Customer Reviews

City of Shadows

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Watergate demonstrated that old maxim about the results of absolute power, and it is probably the one point in American political history we would best wish to deny. However, in James Dalton's City of Shadows, the story of Watergate is retold from the viewpoint of what happens when you don't have the power. The lives of three well-meaning men are brought together at the crossroads of the infamous Washington hotel: a rookie D.C. cop trying to be the white knight, but held back by a corrupt system; an ex-Vietnam marine trying to uphold honor and duty, but borne down by the cliched sins of war; and the idealist senate aide placed in the position of ultimate information access, but incapable of dealing with the reality of early 70's D.C. These characters are not sure if they are on the stage or behind the curtain of Watergate, and oftentimes, neither is the reader. Dalton brings his personal experiences of D.C. to provide the rich detail of the systems, plots, counterplots, and politics in our nation's capital. However, he takes the concept of "conspiracy theory" to new heights of melodrama. Short on narrative, with occassionally intriguing dialogue - and the also occassional speech (this is Washington, D.C., after all!) - Dalton develops his three main characters as ideals. Flawed ideals, but ideals nonetheless. This freshman outing in fiction does maintain interest, with enough character development and action to make the reader care about the people and events portrayed. Unfortunately, cliches in the main and other characters and scenarios lead to a story that does not provide much new to the reader's perceptions and opinions about the events leading to the resignation of an American president.

It's an interesting book. Also, interesting is trying to figure out who Dalton is. His story has a bit of the feel of an Ellroy novel. But his knowledge of some of the less well known aspects of Watergate reminded me of Jim Hougan (SECRET AGENDA)- Neznik=Nesline, Reiker=Reikan, Penzler=Paisley; the idea that the burglars may well have had different missions among themselves, unknown to the others in their own team. And then there's Jud. He is almost a clone for a man of the same name in James Grady's RIVER OF DARKNESS. In fact, the two Juds are so close that it makes me think that Grady may well be Dalton. Or not. Good book.

Let there be no mistake -- this is a fabulous book, one you won't be able to put down. Dalton captures the Watergate Era in all its shabby sleazy glory, while populating his narrative with deeply etched characters and a richly imagined story. The best fictional treatment of Watergate I have read. And a stunning debut!