Winslow wrote five books in his Neal Carey series. I've read the first - A Cool Breeze on the Underground, but remember nothing about it. Buddha's Mirror and High Lonely are the second and third Carey books.I have read more from him - California Fire and Life and The Death and Life of Bobby Z - but not in the last ten years. I do keep hearing amazing things about his books and I've bought a few of them in the meantime, but never got around to reading them.
The current rage is his Power of the Dog trilogy, comprising The Power of the Dog, The Cartel and this year's The Border. Maybe when I've read some of his other books including these two, I'll find out.
The Trail to Buddha's Mirror (1992)
Neal knows the Bank is calling in its chips in return for paying his grad school bills. He thinks this assignment will be a no-brainer -- until he meets the beguiling Li Lan and touches off a deadly game of hide-and-seek that will lead him from San Francisco's Chinatown to the lawless back streets of Hong Kong, and finally into the dark heart of China. In a world where no one is what they seem, Neal must unravel the mystery of a beautiful woman and reach the fabled Buddha's Mirror, a mist-shrouded lake where all secrets are revealed.
Way Down on the High Lonely (1993)
Neal Carey's third year of internment in a remote Chinese monastery is ended by a visit from Joe Graham, his one-armed mentor, bringing good news and bad: "Friends of the Family" have bought Neal's freedom - but before he can return to his beloved graduate studies, he has one small errand to run.Without much choice or enthusiasm, Neal follows Graham to California to find two-year-old Cody McCall, who has been abducted by his father during a custodial visit. The trail leads Neal from Hollywood studios to the wilds of Nevada, where he must infiltrate a vicious group of white supremacists.
His undercover efforts require a saloon fight, a little cowboy work, and some survivalist training before he finds young Cody, and in the bargain learns more about human nature - including his own - than he ever wanted to know.
Weaving a modern private-eye story into an old-fashioned western, Don Winslow has written a gripping, unforgettable novel.
I like Winslow's work, Col, and it's good to see it featured here. I think he conveys setting very well, and I like the wit that's woven into his work. I hope you'l enjoy these.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to get re-acquainted with his work, Margot.
DeleteOh I read these when they were new! Loved Winslow, loved the Neal Carey books. It was really hard to get hold of them in those days, but I managed. I keep thinking I must read more recent Winslow - don't know why I haven't. I did read Bobby Z, but I think that was the last one I read...
ReplyDeleteThe Carey's I bought were a bit scarce. I think they've been re-published and are a bit more affordable these days. I ought to get these two polished off and see where to go with his work afterwards.
DeleteI really ought to make the effort to read something by Winslow. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteHis latest books seem to be of house brick proportions and his earlier stuff, I just seem to forget about. I ought to make more of an effort myself.
DeleteHis latest books seem to be of house brick proportions
DeleteThat's always something of a deterrent, isn't it?
Yeah, I do need to try and get past that though.
DeleteI would like to read something by this author. Amazingly, I have nothing by him in my boxes or on my shelves. I did not realize he had written so many books.
ReplyDeleteThat's a surprise. I would have thought you might have something by him.
DeleteMe, too, Col. I will make more of an effort to see if he has books at the next book sale. (And check online too.)
DeleteThat will come around again soon. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI am with Moira. I loved the Carey books especially on tracking. More recently I have read the first two books in his series on Mexican cartels. They are harrowing reads. Long and gripping.
ReplyDeleteBill, thanks for stopping by. There does seem to be a different feel or tone to his later work - an uninformed view maybe, as I have sill to try them for myself. One day soon hopefully!
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