The Cut by George Pelecanos

This is the first novel I have read by George Pelecanos and I am glad that I was made to feel guilty enough to give this a read.  As Spero drives (or rides, runs or paddles through Washington and its surrounds I was riding right along with him.  Shotgun. He is a troubled complex guy whose experience have lent him a recklessness as well as a better understanding of the important things.  With a handful of friends and acquaintances just waiting to mix it up on his word there are lots of opportunities for action and mayhem and this book comes through with them.

As in lots of great crime novels the setting always plays a star role, Washington does this well – alongside Spero we see the change in neighbourhoods,  No-go areas become gentrified. Greeks move out and Ethiopians move in.  Schools change names the city changes name of streets and areas to cover its grubby, dangerous past.