Shooting Dr. Jack

by Norman Green

SHOOTING DOCTOR JACK is a stylish and powerful novel that combines the elegant economy of Elmore Leonard with the narrative fireworks of Richard Price. Now in mass market for the first time! This is the story of three men. There's Fat Tommy Roselli, also known as Tommy Bagadonuts, whose flamboyant style and open heart belie his sharp eye for a quick deal. Then there's Stoney, Fat Tommy's partner in a shady junk–yard business on Troutman Street, whose cynicism and brutality almost save him from his alcoholism. Finally there's Tuco, their young, street–smart apprentice, whose bravado and cunning hide his innocence, his insecurity and his desperate desire to belong. Three men on an inevitable collision course with violence, on "a one–way street that runs from nowhere to nowhere. A street of failures. Fall through the cracks of a better or kinder world, and you find yourself on Troutman Street." Three men in search of redemption and for each of them, there seems to be only one way out.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Norman Green reports this about himself: "I have always been careful, as Mark Twain advised, not to let schooling interfere with my education. Too careful, maybe. I have been, at various times, a truck driver, a construction worker, a project engineer, a factory rep, and a plant engineer, but never, until now, a writer." He lives in Emerson, New Jersey, with his wife.

Series:
* Alessandra Al Martillo Mystery

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bare-knuckle literary thriller **never thought I would put those words together** that takes you into the dark shadows of human nature. A gritty portrayal of life on the streets. Quite the debut.

[Christina MacIsaac · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get behind the characters. Some minor plot developments recieved more emphasis then the main storyline. It felt jumbled together. This might be better as a movie.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a throwback to a different era. I kept having to look at the copyright page to remind myself it was written in 2002 and not 1972.

Everything from the loose non-structure to the considerable time spent on irrelevant character traits to the obvious, simplistic metaphors gave the feel of a 1970s "streetwise" literary novel. There is very little about the book that gives it a concrete place in the present. It is a contemporary novel that feels dated.

The lack of momentum and slow first half otherwise step on what could have been a much better book. There is a lot of good in this book, but it could use more craft. I'll definitely keep an eye on Green's other books.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time with this author. Very well written. I really didn’t want to like the characters in this this dark tale about the underbelly of NYC on Troutman St., but the writer skillfully seduced me to not only like them, but to root for them. I just might read another book by Norman Green

[Robert Natale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only because I couldn't give it no stars. This is the worst fiction I've read in some time. Didn't care for anyone-----didn't even always fully get what was happening. Awful.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a book I found on the street in Park Slope. And it takes place in Brooklyn.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a whole lot of description and not much action. I dont recommed reading it.

[Dennis Ansell]

I enjoyed the book, it held my interest right to the end, and beyond

[Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the second time, enjoyed all the references to Brooklyn and the Bronx, all the bridges, expressways, etc. all so familiar from when I was a kid. Liked the characters so much.