Drama City

By George Pelecanos

Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Drama City is a 2005 crime novel by George Pelecanos, a Washington, D.C. writer who also wrote and produced for HBO's The Wire. It is a standalone novel set in the city's poorer neighborhoods. Lorenzo Brown, out of prison, works as a Humane Society officer rescuing abused dogs and tries to stay clean. His parole officer, Rachel Lopez, has her own secrets. When a turf dispute between local dealers turns deadly, both are drawn into the violence they are trying to escape.

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• Stephen King: “Former drug dealer tries to go straight as an animal-control officer in Washington, D.C. Every gritty detail rings true. It should — Pelecanos also co-writes HBO’s The Wire .”