As I've said about many other books...not a bad read.
The book is a mystery told from the point of view of a man who's not a full blood Lakota but livAs I've said about many other books...not a bad read.
The book is a mystery told from the point of view of a man who's not a full blood Lakota but lives on the Reservation and works as a sort of vigilante/equalizer/enforcer type. When he was young bullies (especially one bully) made his life hel...errrr I mean heck, yes heck. This plays quit a large part in the story.
The mystery itself is pretty standard with a major twist you may or may not have seen before. The book tries to deal with "native American" culture and the problems faced.
Interestingly many if mot most "native Americans" refer to themselves as "Indians". They even take notice of the PC "native American a bit ironically from what I've read.
Anyway I found that the book's story was somewhat different from the impression I had from the synopsis. See what you think, as I said, not bad. ...more
What shall I say?? Almost anything other that my rating and recommendation would be a spoiler.
I'd say read this if you are in any way drawn to mysteryWhat shall I say?? Almost anything other that my rating and recommendation would be a spoiler.
I'd say read this if you are in any way drawn to mystery. I don't really care for mysteries but this is a very interesting and well done book. That said I do believe that while I don't want to give anything away I believe that many readers will spot the plot twist well in advance of the climax.
Note: the spoiler below will contain spoilers, really. Don't read it if you plan to read the novel lest it ruin the book for you.
(view spoiler)[I was slightly disappointed in the end of the book as I prefer things work out for the "victim" but at least the villain doesn't "get away with it". (hide spoiler)].
There are some spots in this book where I thought it dragged a bit, but that could be just "me" and my reading preferences. I think on the whole it's well written and will please most suspense and mystery fans....more
This is another of those books I'll say is, "an interesting book". I won't go much into the story itself. That would inevitably include spoilers.
I wasThis is another of those books I'll say is, "an interesting book". I won't go much into the story itself. That would inevitably include spoilers.
I was a little torn between 3 and 4 stars here. The book takes a few turns into things that are simply not the type story I care for. That said however it's well done and will I believe draw most people in. The book is I suppose what I'd call a psychological thriller. The plot is a good example of what I'd call mulit-faceted. From start to finish you'll find depth and creativity.
There is sort of a variety of viewpoints here, you'll see what I mean once you pick up the book. I can recommend it and do.
I'd say go here for atmosphere...but then if you like mysteries it may appeal to you more than it did to me. I started it on a friend's recommendationI'd say go here for atmosphere...but then if you like mysteries it may appeal to you more than it did to me. I started it on a friend's recommendation and see what he liked. He recommended it on the strength of picturing life in this time and society. It works for that...but it is a mystery.
I didn't ever get really involved and really never cared that much about how the story would play itself out.
If you are a historical fiction fan or mystery fan...or both this may be more your "cup of tea". ...more
The primary lesson I have learned here is that I will probably not read another book by Mr. Goldstone.
The book here is a "reimagining" of the events sThe primary lesson I have learned here is that I will probably not read another book by Mr. Goldstone.
The book here is a "reimagining" of the events surrounding the assassination of President William McKinley. McKinley was shot in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz (pronounced "chal-gosh") an Anarchist.
In the book the assassination is pictured as the result of a convoluted conspiracy. This sounded like an interesting story, and I suppose could have been.Instead we get a long somewhat wandering story that touches on the personal life of our protagonist and his sidekick. The loss, love-lives and so on while not my cup of tea could possibly draw in some other readers. I suspect however that these readers also may find the book a bit slow and "noncommittal". It often doesn't seem to know exactly what type of story it is some stumbles back and forth trying to find itself.
However the part that pushes the book over the line from 3 stars to 2 is for me "that is for me" the ending.
Of course I can't go into that in the open as it is a major spoiler so...spoiler upcoming. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW HOW THE BOOK ENDS DO NOT READ THE SPOILER!
(view spoiler)[ After we work (or labor) our way through the book and finally "seemingly" tie up the story...the 2 protagonists are shot down by the representatives of the people they'd finally trusted. It seems they were right in their assumptions and had participated in closing out a massive conspiracy only to be "removed themselves" as loose ends who knew the truth.
There's a bit more to it all than that but it's the Cliff's Notes Version.
I HATE belly drop endings. This was a popular type of ending for both books and movies back in the '70s. Movies like Scorpio where everybody dies...even the assassin as he stops to pet a cat after doing what he was ordered to do....
So, yeah I don't plan to read anymore of the author's work. (hide spoiler)]
Again, bottom line didn't care for it, got rid of the book, don't plan to read any more from the author....more
Well...as you may have noticed I added this to my Spy-Fi shelf. This as close as I've seen recently to that genre I miss. With the under-current of coWell...as you may have noticed I added this to my Spy-Fi shelf. This as close as I've seen recently to that genre I miss. With the under-current of conspiracy and the inlay/overlay of historic spy rings etc. it moves into science fantasy/Spy-Fi territory.
And (he said opening a sentence incorrectly) this one is somewhat better (in my humble opinion of course) than the first. Beecher frustrated me very, very badly in the first book. He's one of those geniuses who also manages to be so slow and thick you wonder how he manages to lace up his shoes without help. He seems (often) to need to stumble over what's going on when I'm pretty sure most readers got it 4 chapters ago.
That said he is growing (which is what I assume Mr. Meltzer is going for). I can now see we have hope of Beecher growing into a master spy/counter-spy...hopefully before it's just too late.
Yes, 3 stars but over all I like these and plan to read the next. I can recommend it. Enjoy....more
I have "liked" everything I've read by Buelman (I put that in quotes as with Steven King the word "like" might not actually apply.) As noted parenthetI have "liked" everything I've read by Buelman (I put that in quotes as with Steven King the word "like" might not actually apply.) As noted parenthetically I'm not sure the word "like" applies here and I'm pretty sure that I couldn't have been said to "enjoy" the book. No the book is entirely too gruesome and has too much of an emotional belly-drop factor for me to say it is, "enjoyable". We need different words. Maybe interesting, well written, enthralling? It might even be an applicant for the "un-put-downable" label.
If you've read some of my other reviews you may know that I'm not fond of or "big on" rewritten vampires. I really don't care for friendly, romantic, helpful or "sparkly" vampires. In folklore vampires are monsters, they are apex predators..and we (humans) are their prey.
Here our narrator is a vampire. throughout the book we get a look at his life before his change and his new life (unlife?)after. We meet the vampires with whom he lives in the underground, the deepest tunnels the city has to offer. We learn how they live (unlive?), how they feed and how they stay hidden.
Then we meet the children.
I hadn't picked this book up as I'm not primarily a horror fan or a vampire fan (especially now as vamps have become fashionable as protagonists and romantic leads. I mean sleeping with an old corpse who might decide they need a snack just doesn't sound all that romantic to me???) Anyway I just hadn't picked it up but lately I went through a reading slump where nothing drew me in and I read some reviews of this book. Many reviewers spoke of the creeping invasive terror of the book and some of the descriptions drew me in.
As did the book. Now all that said I don't think I was ever drawn into the book to the extent of some readers. Maybe it's my feeling about vampires and the storyteller being a vampire, I truly don't know but for me there was always sort of an "arm-length's" feel to my involvement in the book. However it still drew me in, held me and gets a 4 star rating. I'd guess that if you are more "into" horror stories you may get more drawn in and experience more the "belly-drop" I mentioned.
I don't know.
But I can recommend it. Enjoy...or whatever word applies here....more
Phryne again get's drawn into a mysterious and dangerous affair (yeah I know I get the word play there but Phryne's relationships don't actually reachPhryne again get's drawn into a mysterious and dangerous affair (yeah I know I get the word play there but Phryne's relationships don't actually reach the commitment level of affairs). When a young man dies in her arms she is incensed (partly at the waste of an attractive young man) and sets out to right the wrong.
These are very much their own thing so far as mystery series are concerned and have a pretty good mix of drama, mystery and humor. You will also get a dose of gratuitous sex in each one...
Enjoy if it's your cup of tea...or something stronger. ...more
Ah, Phyrne deals with multiple mysteries and an international professional killer. Away from Dot and the rest of the household at the last greatest paAh, Phyrne deals with multiple mysteries and an international professional killer. Away from Dot and the rest of the household at the last greatest party of 1928...a party where I'd have spent most of my time missing the planned events as I've never been into over use of alcohol (or the use of narcotics at all).
For this being the "best" party of 1928...well with murder, kidnapping...and the really bad redecorating job done on the stately (but formally lovely) old mansion, well could be questionable.
Still a good yarn, (with the usual caveat) enjoy....more
Well...another good novel and the title speaks for itself, a bit.
Phryne get's into a case with some very sad, unpleasant and unsavory situations. The Well...another good novel and the title speaks for itself, a bit.
Phryne get's into a case with some very sad, unpleasant and unsavory situations. The books do not flinch at blunt and graphic depictions and that doesn't bother me. I've mentioned Phryne's proclivity to enjoy (graphic) sex with (sometimes seemingly any available) numerous sex partners. That's not what I refer to here. The plot here is one that's a bit more serious (not that murder isn't serious enough) than some of the other books
The humor is still here and it's well handled in the face of a somewhat more serious plot. Again I can recommend it. Enjoy....more
I'm getting this/these from the public library so I'm not reading them in order. So far not a problem other than now and then Phryne makes reference tI'm getting this/these from the public library so I'm not reading them in order. So far not a problem other than now and then Phryne makes reference to something that happened in a book I haven't read yet...no big deal so far. It's always easy to catch up.
Here Phryne delves into a slightly different kind of mystery than we've seen her in before (and if I say more it's sort of a spoiler... Tell you what if you want to know why it's a little different I'll put it under a spoiler warning: (view spoiler)[ Phryne gets involved in espionage (hide spoiler)]. Now if you read that it's on you.
So still lots of humor, still good plot and characters we get to know. Again I can (with slight reservation over the slightly graphic sex scenes) I can recommend this/these.
I have been watching the TV series based on this series of books with a friend of mine. As is my wont if I enjoy a movie of TV series based on a book I have been watching the TV series based on this series of books with a friend of mine. As is my wont if I enjoy a movie of TV series based on a book or books I went out and found these. Now...my reviews of these will probably be short as they are not deep and they are mysteries that share a lot book to book. That said they are, well fun. I'm going to give a slight warning below but the writing is very enjoyable.
Now let me say this. The biggest problem I had/have with the TV series and the books is Phryne's proclivity to fall into bed (or sofa, or carpet or whatever relatively soft surface is handy) with a plethora of male sub-protagonists...and minor characters. Each book (and program for that matter) has it's "shot" of gratuitous sex. Now I tend to skip over that part of the book (or program) but if you enjoy these more than I that's cool. Just wanted you to be aware.
Now here we'll get acquainted with Phryne and her household (actually she's building her household but it's fun). I like these in general and while I suppose Ms. Greenwood may appeal more to some female readers I don't think that's really a valid concern...I mean I'm a tough, manly, macho guy and I like them. The characterization is good, the plotting is good and the humor is dry and plentiful.
By the way if you are (as I am) a fan of P.G.Wodehouse you'll probably see his influence on Ms. Greenwood. She even gives a nod to him in one volume. However the first time she says, "Mr. Butler shivered into the room." The reference was made.
I like this and so far I like these, enjoy....more
I'm getting this/these from the public library so I'm not reading them in order. So far not a problem other than now and then Phryne makes reference tI'm getting this/these from the public library so I'm not reading them in order. So far not a problem other than now and then Phryne makes reference to something that happened in a book I haven't read yet...no big deal so far. It's always easy to catch up.
Here Phryne delves into a slightly different kind of mystery than we've seen her in before (and if I say more it's sort of a spoiler... Tell you what if you want to know why it's a little different I'll put it under a spoiler warning: (view spoiler)[ Phryne gets involved in espionage (hide spoiler)]. Now if you read that it's on you.
So still lots of humor, still good plot and characters we get to know. Again I can (with slight reservation over the slightly graphic sex scenes) I can recommend this/these.
I have been watching the TV series based on this series of books with a friend of mine. As is my wont if I enjoy a movie or TV series based on a book I have been watching the TV series based on this series of books with a friend of mine. As is my wont if I enjoy a movie or TV series based on a book or books I went out and found these. Now...my reviews of these will probably be short as they are not deep and they are mysteries that share a lot book to book. That said they are, well fun. I'm going to give a slight warning below but the writing is very enjoyable.
Now let me say this. The biggest problem I had/have with the TV series and the books is Phryne's proclivity to fall into bed (or sofa, or carpet or whatever relatively soft surface is handy) with a plethora of male sub-protagonists...and minor characters. Each book (and program for that matter) has it's "shot" of gratuitous sex. Now I tend to skip over that part of the book (or program) but if you enjoy these more than I that's cool. Just wanted you to be aware.
Now here we'll get acquainted with Phryne and her household (actually she's building her household but it's fun). I like these in general and while I suppose Ms. Greenwood may appeal more to some female readers I don't think that's really a valid concern...I mean I'm a tough, manly, macho guy and I like them. The characterization is good, the plotting is good and the humor is dry and plentiful.
By the way if you are (as I am) a fan of P.G.Wodehouse you'll probably see his influence on Ms. Greenwood. She even gives a nod to him in one volume. However the first time she says, "Mr. Butler shivered into the room." The reference was made.
I like this and so far I like these, enjoy....more
I read some Saint books back YEARS ago (we're talking the 1960s here). I thought I'd try another just to how it held my interest.
I think you'l find tI read some Saint books back YEARS ago (we're talking the 1960s here). I thought I'd try another just to how it held my interest.
I think you'l find the writing a bit dated and thus the characters. This will come off now as period piece even though at the time it was written that wasn't so.
I'd say (as in other cases) try some of these yourself. Templer is sort of a very urbane vigilante who does what's right...even if that is somewhat against the law. ...more
Okay so I tend to like Westlake. I just finished a really good novel by him (his last). I've enjoyed his Parker books....
Well I guess every game can'tOkay so I tend to like Westlake. I just finished a really good novel by him (his last). I've enjoyed his Parker books....
Well I guess every game can't be a no hitter...or maybe this is the no hitter but Westlake is the one at bat rather than pitching???
So our protagonist a ne'er do well cab driver who likes to gamble and has gotten himself in a situation where...well where things could get a little unpleasant if he goes any farther in the hole. Then someone gives Conway (our "hero") a tip on a sure winner that will pay at least 22 to 1. At first he ignores the tip but then he gets a "hunch" a gut felling so he calls his "favorite" bookie goes $30 farther into the hole...and wins. When he calls he finds the horse has paid even better, 27 to 1. He's gonna be rich, he can pay himself out of the hole!
Until he gets to his Bookie's place to find him dead and ends up with "several" criminal gangs after him.
Now this isn't a horrible book but some how I just never got into it. Conway and Abbie (the bookie [Tommy's] sister) are on the run and in a convoluted mystery but "for me" it only got mildly interesting. Go figure. If you're into the whole Hard Boiled or Hard Case Crime thing or (like me) just into Westlake maybe try it yourself. For me, not one of his best....more
***Thank you Petra X. Your like got me to look back at this review and I found no less fewer than 7 typos.***
I am at least "sort of a fan" of the Park***Thank you Petra X. Your like got me to look back at this review and I found no less fewer than 7 typos.***
I am at least "sort of a fan" of the Parker series written by Westlake (writing as Richard Stark). So when I was looking for something a bit more gritty and realistic and saw this I got it from the library. At the time I did I didn't realize it was his last book.
Of late like many people who read a lot I had burned out a bit on the kind of novel I usually read. That would usually veer toward some kind of fantasy, science fiction or combination thereof. Just because I mostly read these highly imaginative genres it doesn't mean I don't read anything else, I have always tended to (overall) read pretty eclectically. Thus I took a look at the series of books that have been released under the name Hard Case Crime. There I found this.
This book is actually a lot deeper (if you care to look) than the overall story. While the protagonist (Koo Davis) is the center of the story in many ways the heart of the story also involves his kidnappers.
You know I generally don't like hostage/kidnap stories. This one however is interesting on several levels. We're dealing with a time not too long after the end of the Vietnam War...the later '70s. The country is trying to recover and the people are trying (at least overall) to heal the rifts. Koo Davis is a comic/comedian who started back in the end of Vaudeville and became a star on radio. He is now well known by everybody everywhere. Koo has never really been a political comic. Oh he'd made fun of politicians in general but mostly he was a gag man who gave the audience laughs. He had been in on the ground floor of the USO and had for years entertained the American troops. He never really understood what went on around Vietnam.
Koo is so obviously based on Bob Hope the only reason I can come up with for using the name Koo Davis was probably to escape a lawsuit.
The kidnappers are a group of no longer so young people who were part of the want to be revolution movement on the '60s. They have decided that this grand move, kidnapping maybe the best known comic in America will reinvigorate "THE MOVEMENT".
There is a somewhat doubled irony or level of melancholy here also. This book is now set almost 50 years in the past. How many current readers will really grasp the feeling of the late 1960s? More than that how many will be able to grasp how well known...or even who Bob Hope was. I suspect that while older readers (like me) will see Hope right away younger readers will only see Koo Davis a comic who entertains troops while holding a golf club.
I recommend this one. The "journey" that Koo and his captors take, the (may I reuse a word here?) melancholy ending are very well done. The is "almost" a 5...I'd say 4.5.
By the way there is a sort twist that may or may not add to the novel. I'm a little ambivalent about it as it does veer the character away from the actual Hope some. That said...not too far I'm afraid. See what you think.
Mike (the Paladin)
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