PULP GRUNGE THRILLER
I've been anticipating Kozek's second Honey McGuinness book, hoping it would be as unrelenting as the first. I'm happy to report: "Just Before the Dawn" doesn't disappoint. This is classic noir, with a modern grunge/pulp feel. It's raw and uncensored, and, like the title implies, it's dark. The first time around Kozek took us into the underbelly of the 1980s crack epidemic. This time she takes us on a 1960s neo-hippie trip through small town America. Kozek deepens the character of her disturbingly damaged protagonist, making Honey McGuinness one of the most memorable characters you'll ever encounter. Honey McGuinness is the American version of Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). (Note: Kozek created her protagonist long before Larsson wrote his.) The difference is that Honey McGuinness doesn't go looking for trouble, trouble looks for her. But once she's in the sludge, she doesn't hesitate. This book aint' for the faint of heart: it's as tough and warped as any Jim Thompson novel. But, for those of us who love this genre, this is as good as it gets.
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