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Start Shooting
“The best way I can describe the Four Corners neighborhood of Chicago is find a length of rebar, scratch a big cross into the concrete, set your feet solid in the quadrant you like best, lean back, and start shooting.”
Officer Bobby Vargas is hard-edged but idealistic, a Chicago cop who stands at the epicenter of a subterranean plot that will have horrific ramifications for both himself and the entire city. Twenty-five years earlier, a gruesome murder rocked the unforgiving streets of Four Corners. Now, suddenly, a dying Chicago paper is running a serial exposé on new evidence in that old case, threatening to implicate Bobby and his older brother, Ruben—a decorated, high-ranking detective and cop- prince of the streets. The smear campaign stirs up decades-old bad blood, leading the Vargas brothers down an increasingly twisted and terrifying path, where the sins of the past threaten to destroy what remains of the truth.
As readers and critics discovered in his first novel, Calumet City, Charlie Newton’s Chicago is a landscape as brutal and poignant as any in modern crime fiction—a multi-faceted, shockingly violent labyrinth of gangland politics, political backstabbing, corporate malfeasance, and, possibly, hope. Start Shooting is a riveting read.
Officer Bobby Vargas is hard-edged but idealistic, a Chicago cop who stands at the epicenter of a subterranean plot that will have horrific ramifications for both himself and the entire city. Twenty-five years earlier, a gruesome murder rocked the unforgiving streets of Four Corners. Now, suddenly, a dying Chicago paper is running a serial exposé on new evidence in that old case, threatening to implicate Bobby and his older brother, Ruben—a decorated, high-ranking detective and cop- prince of the streets. The smear campaign stirs up decades-old bad blood, leading the Vargas brothers down an increasingly twisted and terrifying path, where the sins of the past threaten to destroy what remains of the truth.
As readers and critics discovered in his first novel, Calumet City, Charlie Newton’s Chicago is a landscape as brutal and poignant as any in modern crime fiction—a multi-faceted, shockingly violent labyrinth of gangland politics, political backstabbing, corporate malfeasance, and, possibly, hope. Start Shooting is a riveting read.
305 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2012
4 people are currently reading
1372 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Newton
6 books53 followersCharlie Newton is a Chicago native, a writer known for a global life on the road and extended MIA absences. When he does publish, Newton’s heart-pounding, gritty, and witty realism has been a starred-review favorite of the critics and a finalist for the Edgar, the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, the Macavity, and the International Thriller Writers awards. Newton is the author of Calumet City (Simon & Schuster, 2008), Start Shooting (Doubleday, 2012), Traitor’s Gate (Thomas & Mercer, 2015), and Privateers (BlackType Press, 2020).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 24, 2012
Four main characters populate this dark, gritty tale: Bobby Vargas, an idealistic cop in the Gang Unit; his brother, Ruben, a hopelessly corrupt amoral homicide cop; Arlene Brennan, a long-struggling actress who finally has a shot at the big-time; and the city of Chicago itself, where the story is set.
Twenty-five years earlier, when they were young teenagers, Bobby, Ruben and Arlene were all at the epicenter of a gruesome murder that occured in the Four Corners, their tough South Side neighborhood. A man was convicted and executed for the crime but now a crusading reporter is digging into the case again with potentially devestating consequences for the three.
The timing couldn't be worse, especially for Arlene, who after waiting tables and barely scrapping by for all of her adult life, finally has a real shot at winning the role of Stella in a major revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. If all of that weren't bad enough, the unscrupulous Ruben has tricked Arlene into assisting him in a huge criminal enterprise that is coming together on the same day as the audition for which Arlene has been waiting for so many years. Like Arlene, Bobby is also compromised by forces beyond his control, and the three major characters and others are propelled toward a stunning climax.
Newton takes excellent advantage of the Chicago setting, and my only complaint about the book is that the plot is so convoluted and ultimately over the top that it was a bit hard to suspend disbelief by the end. Still, this is a riveting story that should appeal to many crime fiction readers, especially those who know and love Chicago.
Twenty-five years earlier, when they were young teenagers, Bobby, Ruben and Arlene were all at the epicenter of a gruesome murder that occured in the Four Corners, their tough South Side neighborhood. A man was convicted and executed for the crime but now a crusading reporter is digging into the case again with potentially devestating consequences for the three.
The timing couldn't be worse, especially for Arlene, who after waiting tables and barely scrapping by for all of her adult life, finally has a real shot at winning the role of Stella in a major revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. If all of that weren't bad enough, the unscrupulous Ruben has tricked Arlene into assisting him in a huge criminal enterprise that is coming together on the same day as the audition for which Arlene has been waiting for so many years. Like Arlene, Bobby is also compromised by forces beyond his control, and the three major characters and others are propelled toward a stunning climax.
Newton takes excellent advantage of the Chicago setting, and my only complaint about the book is that the plot is so convoluted and ultimately over the top that it was a bit hard to suspend disbelief by the end. Still, this is a riveting story that should appeal to many crime fiction readers, especially those who know and love Chicago.
January 28, 2012
Newton is an incredible writer. His gritty, corrupt Chicago is right on target. I was loving every page until I hit 160, whereupon he jumped the shark. Sorry I can't believe impossible things before breakfast, let alone lunch and dinner. I kept reading hoping he would jump back but it only got worse. As exciting as he is to read, I can't do it again. It's heartbreaking to love the writing and hate the plot.
September 15, 2019
This book was so atrocious. I gave it a star for some fun Chicago stuff and pretty good Chicago geography. It feels like the writer was thinking “I know I’m not great at this, and I may never get another chance. So I’m going to put every single plot idea I’ve ever had in this one book.”
May 12, 2021
I think I'm being charitable in giving this novel three stars, but I'm a sucker for the cliche "gritty" cop/criminal drama. About halfway through, this thing takes a turn from "gritty" into "somewhat ridiculous".
February 2, 2012
exiting crime/cop noir set in mean streets of chicago, both slums and bright shiny corporateland. a rather twisty plot of horrific sociopathy, japanese master race war crimes, big shoulders corruption, cops vs gangs, white vs all others, families vs theirownsleves, dreams of love and art vs cold blooded murder. yes, twisty. at times all the names and angles and plots tend to bombard the reader with confusing motivations, but that is part of the fun, the ior of noir, to sow confusion and edginess, keep you off balance. it is interesting that the author;s first book, "Calumet City" Calumet City: A Novel was both loved and hated, and this one will probably be the same. too much ambiguity and twistyness, or a stunning use of the same to push the story into surprising areas and horrors where the characters are a least as brutalized and confused as the reader. this book here also name checks and brings in peripherally some of the characters from the first novel, not that you would have to know that, but it is fun if you did, clever and funny self-referencing. and there are some tender, sappy portions of possible normal love, success, and art to keep the reader hoping that all these nightmares of corruption will go away. but they don't go away, not entirely. not ever.
February 12, 2012
This book is something of a follow-up to Newton's debut novel, Calumet City, though only minor characters actually overlap between the two books. Which was perhaps the only disappointing thing about this book - I wanted more of an update about Patti Black. Otherwise, I loved the book in all of its sad, sweet, brutal and thrilling glory. Newton's narrative style is well-matched with his gritty version of Chicago. This book is divided between two narrators (with each section clearly marked), but I must say that Bobby Vargas was more of the star of the book than Arleen Brennan. Newton handled the female point-of-view more convincingly with Patti Black, but Arleen was still sympathetic. The plot was certainly unpredictable and all of the plot points fit nicely together in the end without being contrived. All in all, this book had a very realistic feel to it - though some of this realism would be undoubtedly be lost on non-Chicagoans. I am really looking forward to seeing what Newton writes next!
January 11, 2012
Every once in awhile, I come across a book I just can't get into. I put it aside, pick it back up, try to figure out the problem. This was one of those books for me. The plot could have - should have - grabbed my attention. Instead, it felt like I'd been spun around in circles and I couldn't get my bearings.
This book is written in first person, with two POV characters, but they felt the same to me. Each narrated and spoke in short, clipped phrases. An abundance of one word sentences like "Blink" and "Breathe", made it read more like a screenplay than a novel. And I didn't connect or even like either character.
Things could have gotten better by the end, but I gave up halfway through.
This book is written in first person, with two POV characters, but they felt the same to me. Each narrated and spoke in short, clipped phrases. An abundance of one word sentences like "Blink" and "Breathe", made it read more like a screenplay than a novel. And I didn't connect or even like either character.
Things could have gotten better by the end, but I gave up halfway through.
May 28, 2013
Superior noir, filling all the important boxes:
1) Sense of doom surrounds all major characters
2) Deep character flaws
3) Lived-in feel of setting (Chicago!)
4) Melodramatic plot serving melodramatic emotional tenor
5) Blonde from the past
6) Dirty cops
7) Violence, violence, violence
8) You can never escape your ________
9) Lead character with big dreams
10) Lies, lies, lies
If this sounds like your cup of tea this book will float your boat. I liked his earlier book, too ("Calumet City") but it's been so long since I last read it I can't remember why. I think pretty much for the same stuff.
1) Sense of doom surrounds all major characters
2) Deep character flaws
3) Lived-in feel of setting (Chicago!)
4) Melodramatic plot serving melodramatic emotional tenor
5) Blonde from the past
6) Dirty cops
7) Violence, violence, violence
8) You can never escape your ________
9) Lead character with big dreams
10) Lies, lies, lies
If this sounds like your cup of tea this book will float your boat. I liked his earlier book, too ("Calumet City") but it's been so long since I last read it I can't remember why. I think pretty much for the same stuff.
September 15, 2016
If you're going to start shooting, aim at this book.
March 8, 2013
What did I think? Did not love it..........
Hello Everybody, this is my first review here and not only is it negative, but I am hiding it due to spoilers and abstaining from writing a plot synopsis to discribe this convoluted mess.
I will admit Charlie Newton had me hooked with this gritty, noirish suspense mystery involving two street smart Mexican Police Officer brothers and a damaged but strong and resilient Irish girl on a collision course, stemming from the rape/murder of the girl's (Arleen) twin sister three deades prior to the beginning of this novel. I thought I was in for an intriguing, suspensful and action packed tale of family secrets and murder set in gang infested Chicago, giving the story a dose of realism you do not often see in mainstream crime novels.
I started to realize, around page 150-ish that Mr. Newton pulled the old bait and switch on me! Not only was I denied the the book I was hoping for but it quickly turned into one of the most convoluted, over the top 300 pages I have read in a while!
I am fairly easy to please. I have a few, simple rules.
1-Give me a good plot.
2-I am one of those readers who picture a movie(cast and all) in their headwhile reading so make the dialogue pop and paint a visual for me with your words(Credit where it is due, Newton succeeded more than he failed here).
3- I am devoting my time by reading your work. Don't. Fucking. Bore. Me.(I was not bored, just exhausted)
4- Make me mentally and emotionally invested in your characters. I don't have to like them, I just have to give a shit what happens to them. THIS IS WHAT MADE ME DISLIKE THIS FAKE NOIR, MELODRAMATIC, CONVOLUTED(may have used that word once or twice already) book.
I will focus on the main players, Bobby and Arleen. I am assuming those who are still reading will either agree or disagree because they have read this. For those who have not and do not want everything spoiled for them, stop reading now(although I couild be potentially be saving you 4-6 hours of your time).
I will start with Bobby Vargas, our hero. My first impression of Bobby was that of a badass, street savvy, but highly principled and loyal gang squad cop, hauntedby memories of the past which are coming back full circle. While the character does posess these attributes mentioned above he has the mentality of a 14 year old teenage boy, Not the intelligence of, but the maturity level(Arleen even refers to him as a boy in her thoughts on multiple occasions). He still pines for a girl he held hands with , yes, held hands with 30 years ago and does not seem to have any type of relationshipw past or present with any other woman. Now granted he thought she was brutally murdered, but dude get over it!!(bad joke)It turns out it was actually her sister who was raped and killed 29 years prior and his one true love has been alive the whole time working(sort of) as an actress. OK so this guy for three decades doesn't have any clue which sister was really his hand holding buddy in his pubecent years and is obviously haunted by it but has no clue until he conveniently runs into her at a Lesbian Rugby player dive where he plays blues guitar when he's not out busting heads and she casually mentions "oh Bobby before I forget, that girl you were in love with, you know the one who was raped and murdered by a ganbanger, the one you and your brother are being accused of really doing by the local scandal rag" "right her, well that was my sister who was murdered, I just pretended to be her(for some reason). Sorry you guys are being accused of rape/murder but did you hear I am in serious contention to be Blanche in a local revival of Streetcar n amed Desire opposite Jude Law" Now if I was Bobby I would be a little upset I was allowed to believe that my first love was wiped off the face of the earth in such an unspeakable way. I would at least ask why Arleen never called, emailed, wrote a letter, fucking Tweeted me that it was really her and she was still alive(more on her in a minute). Instead of being angry(or even that shocked) all he can think about is reigniting the flame between them, dispite being the target of the city's most popular journalist for muder and being framed by a Gang Lord as a child rapist. One would think poor Bobby is a bit too preoccupied to focus on closing the deal with his childhood sweetheart.
It turns out Arleen was blackmailed by Bobby's evil bad-cop brother Rueben into becoming part of his scheme to blackmail the CEO of a Japanese company bringing the Olympics to Chi-town. For her part in his scheme Rueben gets Arleen her "last chance audition" for Blanche in Streetcar(homeboy is connected).
So Bobby gets thrown into the middle of this unbelieable shitstorm of epic proportions being framed for: Coleen's(the real dead sister) murder, being a serial kiddie rapist, murder and attempted murder of his fellow gang officers and other things that will really ruin one's day. After he is rescued by a vengeful independent CIA contractor that infiltrated his unit all he can think about are two things, Arleen and protecting his obviously evil brother. Just for clarification(in case you have not read the book) this is all centered around several vials of a biological weapon the Japanese CEO and his buddies, dating back to World War 2 want to dissapear and Rueben and his psycho, muderous Vietnamese grilfriend have it in their possession. Of course this comes full circle when the big reveal at the end is that Rueben and his chica are the ones that killed poor Coleen(I did say spoilers).
So while Bobby and his new sidekick, Tania Hahn(the woman who works for the CIA as an independent contractor) are chasing down the villain(Rueben) all Bobby can do is blindly defend him. "Don't kill my brother or I'll kill you, blah blah blah, etc." Loyalty is admirable to a certain extent but enough is enough! This guy (who admittedly does come through in the end) is a major fucking crybaby!
My issues with Bobby pale in comparrison to my utter dislike for Arleen. I get it, your father was physically, mentally and sexually abusive, your sister was taken from you in an unspeakable fashion, so you had, to put it mildly a very troubled childhood and I initially felt bad for her and wanted to see her come out on top. This frame of thought completely changed when I relized what a self centered dingbat she was. She witnesses multiple murders and shootings, the main one involving the Korean mafia and Rueben's partner in crime who also happens to be the son of Chicago's most powerful businessmen, one of the major player's involved with the Streetcar revival(Chicago is a very small town, I know)is involved in all types of scandalous shit, and just may be one of the conspirators of a biological attack with a body count that would rival 9/11. With all this going on around me, I would just try to escape but all she can think of is getting the part in the fucking play!! And a little bit of Bobby. "Oh a biological weapon is what we're dealing with, I see, hmmm maybe I should just fellate The Powerful Businessman whose son I just saw shot so I can get the role." I'm not exaggerating by the way, she really does have that thought. Every time she shows some backbone it is when she is channeling Blanche(or when appropriate the scheming mother from Jim Thompson's "The Grifters). In the not so epic shootout near the end she is shot and literally crawls to the theatre to see if she got the part! I was just dying for someone to say"Listen you are almost 40, you have not, nor will you make it as an Actress so GET OVER IT!!!! I understand unfulfilled dreams are a recurring theme of the story but allow your characters to put things into perspective.
Perhaps the single most collectively annoying shared trait of the two protagonist's are that they model their relationship after Forrest Gump and Jenny. Granted, there are some similarities, but mentioning it more than once is vomit inducing, although not as much as Bobby and Jenny...I mean Arleen's inpiration by Peter Fucking Pan!
I am giving it a 2 out of 5 rating due to some decent writing, some exciting action sequences and some of the supporting characters were interesting. Overall definitly not recomended!
Hello Everybody, this is my first review here and not only is it negative, but I am hiding it due to spoilers and abstaining from writing a plot synopsis to discribe this convoluted mess.
I will admit Charlie Newton had me hooked with this gritty, noirish suspense mystery involving two street smart Mexican Police Officer brothers and a damaged but strong and resilient Irish girl on a collision course, stemming from the rape/murder of the girl's (Arleen) twin sister three deades prior to the beginning of this novel. I thought I was in for an intriguing, suspensful and action packed tale of family secrets and murder set in gang infested Chicago, giving the story a dose of realism you do not often see in mainstream crime novels.
I started to realize, around page 150-ish that Mr. Newton pulled the old bait and switch on me! Not only was I denied the the book I was hoping for but it quickly turned into one of the most convoluted, over the top 300 pages I have read in a while!
I am fairly easy to please. I have a few, simple rules.
1-Give me a good plot.
2-I am one of those readers who picture a movie(cast and all) in their headwhile reading so make the dialogue pop and paint a visual for me with your words(Credit where it is due, Newton succeeded more than he failed here).
3- I am devoting my time by reading your work. Don't. Fucking. Bore. Me.(I was not bored, just exhausted)
4- Make me mentally and emotionally invested in your characters. I don't have to like them, I just have to give a shit what happens to them. THIS IS WHAT MADE ME DISLIKE THIS FAKE NOIR, MELODRAMATIC, CONVOLUTED(may have used that word once or twice already) book.
I will focus on the main players, Bobby and Arleen. I am assuming those who are still reading will either agree or disagree because they have read this. For those who have not and do not want everything spoiled for them, stop reading now(although I couild be potentially be saving you 4-6 hours of your time).
I will start with Bobby Vargas, our hero. My first impression of Bobby was that of a badass, street savvy, but highly principled and loyal gang squad cop, hauntedby memories of the past which are coming back full circle. While the character does posess these attributes mentioned above he has the mentality of a 14 year old teenage boy, Not the intelligence of, but the maturity level(Arleen even refers to him as a boy in her thoughts on multiple occasions). He still pines for a girl he held hands with , yes, held hands with 30 years ago and does not seem to have any type of relationshipw past or present with any other woman. Now granted he thought she was brutally murdered, but dude get over it!!(bad joke)It turns out it was actually her sister who was raped and killed 29 years prior and his one true love has been alive the whole time working(sort of) as an actress. OK so this guy for three decades doesn't have any clue which sister was really his hand holding buddy in his pubecent years and is obviously haunted by it but has no clue until he conveniently runs into her at a Lesbian Rugby player dive where he plays blues guitar when he's not out busting heads and she casually mentions "oh Bobby before I forget, that girl you were in love with, you know the one who was raped and murdered by a ganbanger, the one you and your brother are being accused of really doing by the local scandal rag" "right her, well that was my sister who was murdered, I just pretended to be her(for some reason). Sorry you guys are being accused of rape/murder but did you hear I am in serious contention to be Blanche in a local revival of Streetcar n amed Desire opposite Jude Law" Now if I was Bobby I would be a little upset I was allowed to believe that my first love was wiped off the face of the earth in such an unspeakable way. I would at least ask why Arleen never called, emailed, wrote a letter, fucking Tweeted me that it was really her and she was still alive(more on her in a minute). Instead of being angry(or even that shocked) all he can think about is reigniting the flame between them, dispite being the target of the city's most popular journalist for muder and being framed by a Gang Lord as a child rapist. One would think poor Bobby is a bit too preoccupied to focus on closing the deal with his childhood sweetheart.
It turns out Arleen was blackmailed by Bobby's evil bad-cop brother Rueben into becoming part of his scheme to blackmail the CEO of a Japanese company bringing the Olympics to Chi-town. For her part in his scheme Rueben gets Arleen her "last chance audition" for Blanche in Streetcar(homeboy is connected).
So Bobby gets thrown into the middle of this unbelieable shitstorm of epic proportions being framed for: Coleen's(the real dead sister) murder, being a serial kiddie rapist, murder and attempted murder of his fellow gang officers and other things that will really ruin one's day. After he is rescued by a vengeful independent CIA contractor that infiltrated his unit all he can think about are two things, Arleen and protecting his obviously evil brother. Just for clarification(in case you have not read the book) this is all centered around several vials of a biological weapon the Japanese CEO and his buddies, dating back to World War 2 want to dissapear and Rueben and his psycho, muderous Vietnamese grilfriend have it in their possession. Of course this comes full circle when the big reveal at the end is that Rueben and his chica are the ones that killed poor Coleen(I did say spoilers).
So while Bobby and his new sidekick, Tania Hahn(the woman who works for the CIA as an independent contractor) are chasing down the villain(Rueben) all Bobby can do is blindly defend him. "Don't kill my brother or I'll kill you, blah blah blah, etc." Loyalty is admirable to a certain extent but enough is enough! This guy (who admittedly does come through in the end) is a major fucking crybaby!
My issues with Bobby pale in comparrison to my utter dislike for Arleen. I get it, your father was physically, mentally and sexually abusive, your sister was taken from you in an unspeakable fashion, so you had, to put it mildly a very troubled childhood and I initially felt bad for her and wanted to see her come out on top. This frame of thought completely changed when I relized what a self centered dingbat she was. She witnesses multiple murders and shootings, the main one involving the Korean mafia and Rueben's partner in crime who also happens to be the son of Chicago's most powerful businessmen, one of the major player's involved with the Streetcar revival(Chicago is a very small town, I know)is involved in all types of scandalous shit, and just may be one of the conspirators of a biological attack with a body count that would rival 9/11. With all this going on around me, I would just try to escape but all she can think of is getting the part in the fucking play!! And a little bit of Bobby. "Oh a biological weapon is what we're dealing with, I see, hmmm maybe I should just fellate The Powerful Businessman whose son I just saw shot so I can get the role." I'm not exaggerating by the way, she really does have that thought. Every time she shows some backbone it is when she is channeling Blanche(or when appropriate the scheming mother from Jim Thompson's "The Grifters). In the not so epic shootout near the end she is shot and literally crawls to the theatre to see if she got the part! I was just dying for someone to say"Listen you are almost 40, you have not, nor will you make it as an Actress so GET OVER IT!!!! I understand unfulfilled dreams are a recurring theme of the story but allow your characters to put things into perspective.
Perhaps the single most collectively annoying shared trait of the two protagonist's are that they model their relationship after Forrest Gump and Jenny. Granted, there are some similarities, but mentioning it more than once is vomit inducing, although not as much as Bobby and Jenny...I mean Arleen's inpiration by Peter Fucking Pan!
I am giving it a 2 out of 5 rating due to some decent writing, some exciting action sequences and some of the supporting characters were interesting. Overall definitly not recomended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2020
Are you missing a little adrenalin in your life right now? If self-isolation and sanitation aren’t getting it for ya, read this. Privateers might be the solution. The plot is dark and twisty, and the characters are flawed and wonderful. I was shocked to discover there are things out there worse than coronavirus. And delighted that even in the worst of times, fun is still possible. It was hard to put this one down, so I didn’t.
December 19, 2018
Fast-paced procedural. Bobby Vargar and Arleen Brennan rock. Reading this guy's work makes me out of breath. Interesting story, great Chicago background. Going to go back and read his first book and any to come. Bravo, Charlie!
August 6, 2019
This started out as a good cop bad reporter novel. Turned into good cop/bad cop brothers bad reporter/ambitious DA. All those plus CIA plus Japanese war criminals, Korean mob, Vietnam war victims.
Essentially a convoluted love story of Chicago grade school kids.
Not bad just convoluted.
Essentially a convoluted love story of Chicago grade school kids.
Not bad just convoluted.
June 24, 2020
I was so bored. It just went on and on and at times I didn't even understand what was happening. I'm sure it can be interesting for people who like reading from cop point of views. But for me this was just a disappointing read.
October 13, 2019
Jumps the shark about half way through, up until then it was a 4-ish
July 9, 2020
Won this book as a Goodreads giveaway. The characters were great. The story kept me interested. It was a SOLID 4 stars.
September 11, 2021
This is the worst writing I’ve ever come across
June 13, 2012
The one-page prologue of sorts, headed “Chicago,” opens with the words “The girl was thirteen and Irish, and fashioned out of sunlight so bright she made you believe in angels,” and ends with these: “Nineteen years I’ve been a ghetto cop and thought I’d worked every heartbreaking, horror combination possible. But I hadn’t. I wasn’t marginally prepared for how bad six days could get. And neither was anyone else.” And then the author details those six days, the p.o.v. alternating between that of Arleen Brennan and Bobby Vargas, the cop. The writer’s style is such that there was a smile on my face at page 1 [following the single page containing that prologue], which describes the Four Corners neighborhood in the South Side of Chicago, and its multi-cultural inhabitants.
The tale begins in the winter of 1982, filling in a lot of the history of Chicago over the last 50+ years, even for those who think they remember all the stories of corruption and race riots. Chicago is hopeful of hosting the 2016 Olympics and the “salvation” it would surely mean for the city, with the ensuing influx of revenue for a cash-strapped town. All very entertaining, with just an undercurrent of danger - - until the shooting starts, that is. At that point, things take a different turn, becoming dark and edgy, with a fair amount of violence. The craziness gets a bit hard to follow at times, but that didn’t slow the turning of pages at all.
At its heart this is a novel about two pairs of siblings, Arleen and Coleen Brennan, beautiful blond twin sisters, the latter not surviving past the age of 13, when she was raped to death, Arleen escaping the city and not seen again for 29 years, when she appears in the book’s opening pages. Bobby and Reuben Vargas are brothers, Bobby 42 as the story starts, Reuben, a cop and “a street legend in Chicago,” the older brother who was Bobby’s hero for half his life, their parents born in Mexico but the boys having grown up in Four Corners. Ambition is just one thing Arleen and Bobby have in common, for a future, and fame, as an actress and a guitar-playing musician, respectively. But Arleen is waiting tables, and Bobby is a cop who plays “in the band, weekends around town;” one other thing they have in common is a deep love for their siblings.
“Start Shooting” is one of the most original novels I’ve read in a while, and though I can’t say I held my breath as it headed towards it denouement, I was white-knuckled from gripping the book so tightly in my hands. Highly recommended.
The tale begins in the winter of 1982, filling in a lot of the history of Chicago over the last 50+ years, even for those who think they remember all the stories of corruption and race riots. Chicago is hopeful of hosting the 2016 Olympics and the “salvation” it would surely mean for the city, with the ensuing influx of revenue for a cash-strapped town. All very entertaining, with just an undercurrent of danger - - until the shooting starts, that is. At that point, things take a different turn, becoming dark and edgy, with a fair amount of violence. The craziness gets a bit hard to follow at times, but that didn’t slow the turning of pages at all.
At its heart this is a novel about two pairs of siblings, Arleen and Coleen Brennan, beautiful blond twin sisters, the latter not surviving past the age of 13, when she was raped to death, Arleen escaping the city and not seen again for 29 years, when she appears in the book’s opening pages. Bobby and Reuben Vargas are brothers, Bobby 42 as the story starts, Reuben, a cop and “a street legend in Chicago,” the older brother who was Bobby’s hero for half his life, their parents born in Mexico but the boys having grown up in Four Corners. Ambition is just one thing Arleen and Bobby have in common, for a future, and fame, as an actress and a guitar-playing musician, respectively. But Arleen is waiting tables, and Bobby is a cop who plays “in the band, weekends around town;” one other thing they have in common is a deep love for their siblings.
“Start Shooting” is one of the most original novels I’ve read in a while, and though I can’t say I held my breath as it headed towards it denouement, I was white-knuckled from gripping the book so tightly in my hands. Highly recommended.
March 21, 2012
This is a story that is fast-paced, action packed and so thrilling that you will be swept away after reading only a page, Charlie Newton's new novel 'start shooting' is apsolutely fantasic & mesmirising. I was hooked from page 1 pluging head first into the gang-infested town of Chicago, that is bold, bright, colourful and unexpected where one cannot presume to even guess what might be around the next corner (or in this case 'around the next page'). It is brimmed full of violence, brutality which is completely believable, realistic and very authentic, that captures this bustling & 'every man for himself' environment. It is a classic representation and portrayal of modern crime fiction at its very best, that is character-driven and engaging from begining to end. It is a web of politics versus soical hierachy & social/ economical deprevation that combines with all the relentless action and drama of the local police force & Private Investigators (UK Scotland Yard). I loved the intensity of the action and drama that leaves you completely breathless and spellbound, alongside the poinant & distinctive characters that really bring this story to life. You are transported into the middle of all the action and unfolding commotion that is so engaing, thrilling and spectaular it can only thus make you want to read on and find out more. I happen to love the crime genre, anything from the racetrack with Dick Francis (who is truly brilliant) to Sir Arthur Conan Doyal's classic 'Sherlock Holmes' to the more modern fantastic authors such as Stuart Macbride, Sam Bourne and Ewart Hutton. Charlie Newtons novel was utterly compelling that was such an enjoyable and exciting read, that i just loved and which exceeded all of my expectations. If the Crime or Thriller / mystery genres interest you then i would highly reccomend that you try a Newton novel, as you will be completely suprised & overwhelmed. The writing is fantastic and colloquial and easy-to-read, that is full of drama from the first sentence, reminding me of the first sentence (which is the best book opening that i have ever read) "Black, White, Brown or Yellow, on Chicago's south side, your neighbourhood is your surname" - love it! Full of imagery that one can form an image/ picture of immediately, that sets the scene; beautiful.
January 21, 2012
Start Shooting by Charlie Newton is an exciting, fast-paced story that never lets up. It starts quickly and keeps going to its thrilling conclusion. The reader gets the nitty gritty description of Chicago, the toughest parts, a hell on earth. Life in this area is short. Tragic characters living in such horrible conditions are very brave and prove this daily.
Bobby Vargas is a cop, a good one, just trying to make the streets safer. His brother, Ruben, is a different story. He’s a street legend but not all he appears to be. It’s infuriating what happens to Bobby. The villains in this book inspire such disgust.
Arleen Brennan is a hard-working waitress wanting to make it as an actress. She gets the big audition. Throughout the book, her agonizing suspense is gripping. Her twin sister was murdered as a child, and that comes back to haunt everyone. Accusations are given that ruin lives. Ruben involves Arleen in a dangerous sting, and this plays right alongside Arleen’s big audition. Arleen and Bobby are close, and this makes for interesting interplay, considering she wants his brother dead for the evil he’s doing.
Arlene and Bobby both have courage. Bobby also has integrity, and Arlene is quite clever, constantly in survival mode. Both are streetwise.
Though Bobby is a gang cop, it turns out there is something much bigger than the antics of street gangs going on here. International mystery is woven into this thriller, and one constantly feels the desperation of the characters.
The writing is direct and immediate. Short phrases make for intense emotion, filled with street slang. It adds poignancy but is sometimes confusing. The chapters alternate points of view. There are many surprises in this story and tension that goes for miles. A theme of dreams in life is prevalent.
For those not in the mood for a light read who would prefer an action-packed, raw, vivid story of harsh reality, this would be a great book to read. At first it comes across as a downer, but there’s so much satisfaction to be found in its pages. The end, well, I won’t give that away.
Bobby Vargas is a cop, a good one, just trying to make the streets safer. His brother, Ruben, is a different story. He’s a street legend but not all he appears to be. It’s infuriating what happens to Bobby. The villains in this book inspire such disgust.
Arleen Brennan is a hard-working waitress wanting to make it as an actress. She gets the big audition. Throughout the book, her agonizing suspense is gripping. Her twin sister was murdered as a child, and that comes back to haunt everyone. Accusations are given that ruin lives. Ruben involves Arleen in a dangerous sting, and this plays right alongside Arleen’s big audition. Arleen and Bobby are close, and this makes for interesting interplay, considering she wants his brother dead for the evil he’s doing.
Arlene and Bobby both have courage. Bobby also has integrity, and Arlene is quite clever, constantly in survival mode. Both are streetwise.
Though Bobby is a gang cop, it turns out there is something much bigger than the antics of street gangs going on here. International mystery is woven into this thriller, and one constantly feels the desperation of the characters.
The writing is direct and immediate. Short phrases make for intense emotion, filled with street slang. It adds poignancy but is sometimes confusing. The chapters alternate points of view. There are many surprises in this story and tension that goes for miles. A theme of dreams in life is prevalent.
For those not in the mood for a light read who would prefer an action-packed, raw, vivid story of harsh reality, this would be a great book to read. At first it comes across as a downer, but there’s so much satisfaction to be found in its pages. The end, well, I won’t give that away.
December 6, 2011
Chicago has been chosen as the Olympic City of 2016. The action begins in the gang dominated neighborhood of Four Corners. Brothers, Bobby and Ruben grow up there and enter the police force.
Coleen Brennan was an Irish girl who befriended Bobby. They were boyfriend and girlfriend and then she was killed when she was thirteen. Coleen was white and Bobby wasn't and their friendship was a dangerous thing in the race rules of Four Corners.
"The Chicago Herald," a newspaper that needed a big story, runs an expose implying that in days to come they would show that Bobby and Ruben were the boys who killed Coleen.
The story has an interesting literary style where the chapters begin with a segment of the expose and then turn to the current day. Coleen's murder is said to be a reprisal for racist policing but there is also a question if she was raped to death as part of a gang initiation.
Anton Dupree was tried, and convicted of her murder. He was executed and now his family is suing the city for wrongful execution claiming that he was of low intelligence and manipulated into confessing.
With the existing political climate, Bobby fears that the city will settle the suit and he and his brother will be fired and face civil action.
There are a number of levels to the story. We learn that there was certain activity in Japan in WWII and it should have resulted in criminal prosecution. Now a representative of the company that was influential in the wrondoing is financing the Olympics. Also, Coleen's sister, Arlene, returns to the city and becomes romantically involved with Bobby.
There is good dialogue and writing that moves across the page effortlessly. Bobby Vargas is the type protagonist we like to read about. He's loyal, fearless, brave and the center of an excellent story.
Coleen Brennan was an Irish girl who befriended Bobby. They were boyfriend and girlfriend and then she was killed when she was thirteen. Coleen was white and Bobby wasn't and their friendship was a dangerous thing in the race rules of Four Corners.
"The Chicago Herald," a newspaper that needed a big story, runs an expose implying that in days to come they would show that Bobby and Ruben were the boys who killed Coleen.
The story has an interesting literary style where the chapters begin with a segment of the expose and then turn to the current day. Coleen's murder is said to be a reprisal for racist policing but there is also a question if she was raped to death as part of a gang initiation.
Anton Dupree was tried, and convicted of her murder. He was executed and now his family is suing the city for wrongful execution claiming that he was of low intelligence and manipulated into confessing.
With the existing political climate, Bobby fears that the city will settle the suit and he and his brother will be fired and face civil action.
There are a number of levels to the story. We learn that there was certain activity in Japan in WWII and it should have resulted in criminal prosecution. Now a representative of the company that was influential in the wrondoing is financing the Olympics. Also, Coleen's sister, Arlene, returns to the city and becomes romantically involved with Bobby.
There is good dialogue and writing that moves across the page effortlessly. Bobby Vargas is the type protagonist we like to read about. He's loyal, fearless, brave and the center of an excellent story.
March 29, 2012
I went to a Texas Book Festival event in February that featured Charlie Newton, sponsored by Kirkus Review. The Review loved this book. It was okay. It certainly delivered on the action-packed promise, it never stops. However, it is over plotted and improbable to the extreme. The characters have no real depth. The bad guys are cartoons, the good guys just as emotionally angst ridden as any good thriller. Every chapter one of the two key players is put in an impossible situation and comes out of alive but emotionally scarred. You think there are about three different cases going on and then, bam!, they are all tied together in a story that involved Japanese from World War II, Koreans from the 1950s conflict, Mexican gang members, Chicago cops, brothers, sisters, incest, rape, personal vendettas, global terrorism, you name it, it's in there. Stone soup.
I did get a lot of the Charlie Newton event, and am glad I read the book. He's an interesting man who has traveled the world and likes to give the impression that he is the type of leading man he writes about. Could be. He's got the looks, build, and chutzpah. He says he doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, or womanize. He works out, eats healthy and goes to bed at 6 p.m. because he doesn't watch TV and would rather get up at 3 a.m. and write. He writes for a few hours, goes about the rest of his day, back to bed at 6. He also uses people he knows in his stories. He uses their real names and as much as he can, their personalities. What would so-and-so do in this situation? He has enough bad guys doing really bad things in his books, that he can't have too many friends left. Just him and the girl.
I did get a lot of the Charlie Newton event, and am glad I read the book. He's an interesting man who has traveled the world and likes to give the impression that he is the type of leading man he writes about. Could be. He's got the looks, build, and chutzpah. He says he doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, or womanize. He works out, eats healthy and goes to bed at 6 p.m. because he doesn't watch TV and would rather get up at 3 a.m. and write. He writes for a few hours, goes about the rest of his day, back to bed at 6. He also uses people he knows in his stories. He uses their real names and as much as he can, their personalities. What would so-and-so do in this situation? He has enough bad guys doing really bad things in his books, that he can't have too many friends left. Just him and the girl.
June 29, 2012
I liked this book more at the beginning than I did by the end. It revolves around Arlene Brennan, a struggling Irish-American actress who returns to Chicago for the first time since she ran away following her twin sister Colleen’s murder. There are also Ruben and Bobby Vargas, a couple of Mexican-American Chicago cops. The Vargas brothers happened to be neighbors of the Brennan sisters back in the days when the murder occurred. Now, Ruben (bad cop) has somehow blackmailed Arlene into taking part in some mysterious shading dealings. Meanwhile, Bobby (good cop) and his gang-squad partners are having trouble with some new officers in their squad, who are obviously some sort of federal agents. And Bobby and Arlene meet up and try to rekindle their childhood friendship, and possibly more. More trouble stems from a newspaper reporter digging around to re-open the caseAll of that should be enough to provide plenty of action.
But no... the author throws in all of this other stuff to complicate things even more...
The CIA, a new bid to host the Olympics, a revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire”, a blues recording session, the Korean mafia, Japanese businessmen, an abusive father, a Vietnamese immigrant, a nun, corrupt politicians, an ambitious US Attorney, Jude Law, bioterrorism, a rowdy lesbian bar, and a mysterious event in Santa Monica.
There is a ton of action, and plenty of plot twists, but even as the body-count continued to pile up, I was looking ahead to see how much longer until it would end.
But no... the author throws in all of this other stuff to complicate things even more...
The CIA, a new bid to host the Olympics, a revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire”, a blues recording session, the Korean mafia, Japanese businessmen, an abusive father, a Vietnamese immigrant, a nun, corrupt politicians, an ambitious US Attorney, Jude Law, bioterrorism, a rowdy lesbian bar, and a mysterious event in Santa Monica.
There is a ton of action, and plenty of plot twists, but even as the body-count continued to pile up, I was looking ahead to see how much longer until it would end.
January 7, 2012
When they were children, Bobby Vargas' girlfriend was named Coleen Brennan. He loved her as much as a kid can love anyone, but she was raped and murdered. Now, years later, a reporter is digging into her death and may blame Bobby and his brother Ruben for it. Also, her sister Arleen is back in town, up for a part in a revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. But she's also mixed up in something dangerous...
In the best noir tradition, I had no idea what the hell was going on for most of the book. I probably should've considered making some sort of chart of who everyone was vs. who they were supposed to be. I'm pretty sure, though, that there would be a lot of cross outs. Like "Ruben: Good guy. No, bad guy. Well, neutral guy. No, bad guy. Okay. Bad guy but not the worst guy? Well, maybe he is..."
This is a fast-paced thriller and, even though there are two narrators, it's never hard to tell which one is speaking. (And major kudos to Newton for that; apparently it's very hard to give two narrators their own distinct voice.) There's also a lot of sarcasm, which I always find appealing.
This is definitely an entertaining novel and the last 50 or so pages are probably the most intense I've read in a long time. Be warned, though, it's also incredibly intense and there's a lot of language and violence. Non-sensitive readers will probably have a fantastic time, however.
In the best noir tradition, I had no idea what the hell was going on for most of the book. I probably should've considered making some sort of chart of who everyone was vs. who they were supposed to be. I'm pretty sure, though, that there would be a lot of cross outs. Like "Ruben: Good guy. No, bad guy. Well, neutral guy. No, bad guy. Okay. Bad guy but not the worst guy? Well, maybe he is..."
This is a fast-paced thriller and, even though there are two narrators, it's never hard to tell which one is speaking. (And major kudos to Newton for that; apparently it's very hard to give two narrators their own distinct voice.) There's also a lot of sarcasm, which I always find appealing.
This is definitely an entertaining novel and the last 50 or so pages are probably the most intense I've read in a long time. Be warned, though, it's also incredibly intense and there's a lot of language and violence. Non-sensitive readers will probably have a fantastic time, however.
August 22, 2012
When an author writes a great debut novel, as Charlie Newton did with Calumet City, the question becomes, can he follow it up with a book which is just as good, if not better? With his second crime thriller, Start Shooting, Newton has written a novel every bit as good as the first, if for different reasons. One difference is the story is told from the point of view of two people, not just one. Newton alternates between Chicago police officer Bobby Vargas and actress Arleen Brennan, two former residents of Chicago's Four Corners, who find their lives laid bare by the Chicago Herald in a new expose on the death of Arleen's twin sister, Coleen, twenty-five years earlier. Bobby finds himself accused, along with his older brother Ruben, himself a Chicago police detective, in Coleen's death. While at the same time, Arleen is being pushed to front a scam involving a mysterious package which may spell doom for the city of Chicago, in exchange for her chance to star in a Street Car Named Desire at the Schubert Theater. Throw in Korean mobsters, a do-over Olympic bid, a Japanese mega corporation and you have a thriller which will keep you guessing right up until the very end. Once again writing in first person, present tense style, Newtwon walks you step by step with the characters as they fight for control of their own lives. Pick up a copy of Start Shooting and you won't be disappointed.
April 16, 2013
Like being woken with a bucket of ice water, Charlie Newton’s Start Shooting is uncompromising, relentless, the hardboiled of hardboiled.
Told from two perspectives, Bobby Vargas a Chicago ghetto cop and Arlene Brennan a struggling actress looking for the big break, both of whom have a childhood connection. Both become entangled in the events of Bobby's brother Ruben, a corrupt decorated Chicago cop and his partner. Both Booby and Arlene's characters are compromised, there is no one good character, but Charlie Newton has managed to still make this a good versus bad story. And does it so well, without the reader feeling he has softened it up in anyway.
And then what really happened to Arlene's twin sister Coleen 25 years ago, why did she disappear for so many years and how does this impact the events of the present. The story alternates between events of the current and past as Bobby and Arlene get sucked deeper and deeper into Ruben's corruption. This dual perspective and retrospective really works terrifically in the telling of this story.
The world Charlie Newton has created is dark, not a place you want to visit, full of characters all of whom are flawed, it’s the degrees by which you can separate the bad from the not so. It's like the tv show The Shield cranked all the way to eleven with no let up.
Looking forward to more...
Told from two perspectives, Bobby Vargas a Chicago ghetto cop and Arlene Brennan a struggling actress looking for the big break, both of whom have a childhood connection. Both become entangled in the events of Bobby's brother Ruben, a corrupt decorated Chicago cop and his partner. Both Booby and Arlene's characters are compromised, there is no one good character, but Charlie Newton has managed to still make this a good versus bad story. And does it so well, without the reader feeling he has softened it up in anyway.
And then what really happened to Arlene's twin sister Coleen 25 years ago, why did she disappear for so many years and how does this impact the events of the present. The story alternates between events of the current and past as Bobby and Arlene get sucked deeper and deeper into Ruben's corruption. This dual perspective and retrospective really works terrifically in the telling of this story.
The world Charlie Newton has created is dark, not a place you want to visit, full of characters all of whom are flawed, it’s the degrees by which you can separate the bad from the not so. It's like the tv show The Shield cranked all the way to eleven with no let up.
Looking forward to more...
December 29, 2013
A dark noir novel of lost loves, teeth-grinding corruption, murder, mayhem and unlikely redemption. The novel is gritty, full of in-your-face realism on the streets of Chicago. About the only thing the protagonists from young love to failed adult dreams, don’t have to contend with are floods and snowstorms. In terms of its scope, I’m reminded of Carl Hiaasen.
As children growing up in side-by side ghettos in Chicago, Roberto Vargas and Colleen Brennan, ethnically impossible, nevertheless fall in love, because everybody knows, children are innocent and listen first to hearts and what’s in front of them. Ethnic and political and criminal biases hold no sway in their lives. That comes later, as a recipie for disappointment.
Fast forward a few dozen years to corrupt cops, random and planned murders, the dreams of an aspiring actress, and like that rampaging bull, one incorruptible cop putting honesty ahead of all, including family, and you have “Start Shooting.”
The novel is clean, complicated, clear and brutal. An excellent example of this kind of crime writing brought to the highest kind of fruition.
As children growing up in side-by side ghettos in Chicago, Roberto Vargas and Colleen Brennan, ethnically impossible, nevertheless fall in love, because everybody knows, children are innocent and listen first to hearts and what’s in front of them. Ethnic and political and criminal biases hold no sway in their lives. That comes later, as a recipie for disappointment.
Fast forward a few dozen years to corrupt cops, random and planned murders, the dreams of an aspiring actress, and like that rampaging bull, one incorruptible cop putting honesty ahead of all, including family, and you have “Start Shooting.”
The novel is clean, complicated, clear and brutal. An excellent example of this kind of crime writing brought to the highest kind of fruition.
January 9, 2012
I haven't received my copy yet, just received notice I had won. 12/7/11I received my copy last night. I have 3 wins in front of it. Hope to get a lot of reading done over the holiday breaks. 12/21/11
Started last night, 01/04/12
Finished 1/7/12
Bobby Vargas and his brother Ruben grew up in Four Corners a section of Chicago. When they were young a girl was murdered and now 25 years later an expose is accusing Bobby of being the murderer. Both brothers are now cops, and the smear campaign threatens their jobs, friendships and lives.
Okay, while this sounds like it would be a great story, it really wasn't. Well, I guess the story was good, but the writing was bad, or at least it was for me. It was tedeous and at times really hard to get the meaning our of reading the words. I really am not sure why I had such a difficult time, but I did.
Started last night, 01/04/12
Finished 1/7/12
Bobby Vargas and his brother Ruben grew up in Four Corners a section of Chicago. When they were young a girl was murdered and now 25 years later an expose is accusing Bobby of being the murderer. Both brothers are now cops, and the smear campaign threatens their jobs, friendships and lives.
Okay, while this sounds like it would be a great story, it really wasn't. Well, I guess the story was good, but the writing was bad, or at least it was for me. It was tedeous and at times really hard to get the meaning our of reading the words. I really am not sure why I had such a difficult time, but I did.
January 13, 2012
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway. I debated number of stars for two days before deciding on four, and ultimately decided that despite the writing style, which was a little hard to follow at times, the bottom line is, I had trouble putting this book down. Isn't that one of the most compelling reasons to read any book?
This is a gritty story that takes place in a Chicaco I have fortunately never known, even after living there for 9 years. The storyline is fast paced and I thought a little hard to follow at times, but interesting,with good use of flashbacks,and some pretty decent character development. I liked the ending, and appreciate reading material that doesn't spell it all out at every turn.
This is a gritty story that takes place in a Chicaco I have fortunately never known, even after living there for 9 years. The storyline is fast paced and I thought a little hard to follow at times, but interesting,with good use of flashbacks,and some pretty decent character development. I liked the ending, and appreciate reading material that doesn't spell it all out at every turn.
January 4, 2012
Following one of my favorite books in the genre, Calumet City, Charlie Newton has another winner.
Charlie Newton put us in the center of the gang-infested Chicago neighborhood known as Four Corners during the time Chicago is vying for the 2016 Olympics. Two cop brothers, Bobby and Ruben Vargas, must deal with a nightmare from their past. Arlene Brennan, the center of that nightmare, must survive long enough to see her dreams of overcoming her former life to becoming a star on the stage. Bobby's world is turned around when he realizes everything he has believed in is a lie. Mix gangland politics and police drama with true-to-life, emotional characters and you have cop noir so intense and explosive, you won't soon forget their story.
Highly recommended.
Charlie Newton put us in the center of the gang-infested Chicago neighborhood known as Four Corners during the time Chicago is vying for the 2016 Olympics. Two cop brothers, Bobby and Ruben Vargas, must deal with a nightmare from their past. Arlene Brennan, the center of that nightmare, must survive long enough to see her dreams of overcoming her former life to becoming a star on the stage. Bobby's world is turned around when he realizes everything he has believed in is a lie. Mix gangland politics and police drama with true-to-life, emotional characters and you have cop noir so intense and explosive, you won't soon forget their story.
Highly recommended.
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