Customer Reviews

The Glitter Dome

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's easy to tell in reading this book that Joseph Wambaugh and that's what makes this book so enjoyable. Underlying in this book is a mystery story, but primarily this is a book about the lives of different cops within a precinct. There is a lot of wit in the way Wambaugh tells it all, but the reality of the characters themselves and their surroundings is uncanny. This is not one of those police stories where all the cops are either studs with big guns and can shoot at will, or where every cop is a seedy individual. You can imagine these cops being at a downtown precinct in any city. The mystery itself unfolds as seemingly unrelated events that happen to different cops come together. The way these stories come together into one is amusing and realistic as well. Don't pass on this book. I had it for a long time before I read it, and I wish I hadn't taken so long in doing so.

Wambaugh never disappoints. The Glitter Dome is yet another fascinating and mesmerizing tale of flawed cops and even more flawed bad guys, told with sympathy, humor and amazing insights. Naturally, it is peppered with Wambaugh's trademark similes (like the frustrated, hung-over cop who was feeling "almost as dangerous as an English soccer fan.") I recommend this book highly. But my copy was not well bound; I had to force it open wide enough to read the right side of the even-numbered pages and the left side of the odd pages.

The Glitter Dome is a good way to start the Wambaugh adventure. More humor than The Choir Boys and less preaching than the latter. Laughs abound on nearly every page ending the story on a somber note. A delightful read which is episodic, easy to put down when the occasion requires it but easy to pick up later when the schedule allows. Wambaugh's character development and dialogue combine as his strong suit. Nicknames and physical characteristics are a very close second. Collectively, the characters dance before your eyes and tell their stories in a most delightful fashion.

Just because I work for LAPD doesn't make me bias. I hate reading and this book compelled me to finish

I actually threw this book out 40 pages in. I obviously can't speak for the rest of the book, but 40 pages in.. I had no idea what the book was about, what the plot was. It was just a bunch of rambling, that sounded like someone drunk wrote it. There were parts that were nonsensical.. I'd read back.. thinking I missed something, but nope. It just made no sense. I have never in my life thrown a book away once I started reading it, but there was just no point in continuing. It was a waste of my time.

Wambaugh is the master cop writer. His books have a sense of humour (without trying too hard to be funny), a mystery (maybe not his strongest suit) and a realistic feel to police life.

This book gives us a glimpse at a number of characters but nothing indepth on any of them. I would have liked to have seen maybe a couple less characters and a little bit more about the main leads.

A good book nevertheless.

This Wambaugh story is about a cop in LA and is not as heavy as some of his other books. It has a great story line and an interesting Hollywood background. I would recommend it as a light read but don't rent the movie - it sucked compared to the book.

I did not buy this and I have no idea why I have it on my review list.

Just because I work for LAPD doesn't make me bias. I hate reading and this book compelled me to finish

This book was so full of cliches and derivative storylines that over 10 years after originally reading it, I am still traumatized by how horrifically bad it was. I like a good, trashy, cheap-thrills read now and then, but there are plenty of better trashy novels out there.