Kathleen Kent, best known for historical novels, shows some gritty chops in The Dime (2017) where Detective Betty Rhyzyk investigates the Mexican drug cartel. Rhyzyk grows up in New York City in a “cop” family. She moves to Dallas with her girl friend and finds a job on the Narcotics Squad. Rhyzyk’s lesbianism causes friction with her male colleagues. Shootouts with the cartel thugs, personal threats, and a surprising twist in the plot halfway into the book keep The Dame moving fast. My only quibble is the number of flashbacks Kathleen Kent uses to fill in Rhyzyk’s back story. GRADE: B
I read this when it first came out and enjoyed it. Don’t remember about the flashbacks, its been too long. I give it about a B+.
Steve, I’m guessing Kathleen Kent is working on a sequel to THE DIME.
I have to admit novels about drug cartels come way down on my list. BREAKING BAD made it work but nothing else about cartels speaks to me.
Patti, I’m with you. I know the U.S. faces a terrible drug crisis, but the cartels are just part of the larger problem.
Don Winslow’s The Power of the Dog and The Cartel are the best novels about the drug cartels.
Steve, I reviewed THE POWER OF THE DOG here: http://georgekelley.org/forgotten-books-328-the-power-of-the-dog-by-don-winslow/
And THE CARTEL here: http://georgekelley.org/the-cartel-by-don-winslow/
I agree. I liked SICARIO but have no interest in the sequel.
This sounds interesting but I’m not sure I’d ever read it.
Jeff, Maureen Corrigan of NPR’s FRESH AIR recommended THE DIME. It was just okay.
“Gritty chops”, eh?
This doesn’t sound like a book I’d care to read. Winslow’s THE CARTEL was very powerful, but it was too much for me, I couldn’t finish it.
Rick, like the numerous mysteries with serial killers, I’m getting tired of drug cartel thrillers. As you pointed out with THE CARTEL: it’s powerful but exhausting to read.
Hard to find a book that I can’t put down after I start. The DIME was one that never saw a bookmark, it was a one-sitting book for me. Kent’s previous historical fiction books were more literary works so it is nice to see someone write in the crime fiction genre that knows how to construct a sentence. Can’t wait for the sequel.
John, I admit THE DIME was a quick read. The last third of the book felt like it was on amphetamines!