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NoirNovels.com - A unique repository for all things noir
Clandestine
Reviewed By Rogue A year after finishing his first novel, James Ellroy penned his second, Clandestine, in just 8 months. Borrowing heavily from his own personal experiences, Ellroy wrote Clandestine as a first attempt at fictionally addressing the murder of his own mother, although this is certainly not a biographical account. Clandestine is the story of brilliant rookie LAPD Patrolman Frederick Underhill. Underhill is intelligent and ambitious and determined to become the most celebrated detective on the force. The murder of a young woman that Underhill had slept with shortly before her death provides him with the catalyst to pursue his dream. Along the way, Underhill finds himself working alongside LA's most renowned detective, Lieutenant Dudley Smith; a character who makes repeat appearances in a number of other Ellroy novels. The plot of Clandestine does not initially appear to be as complex as that of Brown's Requiem, but Ellroy draws us in to Underhill's world so completely that the reader would scarcely notice. To reveal any detail of the plots twists and turns would be to rob the reader of the enjoyment of what is a consummate novel. Suffice to say that just when you think you know how the story is going to pan out, Ellroy pulls the literary rug from under you. If there is any criticism of Clandestine, it would be that it feels like there is a slight hiatus halfway through, but this is being very picky. By this time, the reader is so involved that there is no question of putting the book down. Ellroy describes Clandestine as a 'wild ride of a book' and he is bang on. His characterizations, as always, are spot on and the reader really feels the highs and lows alongside Underhill, as he takes us on a journey through police corruption and brutality, love, loss, murder, and halfway across America and back again. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride Daddy-o. |
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