Nicks Trip (original 1993; edition 1999)

During the first half of this book I thought, Here we go again! A Bret Ellis knockoff. Two drugged and drunken trips south. The second half was much better. Some good investigative work and a couple of nicely done showdowns (along with a third--that came first--that was a little too lucky to be believed). Nice subplot with a lesbian couple and a happy development in Nick's love life. ( )

NICK'S TRIP continues the journey of Nick Stefanos, who looks for a friend's missing wife while tending bar and generally leading a life of dissolution. Sound wholesome? Not even close. But a hard-boiled novel of great power and heart, it definitely is. ( )