Barbotte

by John McFetridge

Montreal 1946. Jackie Robinson is playing for the Royals, the jazz clubs are hopping and the backrooms are full of people losing money at the barbotte tables. Nat Lawson is home from the war working for the phone company and moonlighting running 'silent' lines for bookies when Leah Aidelbaum asks him to play private eye.

Nook

First published May 20, 2010

About the author

On the back of my books it says:

John McFetridge, author of Dirty Sweet and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, became fascinated with crime when attending a murder trial at age twelve with his police officer brother. McFetridge has co-written a short story collection, Below the Line. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Benjamin Sobieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Barbotte" weaves the story of an illegal gambling operation trying to get its money back after being ripped off. John McFetridge provides a lesson in how much story you can cram into a tight space without getting anyone lost. This being a free read, I can't recommend it enough. I'd've paid for this one.

And I will defend the author's writing style in this piece. The paragraph structure is classic noir. Pick up Raymond Chandler or Elmore Leonard to understand the approach McFetridge uses.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with Benjamin and Paul on this short story. I thought the writing style was very good along with a great story line. This is the first that I have read of John McFridge but it will not be the last. I also recommend this very highly!

4/16/12