In 'Dancing Bear,' the lines between love, loss, and the quest for redemption blur as the protagonist, a troubled detective, navigates the dark underbelly of a Montana town. When a missing person case leads him to a mysterious woman with secrets of her own, he finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. Crumley’s gritty prose paints a vivid portrait of a man grappling with his past while seeking the truth. As the investigation unfolds, the stakes rise, revealing unexpected connections and betrayals. Will he find the solace he seeks, or will the haunting rhythm of the past dance him into despair?
By James Crumley
Published: 1984
"In the deep shadows of our choices, we dance with our demons, turning each misstep into a step towards redemption."
Detective Milo Dragovitch spends too much time boozing until he gets caught up in a case involving two-bit criminals and an old lady on the run. His friends call him Milo. No one has ever called him Bud except his father, long dead, and now Sarah Weddington, stirring painful memoires and offering him his first case since he abandoned his private practice and took a job marking time on the night shift for Haliburton Security. The case seems almost too easy, hardly worth the large fee, just to satisfy this old woman's curiosity. But things are soon exploding all over the place and Milo is turning up grenades, machine guns, a kilo of marijuana and a bag of coke . . . and suddenly Milo is on the run.
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“In the deep shadows of our choices, we dance with our demons, turning each misstep into a step towards redemption.”
Dancing Bear
By James Crumley
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
James Crumley (1939–2008) was an acclaimed American author known for his influential contributions to the crime fiction genre. His notable works include "The Last Good Kiss" and "The Mexican Tree Duck," both of which are celebrated for their gritty realism and intricate plotting. Crumley's writing style is characterized by sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a profound exploration of the human condition, often intertwined with themes of loss and redemption. His unique ability to blend hard-boiled narrative with lyrical prose has earned him a dedicated following and a lasting legacy in American literature.
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Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, 'The Hellfire Club' intertwines the lives of a young congressman and a clandestine group of powerful elites. As dark secrets and political intrigue unfold, the protagonist unravels a conspiracy that threatens to engulf him. With each revelation, the stakes rise, leading to questions about loyalty, morality, and the true cost of ambition. Blending fact and fiction, the narrative immerses readers in a world where danger lurks behind the façade of power. Will he emerge unscathed, or will the shadows of the Hellfire Club consume him?
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