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THE best book Ross Thomas wrote. More on the conventional mystery side (like Briarpatch) then the screwball mystery parodies (like Missionary Stew, Thomas's second best). Yet, unlike Briarpatch but like Missionary Stew, "If It Can't Be Good" is thoroughly political--in Washington, at the Watergate even. The twists and turns are near impossible to keep track of, much less keep ahead of. Were Raymond Chandler writing in the 1970s, and in DC rather than LA, this would be the result.
After re-reading ...more
After re-reading ...more
One of the best from a favorite writer, re-read several times.
Ross Thomas wrote knowing, cynical, dry and very polished political thrillers from the late sixties through the early nineties. His economy of expression, pitch-perfect dialogue and inside dope on the malodorous U.S. political process are unsurpassed.
In this one from 1973, Decatur Lucas, an "investigative historian", is hired by Frank Size, a nationally syndicated scandal-sniffing columnist (no doubt based on Jack Anderson) to find ou ...more
Ross Thomas wrote knowing, cynical, dry and very polished political thrillers from the late sixties through the early nineties. His economy of expression, pitch-perfect dialogue and inside dope on the malodorous U.S. political process are unsurpassed.
In this one from 1973, Decatur Lucas, an "investigative historian", is hired by Frank Size, a nationally syndicated scandal-sniffing columnist (no doubt based on Jack Anderson) to find ou ...more
A fun and engaging Washington D.C. suspense novel published back in 1973. I really liked the main character, the smooth writing style, and the twisty plotting.
