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Loren D Estleman is one of the most prolific writers out there today. However, he is also one of the most underrated authors among the general public. His novels are character-driven novels where the protagonist is usually placed within a situation where there is no easy way out and the consequences are extraordinary. But no matter what happens, the hero continues to plough through, giving readers a great story. This latest book is no exception. In LITTLE BLACK DRESS, Estleman provides a lot of material inside the story without wasting too many words. He avoids extraneous scenes that usually work as fill-in chapters inside a book and gets straight into the heart of the matter of the upcoming plot as you start reading the novel. It is the story of a former Detroit mob hitman named Peter Macklin who has left everything he ever knew for the love of one woman -- his newlywed bride Laurie. It has not been easy for him to live a clean life, but the love that he shares with his wife trumps everything else. Now his happy existence is put into jeopardy during a visit to Ohio to meet Laurie's mother's boyfriend Ben Grinnell as well as to look for a new home. Peter is skeptical by nature and he is distrustful first before giving anyone he meets the shadow of the doubt. He knows that things always turn out bad and something is going to happen that will ruin his trip. Unfortunately he is about to be proved right. Grinnell has a criminal past and screwed up big time on his last assignment. Now he only has one opportunity to make things right and get on his employer's good side. Macklin plans to stop whatever Grinnell appears to be scheming. Peter will have to rely on his criminal past in order to avoid a potential bloodbath. He will have to break his wife's 'no secrets' rule in order to be able to save her. Can their marriage survive? Anything goes inside the world of Loren D Estleman. Nothing is predictable inside this novel and surprises await the readers at every turn. The author also does a great job in characterization as he explores the inner turmoil of Peter Macklin's character who feels that he has no choice in what is happening in his life due to mitigating circumstances. It is a great book and it is recommended. All it takes is one book from Estleman's collected library to appreciate the quality of his work. Try it. You will not regret it.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, July 2005
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