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Internecine
"Smart, scathing, and verbally inventive to an astonishing degree, David J. Schow is one of the most interesting writers of his generation."—Peter Straub "Inter-what?" When advertising executive Conrad Maddox returns from a redeye flight and finds a mysterious locker key waiting in his rental car, he discovers a briefcase loaded with guns and money. Several hours later, his entire life tumbles down a rabbit hole when he meets Dandine, owner of the case and former contract assassin for a shadowy organization called Norco, which is now out to nail both of them."Internecine" means conflict, mutual destruction, and slaughter—or, as Dandine tells Conrad, they are now inadvertently at play in a field of "terrorism, counter-assassination, military coups, dirty tricks, Watergate, spy vs. spy, murky secret organizations, that sort of thing." A world in which being innocent can't save you, the police can't help you, and your only hope of getting out alive is to risk unheard-of dangers against opponents with nearly unlimited power. To free themselves from the spider web of black ops, murder, madness and betrayal, Dandine and Conrad must delve ever-deeper into the spiraling, dangerous maze that is Norco, where everyone seems to be in on the most lethal of games…except you.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2010
2 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
David J. Schow
197 books144 followersDavid J. Schow is an American author of horror novels, short stories, and screenplays, associated with the "splatterpunk" movement of the late '80s and early '90s. Most recently he has moved into the crime genre.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 27, 2012
In his novel Internecine, David J. Schow uses the word "internecine" a few times, and even has his narrator suggest one "look it up." Personally, I can't stand it when writers start a piece with a dictionary definition (my brother-in-law says I have a problem with authority, and he's right-- I denounce any authority the dictionary has been given by the sheep-like masses(what Internecine's narrator would call "the walking dead")) and while this novel doesn't explicitly do that, it might has well have, amiright?
This is, indeed, the story of one man's struggle against some kind of organization, an innocent caught up in a spy-vs-spy plot more complicated than this analogy is attempting to be. It's the second book I've read in the last few weeks where the main character is dragged along a whirlwind plot that barely gives him time to rest. The kind of thing we too-readily accept and even expect in our action-thriller movies. I'm making assumptions, of course, but I got to believe these guys are writing novels they hope will be easily rewritten for the screen.
Which is a not a bad thing, necessarily, although I am complaining about it. Juxtaposed with this break-neck pacing--couched in terms of man in over his head-- are almost countless lectures about how the world works. How Hollywood, Madison Avenue, Politics, Espionage, and Day-to-Day Drudgery all work. You see the contradiction there? It's almost hypocritical.
Yeah, it's all explained in the end, via a neat little "Afterword" that seeks to justify the narrator's voice. I think I would have enjoyed the book more-- or cut it more slack, anyway-- if I had read that section first.
I'll say this for Schow, though, his prose style is just fine-- slick, tight, compelling. And although I am complaining about the non-stop action, at least he knows how to make it beleivable. He can thank the movies for that, somewhat, in as much as I've learned to suspend my disbeleif and allow for a few super-human acts of parkour/marksmanship/strategizing/luck. You know what I mean. Leaping over a table to kick the first bad guy into the second bad guy so he shoots the third bad guy.
Folks who love deep-spy type books won't like this one too much, as it's got more gunplay that plot. But folks who love run-n-gun style shoot 'em ups won't like this book either, as what plot it does have is nearly serpentine. So who will like this book? Folks who like to read movies, I guess.
This is, indeed, the story of one man's struggle against some kind of organization, an innocent caught up in a spy-vs-spy plot more complicated than this analogy is attempting to be. It's the second book I've read in the last few weeks where the main character is dragged along a whirlwind plot that barely gives him time to rest. The kind of thing we too-readily accept and even expect in our action-thriller movies. I'm making assumptions, of course, but I got to believe these guys are writing novels they hope will be easily rewritten for the screen.
Which is a not a bad thing, necessarily, although I am complaining about it. Juxtaposed with this break-neck pacing--couched in terms of man in over his head-- are almost countless lectures about how the world works. How Hollywood, Madison Avenue, Politics, Espionage, and Day-to-Day Drudgery all work. You see the contradiction there? It's almost hypocritical.
Yeah, it's all explained in the end, via a neat little "Afterword" that seeks to justify the narrator's voice. I think I would have enjoyed the book more-- or cut it more slack, anyway-- if I had read that section first.
I'll say this for Schow, though, his prose style is just fine-- slick, tight, compelling. And although I am complaining about the non-stop action, at least he knows how to make it beleivable. He can thank the movies for that, somewhat, in as much as I've learned to suspend my disbeleif and allow for a few super-human acts of parkour/marksmanship/strategizing/luck. You know what I mean. Leaping over a table to kick the first bad guy into the second bad guy so he shoots the third bad guy.
Folks who love deep-spy type books won't like this one too much, as it's got more gunplay that plot. But folks who love run-n-gun style shoot 'em ups won't like this book either, as what plot it does have is nearly serpentine. So who will like this book? Folks who like to read movies, I guess.
December 24, 2010
Decent conspiracy theory tale if you can get past the mind numbing tangents. I tossed this book in the "Couldn't Finish" pile after the first 12 pages. Then I came down with a nasty cold and needed something to pass the time as I sniffled on the couch.
I'm a sucker for stories about everyday man being pulled into chaos/conspiracies/apocalyptic heroism. Why? Such paves the way for incredible character growth. I don't think Conrad rose to archetypal hero status by the end of Internecine, but it was an entertaining enough ride provided you could stomach (or skim over) Conrad's blathering monologues. Conrad (or Schow?) often attempts to wax philosophical about American society, consumerism, etc etc etc, but fails miserably to say anything poignant or even interesting. Conrad also recites from The Big Book of Uninteresting Historical Facts of the Greater Los Angeles Area. Having historical tidbits about geographically accurate settings can add significance and realism to a novel. Announcing that off Exit 35 is a hot dog stand which once was the favorite luncheon spot of a little known Norwegian silent film star who you'd recognize if you were a true follower of "real" American cinema but they tore the hot dog stand down and made it a coffee shop, burger joint, bed and breakfast, empty parking lot but we're not actually going to take Exit 35 now we're going to continue on to Exit 42 which exit was often taken by Bob Hope on his way to the podiatrist...
Yeah, like that but for pages at a time. In my sickened stupor, I was interested in the PLOT enough to skim over the umpteen pages of pseudo-philosophy/irrelevant tour-guiding and read the actual story. Which was pretty enjoyable, and had enough suspense and twists to make for a good afternoon read.
I'm a sucker for stories about everyday man being pulled into chaos/conspiracies/apocalyptic heroism. Why? Such paves the way for incredible character growth. I don't think Conrad rose to archetypal hero status by the end of Internecine, but it was an entertaining enough ride provided you could stomach (or skim over) Conrad's blathering monologues. Conrad (or Schow?) often attempts to wax philosophical about American society, consumerism, etc etc etc, but fails miserably to say anything poignant or even interesting. Conrad also recites from The Big Book of Uninteresting Historical Facts of the Greater Los Angeles Area. Having historical tidbits about geographically accurate settings can add significance and realism to a novel. Announcing that off Exit 35 is a hot dog stand which once was the favorite luncheon spot of a little known Norwegian silent film star who you'd recognize if you were a true follower of "real" American cinema but they tore the hot dog stand down and made it a coffee shop, burger joint, bed and breakfast, empty parking lot but we're not actually going to take Exit 35 now we're going to continue on to Exit 42 which exit was often taken by Bob Hope on his way to the podiatrist...
Yeah, like that but for pages at a time. In my sickened stupor, I was interested in the PLOT enough to skim over the umpteen pages of pseudo-philosophy/irrelevant tour-guiding and read the actual story. Which was pretty enjoyable, and had enough suspense and twists to make for a good afternoon read.
August 3, 2018
Written in a stream of consciousness style, I would just get into the story and the character would have a unrelated thought that jumped the track and I'd be thinking 'what the...?'
September 16, 2019
You know those books where stuff happens non-stop and when it’s over you realize you just wasted time you’re never ever getting back?
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
December 30, 2011
Conrad, a successful adman has his life transformed from the predictable to not knowing if he’s breathed his last breath. After collecting a rental car from an airport parking lot containing a mysterious briefcase later determined to be a ‘hit-kit’, Conrad’s former existence in the cut throat world of corporate politicking ends as he finds himself embroiled in another kind of cut throat occupation – one in which termination is permanent and symbolises more than just the end of a career.
Internecine is laden with introspective diatribe delivered through the protagonist, but serves more as a platform for the author to voice his own views on American culture, consumerism, cinema, politics, etc. Whilst at times relevant to the plight, this more often than not lead to distraction and provided little except to pad the page count. Without the irrelevant monologue, Internecine would’ve been the fast paced action packed conspiracy-thriller blockbuster it set out to be.
Despite the pitfalls, Internecine is densely complex conspiracy thriller whose action sequences are both Mission Impossible and James Bond worthy and whose characters are colourful and real (contradictory I know - despite, the fact many hide behind a facade, the atypical Mr. Smith/Jones persona). Dandine and the organisation that never-was NORCO are a joy to read and demand further exploration – a prequel would serve well to provide context to Dandine’s predicament and background into the dealings of NORCO. Schow has created a universe with so many intriguing spheres one can’t help but hope the potential is realised for future instalments. Internecine is well worth the investment despite the padding – 3 stars.
Readers extra: Schow goes to great lengths to describe L.A and some of its more famous monuments’ history – those familiar with the landscape on an intimate level will appreciate Schow’s dedication to capturing L.A in its past and present glory.
Internecine is laden with introspective diatribe delivered through the protagonist, but serves more as a platform for the author to voice his own views on American culture, consumerism, cinema, politics, etc. Whilst at times relevant to the plight, this more often than not lead to distraction and provided little except to pad the page count. Without the irrelevant monologue, Internecine would’ve been the fast paced action packed conspiracy-thriller blockbuster it set out to be.
Despite the pitfalls, Internecine is densely complex conspiracy thriller whose action sequences are both Mission Impossible and James Bond worthy and whose characters are colourful and real (contradictory I know - despite, the fact many hide behind a facade, the atypical Mr. Smith/Jones persona). Dandine and the organisation that never-was NORCO are a joy to read and demand further exploration – a prequel would serve well to provide context to Dandine’s predicament and background into the dealings of NORCO. Schow has created a universe with so many intriguing spheres one can’t help but hope the potential is realised for future instalments. Internecine is well worth the investment despite the padding – 3 stars.
Readers extra: Schow goes to great lengths to describe L.A and some of its more famous monuments’ history – those familiar with the landscape on an intimate level will appreciate Schow’s dedication to capturing L.A in its past and present glory.
August 15, 2012
Since the novel never actually defines, 'internecine', I'll save you some time, and provide the meaning. The term relates to a struggle within a nation, organization, or group which can be mutually destructive, ruinous, or fatal to both sides, and is characterized by bloodshed or carnage. And, nothing comes closer to the theme of this terrific thriller.
When advertising executive Conrad Maddox returns from a flight and finds a mysterious locker key waiting in his rental car, life as he knows it ends. After visiting the locker and retrieving the case which is full of weapons, phony ID, and money, he meets Dandine, owner of the case and former contract assassin for a shadowy organization called Norco. And now, both of them are under the gun. The novel is a fast-paced swirl of action and revelation. It postulates the existence of many competing super-secret intelligence operations which operate below popular consciousnesses. Or as Dandine explains to Conrad, "they are now inadvertently at play in a field of “terrorism, counter-assassination, military coups, dirty tricks, Watergate, spy vs. spy, murky secret organizations, that sort of thing.”
The book requires you to think, and it's not an easy read, but it's well worth the effort. I would highly recommend it. You should also check out UPGUNNED by David J. Schow which also deals with an ordinary man who is thrown into a violent and hostile environment, and forced to 'sink or swim, and the journey becomes a revelation.
When advertising executive Conrad Maddox returns from a flight and finds a mysterious locker key waiting in his rental car, life as he knows it ends. After visiting the locker and retrieving the case which is full of weapons, phony ID, and money, he meets Dandine, owner of the case and former contract assassin for a shadowy organization called Norco. And now, both of them are under the gun. The novel is a fast-paced swirl of action and revelation. It postulates the existence of many competing super-secret intelligence operations which operate below popular consciousnesses. Or as Dandine explains to Conrad, "they are now inadvertently at play in a field of “terrorism, counter-assassination, military coups, dirty tricks, Watergate, spy vs. spy, murky secret organizations, that sort of thing.”
The book requires you to think, and it's not an easy read, but it's well worth the effort. I would highly recommend it. You should also check out UPGUNNED by David J. Schow which also deals with an ordinary man who is thrown into a violent and hostile environment, and forced to 'sink or swim, and the journey becomes a revelation.
January 8, 2015
Start off saying that I put this down for a few days because the first fifty pages were so good, I thought that the book had to get slow and boring afterward. I was mistaken. The only real complaint I had was the parts where the narrator would go off on a random subject and rant for two pages. The plot was terribly convoluted, but for some reason that just seemed to work with me and anyway Internecine wouldn't be very internecine if it was all simple and straightforward. Have to say that the last twist did not really surprise me. My reaction was "Ah, yeah, I see that."
I don't know if I can properly express my love of this book, because it's really based on several small factors rather than one thing specifically. Well, Dandine, I guess that's one big factor. One of my favorite characters ever, which is not an easy thing to accomplish in a standalone book. Anyway, the writing was awesome for the most part, the plot was far from trope or cliche driven. This was like a lovely bit of fresh originality with a quick pace and piles of sarcasm. It's almost like someone designed the book specifically for me to love it.
I don't know if I can properly express my love of this book, because it's really based on several small factors rather than one thing specifically. Well, Dandine, I guess that's one big factor. One of my favorite characters ever, which is not an easy thing to accomplish in a standalone book. Anyway, the writing was awesome for the most part, the plot was far from trope or cliche driven. This was like a lovely bit of fresh originality with a quick pace and piles of sarcasm. It's almost like someone designed the book specifically for me to love it.
January 27, 2013
Inter- what? You ask yourself.
Like me, most of you will associate Dave Schow with horror short stories, or FANGORIA magazine. Because he'd gone all crime/thriller on us I was put off buying any of his newer novels. I normally only read horror fiction, but I gambled on GUN WORK, a novel written by Schow, a few months ago. I couldn't put it down. This resulted in me ordering INTERNECINE, and his latest, UP GUNNED.
INTERNECINE is a modern day Hitchcock thriller. The wrong man, a joe average, in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case advertising executive Conrad (Connie) Maddox.
Lots of guns and lots of shooting. I loved it. What a movie it would make! I can't wait for UP GUNNED!
Like me, most of you will associate Dave Schow with horror short stories, or FANGORIA magazine. Because he'd gone all crime/thriller on us I was put off buying any of his newer novels. I normally only read horror fiction, but I gambled on GUN WORK, a novel written by Schow, a few months ago. I couldn't put it down. This resulted in me ordering INTERNECINE, and his latest, UP GUNNED.
INTERNECINE is a modern day Hitchcock thriller. The wrong man, a joe average, in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case advertising executive Conrad (Connie) Maddox.
Lots of guns and lots of shooting. I loved it. What a movie it would make! I can't wait for UP GUNNED!
October 18, 2010
The first 200 pages were excellent, but it was all downhill from there.
January 8, 2011
very good book. takes the buddy action movie forumula, ties it in a knot, turns it on its head then twists it some more.
highly reccomended
highly reccomended
March 20, 2012
Someone let DJS write a noir/action picture for Frank Darabont for FOOK's sake...
April 25, 2014
Absolutely mind bottling, an ordinary individual is thrown into a vast world of imagination. Very interesting use of language in this reading, very inventive.
November 10, 2015
Full review coming
November 26, 2015
Fast paced and far fetched ;but entertaining
January 27, 2017
The book is overly complicated and the story doesn't flow very well. It may be for someone smarter than me as I didn't find it exciting to walk through the narrator's constant monologues.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews