Fast Times, Big City


Fiction - Mystery - Historical
284 Pages
Reviewed on 09/08/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite

Bud Palmer's original plan for the weekend involved taking his niece to the Parrot Jungle, but when his Uncle Rick reached out to him with a problem, Bud reluctantly answered the call. Upon arrival, he finds his uncle involved with unscrupulous individuals who demand that he retrieve a valuable case stolen from them by an innocent-looking woman; if he fails, his uncle will ultimately bear the consequences. Time is of the essence as Bud journeys to the Big Apple to find this mysterious woman whose dreams of becoming a star may cost Rick his life in Shelly Frome's Fast Times, Big City.

The character development is remarkable; it provides in-depth justifications for Bud's unwillingness to help Rick, paints an engaging portrait of their family dynamic, and gives readers insight into Rick's character. Shelly Frome's use of subtle references to Batista's struggle with the rebels in Cuba and Irish Republican Army sympathizers' activities creates an impressively realistic background for a narrative set in 1950s America. The dialogue is the best element. Readers will love how each character Bud meets has a charming, brief origin story that perfectly matches their colorful banter. Fans of suspense will appreciate Frome's meticulous attention to detail, which is evident throughout the novel, particularly in Bud's perplexing improv session and the fascinating dynamics surrounding Rick's captors. The author incorporates these distinctive elements gradually into subplots that range from politics to classic mystery. Fast Times, Big City shows a remarkable ability to captivate a diverse readership through a distinctive storytelling approach.