Dooley's Back: A Novel of Crime (Otto Penzler Books) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "DOOLEY'S BACK." RODDY MCSHEA SAID IT IN FLANIGAN'S AND NOBODY could think for a second who he was talking about, staring through the smoke at..." (more)
Key Phrases: John Spanos, Roy Ferguson, Vincent Bonifazio (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author of the Cooper MacLeish mystery series (Fear Will Do It, etc.) introduces a new hard-boiled hero to the gritty streets of Chicago, but neither alienated ex-copper Frank Dooley nor his adventures matches Reaves's previous efforts. Dooley was still on the force when his wife was murdered; when the law failed him he took his vengeance and fled to Mexico. Eight years later, he returns home to find the case against him stale and his brother, Kevin, a lieutenant. But life for his former partner, Roy Ferguson, has gotten thorny: his seven-year-old son drowned, his marriage fell apart and now he's deep in debt to Johnny Spanos, a hungry loan shark who's pressuring him to steal evidence. Dooley convinces Roy to pull a sting on Spanos, but it goes terribly wrong, and Roy gets killed. Tough-guy Dooley decides to pull a sting of his own to get Spanos to confess on pain of death to Roy's murder. Not only does this strain credibility, it's a bit corny. Like the hero of a spaghetti western, gunslinger Dooley rides back into town to square off against its toughest outlaw. And readers will wonder why the bad guy doesn't simply blow Dooley away: if Spanos defeated his previous foes with ease, why does he have such trouble with Dooley? Reaves has his moments with classic noir fights, both verbal and physical, and even a bit of a romance, but his tale takes too long to get started, and wanders off track too often to be suspenseful. (Oct. 14)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

After the man responsible for the rape and murder of his wife was released on a technicality, Frank Dooley quit the Chicago police force, shot the murderer, and left for Mexico. Eight years later, he is back. Trying to put his homecoming into some perspective, Frank visits his family and old friends but does not feel comfortable until his former partner, Roy Ferguson, offers him a place to stay. He discovers that Roy is thousands of dollars in debt to John Spanos, a bookmaker and bagman who wants to move up in the mob. When Spanos asks Roy to remove from the files evidence of a murder case in which Spanos was involved, Roy confesses to his supervisor. But when Spanos kills Roy, Frank's vengeful side is unleashed. Reaves, author of the Cooper MacLeish mystery series, writes with authority about the policeman's life on the streets and the violent world of organized crime. For most collections of hard-boiled crime fiction.
Jo Ann Vicarel, Cleveland Heights-University Heights
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786710942
• ISBN-13: 978-0786710942
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,373,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars welcome back, June 17, 2003

By	Barbara Fister (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This book opens with a bang--and it just gets better. The protagonist is a cop who left the Chicago PD two days after turning in his badge. A bottom dweller who killed his wife got cut loose when the evidence that nailed him is ruled inadmissable. When he's killed, everyone's pretty sure it's Dooley's work, and while they can't exactly blame him, he has to disappear. Eight years later, he's back and can't seem to avoid trouble. His former CPD partner is deep in his own nightmare, one that started after a similar personal tragedy--and the story that unfolds is told in a deceptively simple style that lucidly lays out personal relationships with enormous depth and sublety and power. It reminds me a little of early Elmore Leonard crime novels; Reaves has a similar knack for dialog that carries a lot of punch and authenticity, and the wise guys are not larger than life, but considerably smaller, another touch of authenticity. An added bonus is a very real Chicago--I can't think when I've read a book that does a better job of conveying the flavor of the city north of the ship canal without any travelogue stuff. It's just there. Add some terrific moral issues and a love interest that is shaded and subtle and sad and satisfying and you have an excellent piece of crime fiction. This one's going on my top ten for the year. I'm tempted to read it again--in which case it might be on the list twice!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As good a crime novel as I've read all year, November 13, 2002

By	Patrick E. Foster (Santa Fe, New Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hard and spare all the way through, this is a terrific novel, with sharp characters and commanding writing. Pelecanos fans, hard-boiled fans, take note; this is a book for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dooley's Back and So Is Sam Reaves, November 9, 2002

By	Doug M. Cummings "Author of the Reno McCarthy... (Chicago,Il) - See all my reviews

This hard-nosed thriller is Reaves' best work to date. The Dooley of the title is an ex-Chicago cop and he's 'back' from Mexico where he went to escape prosecution for killing the man who murdered his wife. Within hours of his return, he commits murder again and the second killing is as justifiable as the first. Dooley is a rich, flawed character and the plot moves with the speed of a falling body as he sets out first to help his former partner, and then to avenge his death. Reaves knows Chicago and its neighborhoods but, more importantly, he knows the human heart. Hopefully Dooley will be back...again.