of a childhood friend who walks through the door of the bar in which Nick supposedly works part time; he spends more time there than doing any actual investigating. While Nick’s world only touches the street-level life that Pelecanos has become known for exploring, he still finds new and refreshing ways to examine the complexities of character and life. He creates an environment where cut-and-dried solutions are in no way feasible, then forces Nick to find other answers. Nick’s Trip is definitely worth taking. ( )