THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos

GRADE: A

During a hot summer in Washington D.C. in 1972, six young boys' lives were violently changed by a chance encounter forever. Now, 35 years later, the survivors will cross paths again in a story of redemption and revenge.

Filled with themes of forgiveness, responsibility, and redemption, while still being just a simple, handsomely-told story about everyday working men, this book is pure Pelecanos. All the elements of his work are here, from the spare writing, to the constant theme of what it means and what it takes to be a man. One of his best traits setting him apart from so many other writers is the sense you get when reading that he genuinely loves and cares about his characters. This is a great book to read as a primer to Pelecanos's work! Then go ahead and read them all...