Miami Purity

Sherri is an aging stripper junkie and alcoholic. She kills her boyfriend by throwing a radio at him, and that starts an adventure where she ostensibly tries to go straight. She takes a job in a dry cleaning establishment, called Miami Purity, which is owned by a woman and her son. Sherri goes nuts for the son, due apparently to his Mick Jagger lips. In true noir fashion, things spiral out of control for her. This is true noir, from a woman's point of view, very much like a woman's version of The Postman Always Rings Twice. It's uncompromisingly dark and plain, and sometimes very witty.

This was Vicki Hendricks' first published novel, and what a debut! A great story of beautiful Sherise Parlay, who has left Cleveland for a fresh start in Miami. "If Cleveland was the armpit of the world, then Miami must be the eyes, clear, but sparkling eyes with plenty of promises."

The book is set largely in a Miami dry cleaning establishment, populated by perverse characters constantly moving around steam-hissing machinery. It all looks so normal, but once Sherise starts working there, she begins her descent into darkness. Believe me, this is as noir as noir gets. I read where Hendricks is known as the queen of noir. I'll definitely be reading more of her material.

Down, dirty, and in your face as only Vicki Hendricks can do it. I loved this book.

DP Lyle, Award-winning author of the Samantha Cody and Dub Walker thriller series

Wow. This one is hard to describe... kind of a mystery but truly amazing!

#1133 in our old book database. Not rated.