R. Wright Campbell (1)Critiques

a headless corpse in LA traces to N Orleans and seamy underworld of power

Pigeon Pie is the final chapter in the eleven book Jimmy Flannery saga which combines detective fiction with Chicago favor for favor politics. One of the great things about this series is the narrator's voice which takes you into a world of old neighborhoods and complicated political relationships. Over the last few books of the series, Flannery is slowly moved out of his old precinct and his old advisors and the old guard pass on. This book completes that part of the saga with Flannery making a complete switch from being Warlord of the 27th to a promise of the mayors ward and an alderman's seat.

This is probably not the best chapter to begin the series as it is light on mystery and focuses mainly on politics and conniving and influence. It also refers quite a bit to the previous book in the series, Lion's Share, and it is almost a sequel to that one.

It is peopled with street thugs, transgender ex-cops, book banners, sexy political ladies, and more, and, of course, a murder. It is perhaps all part of the changing world Flannery finds himself in and in which some folks are not quite comfortable with yet.