Author: Elmore Leonard
Title: La Brava
Description: Joe
La Brava, ex Secret service agent, is now a photographer who hangs out in Miami
with his buddy Maurice who owns a hotel there. When Maury’s old friend, film
noir actress Jean Shaw gets into trouble, Joe and Maury help her out. Still
beautiful, Jean was Joe’s first crush, and he discovers that she’s gotten
involved with someone who’s not especially good for her.
Plot: I’m not a
typical reader of South Florida crime fiction, but this was a pretty good intro
to that type of novel, I think. I think Leonard was aiming for a film noir
feel, to echo Jean’s movies. There’s a complicated scheme, but who’s conning
who?
Characters: Leonard
has a gift for fleshing out characters, though most of them seem to be on the
shady side.
Writing style: This
was on one of my lists that I’m reading through or I probably wouldn’t have
picked it up. It was slow to get into, but the second half read really quickly.
I’m not going to rush out for another Leonard title, though.
Audience: Hard-boiled
crime, South Florida style.
Wrap-up: Cleverly
plotted, vivid characterization—worth a read. 3/5*
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