Criminal, Vol. 3: The Dead And The Dying (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
Still a solid series, but I have a feeling that where redemption and hope once had a place in the story line, all now is lost. There's just a feeling of misery that carries throughout this group of thugs, druggies and victims, and it's tough to know if there's anyone to route for. Scratch that...no one is worth routing for. Brubaker is tying a pretty intricate story together, but keeping committed when things are this down isn't easy. This volume isn't as strong as the other volumes, because it's three inter-related character arcs rather than one central story. So the characters don't seem as deep. They're not bad; it's still very good modern noir, but in contrast to the other books, the stories just aren't as strong. A heavyweight boxer who grew up with the crime lord's son; the girl he gave up to his friend, and another random gunman who ends up intersecting with them. Each is a decent character, but it's just not as dense as the others. Good, but the weakest of the bunch.
What do You think about Criminal, Vol. 3: The Dead And The Dying (2008)?
The city killed me once. Next time won't be so bad. Might not even be there for the final blow.
—celia
Brubaker and Phillips have pretty much mastered the form.
—dkey612
