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Chicago Stories #1
West of Western
One wounded ex-Marine starting a new life as an architect in Chicago. An abandoned workshop west of Western Avenue. Smashed windows, death threats, a dead body on the doorstep and a crazed ex-nun next door. A mysterious Ukrainian, a principled gang leader, a 350 lb Haitian baritone. Bodies in a vacant lot. A secret garden, actors living in a church, a pregnant teenager dying in a back room. Looking for a home, architect Seraphy Pelligrini hunts a killer in a neighborhood on the verge of change.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2012
11 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Robertson Hamer
3 books15 followersI grew up in on a farm in northern Illinois, earned a BA and MA at the university of Illinois and a PhD at the University of Chicago (Art History). along the way, I married, had three children, got unmarried, went back to school, decided I didn't want to be an academic, moved around and finally returned to Champaign, IL.
I've been many things. Studio artist, potter, building rehabber, designer, art historian, university lecturer, real estate broker, real estate investor and landlady. I studied briefly in England and walked the Camino in Spain, and finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Maybe. anyhow, I've written two books and am happily working on more in the series.
I've been many things. Studio artist, potter, building rehabber, designer, art historian, university lecturer, real estate broker, real estate investor and landlady. I studied briefly in England and walked the Camino in Spain, and finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. Maybe. anyhow, I've written two books and am happily working on more in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 2, 2013
This isn't a real review, all fancied up with tight thought because I don't have time for memorable prose but I wanted to tell you how this book hit me.
I bought Chicago Stories: West of Western by Eileen Robertson Hamer because, well, I'm a Chicagoan and I haven't read many novels that take place in my city. Thinking that the cover was really good and the title cool, I opened the book and began reading and was astonished at the strong, remarkably original voice of the author which throughout the story did not wane.
Not sure if the author has Italian roots, but she understands Chicago and its architecture and painting and Italian families and grief, and I love her line about the family's matriarch who had been enjoying "the brink of death" for a long time (my poor paraphrase, you'll have to read the book to get the full punch.)
So I couldn't stop reading. It's a thriller and a mystery and a love story in its own right. The pace is fast, the characters full of flesh and blood and, I don't know, the book just spoke to me, especially Seraphy and her family, the friends she meets after she buys a building to rehab west of Western Avenue. Loved Richard and his lover, Emily and Black Jack.
Some of the scenes and the dialogue were memorable, for instance, the dialogue between the main character and her mother. And I really liked the way the story began, almost as a prequel, such a great way to introduce the main character--pit her against everyone's real estate agent--and the end was a real surprise for me, didn't see it coming.
But what's not to love about this book--cheaper than a latté, but delivers a much stronger punch. The sense of place was remarkable, the mood shifting from humorous to elegiac to tragic and the building Seraphy buys almost becomes another character.
Sorry, can't think of anything bad to say about this book. I'm going to sit for a while in a quiet place and try to recover from the words and then buy Eileen Hamer's next one.
I bought Chicago Stories: West of Western by Eileen Robertson Hamer because, well, I'm a Chicagoan and I haven't read many novels that take place in my city. Thinking that the cover was really good and the title cool, I opened the book and began reading and was astonished at the strong, remarkably original voice of the author which throughout the story did not wane.
Not sure if the author has Italian roots, but she understands Chicago and its architecture and painting and Italian families and grief, and I love her line about the family's matriarch who had been enjoying "the brink of death" for a long time (my poor paraphrase, you'll have to read the book to get the full punch.)
So I couldn't stop reading. It's a thriller and a mystery and a love story in its own right. The pace is fast, the characters full of flesh and blood and, I don't know, the book just spoke to me, especially Seraphy and her family, the friends she meets after she buys a building to rehab west of Western Avenue. Loved Richard and his lover, Emily and Black Jack.
Some of the scenes and the dialogue were memorable, for instance, the dialogue between the main character and her mother. And I really liked the way the story began, almost as a prequel, such a great way to introduce the main character--pit her against everyone's real estate agent--and the end was a real surprise for me, didn't see it coming.
But what's not to love about this book--cheaper than a latté, but delivers a much stronger punch. The sense of place was remarkable, the mood shifting from humorous to elegiac to tragic and the building Seraphy buys almost becomes another character.
Sorry, can't think of anything bad to say about this book. I'm going to sit for a while in a quiet place and try to recover from the words and then buy Eileen Hamer's next one.
June 15, 2012
Worthy Debut
I enjoyed this book on so many levels. First, that Ms. Hamer resisted the prevailing pressure for crime writers to slap a dead body in the first chapter or, even worse, to have the hero or heroine trip over a corpse on the first page, made me sigh with relief. Architect Seraphy Pelligrini, an ex-Marine and undercover Darkpool agent, injured in Iraq by an IED, finds the perfect building to set up her workshop and living quarters. Her real estate agent tries to dissuade her because the building, an abandoned mess but with “good bones,” is also West of Western, an area rampant with competing gangs spewing violence on an almost daily basis. But Seraphy is a fearless protagonist, and she treads where others fear to go. She’s not foolhardy in her bravery, but when needed, she holds her own with the worst of the criminals. The book is filled with a cast of interesting characters, all of whom Ms. Hamer takes the time to develop so that we learn to care about each one. I personally found one of the gang leaders fascinating, and I hope he’s in the following books. A good character is a terrible thing to waste. But he’s not the only one.
The story builds tension in a realistic manner—nothing forced, but you sense there’s going to be an explosive conclusion, and Ms. Hamer doesn’t disappoint. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the sequel.
I enjoyed this book on so many levels. First, that Ms. Hamer resisted the prevailing pressure for crime writers to slap a dead body in the first chapter or, even worse, to have the hero or heroine trip over a corpse on the first page, made me sigh with relief. Architect Seraphy Pelligrini, an ex-Marine and undercover Darkpool agent, injured in Iraq by an IED, finds the perfect building to set up her workshop and living quarters. Her real estate agent tries to dissuade her because the building, an abandoned mess but with “good bones,” is also West of Western, an area rampant with competing gangs spewing violence on an almost daily basis. But Seraphy is a fearless protagonist, and she treads where others fear to go. She’s not foolhardy in her bravery, but when needed, she holds her own with the worst of the criminals. The book is filled with a cast of interesting characters, all of whom Ms. Hamer takes the time to develop so that we learn to care about each one. I personally found one of the gang leaders fascinating, and I hope he’s in the following books. A good character is a terrible thing to waste. But he’s not the only one.
The story builds tension in a realistic manner—nothing forced, but you sense there’s going to be an explosive conclusion, and Ms. Hamer doesn’t disappoint. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the sequel.
January 5, 2014
Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself. Lao Tzu
Suddenly, to everyone's horror, the tomb of his grandfather opens and a hand grabs Don Carlo's shoulder, pulling him back into the tomb. – Verdi’s Don Carlo
As I was reading Chicago Stories: West of Western I was brought to mind of a modern day opera, a tragedy, lived across the streets of the west side of Chicago. Blood and war, incest, murder, hatred, fear - all the themes are there, richly portrayed. The brutality of poverty reaches out and grips the reader by the throat, and yet, the layers of the story are not just those of poverty and gangs. They are so much deeper. As Richard, one of the characters in the book puts it, “Someone recently called this kind of wanton destruction a failure of imagination.” And, as Graham Greene said in “The Power and the Glory,” Hatred is a failure of imagination.
There is no failure of imagination in Hamer’s writing. Rather, she writes brilliantly about a neighborhood, and the people within it. What she writes about, however, is the deep and abiding failure of imagination of the gangs that roam the streets of the neighborhood, sowing devastation in their wake. These people live in small worlds, with no comprehension of what a wide world there truly is out there – what there actually is which may be accomplished, should one simply reach out, stretch the imagination beyond a few small blocks. Purposeful ignorance, and the temptations of power, if only in small and violent ways, taking the lives of those who both do, and do not, deserve to die.
Seraphy has moved into this neighborhood, on the border of two gang territories, purchasing a beautiful but run down building to live and work in as an architect. She fixes up the building and moves in, only to be faced with murders, gang warfare, and threats all around her. But there are also good people – her neighbors around the corner are two wonderful gay male characters I immediately fell in love with, as does she. There are artists and singers, legal and illegal immigrants, the wonderful fellow who owns the corner market, and the crazy nun next door. And there are the gangs, those dredges of humanity so soulless and evil that they would feed upon their own people, like jackals upon a corpse.
This book was vibrant and violent, deeply moving and deeply disturbing on many levels. The stories it has to tell are a microcosm of America, where we have been, where we are going, and how it can all go so very, very wrong. It is mystery and suspense, thriller and literary novel, pain and redemption and absolutely riveting.
Highly recommended.
Suddenly, to everyone's horror, the tomb of his grandfather opens and a hand grabs Don Carlo's shoulder, pulling him back into the tomb. – Verdi’s Don Carlo
As I was reading Chicago Stories: West of Western I was brought to mind of a modern day opera, a tragedy, lived across the streets of the west side of Chicago. Blood and war, incest, murder, hatred, fear - all the themes are there, richly portrayed. The brutality of poverty reaches out and grips the reader by the throat, and yet, the layers of the story are not just those of poverty and gangs. They are so much deeper. As Richard, one of the characters in the book puts it, “Someone recently called this kind of wanton destruction a failure of imagination.” And, as Graham Greene said in “The Power and the Glory,” Hatred is a failure of imagination.
There is no failure of imagination in Hamer’s writing. Rather, she writes brilliantly about a neighborhood, and the people within it. What she writes about, however, is the deep and abiding failure of imagination of the gangs that roam the streets of the neighborhood, sowing devastation in their wake. These people live in small worlds, with no comprehension of what a wide world there truly is out there – what there actually is which may be accomplished, should one simply reach out, stretch the imagination beyond a few small blocks. Purposeful ignorance, and the temptations of power, if only in small and violent ways, taking the lives of those who both do, and do not, deserve to die.
Seraphy has moved into this neighborhood, on the border of two gang territories, purchasing a beautiful but run down building to live and work in as an architect. She fixes up the building and moves in, only to be faced with murders, gang warfare, and threats all around her. But there are also good people – her neighbors around the corner are two wonderful gay male characters I immediately fell in love with, as does she. There are artists and singers, legal and illegal immigrants, the wonderful fellow who owns the corner market, and the crazy nun next door. And there are the gangs, those dredges of humanity so soulless and evil that they would feed upon their own people, like jackals upon a corpse.
This book was vibrant and violent, deeply moving and deeply disturbing on many levels. The stories it has to tell are a microcosm of America, where we have been, where we are going, and how it can all go so very, very wrong. It is mystery and suspense, thriller and literary novel, pain and redemption and absolutely riveting.
Highly recommended.
August 28, 2013
I was torn between a 3 or 4 star review. As a Sara Paretsky fan the book description reminded me of some of Ms. Paretsky's early books. The author Eileen Hamer has her own unique voice and thank goodness.
Seraphy Pelligrini is searching for a new home and driving the Chicago realtors crazy because they keep showing her yuppie condos and she is adamant that she doesn't want one. So when her latest realtor accidentally shows her a listing for a property "west of Western" and Seraphy insists on seeing it the horrified realtor complies with great reluctance. "West of Western" is an undesirable neighborhood with gangs, legal and illegal immigrants, but also includes artists and long-time locals. Seraphy, who is an architect by training and an ex-Marine, finds the perfect property for her -- an old dry cleaning business with a built-in garage, space for a workshop, and living quarters with great light, space, and character.
The neighborhood is a challenge and slowly, steadily Seraphy discovers the many and often jarring aspects of life "west of Western". So we learn with her about life "west of Western" and of her re-acclimation into civilian life.
It is wonderful to find a new novelist. Still occasionally rough but the promise of future good reads is there.
Seraphy Pelligrini is searching for a new home and driving the Chicago realtors crazy because they keep showing her yuppie condos and she is adamant that she doesn't want one. So when her latest realtor accidentally shows her a listing for a property "west of Western" and Seraphy insists on seeing it the horrified realtor complies with great reluctance. "West of Western" is an undesirable neighborhood with gangs, legal and illegal immigrants, but also includes artists and long-time locals. Seraphy, who is an architect by training and an ex-Marine, finds the perfect property for her -- an old dry cleaning business with a built-in garage, space for a workshop, and living quarters with great light, space, and character.
The neighborhood is a challenge and slowly, steadily Seraphy discovers the many and often jarring aspects of life "west of Western". So we learn with her about life "west of Western" and of her re-acclimation into civilian life.
It is wonderful to find a new novelist. Still occasionally rough but the promise of future good reads is there.
December 27, 2012
A wonderful introduction through the adversarial interaction between the main character and her real estate agent hooked me from the first few pages.
A first book by a new to me author rarely gets a 5 star rating as it's my 're-reads' that I usually reserve my 5 star ratings for. While I have not re-read this one yet, I have gone back and bought the second book in the series, which is also rare enough for me that this one gets all 5 stars.
Many of the 'not police/not P.I.' mysteries are just not believable enough for me but the main character in this series really caught my attention. An architect, with a *history*, ex-Marine, ex-private security/undercover ops the author manages the tightrope between tough/kick-ass and female very well. A very deft touch with characterization, with well rounded and individual personalities.
The unique background and plot twists kept my attention all the way to the end and I wanted more.
A first book by a new to me author rarely gets a 5 star rating as it's my 're-reads' that I usually reserve my 5 star ratings for. While I have not re-read this one yet, I have gone back and bought the second book in the series, which is also rare enough for me that this one gets all 5 stars.
Many of the 'not police/not P.I.' mysteries are just not believable enough for me but the main character in this series really caught my attention. An architect, with a *history*, ex-Marine, ex-private security/undercover ops the author manages the tightrope between tough/kick-ass and female very well. A very deft touch with characterization, with well rounded and individual personalities.
The unique background and plot twists kept my attention all the way to the end and I wanted more.
December 6, 2012
You can read my review here:
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...
http://abshepherdsreinventedreader.bl...
July 21, 2020
Love the well developed characters
Good read with characters I want to meet and know more about from artists to detectives. They all have unique personalities. The neighborhood is enriched by diversity of inhabitants. Love this story.
Good read with characters I want to meet and know more about from artists to detectives. They all have unique personalities. The neighborhood is enriched by diversity of inhabitants. Love this story.
May 9, 2013
As a native Chicagoan, I am quick to read novels set there. Most are written by individuals who really don't know the city at all. Hamer's book is right on. She knows the city and the feeling of the neighborhoods she is writing about. Seraphy, the protagonist is an architect with a history of being a Marine followed by a stint with Darkpool, which is exactly what it sounds like. She is tough, unafraid and well able to deal with the complexities of a non-gentrified neighborhood in gangland. Her story is well written and well thought out and well worth reading. I will be looking for the other Chicago Stories.
August 26, 2014
Surprisingly good
This was one of those books I picked up for free, and quite truthfully I didn't have great expectations. The book started off a little rough and slow, but as it gradually drew me in it started moving and smoothed out. Nice character development, with surprising twists and turns and a satisfying ending. There were a couple of "mistakes" such as dates going out of order, but nothing that can't be figured out. For that it gets only 4 stars. Looking forward to seeing what this author does next.
This was one of those books I picked up for free, and quite truthfully I didn't have great expectations. The book started off a little rough and slow, but as it gradually drew me in it started moving and smoothed out. Nice character development, with surprising twists and turns and a satisfying ending. There were a couple of "mistakes" such as dates going out of order, but nothing that can't be figured out. For that it gets only 4 stars. Looking forward to seeing what this author does next.
September 30, 2013
This was a free Kindle download and having grown up in Chicago, I'm always looking for a new book about "home" I grew up on the Northwest side before the Latin Kings and other gangs had the presence they have now but much of the story still rings true.
The characters had depth, the neighborhood descriptions are clearly written by someone who knows the area and I enjoyed the twist at the end.
Looking forward to seeing how Seraphy grows into her own
The characters had depth, the neighborhood descriptions are clearly written by someone who knows the area and I enjoyed the twist at the end.
Looking forward to seeing how Seraphy grows into her own
August 25, 2015
Good read.
I found this to be interesting read. The main character. Just did not evolve into the person she should have been. The timeline of the days were confusing to me and made it confusing in retrospect. The author should have corrected that aspect of the story.
With that said, it was a good story. I will read the next book just to see if the author corrects the timeline mistakes.
I found this to be interesting read. The main character. Just did not evolve into the person she should have been. The timeline of the days were confusing to me and made it confusing in retrospect. The author should have corrected that aspect of the story.
With that said, it was a good story. I will read the next book just to see if the author corrects the timeline mistakes.
March 6, 2016
I loved this book
The author had an advantage when it came to my just loving this book. I lived in Chicago during my college days and the book brought visions to me. I also enjoyed that this was not a typical modern mystery. The heroes were almost indistinguishable from the villains. I look forward to the next book in the series. My college was not far from the end of the Ravenswood Line. I look forward to learning what Ms. Hamer will show me about the neighborhood.
The author had an advantage when it came to my just loving this book. I lived in Chicago during my college days and the book brought visions to me. I also enjoyed that this was not a typical modern mystery. The heroes were almost indistinguishable from the villains. I look forward to the next book in the series. My college was not far from the end of the Ravenswood Line. I look forward to learning what Ms. Hamer will show me about the neighborhood.
August 24, 2013
I'm rather ambivalent about this book. It could have used better editing. I spotted numerous typo's, misspelling and words out of place. It drew me out of the action when I had to stop and figure out what the author was trying to say. A tighter storyline would have enhanced the action. It seemed to take forever to get to the crux
December 2, 2013
I actually liked this book. There were a few things to comment on. I grew up on the south side but never heard anybody call a garbage can a toter. I find Mario as a real person to be unbelievable- although I suppose not impossible. I also thought that everything happened in too short of a time span. Lastly, there were. few typos, but typos don't really bother me. Good job.
March 27, 2016
Excellent book.
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book when I started it, however I soon came to like and respect Seraphy. She was a strong and competent character and I enjoyed her personality. Her neighbors were well written and likeable. They all felt like real people to me. I enjoyed it immensely. You will too. Enjoy.
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book when I started it, however I soon came to like and respect Seraphy. She was a strong and competent character and I enjoyed her personality. Her neighbors were well written and likeable. They all felt like real people to me. I enjoyed it immensely. You will too. Enjoy.
March 3, 2014
Enjoyable to read
Having lived near that area and rode those street's in cars and biked during the day to shop made It enjoyable
Having lived near that area and rode those street's in cars and biked during the day to shop made It enjoyable
August 29, 2015
Could not quit
This was a very good book it was full of pain but also of hope will read more of her series
This was a very good book it was full of pain but also of hope will read more of her series
November 8, 2015
Uneven but interesting
Read this after reading some good reviews and found it interesting with a great setting and some fascinating characters. Worth my time.
Read this after reading some good reviews and found it interesting with a great setting and some fascinating characters. Worth my time.
February 17, 2016
Good book
I liked the book, however the writing was a little choppy at times. Some characters seemed randomly thrown in, like you should know them already. I liked the ending.
I liked the book, however the writing was a little choppy at times. Some characters seemed randomly thrown in, like you should know them already. I liked the ending.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews