Polansky proves himself a weaver of intricate tales with this first shot across the bow of the fantasy genre. In the same bleeding vein as Abercrombie Low Town pulls no punches in the grit department. The story feels real and the despair is palpable. While the filth and blood are present neither comes across as an attempt to shock but rather just how things are. I like the idea of a crime procedural in a fantasy setting. There's nothing epic about the murders, there's nothing epic about our protagonist, and there's nothing epic about the bad guy. Rather what we get is the broken pieces, society's cast offs, and their lackluster existence. The violence is because that's what needs to happen and the filth is because that's how people live when they've nothing left. Although I saw the plot twist, the betrayal, before the reveal, Polansky didn't try to hide it. With thr rest of the setting it wasn't a shock and I don't think it was intended to be. Make no mistake, this is a bleak story for people who don't have much to live for. There's no love story here. And there's no redemption in the resolution. However you end up caring about the cast and not being able to not turn the page. Not a fun romp but a damn good read. A fantasy whodunit (but not a recommendation for someone who wants a to read a mystery - it is more of a backdrop than the main focus of the book). Lots of potential, lots of creativity, and the author does a fair job on the noir voice, but he just doesn't pull it all together that well.Since this is Polansky's first novel, I'm hoping he keeps all that good stuff coming in future books, but also polishes it up a bit more.
What do You think about The Straight Razor Cure (2011)?
Stumbled into this one almost by accident. Boy am I glad I did.
—Main
