Slow Motion Riot

by Peter Blauner

An idealistic probation officer in crime-ridden, racially divided Manhattan struggles to reform a murderous drug addict who aspires to run his own crack organization at the pinnacle of Harlem's underworld

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, 20th Century

431 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Peter Blauner (b. 1959) is the Edgar-winning, New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including SLOW MOTION RIOT and THE INTRUDER. A native of New York City, he apprenticed under famed newspaper columnist Pete Hamill and first broke into print as a journalist for New York magazine. His books are detailed, character-driven crime novels that have attracted a devoted cult following. His newest novel, PICTURE IN THE SAND, due out in January 2023, is his first work of historical fiction.

Reviews

[Trish]

Blauner belongs to that group of writers who excel at honing the edge of large city life: it feels big, dangerous, and completely outside the control of any individual, much like a slow motion riot in fact. Originally published in 1991, this novel won an Edgar and was named a NYT International Book of the Year. Now, on the occasion of its publication as an ebook by Open Road Media, it is being reoffered to the reading public. For those of you who like your reads gritty and real, don’t miss it this time around.

The novel opens in a Probation Office where an idealistic young man, Baum (or Bomb, as he is called by some), hopes to make a difference and tells of his clients: the felons and the misdemeanors. There is true madness here, and despair and confusion, and a withering boredom borne of ignorance. The story hinges on three of Baum’s clients, and one of his coworkers. In a series of chapters much like looking into separate apartments throughout the city, we are privy to the thinking and activities of these individuals, which gives us an insight Baum doesn’t necessarily share. We sense violence on its way long before it is played out.

If a reader were to plot this novel on a contour map, one would see Baum pushing a large iron ball up a steep hill. There is gathering potential in the first, slower half of the novel. In the second half, the ball slips its constraints and rolls free. There is a crushing energy and destructive quality to the path of the story that will keep readers riveted, so stay on course to this critical juncture.

Blauner calls his books social novels with an element of suspense. That sounds right. You will want to read what Blauner himself says about his own books, since his style is clear and he’s willing to share. He is deliberate in his choices and his constructions are not haphazard. It takes him several years to write a book, of which this is only the first. You may find you would like to follow him through his oeuvre, for he has chosen a distinct subject area that may be underserved in our literature. I note that Blauner says his books sold better in Europe than in America at first.

This book was published twenty years ago, and while it is beginning to have some telltale signs of age, one could read it as current. In fact, the social conscious of the young is arguably stronger today than it was then, and for this reason, it may be just the right dose of highly spiced imagination embroidered for a young market. I recommend this title, or chose another of his later novels. This is an unusual writer who has something unique to offer, and it would be a shame to overlook him in the rush for the next bestseller.

[Joe]

Ah those were the days - crime peaked in NYC just as this book was published and the feeling then - which is so well presented here by Blauner - was that crime would consume us all - it seemed so intractable and pervasive and most criminologists and policy makers just wrung their hands...And then...And then...Along came a confluence of can do career law enforcement folks and the emergence of trends barely perceived at the time and crime plummeted. But I digress. A great read. I met the author while he was researching this book - he nailed it. Chapter 32 is the best and most accurate account of how frustrating it was to be a probation or parole officer who did his job in New York City back in the day (and though Blauner places the story during the crack epidemic of the late '80s, it could serve to desribe the entire 25 year period in criminal justice that began circa 1970 amidst heroin and ended circa 1995 amidst ...well that's another story, isn't it?)

[Will Errickson]

Solid satisfying early 1990s NYC crime novel with a good cast of characters, effective writing, and strong narrative pull. Only after I was halfway thru did I notice the “Edgar Award-winner” blurb on the back! I think I appreciated it more now than I would have had I read it back then. Recommended!

[Kym Moore]

Mysterious, contains violence and tragic endings.

[Craig Buck]

I was judging the Edgar TV episodes and ran across an episode of a show I don't particularly like written by Peter Blauner. I was so impressed with his avoidance of cliches and stellar character development, that I looked into his bg and discovered that he was first and foremost a novelist. This was his debut, so I checked it out and am pleased to say that I can't wait to read the rest of his canon. His writing is crisp, clean and clever and his characters are real, amusing and original. There aren't too many writers of this caliber around these days, and I'm delighted to have stumbled onto this one.

[Carol]

Mr. Blauner is one of my top five favorite authors. No one tops him in similes, for example. He writes the most original and entertaining similes that I've ever read, and I've read hundreds upon hundreds of books in my time. This particular story was all of that, of course, and told of a young, discouraged probation officer in New York City who tries mightily to help his clients but experiences a slow burnout nonetheless. I thought the story was well crafted, albeit a tad slow, but for me the writing is so perfect and enjoyable that I found myself putting the book down frequently to make the reading last longer.

[Glen U]

An excellent first novel, Peter Blauner gives us a riveting and unique look at the rampant drug culture of New York City through the eyes of a burned out probation officer. A good guy, a villian, and a fast paced plot with an explosive ending and you have the makings of a good story. Throw in Blauner's crisp and professional writing and you have an Edgar Allan Poe first novel award winner. A very good read.

[Zbegniew]

I started this book because I had just finished "Proving Ground" by the same author and enjoyed it. This book was a 1992 Edgar award winner, so I had high hopes for it. It was set in the bad old days of the crack epidemic in NYC. The protagonist is a Jewish probation officer, and the antagonist is a young black crack dealer/addict. The final scene is apocalyptic, but it took its sweet time getting there. Evidently some people liked it more than I did.

[Kathy Roaleen]

Hold onto your hat!

Open this book and you will find yourself on the gritty streets of Harlem. You may share the struggle of the protagonist as he wades through the pain of addiction, racism, poverty, not to mention, blood and guts. Its not an easy read, but its nigh impossible to put the book down. Mr. Blauner did his homework, and the story rings with truth and agony. It's a Martin Scorsese movie on paper. Great book!!

[Nick Dionisio]

Slow Motion Riot by Peter Blauner was a very intriguing read. As Blauner gets deeper into Darryl King and Steve Baum's psyche you start to feel how their word slows down around them. Overall, a well-done book that shows the hopelessness of crime fighters in New York during the crack epidemic and a finish that doesn't leave you happy for the future of either character. Exactly as it would've turned out.

[Marianne Stehr]

This was a story without plot. It started a probation officer which I found unique, and shared his life, struggles and job etc. so far so good. But the. It got labored into race relations and took a turn. To make it worse the unrealistic ending iced the two star rating. I couldn’t wait to finish the book about 3/4 of the way through. It is a dated story but not a classic

[Malcolm]

It kind of reminded me of the wire, I felt empathetic for the characters. The narrative/perspective is this books biggest weakness. It’s written in a way where the author has a certain level of awareness, but the bias is still front and centre. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

[Jacob Dzik]

The best debut I have ever read. Like an episode of The Wire.

[Bob Box]

Read in 2006. Startling and gritty novel about crime and race in New York City. My third Blauner novel in 4 weeks. I got hooked on this guy.

[ELIZABETH TIERNEY]

He has a remarkable writer. He captures language, psychology, city, you name it. Wonderful!

[Brian Moore]

Reminds me of Richard Price's work with a bit less polish and fewer memorable lines.

[Joseph Kincaid]

First Edition
Edgar Award Best First Novel 1992

[Gatorman]

An enjoyable debut from Blauner, well-written and gripping throughout. I did wish the main character wasn't so whiny but it did not ruin the reading experience. A tense ending brought the story of racial tension to a satisfying conclusion.

[Destiny]

I thought the author was racist, but now I'm thinking he just wrote the characters really well. If not extremely jaded. There's a rawness to the writing that makes you keep reading. Sometimes very very macho. Entertaining at the least, but I wouldn't tell my professors about it.

[Diogenes]

New York City in the 1980s; crack cocaine in the projects, jails full so judges slough them off on probation. This dynamic and ultimately depressing tale is at once a thriller, a morality play and a deeply disturbing visit to the city's underbelly. Powerfully written and highly evocative.

[J Thomas]

Hardcover

[Janell]

A sad state of what the drug culture has done to our society

[Amanda]

This was a great book. I am a big fan of Peter Blauner and I wish he would write more books.

[Monte]

Well written tale of a parole officer's dangerous dance with a crack addict during the time when the drug was taking NYC by storm.

[Jeffrey Philips]

This book won and Edgar in 1992. Book takes place in New York city. Even though it is well written, it wasn't my type of book.

[Diane McCarrick]

Even better than Last Good Day!

[Bill S.]

Excellent character-driven story. Very well told and plotted.

[Aby]

"The city is a slow motion riot, destroying itself piece by piece.." Good read for anyone who: once had, slowly losing, or still clings to - an idealism.

[Kit]

Innercity black culture.
Violent,messy.

[Eevie]

I thought I would try and new author and Peter Blauner's name popped up. The synopsis of this sounded like something I would enjoy, so I gave it a shot.
I am not disappointtrd! Mr Blaunders first novel was a page turner for me. I was drawn into the main character right away.
Very well written. I am going to read his next novel "Casino Moon" next. I cannot wait!