Get Carter, written by Ted Lewis, is the original novel behind the cult film starring Michael Caine. It began a wave of British Noir in the 1970's, and the character - one man seeking revenge on local criminals - has inspired countless thrillers, right up to Jack Reacher.
Jack Carter has travelled north from London to Doncaster for his brother's funeral. There are some questions about how a non-drinker like Frank could have gotten blind drunk and ran his car off the road, perhaps it wasn't an accident. He rents a room and begins to look up his old friends for answers. Carter, however, is an enforcer for the mob in London, and his friends are part of the Northern criminal element who control everything from fruit machines to local government. Unauthorized to stir up trouble with the Northern rivals doesn't stop Carter - he should do as he was told by his bosses, but Jack's not a bit like that. His aim is to find the truth and dispense justice despite intimidation, beatings, and attacks on those around him - nothing until revenge for his brother's death, right to the end.
He's a great anti-hero, quite unexpected. I hadn't seen the film, but it's considered classic and was remade with Stalllone in 2000. When Jack unravels the truth, there is a deep web of crime, conspiracy, and pornography that is not gratuitous, just accepted. The women are often treated terribly, but give as hard as they get. It's a dark underworld and our 'hero' is not only above dispensing his own violence against those who deserve it, regardless - that is his goal. A slice of the 1970's Northern England crime scene, it has an unforgettable ending.
If you are a fan of Lee Child it's required reading.
1970 / Tradeback / 286 pages
Comments