A Theatrical Eye with Vintage Grit
In a world lit by neon and thick with cigarette smoke, Shelly Frome’s Fast Times, Big City explores the crossroads of ambition, deceit, and desperation, blending a vintage noir atmosphere with a contemporary psychological edge.
Bud Palmer, a Miami sportswriter, finds his life taking an unexpected turn when his unreliable uncle Rick entangles him in a shady scheme. A simple favor soon draws Bud into a dangerous world of gambling debts, missing money, and mobsters. Sent to New York to track down a runaway woman named Amy and a stolen briefcase, Bud moves through smoky bars, crowded theaters, and bohemian cafés filled with aspiring artists and crooks alike. As he searches for Amy, a woman chasing fame while fleeing her past, Bud is forced to confront deceit, violence, and the realization that he is no longer just an observer of other people’s games. His journey becomes both a physical pursuit and a moral awakening as he faces the darker truths of ambition and survival.
Frome’s writing is atmospheric and precise, pulsing with the rhythm of mid-century America. His dialogue snaps with authenticity, and his descriptions evoke the cinematic energy of old noir films. The pacing is measured yet tense, building intrigue without losing emotional focus. Each character, from Bud’s flawed uncle to the elusive Amy, feels distinctly human, driven by longing, greed, or regret. The author’s background in theater shines through in his vivid scene-setting and the way moments unfold like acts in a play.
Fast Times, Big City is a captivating read for those who love crime fiction layered with heart and atmosphere. It will especially appeal to readers drawn to morally complex stories and richly drawn historical backdrops. Thoughtful, engaging, and vividly written, this novel is both an entertaining mystery and a subtle exploration of integrity in a fast-moving world. 5 stars!
