Customer Reviews

Saguaro Riptide

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

 

 

To anyone suggesting that the Baddalach novels are breezy
and insufficient is to completely miss the point of Norman
Partridge's work.
The two Jack Baddalach novels of Mr. Partridge represent
a very particular type of story for particular type people, namely
those people who love b-films, classic monster movies, surf music
and women in leather. Partridge uses the icons of the Atomic Age
to give SAGUARO RIPTIDE a resonance and power, and like any
highly-skilled, original writer, his references and in-jokes give
the learned, film-literate reader some of the best Drive-In Fiction
since Joe Lansdale.
Both Baddalach novels, including the TEN-OUNCE SIESTA,
are fast-moving, unpretentious studies of criminals, killers, and
cult leaders, in a world of violence and death. Partridge funnels
his series character, boxer Baddalch, through a world of surreal
b-movie iconography, as anything can and does happen at any
moment; all the while, Partridge displays his absolute knowledge and
love for movies, monsters, and tough crime novels, compressed
into Partridge's distinct and completely original novels. When you
read Partridge, you read a lifetime of Partridge's most-cherished
icons all-starring their way through his fiction. Two excellent reads,
and a pure festival for anyone who dreams in Technicolor.

Are you a fan of the breezy side of Elmore Leonard or Ross Thomas? Check out this original by newcomer Norman Partridge. Jack Baddalach is a decent fellow and professional boxer, who is asked to hang up his gloves and go to work for the local Vegas don. His first job? Track down a missing $2 million of the Mob's money. Jack's search leads him to a showdown at the Saquaro Riptide motel and its unlikely mix of ex-surfers, retired SEALS, crazy women (both straight and gay) and desert rats. Dark, macho and very, very funny

Norman Partridge's sophomore effort bears a great deal in common with the "Gold Medal" crime novels of the 1950s-a basic plot, a tough protagonists and lots of vicious secondary characters. It's like reading a Jim Thompson novel with Dick Dale blaring in the background. Jack Baddalach is a boxer who has fought his last prize fight. His only remaining prospect is to take a job for an aging Las Vegas mob boss who wants him to track down a guy vanished with two million dollars of the mob's money. Most of the action takes place in the Saguaro Riptide (so named after a forgettable album of 60s beach music performed by the motel's deceased owner) motel where a cast of quirky characters gathers to shoot it out over the money. Partridge's first novel "Slippin' Into Darkness" had a far more intricate plot, but in many ways this one is a lot more fun. The author bio at the back of the book says Baddalach will be back in Partridge's next book. I can hardly wait. In a word-groovy.

With all the attitude of "Shaft" and the gusto of a Cohen brothers film, Partridge takes a quick, satisfying trip through the Southwest in this novel. His storyline is enticing to any adventurous reader, thrilling to those who love a wild ride. His character work is full and rich, much bolder and stronger than most authors writing popular fiction today. I'm sold on his work and will anxiously pick up his other novels. It's extremely refreshing to pick up a 'fun' summer read and find an author with a distinct voice and heart to share. Partridge is a truly promising novelist who, when he makes it big, may well put John Grisham to shame. He is certainly the more talented writer.

Norman Partridge has an anoying tendancy to throw in long cutsey dicriptions, psudo-hip refrences, and brand names of products continuously through the book, but the characters had a lot of heart. And when the book was over, I did want more.

At first, I liked the characters, but I was disappointed that the plot wasn't as strong or as interesting as Kate Benteen or Jack Baddalach. The plot could have been so much stronger.