If you've seen the movie, then you've basically read the book. They fit closely (Tidyman wrote the book and the movie screenplay), but there are a few differences. Shaft is a good character, with his own ideals and views of life. He's not quite as hard-boiled as other private investigators (Mike Hammer, Jack Hagee to name a few), but he has his moments.

This book is a good read if you are a fan of mysteries, but especially if you like the private eye genre, then it's essential. Tidyman's description rivals other great authors of the genre, his dialoge reminds me of Elmore Leonard at times.

The only thing that doesn't give this book the fifth star is that it has too many slow moments, and takes a while for the book to get going.

this book was quite possible the best book i have ever read, keeping in mind i have read all of the works by shakespeare and faulkner and hemmingway. This book just blew me away in its goodness. everyone must read it or else die