Bob Mantel

The Velvet Badge by Bob Mantel describes itself as a "New York Noir." The book's structure, to use the term loosely, is to introduce a series of over-the-top characters, with extensive backgrounds that make up a collection of almost independent vignettes. There is a murder plot surfacing now and then, but it can't really be described as a crime procedural -- a new character shows up in the last few pages and just explains everything. The gonzo writing style is fun for a while, but gets a little rich by the end.… (más)

Readers will either love or hate THE VELVET BADGE. It's oddball enough to catch those who like experimental fiction and those with an offbeat sense of humor. For purists, fans of true detective fiction and of the original genre of noir, the book may be lacking. What drew this reader to the book was its setting in 1970s New York (wonderful city, wonderful decade), a woman running a disco, and a lesbian chief of police. Those three pieces sounded like the perfect recipe for delight. Instead, the book was picked up, put down, picked up, and put down again before the reader could actually make an attempt to be interested. Reading through it is like plowing a field: hard work, but the results should be good and useful. Are they? Each reader will have to determine that on its own as this book is not for everyone.… (más)