Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: Black Money

From: James Reasoner ( james53@flash.net)
Date: 05 Jan 2005


I thought I had read all the Lew Archer books years ago, but when I went to the shelves, I didn't have a copy of Black Money. I found one, read it a few days ago, and realized that it was new to me, so I'm glad we decided to read it this month. At least I've now finished the series.

I was a little disappointed in it but still found it fairly enjoyable. There's a blizzard of characters early on, all of them seemingly eager to talk at length to Archer, and I had a little trouble keeping up with all of them. Also, the style in all that dialogue was pretty flat, just simple back-and-forth. The occasional passage where Archer reflects on something and Macdonald tries to be lyrical seems almost out of place with the rest of the book.

Despite those gripes, the book read quickly and easily and I thought it was well-plotted. I felt some sympathy for some of the characters, too. Based on this book, though, I don't understand why I tore through the rest of the series so avidly back in the Sixties and Seventies. Obviously my tastes have changed over the years.

James Reasoner

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