My first experience with S.M. Stirling may very well be my last. If you are looking for a novel in which you get to experience the author’s fantasies and have the privilege of the author explaining to your the MANY topics he researched to write the book, this might be the book for you.
Synopsis
Ignore the canned synopses you will find scattered across the internet. Despite it’s claims, this is not what I would define an alternate history novel. Abandon any hope of a novel that features a larger than life Teddy Roosevelt and his exploits in some alternate time line. The story focuses on Luz, a female spy of the alternate history version of the Black Chamber, the forerunner of the NSA. She is tasked with getting close to a German Agent under the guise of a Mexican revolutionary fighter of who's identity she has stolen. In a series of serendipitous events, her life is saved by a stranger and she stumble upon a secret that is far greater than anyone anticipated. On her wits alone, she crafts a mission to save the United States from the most diabolical attack they have ever faced.
Frustratingly Misleading
This is what I would define lazy alternate history. This may stem from my own understanding this type of the concept. It is my expectation that alternate history takes some events of history, changes the outcome and explores what might natural occur as a result. (As an aside, I would suggest you watch The Man in High Castle for a great example. Maybe even read the book. I can't vouch for the original source material). In this novel the author allegedly uses Teddy Roosevelt serving a second term before WWII as the catalyst for the story. Honestly, I am not a student of American History. Maybe these events and the fictionalized Black Chamber would have been natural outcomes but more realistically, this was a massive stretch in an attempt to make the novel seem more interesting.
I Think I was supposed to be Impressed
There was detail in this book. A LOT of detail. From concepts ranging from electrical engineering, spy techniques, language, history, submarines, rockets and weapons. The author did a considerable amount of research on these topics. How do I know this. The author goes out of his way have the characters spout off lots of facts and details related to each of these (and more) topics. My son loves a book series called My Weird School . One character loves to show off the fact that she read the dictionary. She does this by constantly using big words that no one else understands. This is basically what the author has done. Instead of using the research to craft detailed descriptions or show realistic working of weapons, submarines etc., we get a pages devoted to detail and technical specifications. It wasn’t impressive, it was irritating. To make is worse, the protagonist often speaks in Spanish, without any translation provided. My apologies for being fluent in only one language. This was a major irritant throughout the book.
On top of the author’s indulgences, I found the novel contained a troubling love story that underlies the second half of the novel. It is suggested very early that the main female character is a lesbian or bi-sexual. This is not an issue. I only point this out because it is relevant. It is how the romance evolves that I found disconcerting. At one point in the novel, Luz and Ciara, the love interest/serendipitous partner have a discussion about H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine . In an apparent attempt to show he is aware of the representations of women in literature, the characters briefly discuss the trope of the Nubile Savage in The Time Machine . While the character shows some apparent awareness, the character proceeds to use a mix of “skilled but naïve” and “born sexy yesterday” tropes. Ciara is a rather brilliant and beautiful woman who is both naïve about the world as well as her as of yet unexplored sexuality. I could not help but feel uncomfortable though the novel as it felt that it was the innocence and naïveté (about life and her sexuality) that the main character found attractive and appealing. The characters pointed out how H.G. Wells created a love interest that was a “pet with a bosom” while at the same time creating a love interest that was a pet with a bosom that can also do tricks. While the love interest does well for herself in the end, a love story that resolves around an older experienced character falling for a naïve, younger character falling, largely because of those specific characteristics, is questionable in my mind. On top of what I wrote above, the romance was forged during intensely stressful circumstances in which the naïve character had to largely rely on the older experienced character. Regardless of your take, I find love stories that rely on the inequality of the parties to be troublesome.
Final Thoughts
Despite the attempt to market the book as something it is not, the story is written like an action adventure novel. This is not a problem if you are being honest about what you are writing. A James Rollins novel may not make it to Oprah’s book club, but James Rollins never pretends he is writing anything but action adventure. While the story has the trappings of research, social consciousness and attention to detail, it nothing more than a façade covering an adequately written novel with a questionable plot and a misleading premise. Had the author not tried so hard to convince the reader that this story was something it was not, I would have likely been much kinder in my review....more
Andy Peloquin once again shows that he has the chops to be a successful fantasPosted to The Literary Lawyer
Another Strong Offering - 3.5 Stars
Andy Peloquin once again shows that he has the chops to be a successful fantasy writer. Its time a bigger publisher see his work and distribute it to a larger audience. There was much to enjoy in the second offering and the areas that contributed to a reduced rating could simply be chalked up to personal preference.
Plot Summary
Having been faced with the truth of his origins and in an attempt to flee his immediate past and an uncertain future, the Hunter takes to the road. On his travels he encounters enemies both internal and external and finds himself fighting for his life with uncharacteristic weakness. While his external foes threaten to destroy his body, his internal demon threatens to destroy who the hunter believes himself to be.
My Take
Too Much, Too Soon
In many series, I have noted a trend in character and plot development. The second book tends to be similar to the first. It establishes strengths and weaknesses by leading the reader to familiar territory. In the third book and beyond, the best series change the status quo and challenge the reader. This is by no mean a "rule" but what it does do is allow the reader to gain comfort with the strengths and weaknesses of the character. My issue with the second book in this series is that the Hunter is rendered essentially powerless. He is forced to survive and fight in manner quite different from the first book. This really isn't a criticism of the book more than a personal preference. It felt that the main character changed on me before I got the chance to really get to know him. I would have enjoyed more of the Hunter from the first book to reorient myself.
Plot vs. Character
Again, we are in the territory of personal preference. Anyone who has ever read my reviews knows that I have a significant preference for the character novel. Despite the fact I felt it was a novel too soon, this installment is essentially focused on the character of the Hunter. We learn more about his motivations, his history and his fears. Not everyone will enjoy this aspect. In this instance the Hunter spends the majority of the novel inside of his own head fighting an internal struggle. There were times that the personal "back and forth" with his demon/self became tiresome but overall resulted in a great picture of the character.
What stood out in reading this installment was the author's ability to maintain a plot while focusing so extensively on the character. I enjoy a great character novel and if its good enough, I don't care about plot. As the majority of this novel was within the mind of a single character, it would have fallen short if the plot was ignored. The author did a good job of carrying a plot in a character novel and he did so without writing a 1500 page book. From my experience with similar type novels, this is an accomplishment.
Final Thoughts
The tone of this second installment is notably darker than the first novel and, in my opinion, better lives up to its billing as "Dark Fantasy". Don't let the status of an Indie published novel deter you from reading this series. It is polished, well written and nicely edited. As I previously stated, I hope that a bigger publishing house eventually gives the author a shot. The Hunter is a character that many people could be discussing in a few years....more
Part of me feels that I may be a tad generous with a three star review. I had some issues with th A Beautiful Place. A Ridiculous Plot. - 3 Stars
Part of me feels that I may be a tad generous with a three star review. I had some issues with this book but on the other hand, there were elements that I found quite enjoyable and even enchanting. This novel holds the distinction as one of a few books that I both liked and disliked.
Plot Summary
Ruby and her mother Yasmin, fly from England to Alaska to meet up with their father/husband who is in a remote village filming a documentary. Upon arrival, Yasmin learns that there has been a massive fire at the village and all persons are believed dead. Not believing this to be true, Yasmin takes her daughter on a harrowing journey across the Alaskan ice roads in search of the truth. What follows is a series of terrifying experiences and a journey that allows Yasmin to understand the silent world of her deaf daughter.
My Take
There was much I didn't like. My summary of the plot does little to describe the absurdity of what occurred. In this story we have the highly intelligent Yasmin. Well, we assume that she is supposed to be intelligent. She is an astrophysicist after all. Within the first few pages, Yasmin is informed that her husband is believed to be dead. All bodies were accounted for at the village. She refuses to believe this. She is angry at her husband and they haven't been speaking. She is unsure whether they will remain together. What does she do? Take her preteen, deaf child across the Alaskan interior during the dead of winter. Sure, -50 degree is nothing. Yasmin put the Ruby into danger without cause so many times she should have had this child apprehended by Alaskan Children's Services. Unfortunately, Yasmin's stupidity and confusing behavior increase as the story progresses. She goes from stupidity to committing felonies. Very few of her actions show the least bit of common sense.
Generally, I don't mind plotting issues when the book is meant to be a character novel. The author did a decent job of developing her characters but the actions of Yasmin were erratic and seemed to be without logic. The plot progressed with the intent to get to a final destination and never flowed organically from the nature of the characters.
The novel was further confused by the perspective changes. Multiple perspectives of the same events are popular at the moment. This novel used this device with abandon. There were many changes within the same chapter and no indication that the perspective was changing. It became tiresome trying to determine what perspective I was viewing.
Given the above, the book sounds terrible. While it had serious problems, there were some magical elements in the book. Without a doubt, the best part of the book was the Alaskan Interior. The author has an amazing sense of place and described the barren, frigid terrain with great skill. While the character's actions were unbelievable, I felt as if I was on an Alaskan ice road. I found the setting to be quite enchanting and I am interested in finding more books with similar settings. Issues aside, I think this makes the book worth reading.
Beyond the setting, the character of Ruby was well developed. Seeing the world through the eyes of a deaf character was a new experience for me. I enjoyed how she would conceptualize words as colors, shapes and ideas. The contrast between the barren interior and altered world of Ruby was interesting. There were wonderful parallels between the need to adapt to a foreign environment and Ruby's ability to adapt in a world that does not understand her.
Final Thoughts
You may love it or you may hate it and there is a good chance you will both love it and hate it. The novel is deeply flawed but there is much worthy content. If you are on the fence and enjoy wonderful settings, I would suggest you give it a try.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 1.5
There is a character who is slimy and leering at Yasmin. The discomfort is throughout the story. There is allusion to a possible affair having occurred.
There is mystery surrounding multiple dead bodies. There is a series of photographs sent to character that display dead and, at times, mutilated animals. There are several gunshots from unknown persons. One person is shot in stomach but it is not graphic....more
It has been a few years since a story has captivated me so completely. Several days after finishing this novel, I str A Magical Journey - 5 Stars
It has been a few years since a story has captivated me so completely. Several days after finishing this novel, I struggle to find the words to express my feelings. For me, The Shadow of the Wind is a novel that has a mind, emotions and a soul. It was a story within a story in which the reader becomes a participant. Through the eyes of Julian we see death and resurrection. Through Daniel we see a parallel with the benefit of foresight. Through the eyes of each reader, we connect the enduring themes to the parallels in our own lives. A truly remarkable experience.
Plot
The story unfolds in several layers. At its base, it is a coming of age story of young Daniel Sempere. The son of a single father and bookstore owner, Daniel is taught early a love for the written word. Daniel's world is changed on the day his father brings him the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. As a repository of rare books and books in danger of disappearing forever, Daniel is told to choose a book for which he is to become guardian. Daniel chooses a sparsely published book by the obscure author, Julian Carax. Daniel begins a journey to learn of the book's origins, the reasons for its rarity and the story behind the enigma that is Julian Carax. Daniel soon finds himself tangled in a web of shared history, revenge, lost love and the pursuit of purpose through art.
My Take
This novel was engaging in most every aspect. The plot was gracefully constructed. The reader was taken on a personal journey in which the protagonist learned about himself through the history of an underappreciated, little know author. The plot was deeply layered and expertly drew parallels in the life of protagonist and life and trials of the mysterious author. On its surface, the mission undertaken by Daniel appears unimportant and unduly dangerous, yet both Daniel and the reader become desperate to understand the mystery and the humanity of Julian.
Despite the attention to plot, the characters do not suffer neglect. Daniel is young, innocent and naïve but he is able to understand the complexities he discovers though the mentorship of his older, streetwise friend, Fermin. Although Fermin occasionally teeters on the edge of stereotype, his carefree and careless shamelessness is a striking contrast to the brooding intensity and youth of Daniel. Daniel and Julian are crafted with such care that a fan of the character novel, will find much to appreciate.
Much of what I enjoyed in this novel is intangible and distinctly emotional. The story was able to elicit the feelings of the awe of youth, the kinetic excitement of young love and the blind intensity of youth. The reader experiences this, not through the manipulation of the their emotions but with an empathy of shared experience.
Final Thoughts
At some time in the future, I will come back to this story and reflect on the novel's allure. Maybe at that time, I will better be able to explain my thoughts and reactions. Until that time, contemplate the emotions emanating from your own experience and imagine a story that shares those dreams, fear and desires. An amazing novel and the newest addition to my all time Top 10 list.
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2.5
There are several instance of sexual encounters. The instances are mild and are not descriptive. The content is not graphic.
One of the characters has suffered a lifetime of violence. While the descriptions are not graphic, he suffered abuse and other violence through his life. A character is found badly beaten as a result of his sexual orientation. There are several murders discussed in the book as well as knife/gun fight. Violence plays a role in the background but is rarely graphic in nature....more
Written in Fire marks the conclusion of the Brilliance Trilogy. Overall, the series was Posted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
A Decent Finish ? - 3.5
Written in Fire marks the conclusion of the Brilliance Trilogy. Overall, the series was creative and an excellent spin on the "superheroes among us" genre. When I read the concluding story to any series, I expect it to go out with a bang. It needs to wrap up the major issues with a great climax and either close off the universe or leave it open for more. Written in Fire has left room for more stories within this universe and has plenty of big bangs but in the most important areas, the bangs were too often squeaks.
Plot Summary
The story continues in the world inhabited by "normals and brilliants" as conceived by Marcus Sakey originally of Flint, Michigan. If you have seen the news lately (lead laced water scandal) its nice to have something positive with a connection to this downtrodden city.
Nick Cooper, former government agent and tier 1 brilliant, continues his quest for vengeance and for peace between normals and brilliants. At time where tension between the groups is at an all time high, the world is confronted with a serum that will turn a normal into a brilliant. All of the warring factions want it for their own reason. Unfortunately, the serum is not stable and neither is the serum's inventor. Nick must seek revenge while confronting the new dangers this serum presents to world.
My Take
Written in Fire is a mixed bag. On the positive side, the author has created a compelling world with a truly unique (at least to me) take on the "superpower". Each gift that a brilliant has seems entirely probable. Gifts occur as a result of advance pattern recognition which have developed as some type of evolutionary step. No one is flying, moving things with their mind or shapeshifting yet these changes in humanity have lead to major advancements in most all areas of study and science. This is the greatest strength of the book and the series. The ability of the author to take something as unbelievable as "superpowers" and to integrate into a reality that requires little suspension of disbelief, is itself superhuman. I enjoy science fiction that feels like it would be possible. If you feel the same, you are likely to enjoy this series.
In addition to the great setup, the author did a great job of weaving the underlying, sinister plan from beginning to end. The reader is lead down the path of obfuscation and misdirection and is none the wiser. I thought the underlying plot was very well crafted and never left me feelings cheated or disappointed. On this front, the author receives high marks for wrapping up the various scheming and conniving.
So why did I feel some disappointment with the concluding volume. Were this the second book in the series, I would have been more generous with my rating. While I was content in the completion of the storylines, there were several confrontations that were destined to occur. The first two books set a high expectation for these final collisions. Instead of a violent crash, we were given a fender bender. While much of the series has been quite inspired, the character resolutions were not. While the plot was strong, character and emotional resolutions need improvement. Leave me happy or angry with resolution but don't leave me feeling ripped off. Had these necessary collisions been more fulfilling, the novel may have been the best of the bunch.
Can this Novel Stand Alone Not a chance. While the novel does an admirable job of bringing you back up to speed, there is a sea of history you will need to appreciate the finale.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this series is well worth your time. If you have read the first two, you will not want to miss the conclusion. The strength of the Brilliance universe and strength of plot redeems the novel's missteps. While I am disappointed for what was not, I enjoyed what was. As an added bonus, the ending leaves open the possibility that we may see future novels within this world. I for one, would welcome more.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
There were a couple of sexual encounters but they were quite tame. They were of the variety that cut away from scene before the real action begins.
There is violence throughout the story. The story is essentially that of a war. There is lots of shoot and lots of dead bodies. While this accounts for much of the violence, it tends to avoid graphic descriptions. There are some scenes of torture which are moderate graphic but short. ...more
This series is by "new to me" author Andy Peloquin. Having followed the author's blog for some time and reading about his experiences and thoughts on writing, I was interested to see how his writing translated into a novel. I was pleasantly surprised with the first installment in this new fantasy series. While it billed as dark fantasy, I am not sure that is entirely apt. While there a few dark elements, the main character displayed characteristics of light and darkness and the plot rarely ventured too far into dark content.
Plot Summary
The story focuses on and is told from the perspective of "The Hunter". The Hunter is an assassin for hire but he is no ordinary killer. For reasons unknown to himself, he possesses the ability to quickly heal from most any injury and possesses an innate ability to track his victims. He wields a mysterious blade to which he is bonded and from which to gains extraordinary strength. In the course of his work, he kill with regard only to his pay but The Hunter's work thrusts him into the midst of political maneuverings and a questionable murder exposes him to danger he did not anticipate. Through the dangerous series of events, The Hunter learns the source of his power and his mysterious past.
Plot Summary
The novel was a mixed bag. Throughout the first two thirds of the book, I was quite engaged. I found The Hunter to be both intriguing and confounding. On one hand, he was dark, brooding and mysterious yet he was often unsure of himself and troubled with a nagging sense of morality. While his often conflicting self made The Hunter difficult to understand, it made him an interesting and compelling character.
Overall, the writing was quite good. The characterization was strong and up until the last quarter or so, the dialogue was strong. As the book raced toward an explosive finish, the pace of the dialogue quickened and became clipped. It felt as if in the writing of the final scenes, the author was rushed and the quality took a hit. While I was satisfied with the resolution, there were some bumps along the way.
The author goes to great lengths to create a mythology and world for his character. Overall, this was skillfully done. There is specific care to building a complex system of religion and myth that colors the views and actions of the characters. On this note, after finishing the book, I headed over to the authors page on Goodreads to see his favorite authors and books. It was no surprise that he is a fan of and influenced by Scott Lynch. The entire religious system in this book was strikingly similar to the system found in The Lies of Locke Lamora. Readers who are familiar with Lynch with either see this as an homage to a great series or a simple knockoff. You decide for yourself.
Final Thoughts
On the whole, the book is enjoyable with an interesting "herovillan". While I see the author has self published a previous book, this is the first that has been commercially published. As a first novel, it is a success and leaves me interested in the future happenings of The Hunter. I always expect growth in both writing skill and character development. If these both remain on an upward trajectory, I will continue to follow this series and this author.
Note on Adult Content:
While reading, I made specific note that the sexual content was mild. There were certainly adult situations, they were by no means graphic which lends this book to a wider audience.
This book is a new release and can be found here at Amazon ...more
After being quite disappointed with the second installment of the series, Top of the Heap provides A Great Installment to Hard Case Crime - 4 Stars
After being quite disappointed with the second installment of the series, Top of the Heap provides a large helping of the pulp crime fiction that drew me to the series. Written by Erle Stanley Gardner near the end of the Pulp era, Top of the Heap is a true hard boiled crime novel. With this installment, you will get plenty of hard-boiled and less vivacious curves then in other installments.
Plot Summary
Donald Lam PI, is a partner in the Firm of Cool and Lam. We are immediately introduced to him and his partner as they work together to vet a potential client. They soon have a cash retainer in hand and the potential of more if there is success. The client seems quite interested in confirming an alibi for the night that a prominent moll went missing. Lam smells a rat and feels like he is being used to cover up a crime. His partner doesn't care as she only sees the cold hard cash. Lam lets his curiosity get the best of him and he finds himself uncovering complicated web of deceit and crime that no only leads him in directions he did not expect but also puts himself in danger.
My Thoughts
I was actually a bit surprised by this novel. When I pick up a book in this series, I expect a short and easy read to clean my palate before another book. What surprised me about this installment was the depth of the plot. The plot was rather intelligent and involved. Given the fact it was only 222 pages, I was impressed with how the author managed to squeeze so much plot into such a small space.
That did cause a few issues thought. The biggest was the ultimate resolution. The big plot and the short page count resulted is and big info dump conclusion. Much of the resolutions was worked out by the coolheaded PI and some elements were not developed for the reader to figure out. While this was a bit disappointing, I didn't feel like it was detrimental to the book overall.
I eluded earlier to the fact I found the plot to be rather intelligent. I meant it in the sense that involved some good old fashioned blue collar crime and a healthy dose of white collar crime. There is a line of the investigation that involves stocks and some sly financial dealings. I found this vein to be interesting and a bit more complex than the normal run of the mill crime.
Can this be read as a Standalone Novel Yes. The books in the Hard Case Crime Series can generally be read in any order you wish. This book is actually part of separate series written by the author and coopted in the Hard Case Crime series. I was not aware of this fact until after I read the novel. It was a non issue and I did not feel like I missed anything.
Final Thoughts
Another great installment in the Hard Case Crime Series written by a true Hard Boiled Crime author. For a quick read and an interesting story, I recommend you pick up this volume.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations. When reviewing language, mild obscenities are words like, shit, hell or damn. Religious exclamations are words such as Christ or Jesus when used as profanity.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 1.5
Unlike the first couple in the series, this one did not included much in the way of buxom beauties and sultry broads. There were a couple of instances where sex was implied
There are several murders and bit of roughing up in the book. The murders are not seen first hand and form the backstory. The descriptions are not graphic....more
This was a book of confusion. It was filled with confused characters, it seemed confused as to what genre it More Confused than Clever - 1 Stars
This was a book of confusion. It was filled with confused characters, it seemed confused as to what genre it wanted to be and I am confused as to why the terrible books win the CWA award winners for best new authors.
Plot Summary
Lucy is British. Lucy escaped her life by going to Japan. Lucy is morose. Lucy is obsessive. Lucy has friends and Lucy loses friends. Maybe Lucy killed her friends.
My Take
I thought this book was a hot mess. For the most part, it was book of confusion but lets start with the positive.
Despite my obvious dislike, the author is not a bad writer. Her style is not amateurish. She appeared to have a plan with this novel and she stuck with it. Unfortunately, I liked very little of it. Although I wasn't enjoying the majority of the novel, the fact the writing itself was good and the fact book was relatively short, kept me from putting it down and giving it one star.
Just having quality writing skills does not translate into a great novel. For the most part, this was a character novel. A bad character novel. Lucy was the major character with two secondary characters. None were well developed and but worst of all, each lacked insight into their own actions and emotions. Lucy was morose and broken. Generally, I would not take issue with that but Lucy had no sense of who she was and failed to develop through the novel. She failed to grow and learn from her experiences. It left me feeling that the events were a waste of my time.
The story contains a mystery. Instead of being explored it is simply revealed. As we near the end of the story, the author tells us that we have been in the middle of a second mystery the whole time. Given the character's lack of insight, its no wonder it took the characters by surprise. A reader who does not lack insight saw it coming a mile away.
Final Thoughts
There was not much to enjoy here. The lack of insight displayed was disappointing. A bit of insight goes a long way. If you like your characters dull and uninspired. This is the book for you....more
Plotting and Pacing Hurt a Good Character - 3 Stars
I enjoy mystery novels that revolve around journalists. Brad Parks and Bruce DeSilva are two Plotting and Pacing Hurt a Good Character - 3 Stars
I enjoy mystery novels that revolve around journalists. Brad Parks and Bruce DeSilva are two personal favorites. I went into this novel with an expectation that there would be a similar style. By that I mean, the mystery and crimes are uncovered though investigative journalism and the crimes are substantive. In some ways this occurred in The Other Woman but overall the story lacked focus and leave the reader feeling a bit disoriented.
Plot Summary
Jane Ryland's career as a TV Journalist was on the rise but her journalistic ethics cost her that job. After breaking a big story on a well known figure, Jane is sued for libel and her source refuses to come forward. Jane stand's behind her promise of confidentiality and the television station is on the hook for a million dollar judgment. After losing her job, she is quickly back on her feet with a job for a local newspaper. Her new job finds her in the middle of a tight Senate race and Jane is not content with the puff pieces her editor has saddled her with and questions about a candidate have her trying to dig up some damning information. At the same time, Jane's former lover, a Detective by the name of Jake Brogan, is investigating a series of murder that leaves the city speculating whether there is a mass killer on the loose.
My Take
The majority of the novel focuses on Jane, Jake and the possibility of a taboo relationship, i.e. a Journalist and a Police Officer or a potential source. On the balance, the story driving the novel was interesting. The problem was grasping what exactly was happening in the story. Many great mysteries and thrillers have parallel story lines that eventual converge. The problem in this case is that the multiple story lines (there are more than two) did not flow together in a smooth manner. The transition from storyline to storyline was often jarring and confusing. The issue was worsened by the large number of characters and the purposeful obfuscation of the identities of several of them. I felt as if I was sitting and watching three theatre productions happening at the same time. I never knew what I supposed to be watching. This severely limited my enjoyment of the novel.
Additionally, I found the character development to be below average. While on the whole I did like the characters of Jane and Jake, they were not well developed. While I felt I understood some of the motivation and actions of Jake, I often found myself confused with the behavior and motivation of Jane. On a personal note, I found some of Jane's legal statements to be questionable. Admittedly, my own legal experience is with Canadian law so I cannot be too judgmental on that point.
Having read other books in this subgenre, I have come to expect similarities in the way that the reporters deal with the paper, the editor, sources etc. This novel did not follow some of the conventions of other novels. This is not a bad thing by any means but the fact that conventions and similarities occurs, it lends itself to a belief that they are real conventions in the newspaper business. Maybe these conventions don't exist or it may be that the writer comes from a television background and not a newspaper background. Or maybe it that I have come to believe that television journalist are not real journalists. Just putting my prejudice out there :)
Final Thoughts
The series has some potential. While it doesn't have the same punch and novels that focus on more intensive investigative journalism, it does offer some lighter fair in the genre. At some point in the future, I will pick up book two and give it another chance. It is my hope that the author does a better job of juggling the perspectives and provides an experience with less confusion.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
One of the storylines deals with potential sexual affairs. There is never any explicit sexual content. There is some sexual tension between characters.
Since Gone Girl , there seems to be a rash of books that tells the same story from multiple perspectives and through the eyes of broken characters. While this book may not be as good as Gone Girl (in my opinion) it may have a broader appeal than the Gillian Flynn's pair of unlikable sociopaths could muster. I have not read any of the other standalone novels written by Sharon Bolton but have read the Lacey Flint series. Of all of her books that I have read, this one is easily her finest work. While I have continually taken issues with elements of Bolton's writing style, I found that I was compelled to read this novel and did not want to put it down. Despite any issues, I believe it deserves a full 5 stars.
Plot Summary
Catrin Quinn is an unhappy woman. You can't fault her for this. Several years earlier, her two children died in an unfortunate accident that was due to the negligence of her best friend. Catrin wants to kill her former best friend. She has lost her children and in her pain lost her husband and lost her lover. As the eve of the death of her children approaches, a young child goes missing. As the days pass, most assume the child has died or has been killed. This is not the first young child to have gone missing on the remote Falkland Islands. Catrin is thrust into the midst of the investigation of the missing child and she is forced to deal with the death of her own children while others grieve the loss of theirs. Catrin is also forced to face her repressed feelings as she has to confront the people that she has shut out of her life.
My Take
I want to make this clear. I gave this book 5 stars because I enjoyed it. I found it entertaining and difficult to put down. This was largely due to the wonderful characterization. Catrin, Rachel and Callum where created with great care and detail. I found each of them to be interesting, layered and believable. A quick review of my reviews with show that I am a sucker for a novel with great characters.
My love of great characters allows me to overlook issues with the a plot. Honestly, this book had issues with the plot. Plot issues have been an ongoing issue with Bolton novels and this one is no exception. There are situations that are downright preposterous i.e. (view spoiler)[ Rachel, Callum and Catrin are all in custody for a crime committed against Rachel's son. They are all allowed to be together and work out that they are not guilty. This was just not believable (hide spoiler)]. Some elements were contrived, i.e. (view spoiler)[ In the midst of the search for missing boy, a major whale stranding occurs which forces Catrin to cull the entire pod and shows she is capable of murder. On the way back she and Callum just happen upon the missing boy. Just before this, Callum has a Eureka moment and figures out where one of the previous missing boys is laid to rest. Callum and Catrin find this body too (hide spoiler)]. Given these issues, those readers that are not as enamoured with great characters may find this novel less than 5 stars. While I certainly could have given it less, I enjoyed the ride.
Great characters and sketchy plot aside, the novel featured one of the most entertaining and atmospheric settings I have read. The Falkland Island serve as the backdrop for the story. The setting is remote, lonely and isolated and serves as the depressive force and serves as an ominous and looming presence throughout. The nature of the setting contributed to the nature of the characters.
Final Thoughts
On some levels, this book is not a 5 star read. I would give the plot 3 stars, the characters 5 stars and the setting 5 stars. The flaws in the plot did not interfere with my enjoyment of the story. If you have contemplated reading a Sharon Bolton novel, you can't go wrong starting with this one. It is truly one of her best and an excellent example of her writing style. If you enjoy this you will certainly enjoy her other offerings.
If You Liked...
I think that fans of The Girl on the Train will find lots to love here. While the plot is not as tight, the characterization and multiple perspectives will feel familiar and comfortable. Excellent characterization rules the day in both novels in these stories peppered with broken and hurting people....more
I could not finish this one. Regardless, you will see I still gave it 3 stars. I felt it was well written despite the absurd number of bad luck experiI could not finish this one. Regardless, you will see I still gave it 3 stars. I felt it was well written despite the absurd number of bad luck experiences the protagonists faced. Ultimately,this story used one of my least favourite plot structures. The plot in which the bad guy is known and we get to guess whether he will get away with it. For my money, a book that reveals the killer at the outset needs to have string characterization to keep my interest. This one did not so I had to give up after about 40% completion. I don't want my review to scare away readers as it is well written but simply was not my taste. If you do not share my particular dislike, give this story a go. ...more
I don't know if the author plans to make this a series but I would happily follow the aPosted to TheLiteraryLawyer.ca
Could be a Great Series - 4
I don't know if the author plans to make this a series but I would happily follow the adventures of the young journalist, Clare Jackson. On the whole, the book was entertaining but I have been struggling with a rating for this book. Part of the issue is the story and main character are strikingly similar to Denise Mina's Paddy Meehan Trilogy. While the author is skilled, she does not yet display Mina's skill. Regardless, I was entertained and erred on the high side with a 4 star rating. This book has been released in the UK as is available in ebook format in the US. The book will be release in Canada on April 1, 2015.
Plot summary
Clare Jackson is a young and ambitious journalist. Due to mysterious circumstances, Clare lost out of a promotion that was hers for the taking. Suffering grief from a series of losses, Clare finds comfort in her job and soon finds herself too emotionally involved in her investigations. While the entanglements fulfill professional and emotional needs, they lead her into danger that could cost her more than her job.
The Good
The setting is 1984 England with the miner's strike as a historical backdrop. The author does an excellent job of immersing you in the setting and uses the strike as a propellant for the overall plot. There is a real sense of unrest, unease and fear that drives all of the characters. As I myself live in a city and region with a strong union presence, the themes rang true.
I enjoy when authors write about what they know. The author is a former print and broadcast journalist. While I noted that the author doesn't possess the finesse of a more seasoned author like Denise Mina, she does surpass Mina with the realism of the field of journalism. When the author speaks of the profession, she write it with conviction of knowledge. The characters are realistic and believable.
The Bad
While I was interested by the characters, I found that Clare was occasionally flat. At times, she was outshined by the supporting cast. This may have been intentional considering Clare's emotional state. Regardless, if this becomes a series, I expect Clare to shine more in future installments.
I enjoyed the story on the whole but I felt that the ending was telegraphed to the reader through the novel. A little foreshadowing goes a long was and too much is, well, too much. Saying much more about this would be a significant spoiler so I will leave it at that.
Can this Book Stand Alone
Yes. It is a standalone novel.
Final Thoughts
I think the author has a character worthy of a series and I hope that she considers doing so. While there is room for improvement, I would hope that experience would bring growth to the writing. Overall, an excellent read for fans of journalist thrillers and mysteries.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations. When reviewing language, mild obscenities are words like, shit, hell or damn. Religious exclamations are words such as Christ or Jesus when used as profanity.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
There is a romantic entanglement in the story but there is no graphic content. It is implied that a character may be engaged in prostitution and that another may be suffering sexual abuse. Again, there is nothing graphic.
Language - 1
24 Mild obscenities, 5 f-words, 11 religious exclamations.
Violence - 3
The miner's strike has emotions running high. There is violence on the picket line and violence in surrounding towns. There is death of baby at the beginning and the curious death later in the book as well as an attempted murder. Overall, the violence is not graphic....more
This is the second in the Hard Case Crime series. Each installment is a throwback to pulp crime fiction and feature bad behavior, cigarettes and at least one woman with loose morals. It is not a series in the traditional sense and books are written by a wide array of authors and are taken from the past and present. The series spoils the reader by featuring a Lawrence Block novel as the first installment and I should not have expected the same quality in each novel. This is the only book I have read by Max Phillips and will likely be the last.
Plot Outline
Bachelor, loaner and part-time roofer Ray Corso is approached by a mysterious and sultry Blonde with a job offer. The blonde bombshell goes by the name of Rebecca. She tell a story of mistakes and missteps. Needing money, she starred in a couple of adult films. This was not something she wanted to do, so she escaped the clutches of the evil film producer. Upon leaving, the producer threatened to burn her face and Rebecca need someone to attack the producer before he attacks her. The story follows Ray through seedy bars, a drug house for the wealthy and connects him with the mob. There are plenty of lies and no one is whom they seem and it all wraps up with violence.
My Take
If you are expecting a gritty and atmospheric novel, you will be disappointed. It certainly had the potential to be an interesting tale but the plot suffered from a severe case of ADD. Was this a mob tale, a murderer for hire tale or a PI tale? The author seemed unclear and left me scratching my head. The fact is that most of the many directions the novel took were interesting. The problem was that the author could not stick with one. Had he focused on one or two of these varying plot points, the novel would have been better on the whole. It was a short novel at around 220 pages. All these plots changes would have been acceptable in an 800 page novel but loses the reader in a short one. All that said, it did win a Shamus Award for best PI Paperback Original. For what its worth, someone liked it enough to give it an award.
The preferred method of writing was staccato, machinegun speech. There were so many short sentences the book began to feel like a long running knock-knock joke. While it was interesting at first, it quickly became tiresome.
My final issue was that in between the many plot changes, there was...nothing. Nothing happened. There was conversation and meandering but it took the story nowhere. Read any of my reviews, I have a bias for meandering stories so long as the scenery is enjoyable. Not the case here.
Verdict
The book wasn't horrible but it was not enjoyable. I only read it to the end because it was so short. It may be that this is a spot on rendition of old pulp crime fiction and that I simply do appreciate the artistry. Try it out yourself and maybe you will feel differently.
Can it Stand Alone
Yes. The books in this series are not connected. You can read it or skip it without fear of missing anything.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3
The cover is rather misleading. The idea of sex and a early 1950's porn industry is in the background but rarely broached. There is a sex scene that is moderately graphic and footage from one of the films is discovered but it is only mildly graphic.
Language - 2.5
The language usage is average and consistent with the time period. There are no f-words. 12 uses of damn and 48 religious exclamations.
Violence - 3
There is scheming and conniving as well as few murders. Most of the murders are not graphic. There is violence toward a woman in the story that some readers may find unsettling. There is a set of murders that are moderately graphic....more
I rarely have the sense that a novel is truly "thrilling". Despite claims that Posted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
Another Stunning Thriller - 5 Stars
I rarely have the sense that a novel is truly "thrilling". Despite claims that a story will keep me on the edge of my seat, I rarely experience the phenomenon. Sweetheart is one of the few books that truly left me feeling "thrilled". It is exciting, twisting and a down right good time.
Plot Outline
The lead character, Archie, is working toward a sense of normalcy. He has returned to live with his family, he no longer sees or speaks with Gretchen and he is weaning himself off the prescription medications. Due to his trauma, the standoff with breakdown is tenuous at best. As some strings of his sanity begin to fray, he is set into an emotional whirlwind as he learns that Gretchen has escaped from custody and she may seek to finish the job she has yet to complete.
Amidst the escape of Gretchen, Archie, with the input of his reporter friend, Susan Ward, must solve the mystery of some mysterious deaths and as well as the deaths of a beloved politician and reporter. As the storylines converge, the plot builds to an epic confrontation between the parties and secrets are revealed.
The Good
IT IS A RIDE!
The plot grabs you by the collar and pulls you in. The relationship between the cop, Archie and the killer, Gretchen continues to be compelling and riveting. The plot is filled with cat and mouse games, shadow games and mental games and ends with an exciting and unexpected conclusion. As in the first novel, the interesting relationship between Gretchen and Archie is a story unto itself. I found the multilayered plot to be interesting and exciting.
The author increases the action in this novel. While Heartsick moved at a brisk pace, this installment shifts into a higher gear.
You Want to Care
The characters are the true strength of this novel. The three major characters, Archie, Gretchen and Susan are well developed and interesting. I found myself taking an interest in each of the wellbeing. Beyond the big 3, the secondary characters are also well fleshed out. There in a tendency to avoid building characters in a face paced novels but Chelsea Cain has made sure to both build characters and keep the reader glued to the page.
The Bad
Jump the Gap
As the action picks up and the pace begins to quicken, there are some logical leaps and some unbelievable content. There are one or two dire situations that characters escape but are not clearly explained. That said, it is very minor complaint. The action and superb writing of Chelsea Cain win the day and make for an exciting and utterly readable novel.
Final Thoughts
Gretchen Lowell has become one of my favorite psychopaths. She is a memorable antagonist. I especially enjoy the two layered stories. The ongoing exploration and revelations of the experience between Gretchen and Arhice is captivating. I haven't read anything else that has this kind of messed up relationship and I am finding it to be very interesting. I highly recommend this series. Fans of strong character driven novels and psychological thrillers will find this series to be a winner.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3.5
There is more sexual content in this novel than the previous. There are at least two moderately graphic sex scenes. While both were consensual, one involved elements that were unintentionally abusive. There were several occasions where persons were described in a nude state. These incidents were not sexual situations.
Language - 3
There is moderate use of mild obscenities and mild to moderate use of the f-word. I will admit that I was caught up in the thrill of the book and may have glazed over the adult language.
Violence - 3
Once again, violence is a central theme to the story but it is less graphic than the first novel. There is greater use of psychological abuse and power in this novel. There are multiple murder but they are only mildly graphic. One character does discuss elements of torture.
This was my first foray into the world of Hard Case Crime. While these books cPosted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
Sex, Drugs and Cigarettes - 4 Stars
This was my first foray into the world of Hard Case Crime. While these books can be read in whichever order you please, as usual, I felt compelled to start at the beginning. What a great place to start! Lawrence Block has a deceptively simple writing style. He gives you what you need, nothing more nothing less. The result is a fast paced novel with a lot of story stuffed into 200 pages. When I am in the mood for some gritty pulp noir, I will be back to Hard Case Crime.
Plot Outline
Joe Marlin (or whichever alias he is using) is a little more than a small time con man. His good looks and his natural charm often find him in the arms (and beds) of needy and wealthy women. Once he is in, he takes what he can and runs for the next town. After a string of bad luck and less than profitable conquests, Joe is forced to skip town. As he had to leave his goods behind, he steals some expensive luggage from a train station and finds he is inadvertently in possession of a King's Ransom worth of heroin. Unsure of how to cash in on his newfound wealth, he puts himself up a nice hotel to think it over. Here he meets the intoxicating, rich and unhappily married Mona and finds himself in a plot to rid himself her husband so he can have his happily ever after. Will Mona be his meal ticket or his downfall?
The Dirt
You Can't Beat the Atmosphere
The novel is wonderfully atmospheric. This is even more impressive given the minimalistic writing style of the author. This is what I expect from any crime noir novel and it does not fail to deliver.
Once the atmosphere is set, the author does not abandon the plot. If not a tad predictable, there are a few interesting plot twists. While I was not surprised by most of the twists along the way, I was surprised by the ending and actions of the characters. I found it to be more devious than I had expected and frankly an unexpected form of violence.
This novel was written in 1961 and as you may imagine, it will not meet any modern standard for political correctness. Some readers may find the depictions of women to be distasteful and some will find the final scene to be in bad taste. Personally, I found this aspect to be an interesting as it snapshot of past standards. Yes, people may still hold similar beliefs but I think you get my point.
While you may not care about political correctness, you may be put off by the sex. It is certainly a central theme of this novel. People are blinded, mislead and just plain stupid because of sex. A significant portion of the 200 pages take place in the bedroom (or some such substitute) or devoted to worrying, thinking and discussing sex. While the themes of sex is pervasive, it is treated in a matter of fact fashion and while moderately graphic, it is not written to be erotic, at least not by today's standards.
Final Thoughts
This is some great noir pulp. If you like characters who are controlled by their vices and find themselves is bad situations because of this, I would recommend this read. I hope the other novels in the series are of similar quality as I most definitely plan on reading more.
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 4
Sex is pervasive and the moderately graphic. That said, it is written in such a way that it is not really erotic. Sex takes up a significant portion of this short novel and some people will find it to be offensive.
Language - 3
There is moderate use of adult language. None of the characters are exactly "virtuous" and are quite liberal when it comes to any vice, swearing included.
Violence - 2.5
There is a murder and the planning of a murder. A woman is slapped on more than one occasion. There is some other "non traditional violence" at the end of the book. Some readers will find it to be abusive violence and may be offended....more
This was my first foray into the world of Karin Slaughter. Her world is filled with interesting characters, personal drama and a fair share of deranged individuals. I did enjoy the book. The writing was very good, the characters were interesting and the plot was good. That said, it seemed to be missing something. Something I am having a hard time putting my finger on. For all the positives, the story still lacks.
Plot summary
The story shifts through three major points of view. Sara, the town's coroner and a pediatrician. Jeffery, the ex-husband of Sara and the town's chief of police and Lena, a deputy on the force and sister of the first victim. The story opens with the murder of Lena's sister. Sara finds her body in restaurant washroom where she has been killed and brutalized. Unfortunately, this is not last body as others go missing and crimes contain similar ritualistic elements. As the story progresses as the crimes become personal for all parties involved and secrets from the past may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the murders.
The Good
Well Crafted
This was one well crafted novel. This was nominated the Barry Award for Best First Novel and it was certainly good enough to have won it. Karin Slaughter wrote a book that was taunt, thrilling and as polished as those with much more experience. There was an interesting storyline with red herrings, misdirection and slight of hand. While the beginning of the novel lagged, the pace picked up significantly in the middle of the book
There was significant drama amongst the characters. While I despise excessive romance in my novels and roll my eyes when the story becomes overly emotional, the author deftly walked the line on this point. There are complex relationships each with their own histories and developments.
The Bad
But Its Missing Something...
Despite all of the positive elements, the novel did not feel complete. Despite a good storyline, good character development and thrills and chills, the story may have been a victim of its own slick execution. While I enjoyed the story and was interested in the outcome, I did not connect with the characters. By the end, I was interested to see if my theories were correct but I did not care about the characters. While the body of the novel was solid and looked good, the lacked some soul
Final Thoughts
A slow first half and a lack of soul and emotion hurt my rating on this one. That said, it is an excellent and well crafted first novel. Karin Slaughter has had a long and successful career and I am confident that her skill improved as she gained experience. Overall, a worthwhile read but not one that I will list amongst my favorites.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3.5
Much of the sexual content is related to a series of sex crimes. There is one moderately graphic scene of a sexual assault. There are several more far more disturbing elements are revealed in the investigation of sexual assaults. There is some disturbing sodomy involved and other elements that are violent.
Language - 3
There is moderate use of mild obscenities and low usage of the f-word. There is also some low use of sexual derived adult language.
Violence - 4
There are some disturbing elements of violence in the novel (see sexual content). There are some moderately high graphic description of the violence. There are some ritualistic elements in the violence amongst multiple murders. Readers who are moderately sensitive to sexual violence should avoid this book....more
When I saw an anthology that had Cotton Malone and Grayson Pierce Posted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
A Unique and Thrilling Anthology - 3.8 Stars
When I saw an anthology that had Cotton Malone and Grayson Pierce in the same story, I had to get my hands on the book. I don't know about you, but I would love to read a cross over novel with my favorite characters. Unfortunately, the cross over novels will never occur but this is a fun substitute. I did a short review of each story and averaged the ratings out to 3.8 stars. Most of the stories were great while a couple lacked. Some of the biggest authors here gave a below average stories but there were plenty of great stories to go around. This is a fun anthology that is well worth the read.
RED EYE - 3.5 Stars Dennis Lehane vs. Michael Connelly Patrick Kenzie vs. Harry Bosch
The PI and the Police officer meet in this short story. Harry Bosch finds himself in Boston looking for DNA to close a decade old cold case. In the process he finds himself on Kenzie's turf while Kenzie is tracking down a missing girl. As their interests seem to be the same, they assist each other to find some evidence they hope will assist them both to close their case.
There is interesting dialogue between these two type A personalities as each tries to up the other once or twice and one finds himself as the butt end of a joke or two. The two writing styles matched well and the result was an above average short story. The authors faced an obvious issue of deciding how to get a Boston PI and LA Detective into the same story. The reasoning was a bit forced but the writing was good. I have not read anything by Lehane or Connelly so I cannot comment on how each author dealt with their character.
IN THE NICK OF TIME - 4 Stars Ian Rankin vs. Peter James John Rebus vs. Roy Grace
We have the meeting of the Scot and the Brit in this short story. A dying man gives a deathbed confession to John Rebus that tells of a murder he committed 50 years earlier in England. In an effort to provide closure to a cold case, Rebus is connected with Peter James in England who is provided with the details. When the case is investigated, not all is as it seems and the story ends with a surprise twist.
I have read some of the Rebus novels but have not read the Roy Grace novels. Rebus was true to character. It was interesting to see two generations of Police Officers and two styles and ideas on investigation and policing. This story has me looking to go back to the Rebus Series and to give Roy Grace a shot.
Again, the authors had to figure out how to connect two detectives from two different countries. They came up with a plausible reason although I did not understand why Rebus had to fly to England to follow up. The writing style flowed exceptionally well and it was a well crafted and complete short story. GASLIGHTED - 3 Stars R. L. Stine vs. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child Slappy the Ventriloquist Dummy vs. Aloysius Pendergast
Odd..... R.L. Stine of Goosebumps fame teams up with the Preston/Child writing duo. FBI agent Pendergast wakes up to find himself tied to a bed a surrounded by dead people from his past. The dead persons tell him he is in fact alive and in a sanatorium. Apparently, he has "cracked" from years of traumatic experiences. The creepy surroundings are punctuated by a creepy Ventriloquist Dummy sitting on a chair in his room. Pendergast has to separate fiction from reality to determine if he is simply dreaming or part of some nefarious scheme.
I have to say the idea of putting these authors together was interesting. I have read several Preston and Child books but have no experience with R.L. Stine. That said, I could see Stine`s influence on the story. Unfortunately, the result was disjointed and confusing. I think three cooks in this kitchen was a bit much.
Apparently, Slappy the Ventriloquist Dummy is one of Stine`s most famous characters but the characters involvement in the story was never really clear. It didn`t work well as a short story but I could see this as an interesting idea were it fleshed out into a full fledged novel.
THE LAUGHING BUDDHA - 4.5 Stars M. J. Rose vs. Lisa Gardner Malachai Samuels vs. D. D. Warren
In this short story, each of the authors most popular characters meet in Boston's Chinatown. As Detective D.D. Warren is investigating the death of a prominent antiquities dealer, Malachai Samuels becomes a person of interest and Detective Warren has a few questions to be answered. Meanwhile, Malachai Samuels is on a quest to find ancient information that will unlock a person's past life memories. The pragmatic D.D. Warren meets the mystical Malachai Samuels and motives for real crimes are revealed by unnatural means.
This story was very well written. The two characters are very different and their belief systems are polar opposites. At this point in the novel, this story is the most polished and well rounded. It likely benefits from the fact it is a bit longer but it has tight internal plot. The reason it did not get a full 5 stars is that it was really a Malachai Samuels story with D.D. Warren in a cameo appearance. Regardless, an interesting mystery with a supernatural twist.
SURFING THE PANTHER - 5 Stars Steve Martini vs. Linda Fairstein Paul Madriani vs. Alexandra Cooper
Defence Attorney Paul Madriani and Prosecutor Alexandra Cooper meet up a legal conference where they are both presenters. After a heated presentation, DA Alex Cooper pushed Madriani for some detail on a high profile trial he has coming up. Paul is reluctant to share information with a DA regardless of where she is from. Their discussion is interrupted by a gentleman who has evidence that Madriani's client is innocent of the crime. What follows is political intruge, international connections and just deserts.
Martini and Fairstein write a flawless short story. Their characters remain together for much of the story and the result is a thrilling and interesting tale. Since I started practicing law, I have shied away from legal thrillers. I haven't even read kept up with John Grisham. This short story may have sparked my interest once again and Linda Fairstein has made her way to my To Be Read list. An excellent story.
RHYMES WITH PREY - 2.5 Jeffery Deaver vs. John Sandford Lincoln Rhyme vs. Lucas Davenport
Rhyme, Davenport and their sidekicks team up to investigate the death of some women, some police and something else... Way too much going on in this story. Instead of incorporating two people, this story deals with four. It was difficult to follow and did not flow especially well. I did not enjoy this one.
INFERNAL NIGHT - 4 Stars Heather Graham vs. F. Paul Wilson Michael Quinn vs. Repairman Jack
In this short story, Quinn and Jack are unknowingly hired by the same client to complete competing jobs. As they are both suspicious from the outset, they use a little ingenuity and quick thinking to turn the situation around while serving others their just deserts.
The writing styles meshed well. As both the characters were aware of the supernatural, their shared worldview made the story believable. While shorter than most of the others, it was interesting. PIT STOP - 5 Stars Raymond Khoury vs. Linwood Barclay Sean Reilly vs. Glen Garber
Since Barclay does not use recurring character, he pulled a protagonist from a 2011 novels. The average guy Glen Garber is distraught when his daughter is taken hostage by an unknown assailant. Fortunately, FBI Agent Reilly is on the case. The majority of the story is chase scene with the characters in pursuit. It is by far the most exciting and thrilling story in this anthology. 5 bigs star for this interesting and exciting story.
SILENT HUNT - 4.5 John Lescroart vs. Jefferson Parker Wyatt Hunt vs. Joe Trona
Wyatt Hunt and Joe Trona come together on a fishing trip in Mexico. While they did not know each other previously, they come to trust each other when their fishing guide and his family is threatened by some drug lords who are aware that the family had recently found gold in a mine. Using their wits and skills, these two characters devise a clever plan to both thwart the would be killers while protecting the villagers and ensuring their future is protected.
The writing styles of the authors meshed well and they wrote an interesting and coherent story. As an added bonus, the story was one of the most clever and well thought out.
THE DEVIL'S BONES - 5 STARS James Rollins vs. Steve Berry Grayson Pierce vs. Cotton Malone
Honestly, I read the entire anthology just for this story. I am a big fan of both characters and was excited to see them in a story together. The story did not disappoint. Both characters were unknowingly in search of a newly developed and highly dangerous plant based toxin. To ensure it does not fall into the hands of terrorist, both characters have been dispatched to retrieve it. When they discover each others goals, they decide to work together just as everything thing goes to hell around them. In regular Berry and Rollins style, guns, explosions and grave danger culminate in grand encounter and a narrow escape. These two authors worked well together. Too bad we won't see a crossover novel.
GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION - 1.5 STARS Lee Child vs. Joseph Finder Jack Reacher vs. Nick Heller
Considering Jack Reacher is arguably the most recognizable character in this anthology, I expected this final story to be the best of the lot. Instead, it was a stream of consciousness piece of garbage. There was a mirror and Reacher and Heller were there. I'm not sure why they were there or what else was going on. Maybe the authors told us but they did a crappy job of it. Skip the last one....more
The Windup Girl is part novel part visceral experience. From the first page, thPosted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
A Secular Morality Tale - 4 Stars
The Windup Girl is part novel part visceral experience. From the first page, the reader is immersed in the gritty, fetid and hot streets of a future Thailand. While gradual introduction to a world is standard in most novels, The Windup Girl uses full immersion and challenges you to catch up. This will not be for every reader. The pacing and style will put off some readers. If you are looking for a light and easy read, you should look elsewhere. While you are not likely to experience enlightenment while reading this novel, it is intelligent and well written.
Plot summary
We are immediately introduced to a dystopic and hungry future. Years of genetic modification of food and living creation has resulted many severe and deadly unintended consequences. The worldwide economy has essentially crashed while food from ages past has gone extinct from persistent and unchecked blight and scores of people are killed by reoccurring plague. The world is run by genehackers or calorie men in a business that specializes in the genetic modification of food. Although they are implicit in the current state of affairs, they are of vital importance as they have the ability to produce new strains of food resistant to the blight. The genehacking has gone beyond food and animals and humans have been modified. The plot truly unfolds when a modified human, a "windup girl" and a calorie man become entwined and set into motion events that will alter the landscape.
The Good
Excellent Execution
I am finding it difficult to determine how much I enjoyed this novel. The first third of the book was completely engrossing and I was immediately drawn in. The euphoric feeling did not last but I was certainly sold on the concept from the beginning. Energy or calories rule the world. Traditional form of energy are no longer viable and in large part, the energy gained from food powers the economy. Power that is provided by man and by beast. The Dystopian setting and the persistent natural disasters added much to the overall concept.
This novel won the Hugo for best Novel and it is easy to see why. In addition to a well executed idea, the characters are interesting and varied. There is no hero in the story but "bad guys" and "worse guys" and one naively innocent person. At its heart, the novel is a "message story". Although we have the intelligence to modify nature and may obtain the ability to bend it to our will, we are rarely privy to consequence of our meddling. While it is tells us a morality tale, it avoid being "preachy" or political. I generally do not like message fiction. It tends to be pretentious and takes from the plot. This is great example of message fiction done right.
The Bad
Let me Catch Up
The reader is dropped into the middle of the action. It is written in a manner that seems to assume you know what is going on in this world. The story lacks what you might consider an exposition and the reader is immediately playing catch up. The story is liberally sprinkled with Thai words and concepts that were foreign to me. Thankfully my Kindle was able to provide me with some definitions but occasionally I was left high and dry. This was not the only non traditional method of story telling. Some of it worked some of it was difficult to follow.
The biggest problem was two-fold. Repetition and loss of steam. It seemed that the reader was told 100 plus times the names of the three major plagues/blight and the some of the concepts of the world are explained over and over (and over and over). This was fine early on but after the first third, this caused the novel to drag. Fortunately, this does not last and the novel ends with a bang.
Final Thoughts
An interesting concept, mostly excellent execution and some unexpected twists make this novel and great read. This is not literary fiction but it is not light reading. If you enjoy a novel with agenda that is not shoved down you throat, some interesting sci-fi elements and dystopian world plagued with blight, this might be for you.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 4
There are two graphic scene of a character being sexually abused. The character of the Windup girl works in a adult club. She is not viewed as human and is subject to behaviour that would otherwise be considered dehumanizing. Consensual sex is implied on a couple of occasions.
Language - 2
Much of the derogatory comments are in Thai. If you do not speak the language, it will likely be lost on you. The adult language is otherwise mild.
Violence - 3
There violence between armed elements of the society. There is war related death but it is generally not graphic....more
Tim The Enchanter
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