The Double

Warrior. Readers who like intelligent crime fiction should consider reading George Pelecanos’ The Double. Pelecanos develops protagonist Spero Lucas in this second novel featuring this DC based Iraq War veteran Marine who works as an investigator and freelances at property recovery for a percentage of the value recovered. What Pelecanos explores with great care is the duality of human nature: goodness and evil coexist in each of us. Spero and his main adversary in this novel tilt slightly toward good or evil and are so much alike, that they are doubles, one level of meaning for the title. The property recovery in this novel involves a painting titled, The Double, providing another level of meaning. The adrenaline rush from Iraq remains powerful in Spero as he continues his warrior behavior at home. The tensions in his life provide great entertainment for those readers who like well-written crime fiction. I can’t wait for the next novel to feature this complex character. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Double from amazon.com.