This time next week I'll be sitting on a plane winging my way to Washington DC for a week at a conference. I have a short list of fiction I intend to pick up whilst I'm there that I can't purchase here yet, but what I'm after right now are some recommendations for some DC crime fiction. I have 'A Firing Offense' by George P Pelecanos for the plane, but what other books should I keep an eye out for? All suggestions gratefully received.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Washington DC recommendations?
This time next week I'll be sitting on a plane winging my way to Washington DC for a week at a conference. I have a short list of fiction I intend to pick up whilst I'm there that I can't purchase here yet, but what I'm after right now are some recommendations for some DC crime fiction. I have 'A Firing Offense' by George P Pelecanos for the plane, but what other books should I keep an eye out for? All suggestions gratefully received.
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7 comments:
I would look at American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. A fresh take on the morality of the (recent) presidency. DC also at centre of eastern Civil War activity. Maybe The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
The DC Noir anthology is a good overview--lots of crime writing based in DC is aimed more at politics and is more in the thriller genre. Pelecanos has the "gritty streets" end of things pretty much sewn up. The best bookstore in DC to stock up on crime writing is probably Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle (or for second hand, Second Story in the same neighborhood).
Glenn
The DC Noir anthology sounds good and also the American Wife (though it has a mixed bag of reviews). And thanks for the tip on Kramerbooks. I'll be making a bee-line for it.
Very mixed reviews. I know several people who despised it. I don't think any of the Margaret Truman books will hold up very well. I guess it's ripe for another writer to take a look.
Patti, looked up Margaret Truman. Although she writes about DC, as you say the reviews are quite mixed. Will give them a browse when there and see how they look.
Mr. Kitchin,
May I recommend the short fiction of Edward P. Jones, particular the stories in his first collection, Lost in the City. These poignant stories tell of a Washington that is rarely seen by tourists.
This article might be of interest:
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2006/09/0081200
i live in Maryland, about 35 miles north off what my husband calls "the District of Chaos."
Best wishes for a safe journey.
Many thanks for the Edward Jones recommendation. I have read the article you link to, which was great, and I've also read other reviews and you've convinced me that Lost in the City is a book I need to read. I will definitely be looking for a copy when I'm DC. I hope to avoid the 'chaos'.
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