The Black Marble

After a slow start, Wambaugh gets really fun with his usual cynicism mixed with humor style. Sgt. Valnikov, a world weary cop, has been paired with Natalie in the burglary squad and they wind up investigating the theft of a potential Westminster Show winner. (If you haven’t seen Best in Show, you must.)

The interchanges between Natalie, who thinks Valnikov is just some dope addled cop, and Valnikov, who has his own worries, are priceless, not to mention the often quite funny, yet cynical stories embedded in the larger tale.

For example, there’s the thief who decides to take down a floating crap game and rip off the players. He charges in with a double-barreled shotgun and immediately scares the crap out of everyone by shooting a round show more into the ceiling. That’s so exciting, he decide to fire off another round in the ceiling. Shortly thereafter, just after the crowd realizes what he’s done, he does too, i.e. that he just fired two rounds from a double-barreled shotgun. Just before they all beat the crap out of him. Or the Good Humor man breaking speed limits to get to the site of a jumper off a building so he can make a fortune selling ice cream to sooth the throats of all the bystanders yelling, “Jump, you chickenshit.” Or the time when eighteen cops in a barricade situation with a crazy guy behind the door realize they need to dowse the lights in the hallway. Unlike in the movies, when one shot would do, in real life, “adrenaline turns the arms to licorice” and the fusillade from all the cops completely missed the lights. Only a lampshade had a bullet hole. Valnikov suggests an alternate route. Sneaking along the wall, he unscrewed the light bulbs. Instant darkness.

In spite of all the fun and love story, there’s an undercurrent of cynicism and horror, represented by Charlie Lightfoot and the rabbit nightmares. Not a great Wambaugh, but certainly a good read. show less

It’s a Joseph Wambaugh novel, it is a bit hard for me to accept that there might be a reader who does not know what to expect when reading one of his novels. He writes of the world of cops with knowledge from experience of having been a cop. The most entertaining depictions presented are those of life in a squad room or precinct, where the cops live. For those without experience as a cop, it might be difficult to imagine it could be as wacky as described in this book. I had no problem accepting it.

A show dog, very valuable, will be kidnapped. A substitute, almost a look alike will be left in its place. To solve and deal with this heinous crime, a plethora of misfits, both in and out of law enforcement, will be mustered. Some of the show more most important ones are:

Central protagonist and 24 hour-a-day alcoholic police officer, Valnikov, almost beyond the capacity to function on any level resembling human. He seems to speak only in non-sequiturs to partner Natalie.

An entire case that revolves around the theft of a show dog, very important to owner Madeline, a formerly wealthy woman without present-day ready cash, as she cannot sleep unless her dog, Vickie, is in bed beside her.

The Terrier King, an unscrupulous dog trainer for show dogs. A dog-napper through a bait and switch theft of Vickie for Tutu.

A squad room full of cops that seem to co-exist despite all their personal and professional flaws.

Partner cop Natalie who keeps the readers interest engaged with the answer to the question of whether she will ever respect Valnikov. She wants to complain about Valnikov to Cpt. “Hipless” Hooker, her boss, but he is too busy retiring.

Millie, just shy of 80 years old, with a belief that twenty-five year old guys are too old for her. She cares more for them than Tutu, her show dog. Alligators also take precedence.

This is a fun read for a weekend. show less

It took me a few pages to get into Wambaugh's style but I am glad I did. While the book feels a little dated it was still a fun read. Wambaugh has a knack for making me laugh out loud.

If you love dogs, skip this one. The character of Philo Skinner made me sick and what he did to the dogs in his care made me even sicker.

He is a damned good cop - a burned-out homicide detective wrapped around a Smith & Wesson .38 and a vodka bottle. She is his partner - twice divorced, nursing a grudge against men, obsessed by the awful temptation of love. “Wambaugh sidesteps all the clichés…He has the ability to portray women as flesh-and-blood, thinking human beings.” — The Sun (Baltimore) First-rate…Fast, colorful, and gripping…as touching as it is breathlessly entertaining.” — Cosmopolitan

Surprisingly entertaining. Part of RG' s old book club. Quirky but well written.

his books make it seem as if all police are dysfunctional