HELL TO PAY by George Pelecanos April 2002 ISBN 0316695068 Little Brown

HELL TO PAY is the second in the Pelecanos Trilogy featuring P.I. Derrick Strange and his right hand man Terry Quinn. The first was the well received RIGHT AS RAIN. At the beginning of this book, Derrick is asked to perform a seemingly easy roundup of a runaway. Also on the office’s plate is a background check and, as the book progresses to it’s finale, a brutal slaying too close to home.
Pelecanos’ D.C. is not the D.C. of Clancy or the West Wing. It is the Washington that the author grew up in. A Hard place, where the only good money is all bad and options are seemingly limited no matter which fork you choose in that road.
The three cases presented in this book allow us to travel with Pelecanos and his characters on a journey written with a compelling narrative. What difference does getting one runaway off the street make? Will Example help the neighborhood youth to make good choices and can Pride allow a man to change. Pelecanos gives us an urban glimpse of humanity brimming with strongly written characters, both good and bad.
It is to the author’s credit that in the overwhelming poverty of the area he writes he has managed to create two lead characters who’ve managed to beat the odds and are still written believably. Their strength is that kicking and pulling they continue to evolve and become more true with every chapter. Our luxury is we get to read about the horrors and then close the book. But wait.... it’s staying with me...
Bravo Mr. Pelecanos, and thanks for leaving a record of your Washington with us.

Ruth Jordan