The Gods of Gotham was great so wanted to try Faye again. Pretty gutsy for a debut don’t you think? To take on Sherlock Holmes and pit him against JacThe Gods of Gotham was great so wanted to try Faye again. Pretty gutsy for a debut don’t you think? To take on Sherlock Holmes and pit him against Jack the Ripper, had to read it just to see if she'd pull it off - she did. Obviously did her homework, it’s pretty fabulous, with Faye’s strength again her mastery of dialect. The Sherlock characters are faithfully rendered plus she’s thrown in Mary Ann Monk, an enchanting gin-swilling tart who “proves herself to be a woman of extraordinary fortitude”. You've got the gothic moody flavour of 1880’s London with the Ripper adding a deliciously disturbing and suitably gruesome layer. It’s suspenseful and well paced, even the Ripper’s true identity came off believable. Most of all I loved the dialog, the bantering between Holmes & Watson, & Holmes little tiffs with his landlady Mrs. Hudson with her “studied dignity & silent cynicism.” He’s your classic cerebral Holmes, brilliant and flawed, coldly precise with that “air of self-importance about him which tries the patience of his few friends” but reworked, a subtle interjection of slightly more fragility & humanity “Though I had never seen Sherlock Holmes so determined, I had also never seen him so at sea.” – liked it.
Cons: To slow a build, you’re a third of the way in before it hooks you – but then it doesn’t let go:) Meanderings: My 3rd ripper novel, I know I’m not alone but I’m questioning the fixation. How many more times do these poor women have to die for my entertainment? This keeps up I may seek counseling…
Holmes shrugged. “The irregularity of the baseline, as well as the downward-slanting script, indicate he is moody and unpredictable. His ts are determined, his rs intelligent, and the confidence in his capitals is troubling.”...more
Probably it was exactly what I felt like reading right about now, whatever, but I haven’t been this entertained in years. We’re talking quality escapiProbably it was exactly what I felt like reading right about now, whatever, but I haven’t been this entertained in years. We’re talking quality escapism. A murder mystery featuring the NYPD in its infancy, ‘copper stars’ mainly made up of scrappy, downtrodden Irishmen. “We were all missing bits and pieces.” A swarm of emigrants gushes ceaselessly onto the South Street docks “the entire block consisted of Irish and dogs and rats sharing the same fleas” - that they’re Catholics makes them all the more deplorable. Love the Irish for their tenacity! Piling on hardships seems to bring out the best in them. With a wild and lawless 1845 New York setting “Broadway, a street more roiling, a street with a more dizzying pendulum swing between starving opium fiends with the rags rotting off of them and ladies in walking gowns bedecked like small steamships” it’s told through Tim Waide’s eyes. His brooding introspective nature has him promoted to Detective while his brother Valentine who thrives on danger, a life lived on the edge is a natural for Captain. The dynamics between these two really the heart of this story; polar opposites, their love-hate relationship is done to perfection. Adored the dialog, ‘flash-patter’ – a spin on British thieves cant so lyrical it sings “Whoever wrote that is cracked as an egg. Whoever thinks ripping guts out of kinchin (children) is high sport is brainsick as well.” No worries, you’ll ‘savvy’ it in no time, we’re still sprinkling it into conversation…Ever say “so long” to a “pal”? That’s flash-patter:) For historical fiction 4 ½ copper-stars
Memorable: “Why, Tim, I thought you savvied the pope lived off the flesh of aborted fetuses; it’s common enough knowledge.” I don’t bother responding to this brand of insanity for two reasons: idiots treasure their facts like newborns, and the entire topic makes my shoulders ache.”
Cons: The love interest between Mercy & Tim was a little flat, his infatuation came across as puppy love. Mercy’s character overall just didn't ring true....more
A psychological thriller, Lacey Flint’s a young inexperienced detective on the hunt for a Ripper copycat. Though set in modern day London there's tastA psychological thriller, Lacey Flint’s a young inexperienced detective on the hunt for a Ripper copycat. Though set in modern day London there's tasty gothic undertones, nobody gives you the urge to check over your shoulder quite like Jack. ‘One of the phrases you’ll hear often about the Ripper,’ I said, after a couple of gulps, is “without a trace” because that’s how he worked. There were people sleeping yards from where Polly was killed and they didn’t hear a sound. Nobody saw a thing.” She’s got the creep factor down, liked the murderer’s taste in music - Julie Andrews “raindrops on roses” playing in the background, a disturbingly nice touch. I'm not a 'Ripperologist' but I read this right after The Lodger a great Ripper novel written back in 1918, had me wanting more. Boulton delivered, tossing in a few ‘*Saucy Jack’ theories: he was a member of the royal family; it was a Masonic conspiracy, Jill-the-Ripper anyone? The pacing is tight, plenty of twists & Lacey’s…interesting. Complex, neurotic, secretive; a loner who rejects intimacy, preferring one-night stands regardless of the danger, or probably because of it...good stuff. In the thriller genre 3 ½ stars rounded up to 4.
Meanderings: “Saucy Jack” or “The Ripper” – 'Saucy Jack' doesn’t quite cut it, does it. Truth is there’s been plenty of unsolved murders, maybe this one would have sunk into oblivion years ago if not for a reporter back in 1888 called Thomas Bulling. A drunken journalist who wrote crime stories for newspapers, he coined the phrase ‘Jack the Ripper’ and it stuck, the real murderer signed his letters to the police 'Saucy Jack.' An ingenious piece of journalism, 125 years later serial killers are still called ‘Rippers’.
Warning: Leans towards torture porn. To be fair passages like this don’t dominate the novel but holy crackers - only a woman could write this, a taste…(view spoiler)[ Most women, once they reach their mid twenties, will have had at least one cervical examination. We lie on an examination table, our legs drawn back so that our knees are broadly level with our chest. Sometimes our feet are held in stirrups; other times, we’re asked to splay our knees. This woman looked almost like a patient waiting for an internal examination. Except that no doctor I’ve ever come across would use duct tape, wrapping above and below the knee, to bend the leg double and hold it in place. This woman would have been unable to move, unable even to scream, when the two-foot-long piece of wood was rammed inside her (hide spoiler)] Alrighty then – didn’t offend my tender sensibilities, just - unnecessarily graphic. Comes down to personal preference, if you're looking for the adrenaline rush of a thriller you've found it. If you prefer more subtlety and suspense try “The Lodger” instead. ...more
I jumped in cold to book ten of the series without a problem. If you’re in the mood for an intense psychological thriller with beautifully fleshed outI jumped in cold to book ten of the series without a problem. If you’re in the mood for an intense psychological thriller with beautifully fleshed out characters and ultra wicked villians you just found it. It begins with Coco, a little girl found wandering alone in Central Park after discovering 3 dead bodies strung up in a tree. A little heartbreaker with Williams Syndrome, a disorder typified by elfin like features and a warm, outgoing personality. Craving human contact they will run up to perfect strangers for a hug; an instinctive trust in people in stark contrast to Detective Mallory. Beautifully written, it’s the interaction between these two that makes this story sing. Abandoned as a child, Mallory’s coping mechanism is to become a loner, to isolate herself from emotional connections. She's damaged, completely unpredictable and brilliant; nicknamed the machine for her relentless, often manipulative & coldblooded pursuit of perps. Some reviewers find her unlikeable, I adore her... "There’s not one feminist bone in her body - she had no need of one. Only a rare and suicidal man might suggest that his detective was of better use barefoot and pregnant" Her partner and staunchest friend Detective Riker pretty great as well. "In a rumpled suit stained with week-old mustard, civilians only saw him as a middle-aged man with bad posture, an amiable, laid-back smile and hooded eyes that said to everyone he met I know you’re lying, but I just don’t care"
Cons: None really. I did find it a bit confusing but blame myself for not giving it the concentration it deserved. A web of deceit & blackmail entwining children, lobbyists, influential socialites and top ranking officers of New York’s police department. Terrific characters but a ton of them to keep track of – be prepared to pay attention:) For it’s genre 4 ½ stars rounded up too 5. DEFINITELY want more of this series. Of interest: Boston University School of Medicine 'The Faces of Williams Syndrome'"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgfm8i..."
Warning: some graphic violence involving children...more
Chandler’s known as the king of LA noir and word is this is his best. His writing is lean and clean, short staccato sentences with not a word wasted. Chandler’s known as the king of LA noir and word is this is his best. His writing is lean and clean, short staccato sentences with not a word wasted. Almost poetic in its brevity – not to be confused with lack of substance. Humour me, I’m trying it out on this review (view spoiler)[it's fun - you should try it sometime (hide spoiler)] Marlowe’s amazingly complex, a fast-talking P.I. surviving on tough cynicism. Deep down just a stand-up guy with a soft spot for underdogs. Got a moral core that earns him no thanks, just a whole whack of trouble and an enemy around every corner. There’s a suicide and a murder everybody’s pushing Marlow to drop. "You know something, kid? You think you're cute but you're just stupid. You're a shadow on the wall.” But walking away just ain't in his make-up.
A taste of Marlow's world “I drove back to Hollywood feeling like a short length of chewed string. It was too early to eat, and too hot. I turned on the fan in my office. It didn't make the air any cooler, just a little more lively. Outside on the boulevard the traffic brawled endlessly. Inside my head thoughts stuck together like flies on flypaper.” He builds characters effortlessly – again in just a few words. Take this pair of Homicide Detectives "He was gray blond and looked sticky. His partner was tall, good-looking, neat, and had a precise nastiness about him, a goon with an education. They had watching and waiting eyes, patient and careful eyes, cool disdainful eyes, cops' eyes."
Plot's a bit convoluted but moves along nicely. Don’t get caught up trying to keep it all straight. Instead enjoy the ambiance and the deliciously broken people. Majority of them clinging to sanity by a thread. Roger Wade is interesting, a bestselling pulp fiction author who hits the bottle hard. Rumour has it this is semi-autobiographical. Heads-up: Written in the 50’s so you'll need to take in stride some racism. Women are broads and they're all bad news. He seems to like them anyway. "So they're human, they sweat, they get dirty, they have to go to the bathroom. What did you expect-golden butterflies hovering in a rosy mist?”
Way I see it I lucked out. My GR buddies guided me to Chandler as an intro to the world of hard-boiled detective novels. My 1st stab at it, have nothing to compare it to. Can’t rate by genre so 4.5 stars as pure entertainment – it was a blast. ...more
This sounded great! About a working dog (don’t even get me started, I’m fanatical in my admiration) and a police officer both struggling with PTSD. MaThis sounded great! About a working dog (don’t even get me started, I’m fanatical in my admiration) and a police officer both struggling with PTSD. Maggie the dog was a bomb sniffer in Afghanistan, Scott an LAPD cop. Both lost their partners, both are wounded - unable to function - that is till they meet and form a healing bond. Well written, the debilitating symptoms of PTSD described with finesse. I mean what’s not to like? An interesting touch Scott doesn’t even LIKE dogs, only chose a K-9 career because he couldn’t face losing another partner. The point of view by Maggie was handled well – didn’t find it corny, her focus on preserving the pack rang true. Add to that it’s written by a highly respected author I’ve been looking forward to trying out. So what went wrong? Short on the police procedural department, the unraveling of his partner’s murder formula stuff, a satisfying but predictable outcome. The characters felt flat with the notable exception of the Sergeant in charge of the dog handling unit – he rocked. And while I knew it was coming I still wasn’t prepared – the bit where Maggie’s partner dies? Overdone, reeked of emotional manipulation. Okay – overreaction – I really need to grow up. Weaned on *Greyfriars Bobby, add to that personal experience with messed up abandoned dogs - any story about a dog unable to deal with losing their owner and I’m a puddle. So not saying this isn’t worth reading because it is. A quick read, entertaining escapism, a solid 3 stars, I just expected a bit more.
"They will see and witness your greatest shame, and will not judge you! These dogs will be the truest and best partners you can ever hope to have, and they will give their lives for you. And all they ask, all they want or need, all it costs YOU to get ALL of that, is a simple word of kindness."
*Greyfriars Bobby: In 19th-century Edinburgh Bobby was a wee terrier famous for his unwavering devotion – legend has it he couldn’t be coaxed away from sleeping on the grave of his owner where he remained till the day he died. ...more
Florence (Lefty)
>
Books:
detective
(47)
Loading...
