Even if Black Friday isn't Goodis best, it is surely a good introduction to his dark and rich universe. Almost unknown in America before the 60's or 70's, Goodis is one of the best author of what French critics have call "roman noir", and possibly the missing link between Dash Hammett and Ray Chandler, and today's authors like Block and Ellroy. In Black Friday, Goodis write about his own great obsession: bad things happens to good poeple. It's the same story he tells over and over again, in Cassidy's Girl, or in Shoot The Pianist. The heroes is caught in a situation where there is almost no chance to escape. You'll read in two or three hours, praying for the poor guy (even if you'll know from the first page that he will fail). The book is also speaking of euthanasia, in a discreet but sensible way.

NIGHT SQUAD has all the elements of classic hard-boiled pulp. You've got the anti-hero, Corey, a disgraced cop who figures the only way to stay alive is to go criminal. You've got mobsters who fear nothing except betrayal. You've got a mysterious branch of the police you have an unhealthy interest in the anti-hero's business. And you've got the ex-wife who, somehow, still manages to be in love with the big lug.

But it doesn't fall together.

David Goodis writes tough dialogue with the best of them. His novel BLACK FRIDAY is a wonder of desperation and fear. But NIGHT SQUAD has too many avenues that don't engage the reader. The ex-wife is too mysterious, and her reason for being in the story is never clear. It relies too heavily on coincidence. Repressed memories suddenly surface, to unsatisfactory effect. Corey's final stab at redemption doesn't ring true.

It's as if Goodis had a good, tight story, but then realized he didn't include enough cliche's. It's a good night's read, but it doesn't stick with you.

David Goodis could have been a Greek tragedy author two thousand years ago. In a riveting and limpid style David goodis classic hero is looking for redemption in a world where the goodies are bad and the baddies are good.