Queenpin: A Novel

I have never read much noir, but "Queenpin" was recommended to me by Christa Faust, who wrote the wonderful and gritty "Money Shot," which I also loved. "Queenpin" blew me away. From the opening line, Abbott takes you into the depths of her main character's mind, heart and soul and holds you hostage for the entire book. I echo the comment made by another reviewer here: I want to read a prequel featuring Gloria Denton! I'm hooked!

I've read all three of Ms Abbott's novels now. She is a quick read and will not strain your brain. However, her recollection of the time about which she writes is a delight. She also writes in a manner tough enough to invoke early Spillane and his peers (if he has any). The switch to dangerous females in lead roles is also quite fun. I read a lot of modern mystery writers, i.e. Fairstein, Scottoline, Barr, Henry, Stabenow, Graves, etc and Megan Abbott's perspective is refreshing. Her writing is crisp and moves along very nicely and easily holds the reader's attention. Give her a try; you won't regret it. Just remember, if you are looking for complex plot structure and deep detailed character development, go elsewhere. This is about scheming and action. Delightful to read.

Ms. Abbott's novels have progressively become faster paced and more darkly plotted. Although short of the break necked pace of a later James Ellroy work, Queenpin moves with flash and verve through a world of shadowy characters. Another reviewer has commented accurately that there is solid thinking behind her plots in every book and there is no exception to that observation here. What is unique is the concept of a 'Queen-pin' as opposed to a 'Kingpin.' Although the Queenpin initially is drawn as a caricature, we learn more about her history as the plot advances. Although she never becomes a full person, she is real enough for the purposes of the book. Especially interesting is Abbott's portrayal of the power of sex in this book. Seen here, sexual need is indistinguishable from the lure of hard drugs to an addict. More uniquely, the women crave it more than the men. This makes for striking juxtapositions compared to a conventional noir novel. Abbott's ability to describe violence has also progressed. Despite the title of her first book, it was not that violent. The violence in 'The Song is You' was more often implied than described in detail. Queenpin throws any squeamishness over its shoulders, yielding nothing to her male noir peers. You can read her works in any order, as the stories are not at all interconnected. However, I'd suggest reading in chronological order. It reminds me of a fast forward video clip of a beautiful floor blossoming. We can only hope she is working on her fourth novel now.

Die A Little is still my favorite, but this book is a sleek dark rocket. I could not put it down. When my husband read Die A Little, he said he loved it, and would read anything else Megan Abbott wrote, but that he wished James M. Cain had done a pass over it. He got his wish in this book. Lean and mean, but still displaying Abbott's own poetic voice, Queenpin is a knockout noir, taut and twisted, neon surface glitter hiding subterranean depths.

What happens when a level-headed crime-experienced woman who possesses all of the right mob contacts meets a young woman who is drawn to the possibilities that crime might offer her? For one thing, we get a genuine page-turner that does not read like other mob stories. Complications arise but giving them away would be spoiling a fun suspensful read. Ms Abbott clearly knows how to write a tight efficient narrative that keeps the reader wanting more. There's several awesomely great scenes and a few of those are juicily violent and unexpected. Highly recommended.