REVIEWS+

The Best Bad Things

by Katrina Carrasco
Farrar. Nov. 2018. 400p. ISBN 9780374123697. $27; ebk. ISBN 9780374717650. M
COPY ISBN
DEBUT Carrasco's first novel explores every nook and cranny of what it is to be two-natured. Male and female, cop and criminal, marginalized and sovereign, best and bad: no matter the duality, disgraced Pinkerton detective-turned-unabashed gangster Alma Rosales (aka Jack Camp, pronouns she/her) rides the pendulum from one extreme to another. She's not alone: all of the colorful characters populating the seedy docks in 1880s Port Townsend, WA, have at least two sides to their stories and multiple angles from which to view them. Their depth and the richly detailed Northwest setting are uncommonly penetrating for a debut author. The attention to historical detail is also impressive. There are pacing issues—lots of buildup, some confusing jumps in time—but all are forgiven thanks to a wildly satisfying climax.
VERDICT Fans of Lyndsay Faye's "Timothy Wilde" series can go ahead and place their holds. Readers looking for sexy, dangerous action unencumbered by apologetics will love this book. Carrasco is an author to watch. [See Prepub Alert, 5/14/18.]
Reviewed by Nicole Steeves, Fox River Valley P.L. Dist., IL , Oct 15, 2018
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?