Using a traumatized Middle Eastern War veteran as a main character, Blauner goes just a little over the top with including too many "hot topics" in one novel. A story of betrayals, drug trade, murder, and PTSD the story is obscured a bit by a little too much "screen writing." Blauner left a successful career as a novelist to work in television as a producer/writer for both Blue Bloods and Law and Order. His credentials for understanding crime, particularly drug related crime, are impressive. As a journalist for New York Magazine and several smaller newspapers he decided to expand his background experience and worked as volunteer probation officer. I think we can assume that he writes with some authority on these topics.
The story of a Vet returning to the States and dealing with some well-deserved PTSD is timely. I know that we have been "protected" from really understanding the challenges our service people and veterans of this particular war are facing. Blauner's portrayal of PTSD was convincing and I expect probably well researched. I could have done with one or two fewer plot twists. I hope that now that Blauner is returning to print that he will focus the next book a little more carefully.
I'm not accustomed to reading novels so thoroughly influenced by screenwriting traditions. As a reader I was challenged to appreciate some of the nuances of this style. Particularly some of the dialect work caused me to reread some passages.
I will however, keep an eye out for the next book. I'd like to find out what the main character, Natty, does next. This one of Nancy Pearl's summer reading suggestions gets a "thumbs up" from me.
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