Small Crimes

Joe Denton, a former corrupt cop, returns to his hometown in Massachusetts after serving an eight-year prison sentence. His attempt at a fresh start is complicated by lingering hostility from the community and dangerous connections from his past. The story follows Joe as he navigates relationships with his parents, ex-wife, and former police colleagues while trying to maintain his sobriety. His efforts to rebuild his life become entangled with local criminal elements and unresolved issues from before his incarceration. The narrative moves at a brisk pace through a web of crime, addiction, and small-town politics. Each chapter reveals new dimensions of Joe's character and the dark undercurrent of a seemingly quiet New England community. This noir crime novel examines themes of redemption, justice, and whether true change is possible for someone with a violent past. The story raises questions about moral compromise and the weight of consequences in a society that rarely offers second chances.

Readers commend the noir atmosphere and morally ambiguous protagonist, with many highlighting the book's dark humor and unpredictable plot twists. The pacing and tension keep readers engaged through to the end. Likes: - Raw, unflinching portrayal of a flawed character - Realistic depiction of small-town dynamics - Sharp dialogue - Complex plot without loose ends Dislikes: - Some found the protagonist too unlikeable - Violence level made some readers uncomfortable - A few readers wanted more character development for supporting cast - Some felt the ending was too bleak Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 ( 90+ ratings) "Pulls no punches with its gritty realism" - Goodreads reviewer "Like watching a train wreck in slow motion - impossible to look away" - Amazon reviewer "The noir atmosphere is perfect but the main character's choices are frustrating" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔹 Author Dave Zeltserman worked as a software engineer in the Boston area for 20 years before becoming a full-time writer, bringing authenticity to his Massachusetts-based noir fiction. 🔹 Small Crimes was named by NPR as one of the five best crime and mystery novels of 2008, and The Washington Post selected it as one of the best books of the year. 🔹 The book was adapted into a 2017 Netflix film starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones), Molly Parker, and Robert Forster. 🔹 The novel follows a disgraced ex-cop after his release from prison, a plot device that Zeltserman would revisit in his "man just out of prison" noir trilogy, which includes Small Crimes, Pariah, and Killer. 🔹 The book's gritty realism and moral ambiguity drew comparisons to Jim Thompson's work, particularly The Killer Inside Me, with both exploring the dark psychology of corrupted law enforcement officers.