Customer Reviews

The Long-Legged Fly (Lew Griffin Mysteries)

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

 

 

African American detective Lew Griffin first appeared back in 1992 in this novel by acclaimed, although largely unknown, author James Sallis. The story follows Griffin as he investigates four cases of missing persons. His success varies and even when he locates the people he's looking for, he never actually finds the object of his search.

This mystery is not really a mystery at all. Rather, it's the story of thirty years in the life of a hurting, flawed man trying to live a quiet existence in New Orleans. Rather than being epic in its sweep, though, "Fly" is minimalist. Sallis is a poet in addition to being an author and it shows in this book.

I suppose it's understandable that Sallis hasn't enjoyed wider success in the genre--his books certainly don't grab you in the same way that most mysteries do--but it's definitely a shame. Readers who are interested in more than simply solving a mystery will definitely find something to admire in this book.

If novels were "branded" at point-of-sale not only by genre but also by target demographic -- in a way analogous to the way in which many cable channels work to "brand" themselves as the first choice among their own target audience -- then this series by James Sallis would almost certainly belong "on PBS".

I had hesitated to sample this series because -- with no just cause -- I had concerned myself with the possibility that this series may play better on "The WB", and I encourage you not to make my mistake.

Lew Griffin is a fully-fleshed character -- unusually multidimensional in comparison to any other fictional detective I have had the pleasure of knowing. If I were any other author of the genre I would envy Sallis greatly for his ability to make a character feel so real, so likeable, and so constantly interesting -- more so when I stop to consider that objectively, and only in retrospect, the plotting here seems pretty simple -- its best and perhaps primary feature simply being the means by which new facets and depths of Lew's character are revealed.

But PBS? Well, I also don't want to scare you off by virtue of whatever negative opinions you may have about that. If you want a hard-boiled detective, I don't think they come much harder than Lew Griffin. By the end of the second novel in this series (Moth) Lew has bashed, been bashed and gotten smashed with the best of them. And yes, there are women in his life. Interesting women!

... So, check it out and in so doing, encourage Sallis to provide us with many more additions. These are solid gold.

I'm late to find this author, but I will make up for lost time. Very different take on a detective. Let's see how it goes from here. Don't expect the usual.

I liked it. Lew Griffin, private detective, is a damaged man. He is an alcoholic who has blackouts and has spent time in hospitals due to his drinking. But he is wise to the hard streets of New Orleans and a good detective. This is the first in the series and consists of three cases. Along the way we learn who Griffin is and some of the why that he is a damaged man, one thing being his son went missing while traveling and never was heard from again. It is definitely a good read.

Not very interesting - I have read this book some time ago and I don't remember what it is about.