A review of “Pigeon Blood Red” by Ed Duncan

Full disclosure, I was provided with a copy of this book by the author or their representative, however, I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.

It’s just business

Pigeon Blood Red is the debut novel by author Ed Duncan and can best be described as a gangster type thriller with a touch of noir. The book primarily follows Chicago enforcer Rico as he is in pursuit to collect a gambling debt from a local deadbeat. After his boss’ priceless ruby necklace goes missing, Rico now not only needs to recover the money but also the jewels. To complicate matters, the deadbeat has fled to Hawaii which has turned matters personal for his boss and raised the stakes even higher. Rico is thrown out of his element as he attempts to settle a gambling debt and recover the necklace without any innocents being drawn into the mix.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. All the elements were there for this to be a really good story, but for whatever reason, it just really felt sort of cliché. Everything from the deadbeat womanizing gambler with the long-suffering wife, the ruthless mafia boss, and the enforcer with the prostitute girlfriend it just seemed like way too familiar territory. There wasn’t really any one character that I felt any sort of sympathy or connection with which also didn’t help. Even Evelyn in her situation did not garner any response because she was an apathetic participant in Richard’s antics. There is plenty of action, and if you tend to read harder thrillers where there is really no good guy, then this would be an enjoyable read. As for me, I’m not left feeling like I need the time back that I read the story, but I also can’t see myself continuing this series based on this initial offering.