White Shadow

by Ace Atkins

A stunning thriller based on the true story of the death of retired criminal kingpin Charlie Wall-and those who benefited from it.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Crime, Fiction, Thriller, Noir, Ebooks

402 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Ace Atkins is the author of twenty-eight books, including eleven Quinn Colson novels, the first two of which, The Ranger and The Lost Ones, were nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel (he has a third Edgar nomination for his short story "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"). He is the author of nine New York Times-bestselling novels in the continuation of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. Before turning to fiction, he was a correspondent for the St. Petersburg Times and a crime reporter for the Tampa Tribune, and he played defensive end for Auburn University football.

Reviews

[Kemper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books where the author let facts get in the way of a good story.

It's based on the true crime story of the murder of Charlie Wall in 1955. Wall was a local legend in Tampa and a retired gangster who was found in his home after suffering a brutal beating and getting his throat cut. This historical fiction takes us through the investigation and how it involved local gangsters, the Sicilian Mafia, newspapermen, crooked cops, movie stars, Cubans and Cuban exiles like an idealistic lawyer named Fidel Castro.

Ace Atkins used a couple of composite characters involved with the Wall murder to describe a bygone era, and it’s very well researched. Unfortunately, the Wall murder was never officially solved and Atkins sticks close enough to real story that it comes across more as a chaotic look at a bunch of eccentric characters rather than a coherent storyline. I’m not sure why journalist Atkins didn’t just write a non-fiction account rather than going the historical fiction route if he didn’t want to break away from the real story.

As a bonus on this, I listened to the audio version which included Atkins talking about how he got interested in and researched this story as well as a few recollections from some of the people who were actually involved.

[James Thane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ace Atkins uses the real-life murder of Tampa, Florida crime boss Charlie Wall as the basis for an atmospheric novel set in the Tampa of the mid-1950s. An idealistic young reporter and a hardened police detective attempt to solve the crime, each in his own way.

Atkins is most successful in recreating the Tampa of fifty years ago with a mix of interesting characters set against a very convincing backdrop, and the book is well worth reading just for the portrait he creates. Even Fidel Castro makes an appearance. (Castro apparently visited Tampa in the late fifties, attempting to drum up support for his revolution.)

Atkins is a bit less successful in creating a riveting story. The book is based on actual events, and the author may try just a bit too hard to be faithful to the facts. The book would have been a better read had he taken a bit more artistic license. Crime fiction fans who are accustomed to the sort of resolution that one usually finds at the ends of these books may be a bit disappointed with the conclusion of the book. Still, it's a good read that will inevitably provoke some comparisons with the L.A. noir of James Ellroy.

[Sam Reaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Try to design a perfect setting for a crime novel and it would be hard to beat Tampa in the fifties, a Deep South stronghold with Sicilians running the vice rackets and Cubans rolling cigars and cooking up political intrigues. Ace Atkins based this novel on a real case, the 1955 killing of an old cracker crime boss who had lost out to the Sicilians. Atkins does a good job of stirring in all the ingredients that make this such a delicious stew, historical figures mixed in with fictional characters. There's young Santo Trafficante taking over for his recently deceased father, dodging the feds and hopping over to Havana to confer with Lansky as things start to heat up on the island; there's an up-and-coming Cuban firebrand called Fidel in town to raise funds from the Tampa Cubans. It all oozes tropical decadence punctuated by outbursts of extravagant violence.
The novel part of it focuses on two men, a young reporter for a Tampa newspaper and a jaded police detective. They both have woman trouble and problems with Tampa's easy-going culture of corruption. In the end nobody's happy, which makes it a good noir story.
It all hangs together, I think; the only problem is that the disjointed narrative, shifting points of view (some in first person and some in third) and oblique approach make it a tad hard to track sometimes. But there's plenty of atmosphere, intrigue and menace. It made me want to visit Tampa, and that's not a bad endorsement.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story based on Tampa’s unsavory history. Not an easy read with an abundance of characters and plot lines.

[Charles Radway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to listening to a true crime podcast. Interesting characters and interesting situations but, in the end, where it goes is pretty limited.

So, you kind of like it and kind of don’t.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few people outside of those who have lived in Tampa seem to know of its vibrant, diverse culture and violent, often troubled past. A unique mix of Latin (Spanish, Cuban), Italian, Cracker, African American (with a sprinkling of other backgrounds thrown in) produced a special place regionally and historically. Racist, conservative whites shared the streets with radical, leftist cigar workers. A thriving port, nearby farms and groves (strawberries, guava, citrus, cattle), and industrial city (initially cigars) attracted as well thousands of tourists and travelers. And during the early twentieth century Tampa’s loose control of gambling, liquor, and prostitution garnered interest from organized crime, ranging from Mafia types, homegrown toughs, and international interests. Corruption was rampant from the highest levels of government on down. With such an interesting and varied milieu, it is strange that so few novels have set their action in the city and county (Hillsborough). From 1970 until 1989 I lived in this wonderful town (actually just outside of it), and was captured by its history and people. Not to mention Cuban sandwiches that I passionately love. In college I studied history, and my master’s covered the Depression era on the west coast of Florida (primarily focusing on Tampa, however). I love Ybor City. It is this background that almost guaranteed that I would read Ace Atkins’ White Shadow (2007), a historical thriller that closely follows the investigation into the murder of bolita (gambling) kingpin and local legend Charlie Wall in 1955. Almost every page brought to mind a sight, sound, or taste to my memory, and even included individuals I had met or knew about. Atkins obviously did a lot of research to get the background right, and even when he takes liberties with the actual story (for literary purposes) he reveals a complicated time and place as accurately as any I have read. The story is told through the eyes of a young newspaperman, as well as in third person following the detective who is determined to catch the culprit(s). Into the mix is thrown a young radical Cuban girl, who after seeking revenge for the murder of her father, gets mixed up in gangster activities and lands among the colorful community carved out by retired carnival workers (many of them sideshow performers) in the southern boundary of the county. Some of the action also takes place in Havana. Real-life larger than life characters from Santo Trafficante, Fidel Castro, to lesser-known cops, bartenders, reporters and prostitutes fill the pages. Although locals will enjoy this book, I also think snowbirds and other northerners will like it as well. I think it is time to go back home for a visit.

[Kurt Reichenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our book club selected White Shadow this month to read. I'd read it about 2 years ago and meant to read it again to refresh my memory. Unfortunately I didn't get the time to. So, based on memory...

The novel is set in Tampa in the 50's and is based on the real murder of Charlie Wall. I grew up in Tampa and, as a teenager in the 70's, I have distant recall of the gangster myths and legends about Tampa's past. Perhaps because of my familiarity with the setting I appreciated how much Ace Atkins put creating such a richly textured atmosphere.

There are many characters, shifting POV's along with lots and lots of detail. I think fans of historical crime fiction will enjoy the book. It's layered and dense. Take your time with it; pour yourself a Cuba Libre, light a cigar, and wade into a Florida that's 50 years gone yet still lingers today.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love film noir; I also enjoy novels of the same genre. But this book never really satisfied; partly because based on actual events/people/places/time period. The character descriptions are enjoyable, and the "feel" of the time period comes through, but there's never any real climax or build up of excitement. Overall, interesting (it was fun to look up these people on the Internet,and see actual photos of some of the people mentioned) but not fulfilling.

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Atkins' writing was wonderful when it came to painting a picture of Florida and Cuba in the mid 50s. Unfortunately, that is the only thing I enjoyed about "White Shadow". Too many characters, too many plots and a boring storyline--even if it was based on facts--made this a book that didn't interest me enough to finish. The combination of Florida and noir are usually irresistible to me, but not this time.

[E Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm leery of novels based on true events because I'm always wondering what parts are fact and which are fiction. This seemed to have a lot of fiction as the main characters were composites of reporters and detectives involved in the case.

I did enjoy the Tampa setting because that's my back yard and it was nice to read street names that I recognizes as well as restaurants and other landmarks.

Tampa and Ybor City of the 1950's were centers of mafia and other gangster activity. Infighting
gang killings, and police corruption were not uncommon. Charlie Wall was an elderly figure who was no longer powerful. His murder and the motive for it was never solved although the police had unprovable suspicions.

The Cuban revolution sideline with Lucrecia's story and the visit of Castro to the USA was
a distraction from the main plot.

I don't understand why the author included so much gratuitous sex into the story. I wonder how
much of Ed Dodge's encounters in Cuba , his liaisons with his mistress, and his forced meeting with
the Ybor City Dons was based on truth and how much was added color. It almost seems as if the
author was visualizing a possible movie deal.

[Ben Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Ace Atkins book. I usually start with a series if the author has one, but I figured I'd read his first stand alone novel (not his first overall as his Travers Series was earlier).

I started the book and liked how he set the scene in mid-50's Florida with flashbacks to earlier days with the racial strife, mob influence, old time reporting and police work. There were a few murders, deaths, various threads going on where i had a hard time figuring out the plot..... because of this I got a little frustrated with the story and stepped away a couple of times.

I battled through and finally figured out where Atkins was headed. The 2nd half did a good job of weaving in the historical Cuba/Mob/Castro dynamic going on in south Florida which made it a pretty interesting read. I enjoyed the main characters, a reporter and a cop who seldom interacted throughout the story, but both dealing with the same story plot.

I enjoyed the book.

[Peggy Huey · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting look at a significant event in Tampa's history--the murder of former mob boss Charlie Wall--presenting some insight into the potential perpetrator. A good read for anyone interested in "true crime", though this is clearly labeled as a "novel", to see how police and reporters interact, and how other events happening in the world can influence things happening around us.

[Dave Delsigne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline, backdrop and characters are fascinating … but the writing seemed to jump a bit from topic to topic. I wish it would have flowed with some rhythm. An interesting time in our countries history … big money was made with gambling, drugs and women … throw Fidel Castro into the mix … you’ve some crazy stuff going on!

[CartoonistAndre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the old Tampa atmosphere, and the historic criminal inhabitants that still exist in many old streets and alleys but the mystery needed more juice. My first Ace Atkins, but will be fair and try another one of his books. Quite prolific, eh?

[Brucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely amazingly interesting fictional history with fascinating characters, murky plot that eventually makes sense, and lots of sex and violence. Most amazing is the writing style upgrade from other stories by Ace Atkins that lack the true crime element.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about Tampa Florida from 1938 - 1955. The author did extensive research into the past records that gave this book an authentic look into Ybor City during those years. It's pretty rough in spots.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly complex storytelling--way too many POVs in the first 60 pages. Hard to tell whose head you're in or who you're supposed to follow. Good atmosphere and descriptions, however, but sluggish compared to his Quinn Colson and Nick Travers books. DNF

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good enough to finish

[Tee Thomason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book. The last third dragged a little bit. I plan to read some more from Ace.

WDE!!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first 3/4 of this book. The last 1/4 was like a different story entirely, and seemed contrived.
Most of it was fascinating, though.

[Gary Evins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like Elmore Leonard.

[Stephen Shaiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece as both crime and historical fiction. The characters and era come alive.

[Tony Sannicandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good story! Imagine my surprise it wasn’t about a washed-up basketball player turned coach at a predominantly back high school!

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction written as a noir mystery.

[Lawanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

audiobook read by William Dufris

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book about ybor city in Tampa

[Michael Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me of James Ellroy.

[Nigel Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Shadow is quite something.
It’s a novel that fictionalises events from the 1950s in Cuba and Florida, where old mobster Charlie Wall has his throat opened, which in turns opens a can of enormous worms.
There’s an introduction that is a little daunting, given the number of names that fly out in quick succession, but don’t let that put you off if that’s what you pick up with the sample. When the fiction begins it’s clear that there’s a treat in store.
The story is told through 4 central characters and each of them has a cracking tale to tell. There’s a hard-nosed and straight detective, a wet-behind-the-ears journalist of the old-school, there’s a woman who is a Cuban revolutionary and there’s a rather scary gangster.
These people offer an intensely nostalgic flavour for the period, one I really enjoyed:
‘Joe Antinori had been gunned down not that long ago and now there was Charlie Wall, and you knew that Dunn was wondering if the war wasn’t starting to heat back up. The words to the music had changed – the Andrews Sisters were now Tennessee Ernie Floyd – but turf wars would never leave a city that refused to be civilised.’
As the story unfolds, Atkins throws figures we may all know: George Raft (‘”Easy come, easy go,” George Raft said. “I made 10 million in my life. Spent it all on gambling, booze and women. The rest I can spend foolishly.”’), Batista, Castro, Lucky Luciano and Bugsy Siegel. These inclusions pepper the mix of mobsters and police really well and bring in an extra dimension that helps to remind one of the factual foundations to this from time to time.
There are a lot of strands to the story as the cops chase killers and the killers get busy being nervous about what Charlie Wall may or may not have said to reporters just before he died. Atkins does a sterling job of weaving and binding these all together, all the while keeping the flavours of the hot and buzzing city to the fore.
Ace Atkins takes great care in the setting up of every scene with vivid description of people and place and this is one of the marks of the quality of the work.
He also maintains a pleasing hard-boiled edge to it all.
‘When a woman hurts you in that kind of way, it’s not something you can really scrape to the side of your plate for later digestion, but instead becomes an ill, spicy thing that feeds into your head until you get that tenth whisky sour in your and perhaps roam the streets until you sober up enough to drive home.’
There’s also plenty of the romance, squalor, sordid behaviour, contradiction , danger and violence that you might want to find in an old noir movie; the book does have a strong visual feel to it and would make a great film.
Of all the strands, my favourite is the Detective Ed Dodge. He’s a cop who seems to have more about his real life adventures than many fictional characters could lay claim to.
This one’s a brilliant, slow read that needs to be appreciated and won’t let itself be rushed. If I have a reservation, it’s related to the length and density of the book, but the real events most likely require such detail and breadth. That said, it’s a book with a great deal of quality that shines a very bright light into a very dingy pool.
Smashing stuff.

[Michael Marcela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointing book. Ace Atkins is one of my favorite authors. I love his blues or music themed crime novels such as Leaving Trunk Blues or Dirty South. When I bought this I was looking forward to reading White Shadow. Unfortunately, this book is not his best IMHO.

It is set in 1950's Tampa and Cuba and centers around the murder of Charlie Wall, a mob boss who was in retirement when he was brutally murdered. The main characters are Ed Dodge, a womanizing, jaded detective and a newspaper crime reporter. There then is a host of other characters, other reporters, cops and criminals who are not necessarily clearly defined and become difficult to keep track of while reading the book. The main problem with the book is that there is not really a coherent story line nor does the various subplots ever come together. It is a rambling book of interviews and discussions between characters that don't really go anywhere. There are a few bursts of action involving shoot outs, gang-style kidnappings and so on, but they are few and far between. There is a sub-plot involving the Cuban revolution that is interesting but was forgotten half way through the book only to come back up in the last few pages.

Throughout the book, Atkins spends an inordinate amount of time on details and descriptions of Tampa and Cuba back in the 50's. But being I have only been to Tampa once about ten years ago (and that was only to see a baseball game), much of it meant absolutely nothing to me. Descriptions of various streets that the characters took to get from one place to another or descriptions of old buildings didn't do anything to contribute to the story except to slow it down to a crawl. Too much detail of irrelevant geographical landmarks dragged this story down even further.

I don't typically take three months to read a book but I wanted to see this one through due to my admiration for Atkins. I kept hoping the action would ramp up, the subplots would come to life or at least come together and something would happen. So I trudged through the book and none of that really happened for me. Ace has written much, much, much better books.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't want to say I didn't like the book, I did, but after reading quite a few of the reviews, I realized that I was not the only one confused by all the sub-plots. I need a quick Cliff Notes version of who was the actual killer, as I am still not clear on that. I did like the historical details of old Tampa, Cuba before Fidel, but all the double-crossing was hard to follow. I'd like someone else's opinion and final decisions on who killed whom, and why.....