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Snitch Jacket
Combining elements of classic noir, dark comedy, and a misfit's memoir reminiscent of Notes from the Underground, Christopher Goffard, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, brings life to the darker side of west coast counter-culture in a literary crime n “Everyone knows that California sunshine is the world’s loneliest light,” says Benny, who inhabits an underworld of desperados and grotesques and spends much of his free time at the Greasy Tuesday, a squalid, southern California neighborhood dive teeming with local legends. One night, one of these legends walks through the Gus “Mad Dog” Miller, a huge, tattoo-laden Vietnam vet who sports a necklace of severed ears and whose job at the Greasy Tuesday is “to keep the riffraff out.” “But everyone's riffraff here,” Benny protests. But Benny, our morally ambiguous hero, soon finds himself transfixed by this twisted Falstaffian personality, and six months later Benny is arrested on suspicion of double murder.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Goffard
5 books35 followersChristopher Goffard is one of America's most acclaimed literary journalists. He has written for the St. Petersburg Times and the Los Angeles Times. He is the author of You Will See Fire: A Search for Justice in Kenya, based on his Los Angeles Times series; the novel Snitch Jacket, which was a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel; and Dirty John and Other True Stories of Outlaws and Outsiders. His work appears regularly in the Best American Newspaper Narratives series.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 1, 2010
Starts out strong with great atmosphere, observation, and characterization. Fun reading in a fully-realized world.
But what begins as great set-up becomes a little self-indulgent, the story itself not really starting until halfway through the book. The story is simple and in many ways not really the crux of the read as the characters dominate, but without clear momentum driving the story to the end, it's difficult to be fully engaged (the framing device of a jailhouse confession feels a little forced).
Also makes a few missteps when the story abandons its relative realism for a bit of over-the-top satire that is fun, but doesn't compliment the book as a whole.
Rereading what I wrote above makes the book sound worse than it is. There is a confidence in the writing, a great ear for dialogue, and an honest desire to mine the quiet desperation of humankind. Also, the premise that is essentially "The Usual Suspects" in reverse (a true story that is so outrageous that it sounds made up) is very fun.
A solid first novel. I'll definitely read his next book.
But what begins as great set-up becomes a little self-indulgent, the story itself not really starting until halfway through the book. The story is simple and in many ways not really the crux of the read as the characters dominate, but without clear momentum driving the story to the end, it's difficult to be fully engaged (the framing device of a jailhouse confession feels a little forced).
Also makes a few missteps when the story abandons its relative realism for a bit of over-the-top satire that is fun, but doesn't compliment the book as a whole.
Rereading what I wrote above makes the book sound worse than it is. There is a confidence in the writing, a great ear for dialogue, and an honest desire to mine the quiet desperation of humankind. Also, the premise that is essentially "The Usual Suspects" in reverse (a true story that is so outrageous that it sounds made up) is very fun.
A solid first novel. I'll definitely read his next book.
April 20, 2023
Fantastic. For the love of God, Mr Goffard, wherever you are, please write another crime novel.
January 7, 2021
Ho letto la versione in italiano : Cronache urbane di un fuorilegge. Ottima lettura, inaspettatamente appassionante
June 12, 2022
İyi başladı, devamı gelemedi
August 25, 2008
Attention People Magazine: Move Along - None of Your "People" Are here.
Don't let the low budget, comic book-like cover fool you: Christopher Goffard is the real deal, and "Snitch Jacket" may be the sleeper of the year - an amped up, in-your-face, irreverent tale of human wreckage - the stuff J.D. Salinger would be writing were alive today. This is the story of Benny Bunt, a 40ish burned out product of drug abuse and a dysfunctional family, scraping by as a dishwasher, making only enough to keep him on booze and the occasional crystal while wasting away the hours the squalid "Greasy Tuesday", a dive bar of Dantesque calibre tucked away in the seedy hills east of LA, well off the tourist trails and Hollywood Star maps. He is also a snitch or, as the local PD prefer, a "confidential informant". And as noted on the book jacket, "you will like him." Well, yeah, kind of, but not in a way you'd like a friend, and certainly not in a way you'd like your own kid to turn out.
So Benny's life is predictably dull, dead-ended, and pretty much despicable - when into 'Tuesday' rolls Gus "Mad Dog" Miller, the beer gutted and tattooed giant, self-proclaimed Viet Nam War hero and sometime assassin. In addition to his less desirable traits, Benny is also a good listener with a near-photographic memory for mostly useless trivia, who sits spellbound as Gus regales the regulars with tales of war and murder, increasing in violence and unbelievability. They are soon inseparable in a distorted friendship that eerily reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman's creepily brilliant portrayal of "Ratso" in "Midnight Cowboy."
But what gives the talented Goffard the fifth star is the depth and complexity of not only the story line, but the character portrayals of this rich but depraved cast, and Goffard's brilliant rendering of the relationships between them. While the author could have fallen back on the trite and overused "unfairness of American society" pap here, he offers no apology nor pulpit, and simply tells his story without overdone indignation. In the process, he transcends the expected (and expertly done) violence, black humor, and an intriguing premise, and rises to a superior tale with clever twists, unexpected poignancy, and a punch-in-the-gut climax that will linger long after you've put this one back on the shelf.
If you like well-written and intelligent crime, and aren't addicted to glossy, happy people performing impossibly unlikely feats of valor, this new author's debut is a must read. And for fans of Huston, Swierczynski, McKinty, Gischler, McCarthy, or Bruen - take heart - there's a new voice on the streets you'll want to get to know.
Don't let the low budget, comic book-like cover fool you: Christopher Goffard is the real deal, and "Snitch Jacket" may be the sleeper of the year - an amped up, in-your-face, irreverent tale of human wreckage - the stuff J.D. Salinger would be writing were alive today. This is the story of Benny Bunt, a 40ish burned out product of drug abuse and a dysfunctional family, scraping by as a dishwasher, making only enough to keep him on booze and the occasional crystal while wasting away the hours the squalid "Greasy Tuesday", a dive bar of Dantesque calibre tucked away in the seedy hills east of LA, well off the tourist trails and Hollywood Star maps. He is also a snitch or, as the local PD prefer, a "confidential informant". And as noted on the book jacket, "you will like him." Well, yeah, kind of, but not in a way you'd like a friend, and certainly not in a way you'd like your own kid to turn out.
So Benny's life is predictably dull, dead-ended, and pretty much despicable - when into 'Tuesday' rolls Gus "Mad Dog" Miller, the beer gutted and tattooed giant, self-proclaimed Viet Nam War hero and sometime assassin. In addition to his less desirable traits, Benny is also a good listener with a near-photographic memory for mostly useless trivia, who sits spellbound as Gus regales the regulars with tales of war and murder, increasing in violence and unbelievability. They are soon inseparable in a distorted friendship that eerily reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman's creepily brilliant portrayal of "Ratso" in "Midnight Cowboy."
But what gives the talented Goffard the fifth star is the depth and complexity of not only the story line, but the character portrayals of this rich but depraved cast, and Goffard's brilliant rendering of the relationships between them. While the author could have fallen back on the trite and overused "unfairness of American society" pap here, he offers no apology nor pulpit, and simply tells his story without overdone indignation. In the process, he transcends the expected (and expertly done) violence, black humor, and an intriguing premise, and rises to a superior tale with clever twists, unexpected poignancy, and a punch-in-the-gut climax that will linger long after you've put this one back on the shelf.
If you like well-written and intelligent crime, and aren't addicted to glossy, happy people performing impossibly unlikely feats of valor, this new author's debut is a must read. And for fans of Huston, Swierczynski, McKinty, Gischler, McCarthy, or Bruen - take heart - there's a new voice on the streets you'll want to get to know.
August 9, 2008
To be nominated for an Edgar, a first time writer has to have a book that offers the reader an outrageous tale filled with humor, intelligence and characters that are definitely out of the ordinary. With Snitch Jacket, author Christopher Goffard gives us a book that, in this readers opinion, ranks among the best in unconventional crime fiction replete with a couple unusual characters in the persons of Benny Bunt the consumate anti-hero, and Gus "Mad Dog" Miller - Vietnam Vet with more war stories than General Patton. The question is are the stories true or the result of a psychotic personality?
Benny, our narrator, is a 41 year old dishwasher with an extensive resume covering several incarnations, both past and present, as a meth user, barfly, cop wannabe, police informant, and runaway husband. Most of his leisure hours are spent "socializing" at a Southern California dive known as Greasy Tuesday, whose other patrons Benny occasionally rats out (for their own good) to a local detective named Munoz.
When Gus approaches Benny seeking assistance with a contract killing, the fun really begins. Not wanting to spoil your enjoyment of this little jewel I will not divulge any further plot points so if your find yourself like Oliver Twist, wanting "more please", you will have to buy Goffard's book.
Just know that if you are a fan of the dark humor of Carl Hiaasen, or a movie buff who enjoys movies like the Coen brothers Blood Simple, this book is an A-ticket to a ride your sure to enjoy.
Benny, our narrator, is a 41 year old dishwasher with an extensive resume covering several incarnations, both past and present, as a meth user, barfly, cop wannabe, police informant, and runaway husband. Most of his leisure hours are spent "socializing" at a Southern California dive known as Greasy Tuesday, whose other patrons Benny occasionally rats out (for their own good) to a local detective named Munoz.
When Gus approaches Benny seeking assistance with a contract killing, the fun really begins. Not wanting to spoil your enjoyment of this little jewel I will not divulge any further plot points so if your find yourself like Oliver Twist, wanting "more please", you will have to buy Goffard's book.
Just know that if you are a fan of the dark humor of Carl Hiaasen, or a movie buff who enjoys movies like the Coen brothers Blood Simple, this book is an A-ticket to a ride your sure to enjoy.
September 24, 2010
I was not impressed with this book. At times it was great, but at other times, it was sludgy.
The cover inscription promised that fans of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen would love it; that was what first sold me. I always look for writers have the same influences as me, hoping to find kindred souls who also write like me.
But Goffard failed one of Elmore's basic tenets, to "leave out the parts that people tend to skip." In other words, there was a lot of "descriptive paragraphs" throughout where nothing happened but the narrator telling me what characters looked like and who they were.
It was as if the author had a laundry list of the characters and their traits, and had to get through it so he could tell the story. That should be done while telling the story.
There were a couple of twists and turns that I liked but not enough to make up for having to read the parts I should have skipped (descriptive hoopla).
The book would have garnered 4 stars if only the author had given the protagonist a happy ending. It wasn't the kind of ending where he dies, but after pulling for this guy the whole book and investing myself so much in "finishing" the thing, I was very disappointed upon finally finishing.
The cover inscription promised that fans of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen would love it; that was what first sold me. I always look for writers have the same influences as me, hoping to find kindred souls who also write like me.
But Goffard failed one of Elmore's basic tenets, to "leave out the parts that people tend to skip." In other words, there was a lot of "descriptive paragraphs" throughout where nothing happened but the narrator telling me what characters looked like and who they were.
It was as if the author had a laundry list of the characters and their traits, and had to get through it so he could tell the story. That should be done while telling the story.
There were a couple of twists and turns that I liked but not enough to make up for having to read the parts I should have skipped (descriptive hoopla).
The book would have garnered 4 stars if only the author had given the protagonist a happy ending. It wasn't the kind of ending where he dies, but after pulling for this guy the whole book and investing myself so much in "finishing" the thing, I was very disappointed upon finally finishing.
December 7, 2009
If you like Charlie Huston (Caught Stealing, 6 Very Bad Things) and John Ridley (The Drift), you may like this.
Similar to the authors I mentioned, the book is a crime/story mystery, first person narrative of someone who is socially less successful, okay a loser with ties to lot of low life characters. Amongst the gritty urban reality, is a fair amount of dark humor and a plot that at the seems a little plodding but picks up speed especially near the end and some effective twists that will cause you to think about the story long after you finish the last line. The author also effectively shifts tone from hilarious to sad to frightening/suspense.
The author also uses the device of relating the story to the narrator's lawyer while facing a capital murder case as an effective way of maintaining tension.
Again, not for everybody, but for those who enjoy grittier/drak humor, might be worth checking out.
Similar to the authors I mentioned, the book is a crime/story mystery, first person narrative of someone who is socially less successful, okay a loser with ties to lot of low life characters. Amongst the gritty urban reality, is a fair amount of dark humor and a plot that at the seems a little plodding but picks up speed especially near the end and some effective twists that will cause you to think about the story long after you finish the last line. The author also effectively shifts tone from hilarious to sad to frightening/suspense.
The author also uses the device of relating the story to the narrator's lawyer while facing a capital murder case as an effective way of maintaining tension.
Again, not for everybody, but for those who enjoy grittier/drak humor, might be worth checking out.
July 25, 2011
A good crime novel has great twists, compelling characters, a somewhat believable (and not-too-complicated) plot and some good action. "Snitch Jacket" has some of that but not all. The characters are terrific--the narrator, Benny Bunt, is a pathetic, down-on-his-luck guy you can't help but root for, and some of the folks who hang out at the local dive, the Greasy Tuesday, are very colorful. And for most of the book the plot is fairly easy to understand and throws you for a few loops. And then everything goes a bit off the rails, for the characters and for the reader (or at least for me). Suddenly the story became one of those where if you weren't paying really close attention on page 43, the ending might not make as much sense. (Note: random page number selected.) Still, this is an entertaining read, and I'd definitely check out another of Goffard's books.
April 29, 2008
Well-written crime fiction is every bit as satisfying as the best literary fiction. Goffard's first novel is as winner, propelled by two of the most interesting and entertaining dirtbags I've come across in a long time. It plays as an iffy confession by a snitch who is accused of murder. There's a hint of the Usual Suspects to it, but anyone who has spent any time in dive bars will instantly recognize the reprobates that populate Snitch Jacket. Even the book's one straight character-a weary public defender--is memorable. Snitch Jacket, by the way, was nominated for an Edgar Award for best first novel.
November 17, 2009
Very fun crime fiction centering on sections of Orange County, California less desirous than those featured in "The Real Housewives of OC." (In fact, it's probably these very areas that spawned Tamra and Giggles before they made the leap to Strip Mall Republican respectability by marrying car lot barons and real estate pygmy Ponzis.) Goffard's portrait of the landscape and its bit players is better done than his investigation of the delusional mind of his protagonist, and the various twists towards the end of Act Three lacked a certain amount of punch, but still: meth + white trash + botched contract murder at Burning Man = imagery we all can delight in.
January 8, 2010
I got this from my mom as an iRead book when I didn't have one. My mom suggested I not read it because it was so inappropriate. It was, but that's what fascinated me about the book. The story was so amazingly nasty and unforgiving that it was hard for me to put the book down. It's about a snitch for the police who gets mixed up with a crazy ex vietnam veteran who has admitted to many crimes. While the main character tries to get the police to take him in, he's along for the ride to a crazy demonic festival to do a hit. This book is fascinating and is a very good read.
February 3, 2011
I never felt cheated. I never worried about where Goffard was going. I just hung on and followed Benny Bunt into his dank ass bars and into the desert with Gus Miller. It'd be real easy to just parody these bar denizens but Goffard treats them with respect. He understands how to make a complete asshole or a total loser worth caring about without getting sentimental or manipulating you. He's also a master at plotting. It was nice to just hang on, to feel the inevitable coming but to not know what it would be. Just some people who make bad decisions coming to a big bad ending. Good stuff.
January 20, 2008
I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would. Sleezy bars, sleezy characters, bad cops, crazy plot-line. I especially liked the how the author satorized the counter-cultural festivals like Burning Man. (In the book it was called Burning Head). My favorite line comes from a Alan Ginsburg wanna be character...
'Anyway, I think you motherfuckers'll find it pretty subversive,' said the gimp, reading from the PowerBook in his lap.
'Anyway, I think you motherfuckers'll find it pretty subversive,' said the gimp, reading from the PowerBook in his lap.
November 9, 2008
This was an Edgar nominee for best first and for the first half of the book I was in total agreement with the judges but the last half of this tale about a small time loser who snitches to the cops about his drinking buddies at the bar The Greasy Tuesday kind of fell apart. Still, an entertaining enough read
January 17, 2010
A fun novel, who’s only fault is taking itself a little too seriously at times. If you’re a SoCal native or resident, this will doubtlessly be more entertaining. If not, it’s still a fun journey through the neurosis of aimless Angelino males, caught up in an absurd comic quagmire of Greek-tragic proportions. Never a dull moment in this one. Okay, maybe a few. But not many!
July 5, 2016
Nothing special about it. It's really trying to be something it's not. Guys like Elmore Leonard do this sort of stuff much better.
The twist isn't needed and just seems like it's thrown in there just to have a twist, the noir elements feel slightly contrived, almost like the whole thing was written out according to a rubric.
The twist isn't needed and just seems like it's thrown in there just to have a twist, the noir elements feel slightly contrived, almost like the whole thing was written out according to a rubric.
July 21, 2009
No redeeming characters - the author's purpose seems to be to show that everyone sucks, nobody is honest, there is nothing good about life. I actually felt stressed out after reading this book. If you're looking for good crime fiction, look elsewhere.
January 4, 2008
Good, easy, entertaining read.
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June 18, 2012Author will be speaking at the Memorial Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. 90019 323 938-2732 on July 28, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
I'll let you know what I think of the book soon!
I'll let you know what I think of the book soon!
September 13, 2008
Wonderful gritty little novel. Surprisingly funny. Terrific characters. A hilarious satire on Burning Man. I think this guy is brilliant.
Want to read
August 31, 2009comes highly recommended and is written by a friend of a friend? Sign me up!
April 29, 2014
very enjoyable
August 9, 2016
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14132237
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14132237
February 21, 2009
A very good story. Fast paced and well written.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews