RARA-AVIS: Kent Harrington's "Dark Ride"

Mario Taboada (matrxtech@sprintmail.com)
Fri, 24 Apr 1998 12:23:24 +0000 Some time ago I mentioned Kent Harrington's first novel, _Dark Ride_, a
book I picked out of the cut-out tables. What made me curious was a
blurb by Michael Connelly praising the book to the skies and comparing
it to Jim Thompson.

I forgot to report back on the novel, which I subsequently read. As bad
and lazy reviewers like to say: it's a stunning book, a nightmarish ride
of sex, violence, and corruption the likes of which I hadn't seen in a
long time. While it owes something to the tradition of Cain, Thompson,
and even Willeford, the novel is an outstanding achievement not just for
a first-time novelist but in an absolute sense.

If you like dark fiction you *must* read this book.

N.B. The sex and violence are not for the squeamish, as tired, underpaid
and lazy reviewers like to say.

N.B. I thought of writing an extended review of this book, but I didn't
want to spoil anyone's pleasure by giving away the plot.

Regards,

Mario Taboada
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