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Wicked City
In the aftermath of an innocent man's murder by powerful mobsters in mid-twentieth-century Alabama, a small group of citizens bands together to fight back against the organized machine that has taken over their city. By the author of White Shadow.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2008
123 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Ace Atkins
71 books1,558 followersAce Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, including eleven Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which, The Ranger and The Lost Ones, were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he has a third Edgar nomination for his short story "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"). He is the author of nine New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times and a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and he played defensive end for Auburn University football.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
February 1, 2017
I'm very glad to be done with this book. If I have to read about a certain madam's butt being big, yet shapely, one more time or read about a stifling home or someone's body odor being compared to the stink of a human mouth... I might just throw this book out the window into this Phenix City night.
Review to come. Ugh.
Review to come. Ugh.
July 16, 2013
There’s something so enticing about fiction that’s almost true. The underlying current of truth is what first drew me to Ace Atkins’ book, Wicked City.
Several years ago, I ran with the Columbus Running Club, from Columbus, GA. Frequently, on our longer runs, we crossed the Chattahoochee River and found ourselves instantly not only in another time zone, but what felt like a different world. That sentiment grew within me, as one of the runners, who had lived his whole life in the area, began to unfold the story of Phenix City.
Between labored breaths and heavy footfalls, Alan told me a story I could scarcely believe. He spoke of outlaws, prostitutes, gamblers, cheats, murders, corrupt politicians mysteries and marital law. He described the Chattahoochee as the dumping ground for dead bodies and incriminating evidence. Alan pointed out buildings and street names that haven’t changed much since the infamous night that John Patterson was murdered.
Who better to write a book about the history of the wickedest city in Alabama, but Ace Atkins? Atkins was born and raised in the area. His story probes the questions and embellishes the answers that anyone curious about the most fascinating wild west story that happened so nearby and not so very long ago.
Wicked City, is very well written and hard to put down. Description is vivid and detailed without being tedious. The story has a good pace, concluding nicely and tying every loose end - of which there are quite a few. Almost like a scrolling summary at the end of a crime movie, telling what eventually happened to each character, Atkins revisits each of his lead characters, satisfying the reader’s lingering questions.
My only issue with, Wicked City, happens about two-thirds of the way through the book. Until that point, Atkins had used a first person perspective, narrating through the voice of Lamar Murphy, a concerned citizen, anxious to restore peace to his decrepit town. But, seemingly by accident, in the middle of a chapter, Atkins begins to speak of Murphy in the third person. From that point on, he uses both view points interchangeably. It’s enough to give the reader pause, but not to ruin the story.
Finally, since Atkins was provided some liberties by calling the book fiction, it would have been helpful to vary the names of his characters a little more. At times the names are so similar it can get confusing.
Several years ago, I ran with the Columbus Running Club, from Columbus, GA. Frequently, on our longer runs, we crossed the Chattahoochee River and found ourselves instantly not only in another time zone, but what felt like a different world. That sentiment grew within me, as one of the runners, who had lived his whole life in the area, began to unfold the story of Phenix City.
Between labored breaths and heavy footfalls, Alan told me a story I could scarcely believe. He spoke of outlaws, prostitutes, gamblers, cheats, murders, corrupt politicians mysteries and marital law. He described the Chattahoochee as the dumping ground for dead bodies and incriminating evidence. Alan pointed out buildings and street names that haven’t changed much since the infamous night that John Patterson was murdered.
Who better to write a book about the history of the wickedest city in Alabama, but Ace Atkins? Atkins was born and raised in the area. His story probes the questions and embellishes the answers that anyone curious about the most fascinating wild west story that happened so nearby and not so very long ago.
Wicked City, is very well written and hard to put down. Description is vivid and detailed without being tedious. The story has a good pace, concluding nicely and tying every loose end - of which there are quite a few. Almost like a scrolling summary at the end of a crime movie, telling what eventually happened to each character, Atkins revisits each of his lead characters, satisfying the reader’s lingering questions.
My only issue with, Wicked City, happens about two-thirds of the way through the book. Until that point, Atkins had used a first person perspective, narrating through the voice of Lamar Murphy, a concerned citizen, anxious to restore peace to his decrepit town. But, seemingly by accident, in the middle of a chapter, Atkins begins to speak of Murphy in the third person. From that point on, he uses both view points interchangeably. It’s enough to give the reader pause, but not to ruin the story.
Finally, since Atkins was provided some liberties by calling the book fiction, it would have been helpful to vary the names of his characters a little more. At times the names are so similar it can get confusing.
August 5, 2008
Growing up in Mississippi in the '50s, I was insulated from the harsher side of life. I'd never heard of Phenix City, AL, until a movie came out in 1955 - "The Phenix City Story." I didn't see it (I was just 10 then), but I got the impression this was a real and a bad place...and I was right.
All these years later and I've revisited those days through this strong novel, based on fact, by Southern writer Ace Atkins. I've read some strong stuff in my life - Burke's Dave Robicheaux series contains some of the most wrenching events in print, but the things that happened in Phenix City drop evil into your life to stay. I found it hard to shake some of the images Atkins lays before you.
There is good at work here as well and Edmund Burke's famous quotation about evil triumphing when good men do nothing is brought into sharp focus by the events described in 1954 Phenix City. It makes for a read best done in daylight. Night reading makes the shadows grow a little too close for me.
All these years later and I've revisited those days through this strong novel, based on fact, by Southern writer Ace Atkins. I've read some strong stuff in my life - Burke's Dave Robicheaux series contains some of the most wrenching events in print, but the things that happened in Phenix City drop evil into your life to stay. I found it hard to shake some of the images Atkins lays before you.
There is good at work here as well and Edmund Burke's famous quotation about evil triumphing when good men do nothing is brought into sharp focus by the events described in 1954 Phenix City. It makes for a read best done in daylight. Night reading makes the shadows grow a little too close for me.
January 24, 2009
Ace Atkins' novels kind of sneak up on you. They start out slowly and you really aren't sure that you are interested enough in a corrupt small town in Alabama in the '50's to keep reading, but you plug along a bit more and suddenly discover yourself enthralled. You want to know what happens next. You get to know the protagonists and the villains and get a real feel for the town and the events. In today's world it is hard to believe that a town (and State) could be so corrupt in the later half of the twentieth century, but it is a fictionalized account of fact.
November 28, 2020
Based on real events in Phenix, Alabama in the 1950s. Phenix has much in common with the nightmare version of Pottersville or the town in Red Harvest that the Continental Op cleans up. The town is run be a group of brutal bullies, but when one of them murders the incoming state attorney general, that is too much to be ignored. There are too many characters early on to keep track of and the plot is uneven and lacks a consistent direction. However, the good guys are interesting and the kid, son of a minor thug, and his friendship with a young girl forced into prostitution is moving. It seems that the son of the murdered AG was devoted to ending corruption, but in his days as governor was the inspiration for George Wallace's own emphasis on segregation and repression. And does anyone remember when people used to dye poodles pink or blue?
January 11, 2025
Very slow pace for first half of book, so many names, characters to keep straight but second half story finally flowed better. Great story line when focused on main characters though. Strong ending
February 27, 2025
It was fun! A little bit silly, but certainly had a vibe.
November 21, 2021
In 1955, Look magazine called Phenix City, Alabama, "The Wickedest City in America," but even that may have been an understatement. It was a stew of organized crime and corruption, run by a machine that dealt with complaints forcefully and with dispatch. No one dared cross them-no one even tried. And then the machine killed the wrong man.
When crime-fighting attorney Albert Patterson is gunned down in a Phenix City alley in the spring of 1954, the entire town seems to pause just for a moment- and when it starts up again, there is something different about it. A small group of men meet and decide that they have had enough, but what that means and where it will take them is something they could not have foreseen. Over the course of the next several months, lives will change, people will die, and unexpected heroes will emerge-like "a Randolph Scott western," one of them remarks, "played out not with horses and Winchesters but with Chevys and .38s and switchblades."
When crime-fighting attorney Albert Patterson is gunned down in a Phenix City alley in the spring of 1954, the entire town seems to pause just for a moment- and when it starts up again, there is something different about it. A small group of men meet and decide that they have had enough, but what that means and where it will take them is something they could not have foreseen. Over the course of the next several months, lives will change, people will die, and unexpected heroes will emerge-like "a Randolph Scott western," one of them remarks, "played out not with horses and Winchesters but with Chevys and .38s and switchblades."
December 5, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised by Ace Atkins' work on the post-Parker Spenser novels, so I grabbed this one more or less randomly off the library shelf.
By coincidence I recently saw "The Phenix City Story" (1955), a rather clunky film noir that didn't do much for me.
This book didn't do much for me either -- although I read it in two sittings, so it couldn't have been that bad.
I found the structure unwieldy. It veers between first- and third-person narration and I think that's a mistake. One or the other, please.
That said, Atkins keeps the story moving and his descriptions of the various dives and hell-holes are memorable.
"Wicked City" was good enough to make me want to read some more of Atkins' own stuff -- as well as the new Spenser.
By coincidence I recently saw "The Phenix City Story" (1955), a rather clunky film noir that didn't do much for me.
This book didn't do much for me either -- although I read it in two sittings, so it couldn't have been that bad.
I found the structure unwieldy. It veers between first- and third-person narration and I think that's a mistake. One or the other, please.
That said, Atkins keeps the story moving and his descriptions of the various dives and hell-holes are memorable.
"Wicked City" was good enough to make me want to read some more of Atkins' own stuff -- as well as the new Spenser.
June 16, 2021
Ace Atkins knows how to write, and surely I can't be the only one who's drawn comparisons to Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest, which, to my mind, is a good thing. The core characters in this novel possess a lot of resonance, but the narrative bounces around to a LOT of different characters, many of whom are secondary and given to discussing the local and state politics. As a result, they can be difficult to keep straight, and a few of them blend together. The novel moves in fits and starts and doesn't really get rolling until about 2/3 of the way through. It's a good book that would be great with a leaner focus. However, Atkins does deliver a dynamite finisher.
November 20, 2022
I really enjoy Ace Atkins and his tales about the South. This one is more worthy of the 3 … I read this during a flight to visit my granddaughter in Kansas City … my concentration wasn’t the best so I do plan on a redo in the near future. Also, this being a story based on truth … I’ll be conducting a dive into Alabama and it’s criminal past. I have a few more Atkins books on my to read list … and will enjoy them soon.
January 27, 2023
Major disappointment. I looked forward to reading this, since I am fairly familiar with this area (though not its wicked history) and the author. And the plot seemed like it should be right in my wheelhouse. I thought it would be perfect for me. It was just boring. I usually love the author's stuff, but this one didn't do it for me. No stirring of emotion, no tension and poor character development. I waited for it to get better, and then it was over.
February 6, 2025
This is a story about the wickedest city in America in the fifties. Phenix City Alabama. It is the town I was born in. I cannot believe my parents lived through this. They did not talk about it much. That is why I wanted to read this historical fiction account of the last days of "sin city." The story was riveting but there was so much violence, and the language, which was of that time but still disturbing.
January 19, 2021
Living in Columbus, GA I still hear jokes about Phenix City. Great to hear this story and made go erase an Lamar Murphy and others. Awful times for so many from East Alabama back then. I’ve read many Ace Atkins prior to this one and can promise you his writing has gotten better in the Quin Colten series. Check this one out especially if you have a connection to Phenix City.
February 6, 2019
Superb fictional history of a corrupted small town with good and evil characters. Brilliant writing in every paragraph shows each step of renewal in vivid detail. Noticed that Phenix City was recently recognized as a most desireable suburb residence for family life!
April 24, 2019
Note: This was originally written on 3/26/2010 For some reason, and I'm not sure why I just couldn't "get into" this book. That is not to say it isn't good. Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" is considered one of the all-time greats and I couldn't "get into" it either.
July 29, 2017
A really fun read of life in a corrupt southern town.
April 27, 2018
Too brutal for me
An interesting history lesson but a little too rough for me. Characters became confusing and narration was choppy. I really found this disturbing.
An interesting history lesson but a little too rough for me. Characters became confusing and narration was choppy. I really found this disturbing.
October 17, 2018
Not my favorite by him.
June 13, 2020
Gritty Story of the South
As usual Atkins wrote a story with gritty detail. A story of good old boy corruption and greed. But one with a resolution which has redemption implied.
As usual Atkins wrote a story with gritty detail. A story of good old boy corruption and greed. But one with a resolution which has redemption implied.
June 22, 2020
Great read.
Will read more of Atkins work. Recommend this one.
Take it with you on holiday, will take your mind off all your worries as you try to solve it.
Will read more of Atkins work. Recommend this one.
Take it with you on holiday, will take your mind off all your worries as you try to solve it.
November 24, 2020
Solid book. It was slow the first half but picked up. I enjoyed the story and it made me want to go back and read some of the history from PC back from that time period.
December 19, 2020
I could not get through this book; profanity on every page was so bad! ‘Nuff said!
June 30, 2021
Couldn’t bear to spend more than a couple of hours on this lurid tale. Way too graphic and pointless for this old lady.
October 24, 2021
Crime fiction is not my usual genre, but I really felt transported to a small Southern town in the ‘50s.
April 24, 2022
One of my favorite writers of Southern grit. This one took some time to get engaged, but was worth the effort. Based on true events in a corrupt Alabama town in 1954-55.
January 6, 2025
Really solid crime novel. Has the bones for something truly special but takes a little while to get there. I had a cozy time reading this book and was surprised at how truly nasty it got at times.
September 20, 2025
Author did a good job of expressing them sheer decadence and immorality. The energy was so downward spirally and I could barely get through. But nice ending. Well done.
November 13, 2021
Not a patch on Atkins' Robert B Parker pastiches, I was tempted to give 2 stars but eventually made it 3 because some of the characterisation is good
May 17, 2010
Another gem from Ace Atkins. Phenix City was rampant with moonshine, prostitution, gambling. You name it and they pretty much had it. I guess there was a movie about it, too - The Phenix City Story. I don’t think I ever saw it but I guess I would look for it now.
This is Lamar Murphy’s story. It is just after WWII and most of the characters were veterans, some with a significant amount of post trauma stress - they still hear the guns and see the enemy.
Apparently this was a place that was on a cycle where first it would be really corrupt and then everyone would have had enough and there’d be a clean up but eventually it would go back again. We are not told whether it has yet gone back wicked again. Although Phenix City is in Alabama it is also near Fort Benning and the soldiers would come over looking for a “good time”. But mostly what started out as a good time might end up in injury or death.
Lamar runs the local gas station. Has a wife and two kids. And he and a few others are getting pretty fed up with the way life is in Phenix City. One of them, Albert Patterson, decides to run for Attorney General. Someone else decides they don’t want any competition for the job or any do-gooders in office. So he gets shot in an alley one night and, miraculously, there don’t seem to be any witnesses, although plenty of people were on the streets.
And the fact that he thanked Robert Crais and Elmore Leonard in his acknolwedgements only adds to my Ace Atkins admiration.
This is Lamar Murphy’s story. It is just after WWII and most of the characters were veterans, some with a significant amount of post trauma stress - they still hear the guns and see the enemy.
Apparently this was a place that was on a cycle where first it would be really corrupt and then everyone would have had enough and there’d be a clean up but eventually it would go back again. We are not told whether it has yet gone back wicked again. Although Phenix City is in Alabama it is also near Fort Benning and the soldiers would come over looking for a “good time”. But mostly what started out as a good time might end up in injury or death.
Lamar runs the local gas station. Has a wife and two kids. And he and a few others are getting pretty fed up with the way life is in Phenix City. One of them, Albert Patterson, decides to run for Attorney General. Someone else decides they don’t want any competition for the job or any do-gooders in office. So he gets shot in an alley one night and, miraculously, there don’t seem to be any witnesses, although plenty of people were on the streets.
And the fact that he thanked Robert Crais and Elmore Leonard in his acknolwedgements only adds to my Ace Atkins admiration.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews