A story told from three view points, a cop, a criminal and a tabloid reporter; starting in the heady days of 'Swinging Sixties' London hosting the fooA story told from three view points, a cop, a criminal and a tabloid reporter; starting in the heady days of 'Swinging Sixties' London hosting the football World Cup in which events and just bad luck sees an heinous crime committed (The book title might give it away), a crime that hugely impacts the lives of the three protagonists over the next three decades! [image] A no holds barred look at the underbelly, attitudes, corruption and criminality of the police, tabloid media and petty criminals in 1960s' London and how that impacted on the future. This is such a neat read especially as it dispels the myth that things were better in the 'good old days', and takes a stark look at how policing failed communities for many decades. There's also an interesting 'gay-man in closet' sub story. A really interesting 'back-in-the-day' London read built around real events and people. An 8 out of 12 Four Star read for me. So good, that I am going to hunt down the 2008 TV show adaptation :) [image] 2024 read ...more
Black man, Carl Lee Hailey's daughter is savagely assaulted, tortured and left for dead by two racist men. His daughter was 10 years old. There's no dBlack man, Carl Lee Hailey's daughter is savagely assaulted, tortured and left for dead by two racist men. His daughter was 10 years old. There's no doubt in Carl's mind that this is a time to kill. The entire State of Mississippi is hooked on the trial of Carl Lee Hailey. The town of Clanton, Mississippi where the crimes took place is focus point of the book as race politics and pure politic all get caught up in this murder trial of the century. [image] This is truly an unforgettable debut, and plainly shows how Grisham's appeal acquired many from the off. A story that's almost documentary in feel with its third person omnipotent narration and oddly dispassionate view of the some of the vicious crimes that take place in this book. What I love about this book, and it does it so well, (and history has proven many times), is that there are no good or well-meaning racists. It exposes the KKK and racists' viewpoint that they'd even support White child rapists over a Black Man. The chapter by chapter story is captivating with the Black Man being defended by a typical Southern man, just one that believes in justice. At times a hard read, be warned. A strong 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
First up, I have to confess that I've read Shakespeare's Macbeth, just the once, and didn't really truly understand it. This re-telling by commercial First up, I have to confess that I've read Shakespeare's Macbeth, just the once, and didn't really truly understand it. This re-telling by commercial bookselling and writing juggernaut Nesbo is very good. I presume he has retained all the character names with Macbeth, Banquo, Lady Macbeth, Duff, Hecate etc. all present, and so I am going to also presume that the story is pretty nailed on to the original work too. In light of that, I don't know whether I should be praising Nesbo or Shakespeare for this superb retelling, but Nesbo definitively gets credits for the modern settings and materials used in this story, especially the dramatic physical confrontations and very fine final confrontations! I think this might be a must-read for fans of both writers. 8 out of 12, Four Stars. [image] 2024 read...more
The remaining two members of the NYPD Red Team members Eric and Trudy are so far on the outs they might as well be traffic police; but they ain't doneThe remaining two members of the NYPD Red Team members Eric and Trudy are so far on the outs they might as well be traffic police; but they ain't done yet! When they get caught up in the bizarre case of a privileged young an getting caught with a huge amount of drugs and the corpse of a gangbanger in his boot whilst on a fun-ride with his peers, our maverick cops get drawn into the game again! Ennis' walk into the world of urban crime / maverick police procedural continues unabated with this equally good sequel to the Red Team. Another quality 8 out of 12 Four Star jam! [image] 2024 read...more
NYPD Red Team members Eric and Trudy are being interviewed over their team's actions over the last year or so. The Red Team was put together to get orNYPD Red Team members Eric and Trudy are being interviewed over their team's actions over the last year or so. The Red Team was put together to get organised crime conspiracies convicted by any means necessary, however they may have run a bit too far with that definition! A clever Ennis jam, as the darkness of the Red Team is slowly revealed as the story of the journey is shared via interview. Ni typical fodder as the graphic violence is limited and stood aside for some intelligent crime conspiracy plotting. 8 out of 12, Four Star jam :) [image] 2024 read...more
Harry Bosch #5, Bosch Universe #6: 'Trunk music', is US organised crime code for the gurgling sound emitted by a dead body that has been stashed in a Harry Bosch #5, Bosch Universe #6: 'Trunk music', is US organised crime code for the gurgling sound emitted by a dead body that has been stashed in a car trunk for too long. When the body of a low-rent Hollywood producer is found in the trunk of his own car with bullets in the head everyone follows the obvious path of the gangland hit, that is everyone bar Bosch , who not only ends up fulling afoul with other cops, he pisses off the FBI as well. [image] Bosch who's sort of back on some cops' good sides finds himself leading an all Black team of two detectives, but lucky for him, two very good detectives in their own way, despite one of them being a diversity appointment and the other big-tome betraying Bosch in the past! Another highly competent and engaging story, and this time our determined cop has allies! [image] After the dust was settled on reading this one, I gave it a 7 out of 12, Three Stars, down from the Four Stars I had originally given it! 2024 read...more
**spoiler alert** Lawyer and critical thinker Patrick Lanigan almost got away with it; he faked his death and stole 90 million dollars from his own la**spoiler alert** Lawyer and critical thinker Patrick Lanigan almost got away with it; he faked his death and stole 90 million dollars from his own law firm that he was a 'partner' in. The money was from a deal in which essentially an organised crime lord defrauded the US Government. The faked death cover included an unidentified corpse in his car wreck, so a murder charge was also raised when Patrick Lanigan, living the good life in Brazil was finally caught! As the criminals, FBI, press, courts and his one-time widowed wife all gun for him, Patrick tries to work through his meticulously put together plan of seeing if he and his Brazilian female lawyer confidante can find a way out to free them from all of his antagonists. [image] I really enjoyed this Grisham jam as I love a detailed plan and execution of said plan. This one's a doozy and would make a great TV series. Like most of his early books this is set in the Grisham universe where the FBI and its head Haynes are the common factor. This is clever battle of wills and law between a well researched lawyer and multiple personal interests and is yet another Grisham tale of effectively an individual fighting the system and doing it with some aplomb. A firm (no pun intended) 8 out of 12, Four Star read, [image] 2024 read...more
Harry Bosch #4, Bosch Universe #4: Harry Bosch is seeing a talking therapy specialist, having been suspended for assaulting another officer. With timeHarry Bosch #4, Bosch Universe #4: Harry Bosch is seeing a talking therapy specialist, having been suspended for assaulting another officer. With time to kill, Harry finally finds himself investigating the murder of his prostitute mother and the possible LAPD and wider cover up! This is a rough one for Harry, but maybe even rougher for the police authorities that have to deal with the off-book off-duty detective's investigation. A pretty defining episode for Bosch as such a personal case, even though off the books, helps clarify the few friends and/or allies he really does have. An interesting and neatly packaged piece of detective fiction 8 out of 12, Four Star read, [image] 2024 read...more
The third Harry Bosch book turned it up. In the first book, The Black Echo we're told Harry had been moved to his present department after he killed aThe third Harry Bosch book turned it up. In the first book, The Black Echo we're told Harry had been moved to his present department after he killed a prime serial killer suspect who was going for his toupee! This book features a court case brought by the man's wife and her artful lawyer. During the trial the serial killer appears to strike again, with the same MO with the added touch of putting the corpses in concrete! This, or appears to be, as I have only read three of this series, Harry Bosch at his best as he delves into a case that may jeopardise his own trial! A firm Four Star, 8 out of 12 read. [image] 2024 read...more
Harry Bosch #2, Bosch Universe #2: As ever Bosch winds up his fellow lawmakers as much as the villains he goes after, when on this occasion he is veryHarry Bosch #2, Bosch Universe #2: As ever Bosch winds up his fellow lawmakers as much as the villains he goes after, when on this occasion he is very uncomfortable with the supposed suicide of an LAPD narcotics officer in random hotel room. Bosch unerring ear for truth and danger sees him caught up on the trail of one a 'big boss' who leads in the production and export of 'Black Ice' a deadly and super addictive drug cocktail about to go big in the States! All in all an interesting sole-detective fiction read, but if Bosch gets to be another woman involved in one of his cases in the third book in this series, I might have to drop reading the rest! 7 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2024 read...more
Harry Bosch #1, Bosch Universe #1: ...and thus I begin on my mission to read a shed load of Harry Bosch universe books in 2024, starting with the firsHarry Bosch #1, Bosch Universe #1: ...and thus I begin on my mission to read a shed load of Harry Bosch universe books in 2024, starting with the first in the series. Harry Bosch one-time big-shot Hollywood movies bound super detective is a bit of do-it-my-way wildcard loner, and because of such we find him working for LAPD Homicide on the overnight shift, when he's sent to investigate an overdose case in an underground tunnel. His real po-lice skills sees him determine that the OD could be a murder, but what really throws him, is that he knew the victim personally!! An interesting opening book, with a pretty interesting character in Harry Bosh and a not so interesting case with too many coincidences, but there is good plotting. A 6 out of 12, Three Star read for me :) [image] 2024 read...more
The Lincoln Lawyer book No. 4: Not my first Harry Bosch universe read, but my first Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller series read. And before I start recoThe Lincoln Lawyer book No. 4: Not my first Harry Bosch universe read, but my first Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller series read. And before I start recounting this volume I must say that Connelly has completely nailed the way to write serial books that anyone can jump in on in any volume and still enjoy the reads. Mickey Haller client, and online anti-mercenary banking advocate Lisa Trammel is accused and arrested for the murder of the CEO of the bank trying to take away her home; Mickey is less worried whether she is guilty or not, as to, can he really do his best legal work for a woman that he really doesn't like? [image] I don't look for much from these bestselling commercial writers other than page turn-ability; but Connelly treats his readers like adults and as ever, produces top quality crime and court drama that deservedly sells so well. Off of the back of this read, I've decided that I'm going to read all his books in 2024! Although note that I originally Shelved this as a thriller but changed it to Crime Fiction on completion; it is essentially a legal drama. A safe and solid 7 out of 12, Three Star read. I do like Mickey Haler, but not as much as I like Harry Bosch, Connelly's primary serial character, I guess. :) [image] 2023 read PS: This series was adapted for TV by Netflix for streaming in 2023 :)...more
So this is it, the final comic book issue of the Sunshine and Roses season that leads up to the 'on the downlow' life led by our protagonists in StraySo this is it, the final comic book issue of the Sunshine and Roses season that leads up to the 'on the downlow' life led by our protagonists in Stray Bullets, Vol. 2: Somewhere Out West. The final showdown between Spanish Scott and his (dis-)organised crime syndicate, Kretch on the brink and our favourite trio of Beth, Orson and Nina, all in a once sleepy California town. [image] Multiple police casualties, a hospital on fire, police and firemen everywhere and 20+people hunting the drugs, the money and the big mobster's girlfriend. Not the best of the series but still a fine finale where a lot of questions are answered and we get to see the fates of a number of key characters that were introduced in this season. A fair 8 out of 12, Four Star read :) [image] 2023 read...more
Our main protagonists are in bed... in a hospital ward in a rinky-dink town in Cali; they've lost their heist drugs and cash, but it looks like no oneOur main protagonists are in bed... in a hospital ward in a rinky-dink town in Cali; they've lost their heist drugs and cash, but it looks like no one realises as multiple malignant forces descend on the town including Spanish Scott and earlier a rapidly 'going cray cray' Kretch! Can Beth's mum, Kretch's 'too much drug taking' now possibly mentally unbalanced brother Vic and the jolly big Rasta with a machete save the day? [image] Just when I began to fear that the Lapham's wouldn't turn it up in these final issues, the truly did as a four police car town feels the violence of the city land like an elephant in garden pond! Let's be honest realistic erratic ungraceful violence is one of the things that this series does best :D. A neat 9 out of 12, fiery Four Stars. [image]2023 read...more
In the cray cray non-linear story telling world of Stray Bullets despite knowing the end results of this cataclysmic tug-o-war between multiple partieIn the cray cray non-linear story telling world of Stray Bullets despite knowing the end results of this cataclysmic tug-o-war between multiple parties for a drugs and cash prize at the start of Stray Bullets, Vol. 2: Somewhere Out West, all eyes are on this volume to see if the creative team can finish this series as well as they started and managed it throughout. Reading this final volume in comic book issues feels like it has taken some of the intensity of the series although the sense and tension build up to an unforgettable finish is pretty bang-on. 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
The principals in this "it's all going to end in blood and bullets" drama see their worlds draw back together via a number of phone calls, hence this The principals in this "it's all going to end in blood and bullets" drama see their worlds draw back together via a number of phone calls, hence this issue's subtitle "Calls". As we head towards the end there's more core character reveals, pointing to time running out for the creative team. This amazing and innovative look at the disenfranchised people that are caught up by the impact of 'stray bullets' from low to mid-level organised crime with its core cast whose lives were never the same, had reached such peak creativity for me that I feared that my expectations would be too high to be met by these issues of the final volume. 7 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
Another superb thing about this series is that every now and again there's a random issue set in an alternative reality that was created, actually draAnother superb thing about this series is that every now and again there's a random issue set in an alternative reality that was created, actually drawn and lettered, by one of the main characters' when she was a child in the earlier volumes of this series! The characters in this reality are based on those in the main book. In this, likely last visit to this world, we get to see lots of bedlam as usually but also possible foreshadowing of the main story! Another cool instalment. Cool beans! 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
Finally in this final run we catch-up with our main protagonists Beth, Orson and Nina, who were last seen split-up, under fire and about to have theirFinally in this final run we catch-up with our main protagonists Beth, Orson and Nina, who were last seen split-up, under fire and about to have their heist haul taken away by some chancers. This volume picks up a few days later with Orson and Beth reunited on a road-trip to rescue Nina. It is with his core cast that Lapham excels and after decades of issues he once again asks, will Beth open up to Orson? Another great issue in this peerless character study of the the non-franchised, the outliers and the wild ones. 9 out of 12 Four Stars. [image]Image Comics are yet to release the final volume of this series so I am having to read and review solo issues, a pet-hate of mine. Also @ImageComics how many more years do we have to wait for you to collect these into Volume five of this series? On the flip side reading this issue is nicely helping to draw out treading this final volume :) [image] 2023 read...more
Image Comics are yet to release the final volume of this series so I am having to read and review solo issues, a pet-hate of mine. Also @ImageComics hImage Comics are yet to release the final volume of this series so I am having to read and review solo issues, a pet-hate of mine. Also @ImageComics how many more years do we have to wait for you to collect these into Volume five of this series? This issue classic Lapham low-life criminal mayhem as 'Love' a huge dreadlocked African American criminal gets drawn into the the warring Baltimore gangs, and he tries to extract Rose, Vic and Joey the tension mounts as it heads to the inevitable confrontation with the dark, deadly and lethal Spanish Scott and Monster! A very firm 9 out of 12 Four Star read positions this final volume in the area that I think it deserves. [image] 2023 read...more
Loading...
