In the world of crime, it really doesn’t get much darker than Dave Zeltserman’s SMALL CRIMES. Joe Denton is a crooked cop, and everyone knows it. After serving seven years, he’s about to be released from prison. He was sent away for stabbing the D.A. in the face with a knife while trying to set fire to all the evidence pointing at him. He plead guilty and took the sentence, keeping his mouth shut about other crooked cops and the syndicate boss.

But those seven years behind bars have not smoothed over any roads for him. Once out, he is confronted by the D.A. he stabbed, who is making it his point to put Joe back in jail. The D.A. figures he can get a deathbed confession from crime boss Manny Vassey, now stricken with cancer and discovering religion. But that’s only the start of troubles for Joe.

His former boss, the sheriff, is just as corrupt and wants him to do a favor, like it or not. He wants Joe either to kill Manny or the D.A. — it makes no difference to him, as long as it’s done before any deal can be made between the boss and D.A. To clear himself of all these newfound problems, Joe will have to deal with former associates turning on him, an ex-wife who escaped him, and even his parents, who just want him to leave. Even as Joe tries to live a normal life, he’s reminded of the crimes he has committed, over and over, while the D.A. waits for his chance to finally nail Joe forever.

Joe is looked upon as a blight on the small town of Bradley, Vt. — one that needs to be removed. At every moment, it’s made clear he should just leave, but Joe has scores to settle and will get no rest until he does.

Zeltserman has really gone to the depths of deep, dark noir in this novel, with ever-increasing pressure placed upon Joe. This is an extremely black tale that grips readers by the throat and doesn’t let go until their last breath has been spent. In other words, it’s a surefire contender for book of the year. —Bruce Grossman

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