Pipe Dream

by Solomon Jones

The lawyer turned on the tape recorder, handed his client a cigarette, and lit it for him. Black drew hard, squinting as the smoke rushed into his lungs.
"Where do you want to start?"the lawyer said, lighting a cigarette of his own.
"I guess there’s only one place to start; at Broad and Erie."

Johnny Podres, a politician whose record against corruption had been propelling him straight to the mayor’s office, is found murdered in a North Philly crack house.

Enter Samuel Jackson, a.k.a. Black, a drug addict who knows better, a man embittered by the fact that he can’t seem to escape from his addiction to crack cocaine or, for that matter, from himself. Though he was once a family man with a wife and son, Black’s only concern these days is getting his next high, that is, until he stumbles across a friend and fellow addict, Leroy, and both become prime suspects in the Podres murder. Black and Leroy hook up with two female pipers: Clarisse, a registered nurse who is slowly losing to crack any semblance of a respectable life, and Pookie, who already has lost it. Soon the hunt is on for all four as they try to stay one step ahead of a police department under tremendous pressure to solve the case—because if a killer isn’t found soon, this could blow up into one of the biggest scandals in Philadelphia history.

Solomon Jones weaves a suspenseful story against the backdrop of corruption in the Philadelphia police department and centers it on a group of drug addicts who, in the process of fleeing the law, come to terms with their own addiction, leading to some devastating consequences.

Genres: Fiction, Urban

341 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author whose novels include The Gravedigger’s Ball, The Last Confession, Payback, Cream, Ride Or Die, The Bridge, and Pipe Dream. He has appeared on NPR and CNN Headline News, and is a contributor to short story collections including Philadelphia Noir and Liar Liar. Formerly a professor of creative writing at Temple University, Jones is an award-winning columnist whose work has appeared in Essence, Newsday, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Philadelphia Daily News. Jones, the creator of the Words On The Street Literacy Program, lives in Philadelphia with his wife and children. His next novel, The Dead Man’s Wife, will be published in October 2012 by Minotaur Books, an imprint of Macmillan.

Reviews

[Purlewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago. And I read it b'c I was working in the same company and Solomon Jones. I found the book completely engrossing.. it didn't feel like a debut novel. I was glad I read it and then I lent it to a friend and never saw it again. I would love to re-read it now and see how it stands up to another 10+ yrs I've now had in Philly.

I think I'll pick up another of his book and see how he's progressed. I can say he really has a great voice in his writing.

[Andrew McIlree · Rating 5 out of 5]

It mentions PCEH (802) in the story.

[Colin Fegely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gets right into the action, giving only a short few pages describing Leroy and Black’s characters before going straight into the crime scene. We are presented “The House”, an abandoned home on Broad and Erie that as Black says “the news would refer to as a crack house”. In the house we find Johnny Podres, and after a few pages explaining Podres’ character, we are put into a warzone. The title is a play on the books plot since its a “pipe dream” for Black and the others to make it out while also making use of an important theme of the novel, drug abuse. If you’re looking for a book to give you a new perspective on life check this out. If you’re looking for a thrilling, entertaining, and depressing story that goes into detail on systematic racism then this is the book for you. If you want to read, read this book. This book has made me more appreciative of everything I’ve been given in life as a white man raised by two parents with well paying jobs. It’s also led me to show more compassion towards those whom are less fortunate.

[Arlingtontexican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this a genre withing a genre? The reporter who makes a novel out of his newspaper articles? Well, if this guy, Jones, is any indication, at least you end up with a well written story. It read easily, flowing even through subjects I had no interest in...but the whole thing was larger than life.

[Dan DalMonte · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book didn't dazzle with its prose or its thematic content, it was an interesting and moving story that asks us to empathize with people with whom we typically would not empathize. It is an exciting story with plot twists and diabolical plots.

[R Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read this book back in 2001, it was even better this time around. Solomon Jones is just a phenomenal writer! This book had me on the edge of my seat from the prologue until the very last page of the book.

[Whitney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

[kisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly liked this book. It's not your typical street fiction. Most times when you read about drugs in street fiction it's typically about the drug dealer. You don't get to hear the voice of the addict. That's what I liked about this book. Although Solomon Jones may not be the first to do it, it's still a rarity. It's so easy to see the drug addicted bum on the street corner begging for change at your annoyance and treat them as if they are a lesser people. Jones makes even the most shallow, judgemental person realize that crack addicts are people too. That's what I respect about this book.

It has been quite some years since I've read this book. I plan to reread and then give a better review.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after Philly author Solomon Jones spoke at Career Day at my school. I enjoyed what he had to say about how his life experience with N. Philly, drug addiction, and homelessness shaped the writing of several novels. I found this novel to be a real page-turner. It's set at Broad and Olney, an infamous intersection, and it looks at the unlikely overlapping lives of some believeable Philly characters. Solomon Jones now teaches writing at Temple University.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful read, full of suspense, and hopefulness for the main character that keeps you wishing for the best. I recently found out that this was Mr. Jone's debut novel, that just goes to show that he was born to be a writer in a true and present sense. I see myself doing a re-read in the future.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philadelphia author Solomon Jones' first novel takes place in North Philly in the 1990s when crack was king. It's fascinating to get into the minds of crack smokers, and I love the local details. A compelling book.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Interesting crime drama told from the POV of four crack addicts involved in a high profile City Official's murder. It's fast-paced, gritty and predictable at times ; but overall a very good read.

[Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read about 1/3 of it and just couldn't get into it. I guess if you have done drugs, or know druggies, you will relate much better. I haven't stopped reading a book for a long long time, but this one just had to go back to the library.

[Judith]

book club will have Mr. Jones as a guess ont Tue 28 of june hope to see you there Barns and Nobel willow grove.

[Tommy]

Awesome if u havent read it its bout real shit and is amazing

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Amyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I've always been fascinated about how junkies think and live. And what drives them to a life of hard drugs. This book was informative to those questions.

[Ysaye Zamore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense! An interesting account of relationships between people we may not regularly interface with--drug users.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

started slow, I put it down, read another book and came back to it, it became good

[Frank]

Pretty good book. The author really knows the seedy side of Philly.