At one time, I read my share of historical novels. I'm thinking it's a phase for many readers, but don't quote me on that. James Clavell's Shogun and Tai-pan, a Michener or two, and The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, to name a few, are some that have come my way. I still dabble in them, from time to time - I have Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels somewhere on the audiobook stack, patiently waiting. What I didn't realize was author Don Winslow was going to sneak one through ahead of it without me being aware. Ever since last spring's Festival of Books and the Robert Crais moderated panel with DW, Joseph Wambaugh, and T. Jefferson Parker, I started my gallivant of the San Diego-based author's work. First with The Winter of Frankie Machine, then on to The Dawn Patrol. Fun, enthralling standalone reads that showcased the man's talent in storytelling. The way he writes his characters, and their manner of speaking, both novels have that distinct characteristic of a writer very comfortable with the type of people and situations unique to the Southern California lifestyle (including his passion of surfing), crime, and the genre fiction of both.This post has been updated and movie to my current blog, which is found here.
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