Dogtown/Soultown by Mercedes Lambert

In case you hadn’t noticed, we haven’t featured a whole lot of female writers in the Degenerates Book Club. Or, well…any.  This, however, is a well deserved first.  The re-release of Mercedes Lambert’s first two novels is a look at some of the most masterful early 90’s noir (to accompany the long overdue release of her third book, Ghosttown).  It is the rarest of rare, with the perfect balance between the hardboiled (considered the manliest of the form by critics) and the feminine aspects of the main character, Whitney Logan.  Whitney is a balls-out chick of the highest order, partnered up with her buddy-cum-partner, (sometimes) ex-hooker Lupe.  Unfortunately for us all, Ms. Lambert was taken too soon from her work and her characters.  One can’t help but feel a twinge in the heart while reading her novels when you realize that these are the only ones we’ll ever get.  These novels deserve to be read.  Pour a shot of whiskey while you read ‘em and pour a little out for Mercedes.

Tokyo Year Zero by David Peace

Based on a true serial-killer case in post-WWII Japan , British author David Peace gives us another look at Tokyo at a different place in history.  When the nude body of a young woman turns up in a local park, Inspector Minami of the Tokyo police investigates the murder of a young woman found naked in the park. A city devastated by the war, the police are forced to operate with no real infrastructure, food supply or even decent shoes.  Minami as protagonist, is as messed-up as the city he serves - prone to visiting his mistress and sampling the local prostitutes; he is sleepless, addicted to sedatives and under the thumb of a local mobster.  Written in a back and forth, inner-outer monologue style, Tokyo Year Zero is affecting, disturbing and brilliant a mystery as has come down the pipe in a long time.