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Fail
Exiled to the city's tough North Side, disgraced St. Louis Police Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel wants nothing more than to return to the headquarters hierarchy. To get his wish, all he has to do is track down the missing husband of the mayor's press secretary. Instead he unearths a morass of corruption, educational malpractice, and greed that threatens to consign thousands of at-risk youths to the mean streets of America's erstwhile murder capital. Worse, it';s the kind of information that could get a cop killed. Fighting for his life and his honor, Gabriel ultimately must make a choice that could affect not only his own future, but also that of the city and its top leaders.
249 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2014
About the author
Rick Skwiot
12 books42 followersRick Skwiot's critically acclaimed novel "Fail: A Carlo Gabriel Mystery" was re-released by Antaeus Books in fall 2020 in both paperback and Kindle versions. Skwiot is the author of three previous novels--the Hemingway First Novel Award winner "Death in Mexico," the Willa Cather Fiction Prize finalist "Sleeping With Pancho Villa," and "Key West Story"--and two memoirs: the highly praised childhood memoir "Christmas at Long Lake," and "San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Memoir of a Sensual Quest for Spiritual Healing." His new novel "The Bootlegger's Bride" is slated for July 2025 release by Amphorae Publishing Group.
He's taught creative writing at Washington University in St. Louis and served as the 2004 Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. A veteran journalist, he also works as a feature writer and editor.
He's taught creative writing at Washington University in St. Louis and served as the 2004 Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. A veteran journalist, he also works as a feature writer and editor.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 15, 2014
I am so impressed! I just finished reading Rick Skiwiot’s Fail last night. Now I want to read all the rest of his books. This book came out at the right time. You cannot help but to think of the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri. It has Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel assigned to a missing person case but the real story turns out to be much more.
Because of a past disgrace, Gabriel is sent to the North Side of St. Louis, Missouri. This is crime noir at its best. Gabriel is street smart, used to the bad guys winning. At this point, he just wants to find the missing person and be sent back to the city and later retire in Mexico. Gabriel grew up facing racial prejudice, his father was black, his mother Hispanic. He meets a young devout Catholic and super idealist English professor, who wants to take on the massive corruption that he has uncovered.
There are so many facets to this diamond of a book. Poverty, racism, bribery, money laundering, adultery, religion, different shades of morality. The pacing is excellent and the story draws you in quickly but you cannot count on the Gabriel. What will he decide to do? So much of this book is written so beautifully. It is sharp at debunking several myths too. For example, a high school student in the North St. Louis school system cannot write a grammatically correct sentence. Yet, later the English teacher finds that this same student is a chess whiz. His inability to write is not due to a lack of intelligence. The juxtaposition of street worn policeman with idealist teacher is a treasure.
I highly recommend Fail to all who love mysteries and brilliant writing.
I received an ARC of this book from Partner’s In Crime Tours but that in no way influenced my review. My thoughts and feelings about Fail are entirely my own.
Because of a past disgrace, Gabriel is sent to the North Side of St. Louis, Missouri. This is crime noir at its best. Gabriel is street smart, used to the bad guys winning. At this point, he just wants to find the missing person and be sent back to the city and later retire in Mexico. Gabriel grew up facing racial prejudice, his father was black, his mother Hispanic. He meets a young devout Catholic and super idealist English professor, who wants to take on the massive corruption that he has uncovered.
There are so many facets to this diamond of a book. Poverty, racism, bribery, money laundering, adultery, religion, different shades of morality. The pacing is excellent and the story draws you in quickly but you cannot count on the Gabriel. What will he decide to do? So much of this book is written so beautifully. It is sharp at debunking several myths too. For example, a high school student in the North St. Louis school system cannot write a grammatically correct sentence. Yet, later the English teacher finds that this same student is a chess whiz. His inability to write is not due to a lack of intelligence. The juxtaposition of street worn policeman with idealist teacher is a treasure.
I highly recommend Fail to all who love mysteries and brilliant writing.
I received an ARC of this book from Partner’s In Crime Tours but that in no way influenced my review. My thoughts and feelings about Fail are entirely my own.
October 27, 2014
Taut urban mystery redeems a desperate St. Louis
Society is staring failure in the face these days, with St. Louis front and center. The fatal shooting of unarmed Michael Brown by a white Ferguson policeman and its aftermath have focused worldwide attention on what went wrong. Thoughtful St. Louis author Rick Skwiot seems to have anticipated this moment in his prescient mystery novel, Fail, released by St. Louis publisher Blank Slate Press today (October 27, 2014).
Carlo Gabriel, a half-Mexican-, half African-American police lieutenant, has been discredited for beating a prisoner who had killed a cop, one of Gabriel’s own men. When he is called in by his former police partner to solve a high-profile missing person case, he hopes for reinstatement. Jonathan Stone, the disappeared professor and husband of the mayor’s press secretary, turns out to have the goods on widespread corruption in the public schools and city government in general. Both he and Gabriel are faced with some life-and-death choices.
The rapid pace and seamless progression of this well-crafted mystery novel is further enhanced with the incisive depiction of two contrasting main characters—Stone, a crusading English teacher and Gabriel, the worldly-wise, battered cop. Moreover, the novel evokes St. Louis, with its solid masonry, stolid folk and the moody Mississippi River. Here Gabriel “played at river pirates as a child” and “watched riverboats ply the swirling brown waters,” which flow “like milk chocolate here after the muddy Missouri joins it at the northernmost city limits.” He meets the story’s climax on a deserted riverbank, in sight of its majestic bridges, which “some… found… a fitting place to bid the world adieu.”
Many may wonder, now that the voters have elected and re-elected an African-American president, why we seem at times no closer to civil rights success than we did in the 1960s. This tale is a trenchant reminder that the urban cocktail of poverty in the face of wealth, St. Louis’s famous segregated sprawl—with Metro St. Louis’s numerous (60 or more) independent-minded police departments—and corruption in high places nationwide, is an explosive mix. Yet the devout faith of Jonathan Stone, the idealistic teacher, sees though corruption in hte public schools and government, buoys the vision of even the cynical cop Carlo Gabriel and promises that hard work to recognize the humanity of every individual in our diverse community can rescue this beleaguered city from itself and allow it to meet its full potential.
—Peter H. Green, author of Crimes of Design and Ben's War with teh U. S. Marines
Society is staring failure in the face these days, with St. Louis front and center. The fatal shooting of unarmed Michael Brown by a white Ferguson policeman and its aftermath have focused worldwide attention on what went wrong. Thoughtful St. Louis author Rick Skwiot seems to have anticipated this moment in his prescient mystery novel, Fail, released by St. Louis publisher Blank Slate Press today (October 27, 2014).
Carlo Gabriel, a half-Mexican-, half African-American police lieutenant, has been discredited for beating a prisoner who had killed a cop, one of Gabriel’s own men. When he is called in by his former police partner to solve a high-profile missing person case, he hopes for reinstatement. Jonathan Stone, the disappeared professor and husband of the mayor’s press secretary, turns out to have the goods on widespread corruption in the public schools and city government in general. Both he and Gabriel are faced with some life-and-death choices.
The rapid pace and seamless progression of this well-crafted mystery novel is further enhanced with the incisive depiction of two contrasting main characters—Stone, a crusading English teacher and Gabriel, the worldly-wise, battered cop. Moreover, the novel evokes St. Louis, with its solid masonry, stolid folk and the moody Mississippi River. Here Gabriel “played at river pirates as a child” and “watched riverboats ply the swirling brown waters,” which flow “like milk chocolate here after the muddy Missouri joins it at the northernmost city limits.” He meets the story’s climax on a deserted riverbank, in sight of its majestic bridges, which “some… found… a fitting place to bid the world adieu.”
Many may wonder, now that the voters have elected and re-elected an African-American president, why we seem at times no closer to civil rights success than we did in the 1960s. This tale is a trenchant reminder that the urban cocktail of poverty in the face of wealth, St. Louis’s famous segregated sprawl—with Metro St. Louis’s numerous (60 or more) independent-minded police departments—and corruption in high places nationwide, is an explosive mix. Yet the devout faith of Jonathan Stone, the idealistic teacher, sees though corruption in hte public schools and government, buoys the vision of even the cynical cop Carlo Gabriel and promises that hard work to recognize the humanity of every individual in our diverse community can rescue this beleaguered city from itself and allow it to meet its full potential.
—Peter H. Green, author of Crimes of Design and Ben's War with teh U. S. Marines
October 28, 2014
“Fail” is an A+ in my grade book. This is a smart, compelling mystery featuring a cop walking the edge after a little mess up. Assigned to a sensitive missing-persons case by the mayor, an ex-cop who has a little history with him, Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel finds the missing man has discovered a level of corruption that’s best left alone if he knows what’s good for everyone.
Set in St. Louis, Missouri, “Fail” buzzes with hints of real-life news headlines and dares to confront issues of racism and failing schools going on right now in the city but relevant everywhere – this book’s timing is perfect! Carlo Gabriel is an unusual hero and maybe an unusual cop—a jaded, mixed-race cop who can’t wait to retire, who demonstrates street smarts but uses his school smarts, thanks to his case involving an idealistic professor of writing and remedial grammar. Rick Skwiot shows his knowledge of the city and his skill in writing noir in color. Anyone who knows St. Louis or is a Mark Twain fan will like this well-researched and vetted book, but I recommend it to anyone ready for an enjoyable and intelligent read.
Set in St. Louis, Missouri, “Fail” buzzes with hints of real-life news headlines and dares to confront issues of racism and failing schools going on right now in the city but relevant everywhere – this book’s timing is perfect! Carlo Gabriel is an unusual hero and maybe an unusual cop—a jaded, mixed-race cop who can’t wait to retire, who demonstrates street smarts but uses his school smarts, thanks to his case involving an idealistic professor of writing and remedial grammar. Rick Skwiot shows his knowledge of the city and his skill in writing noir in color. Anyone who knows St. Louis or is a Mark Twain fan will like this well-researched and vetted book, but I recommend it to anyone ready for an enjoyable and intelligent read.
November 7, 2014
Fail is an excellent, fast-paced noir, set in seedy St. Louis. One the surface, it's a fun read, a page-turning whodunnit stocked with the kinds of quirky characters you expect from this genre. Dig deeper, though, and you'll find a scathing criticism of the U.S. education system, indeed the root of much of our societal problems. Read it for the entertainment and come away smarter. A pretty good deal, I'd say.
October 20, 2014
Rick Skwiot in his new book, “Fail” published by Blank Slate Press introduces us to St. Louis Police Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel.
From the back cover: When everyone is on the take, everyone fails.
Exiled to the city’s tough North Side, disgraced St. Louis Police Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel wants nothing more than to return to the headquarters hierarchy. To get his wish, all he has to do is track down the missing husband of the mayor’s press secretary. Instead he unearths a morass of corruption, educational malpractice, and greed that threatens to consign thousands of at-risk youths to the mean streets of America’s erstwhile murder capital. Worse, it’s the kind of information that could get a cop killed. Fighting for his life and his honor, Gabriel ultimately must make a choice that could affect not only his own future, but also that of the city and its top leaders.
“Fail” is somewhat similar to the classics that came out of the Forties and Fifties. One man takes a stand against not only political corruption but police corruption as well. This is a page turning mystery thriller as Gabriel’s life is in danger practically from the first page. Mr. Skwiot handles the themes of honor and redemption very well and has given us a character that we can root for to win. Mr. Skwiot has provided us with a fairly exciting book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Partners In Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: When everyone is on the take, everyone fails.
Exiled to the city’s tough North Side, disgraced St. Louis Police Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel wants nothing more than to return to the headquarters hierarchy. To get his wish, all he has to do is track down the missing husband of the mayor’s press secretary. Instead he unearths a morass of corruption, educational malpractice, and greed that threatens to consign thousands of at-risk youths to the mean streets of America’s erstwhile murder capital. Worse, it’s the kind of information that could get a cop killed. Fighting for his life and his honor, Gabriel ultimately must make a choice that could affect not only his own future, but also that of the city and its top leaders.
“Fail” is somewhat similar to the classics that came out of the Forties and Fifties. One man takes a stand against not only political corruption but police corruption as well. This is a page turning mystery thriller as Gabriel’s life is in danger practically from the first page. Mr. Skwiot handles the themes of honor and redemption very well and has given us a character that we can root for to win. Mr. Skwiot has provided us with a fairly exciting book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Partners In Crime. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 10, 2014
FAIL, Rick Skwiot’s timely new mystery has all the elements of a story that’s been plucked from headline news: crumbling urban neighborhood, corrupt public officials, economic inequality, greed, violence, failing schools.
The action begins with Carlo Gabriel, a hip, African-American Mexican-American St. Louis police detective -- with a secret of his own -- who is trying to find Jonathan Stone, a missing English professor who teaches at a local university. The people Carlo interviews and expects to be most cooperative in his investigation -- Stone’s English department chair, the missing man’s wife and her boss, the mayor of St. Louis -- all give off vibes that tell Carlo this is more than a case about a husband-gone-missing.
Carlo risks his life to follow a trail of corruption and deceit that implicates some of St Louis’s prominent citizens, thus dangerously exposing individuals who often get away with murder. The trickle down effect of this malfeasance adversely hurts the most vulnerable citizens-- at-risk students and young people.
FAIL is a work of fiction, but parts of the story are eerily reminiscent of recent events in St. Louis, a place which has not fared well in the national spotlight. Fortunately, Skwiot knows the city and writes with nuance. He balances St. Louis’ seamy side with its assets, including scenic locations along the Mississippi River. The river, like the city itself and the case Carlo is working on, offers both possibility and menace.
Without giving too much away, FAIL is an important book. There is a twist to this urban story, and what readers learn about failing is not what they might expect.
The action begins with Carlo Gabriel, a hip, African-American Mexican-American St. Louis police detective -- with a secret of his own -- who is trying to find Jonathan Stone, a missing English professor who teaches at a local university. The people Carlo interviews and expects to be most cooperative in his investigation -- Stone’s English department chair, the missing man’s wife and her boss, the mayor of St. Louis -- all give off vibes that tell Carlo this is more than a case about a husband-gone-missing.
Carlo risks his life to follow a trail of corruption and deceit that implicates some of St Louis’s prominent citizens, thus dangerously exposing individuals who often get away with murder. The trickle down effect of this malfeasance adversely hurts the most vulnerable citizens-- at-risk students and young people.
FAIL is a work of fiction, but parts of the story are eerily reminiscent of recent events in St. Louis, a place which has not fared well in the national spotlight. Fortunately, Skwiot knows the city and writes with nuance. He balances St. Louis’ seamy side with its assets, including scenic locations along the Mississippi River. The river, like the city itself and the case Carlo is working on, offers both possibility and menace.
Without giving too much away, FAIL is an important book. There is a twist to this urban story, and what readers learn about failing is not what they might expect.
November 8, 2014
Fail is the first book by this author that I’ve read and now I’m a fan of Rick Skwiot. The book is packed with action, twists, and unusual characters that you wouldn’t think would mesh, but Skwiot makes it work and makes it interesting.
I loved reading about the locations around the Mississippi River and the seedier side of the area. The characters were interesting and the story will keep you turning the pages, eager to find out how the story ends.
The story had a message that no matter how bad things are, the can get better and I loved that, especially with the theme of the book.
I hadn’t read a thriller/mystery in a while even though it’s my favorite genre, so this was a welcome read, especially since it was so good! Anyone who loves this type of book should find a copy. It’s a quick read but packed full of everything a mystery lover loves.
I loved reading about the locations around the Mississippi River and the seedier side of the area. The characters were interesting and the story will keep you turning the pages, eager to find out how the story ends.
The story had a message that no matter how bad things are, the can get better and I loved that, especially with the theme of the book.
I hadn’t read a thriller/mystery in a while even though it’s my favorite genre, so this was a welcome read, especially since it was so good! Anyone who loves this type of book should find a copy. It’s a quick read but packed full of everything a mystery lover loves.
November 21, 2014
This book more than entertains. It's a page-turner that makes you think, a lot.
All great mysteries—at least the kind I love to read—are character driven. Skwiot does not disappoint. “Half-rican” St. Louis Police Department Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel—Mexican mother and African-American father—is an unusual man of street-earned smarts, attitude and strength, yet educated and deliciously refined.
A key plot element, the shooting of an unarmed black man by a white cop, seems to have anticipated the recent tragic events in St. Louis with the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. In a prescient twist, his book addresses the issues that have focused worldwide attention on what went wrong. Unwittingly, or not, through the characters and settings in his book Skwiot provides insight as to how it could be fixed…
Most of all, FAIL is clever, authentic and packs a lot into an enjoyable read.
All great mysteries—at least the kind I love to read—are character driven. Skwiot does not disappoint. “Half-rican” St. Louis Police Department Lieutenant Carlo Gabriel—Mexican mother and African-American father—is an unusual man of street-earned smarts, attitude and strength, yet educated and deliciously refined.
A key plot element, the shooting of an unarmed black man by a white cop, seems to have anticipated the recent tragic events in St. Louis with the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. In a prescient twist, his book addresses the issues that have focused worldwide attention on what went wrong. Unwittingly, or not, through the characters and settings in his book Skwiot provides insight as to how it could be fixed…
Most of all, FAIL is clever, authentic and packs a lot into an enjoyable read.
October 31, 2014
~RECEIVED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW~
Fast paced, on the edge of your seat. All the corruption you need but a thrill you might not want. Fail will take you on a ride and turns you won't see coming. Who is who, and who is wanted, get your copy and find out!
Fast paced, on the edge of your seat. All the corruption you need but a thrill you might not want. Fail will take you on a ride and turns you won't see coming. Who is who, and who is wanted, get your copy and find out!
November 21, 2014
The real crime is our public education system, and Skwiot negotiates its dark sides while writing a compelling murder mystery. Engaging and original characters, and one of the most keep-you-guessing endings I've ever read in the genre.
August 5, 2021
I loved everything about this one! The protagonist was realistically written, the storyline was fascinating and the setting was on par! I grew up near St. Louis and the author's descriptions were close if not perfect.
Gritty, noir-like, wonderful mystery! I'll be looking forward to the next one!
Gritty, noir-like, wonderful mystery! I'll be looking forward to the next one!
December 21, 2020
Received this book thru the Goodreads.com Giveaways and loved it.
Well written with a good pace to the story. Characters were believable and it was an interesting setting.
Carlo Gabriel is a cop in the St. Louis police department who is trying to get back in the good graces of the upper echelon. He is asked to find the missing husband of the mayor's press secretary. While working on this he encounters some things he had not really spent much attention on such as the lack of education happening in the public schools. The missing husband is a professor and brings this to Gabriel's attention.
He also runs into a lot of corruption and has to decide what to do about it, go along or stand up to it. He does a bit of introspection. He is just trying to put in time until he can retire and get away from it all. He flashes back to his own childhood and the paths he has taken.
Will he do the right thing? Once he finds the missing husband can the man trust him?
Very good mystery and it also confronts issues of poverty, corruption, misconceptions, and problems in education and some other societal problems.
Well written with a good pace to the story. Characters were believable and it was an interesting setting.
Carlo Gabriel is a cop in the St. Louis police department who is trying to get back in the good graces of the upper echelon. He is asked to find the missing husband of the mayor's press secretary. While working on this he encounters some things he had not really spent much attention on such as the lack of education happening in the public schools. The missing husband is a professor and brings this to Gabriel's attention.
He also runs into a lot of corruption and has to decide what to do about it, go along or stand up to it. He does a bit of introspection. He is just trying to put in time until he can retire and get away from it all. He flashes back to his own childhood and the paths he has taken.
Will he do the right thing? Once he finds the missing husband can the man trust him?
Very good mystery and it also confronts issues of poverty, corruption, misconceptions, and problems in education and some other societal problems.
January 30, 2021
This was an interesting read as the author had indicated the names, places were changed but all the corruption going on in the cities, government and affecting the children’s schooling was true – with actual dates, times places. It’s truly a sad tale to tell that kids can get through 12 years of schooling and not know how to read and or write so that they can go anywhere or accomplish anything. Thank God for the teachers who are struggling to get through to them, as our main character, Prof Stone was doing!! And bless the cop who were helping to save Stone! An educational read.
December 17, 2020
Thank you to author Rick Skwiot for this FREE Kindle copy of Fail: A Carlo Gabriel Mystery. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
Although a slow burner from start to finish, the excellent writing keeps the reader engaged and turning pages. Beyond editing issues (not many, but one more go-through would have done it), everything is very well done here. A good read.
Although a slow burner from start to finish, the excellent writing keeps the reader engaged and turning pages. Beyond editing issues (not many, but one more go-through would have done it), everything is very well done here. A good read.
February 10, 2021
I won this book in a Goodreads give away, thank you to the author and publisher for the book.
I rated this book five stars. The book was smart, suspenseful, and engaging. I was impressed with how the author incorporated current social issues into the story. No spoiler alert but definitely read the appendix.
I rated this book five stars. The book was smart, suspenseful, and engaging. I was impressed with how the author incorporated current social issues into the story. No spoiler alert but definitely read the appendix.
November 3, 2022
LOVED this read! Loved that it was set in my home state and delved into the horrors of our public education systems in STL and KC. Excellent twists and turns, leaving the reader not quite knowing the loyalties of our protagonist/antagonist. GREAT book!
March 5, 2021
not bad but not great
April 5, 2021
I couldn’t put in down! Quick, smart storytelling with two flawed heroes. Those in education or politics will feel right at home. Loved it!
May 14, 2015
Pedophilia, public education, and other crimes - while Saint Louis police, Ferguson residents, and media hacks were more interested in promoting their agendas than getting at the truth, author Rick Skwiot was polishing a crime novel that accurately portrays the harsh realities of governmental and educational corruption in Saint Louis slums. I just finished my review copy of Fail. This is the thinking man's Grisham, which is to say: it's the book John Grisham would write if he were more interested in fine literature than raking in money and empathizing with pedophiles.
In all fairness, Grisham may have merely wanted to ensure fair representation for these deeply-misunderstood members of society in the tradition of other highly-respected pedophile defenders like Hillary Clinton. This editor has absolutely no problem with society shedding a tear for the sufferings of pedophiles, as long as we follow-up such sensitive moments with swift executions. Death to pedophiles is the official editorial stance of this child-adoring magazine. Having dated a couple hotties who bore the lifelong psychosexual scars of childhood rape, I will happily strangle the bastards myself.
Speaking of scumbags who screw children, Fail highlights the widespread betrayal of trust and innocence more politely known as a public school education. I myself am a public school survivor. I had some wonderful teachers who were well-informed and highly-motivated, like Mr. Taylor who inspired our class to love literature and invited our class to visit his cottage in the woods. (No, he didn't invite us to his Neverland ranch or his Peter Pan bed. He was a good man not a creepy selfish freak.) I had some other teachers who could only be roused from drunken naps drooling on their desks by the opportunity to go on strike for higher pay with less hours.
As a professor in a public Mexican university, I've stood in shock and awe at ballsy colleagues working four hours a day (except for summers off and any other days they felt like canceling) who blocked highways to demand higher wages from taxpayers who lacked shoes. I've made a lot of enemies refusing to join such demonstrations, because I work for the elected representatives who are hired by the voters who should decide my salary and working conditions. Democracy is a very flawed system producing very flawed schools, but schools run by unelected union thugs are far, far worse. If you doubt me, I'll show you universities boasting countless new edifices built only for politico photo-ops with no books, chairs, or toilet paper for students inside.
Rick Skwiot's crime novel is set against the backdrop of a greater crime wave sweeping America: schools that exist for teachers, administrators and politicians but not for students. If you're squeamish about vivid descriptions of the dark side of urban life or accepting that "progressive" politicians enable regressive schools, don't read Fail. A pedophile can fuck over a handful of children rapidly, but a bureaucrat can fuck over millions of children slowly. Likewise, a man with a briefcase can steal more money than any man with a gun. Rick Skwiot knows Saint Louis. He also knows that sometimes the worst crimes are the legal ones.
In all fairness, Grisham may have merely wanted to ensure fair representation for these deeply-misunderstood members of society in the tradition of other highly-respected pedophile defenders like Hillary Clinton. This editor has absolutely no problem with society shedding a tear for the sufferings of pedophiles, as long as we follow-up such sensitive moments with swift executions. Death to pedophiles is the official editorial stance of this child-adoring magazine. Having dated a couple hotties who bore the lifelong psychosexual scars of childhood rape, I will happily strangle the bastards myself.
Speaking of scumbags who screw children, Fail highlights the widespread betrayal of trust and innocence more politely known as a public school education. I myself am a public school survivor. I had some wonderful teachers who were well-informed and highly-motivated, like Mr. Taylor who inspired our class to love literature and invited our class to visit his cottage in the woods. (No, he didn't invite us to his Neverland ranch or his Peter Pan bed. He was a good man not a creepy selfish freak.) I had some other teachers who could only be roused from drunken naps drooling on their desks by the opportunity to go on strike for higher pay with less hours.
As a professor in a public Mexican university, I've stood in shock and awe at ballsy colleagues working four hours a day (except for summers off and any other days they felt like canceling) who blocked highways to demand higher wages from taxpayers who lacked shoes. I've made a lot of enemies refusing to join such demonstrations, because I work for the elected representatives who are hired by the voters who should decide my salary and working conditions. Democracy is a very flawed system producing very flawed schools, but schools run by unelected union thugs are far, far worse. If you doubt me, I'll show you universities boasting countless new edifices built only for politico photo-ops with no books, chairs, or toilet paper for students inside.
Rick Skwiot's crime novel is set against the backdrop of a greater crime wave sweeping America: schools that exist for teachers, administrators and politicians but not for students. If you're squeamish about vivid descriptions of the dark side of urban life or accepting that "progressive" politicians enable regressive schools, don't read Fail. A pedophile can fuck over a handful of children rapidly, but a bureaucrat can fuck over millions of children slowly. Likewise, a man with a briefcase can steal more money than any man with a gun. Rick Skwiot knows Saint Louis. He also knows that sometimes the worst crimes are the legal ones.
Read
February 5, 2016Skwiot weaves a fascinating tale of suspense and intrigue like an experienced tour guide, intricately describing locales and local mores, explaining perspectives and then plugging in plenty of tension to keep us turning pages.
FAIL reads like a classic detective novel (confession: I don’t read this genre very often, but from what I have read it seems to fit well). A down-and-out police lieutenant seeking to redeem himself from past mistakes, meets a beautiful dame (sorry, debutant) who hires him to find a missing person. Through the intense search, the lieutenant’s life is threatened and his integrity is questioned but he perseveres. The reader travels through seamy neighborhoods and meets shady characters as he struggles to discover what happened and what will happen next. However, in this case the detective isn’t Macdonald’s Peter Marlowe or Hammett’s Sam Spade but is a part African-American/Hispanic guy who loves to play basketball. For someone like me who is neither, the protagonist - Carlo Gabriel provides an interesting look into their world.
The story plays out in a very detailed and realistic St. Louis. I haven’t been to St. Louis in decades, but Skwiot’s descriptions gave me vivid images of the city.
Like some other hard-boiled mystery writers, Skwiot describes cultures and perspectives many would consider foreign, educating us in the process. This interested me the most as FAIL challenges the reader to think a bit while being entertained.
Highly recommended, FAIL succeeds by keeping you on the edge of your seat while tickling the back of your mind. Enjoy!
FAIL reads like a classic detective novel (confession: I don’t read this genre very often, but from what I have read it seems to fit well). A down-and-out police lieutenant seeking to redeem himself from past mistakes, meets a beautiful dame (sorry, debutant) who hires him to find a missing person. Through the intense search, the lieutenant’s life is threatened and his integrity is questioned but he perseveres. The reader travels through seamy neighborhoods and meets shady characters as he struggles to discover what happened and what will happen next. However, in this case the detective isn’t Macdonald’s Peter Marlowe or Hammett’s Sam Spade but is a part African-American/Hispanic guy who loves to play basketball. For someone like me who is neither, the protagonist - Carlo Gabriel provides an interesting look into their world.
The story plays out in a very detailed and realistic St. Louis. I haven’t been to St. Louis in decades, but Skwiot’s descriptions gave me vivid images of the city.
Like some other hard-boiled mystery writers, Skwiot describes cultures and perspectives many would consider foreign, educating us in the process. This interested me the most as FAIL challenges the reader to think a bit while being entertained.
Highly recommended, FAIL succeeds by keeping you on the edge of your seat while tickling the back of your mind. Enjoy!
September 17, 2014
Good read! Really held my interest without being over the top. Goes to show that graft is everywhere. I feel sorry for the innocent youth who get exploited and screwed over again and again. Hopefully there are more honest and moral people in the world who stand up to this kind of issue instead of just ignoring it.
January 5, 2015
I really liked this book! The mystery was good, it touched on current topics (especially for STL) and the author utilized the city settings very well (accurate and interesting). I can't stop recommending it!
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