Showing posts with label hard-boiled. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hard-boiled. Show all posts

Lost Light Review

Lost Light
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Lost Light ReviewFrom his first incredible book, "The Black Echo," LAPD Detective Harry Bosch has had one mission and one mission only as he sees it-to speak for the dead. To bring justice to those who have killed and some measure of comfort, no matter how small to the victims left behind as survivors. When he retired, he took his watch and his files and thought his mission was over.
Instead, while he does not have the authority of the badge any more, he realizes as time passes that the mission remains. In particular, a case from a four year old unsolved murder begins to work its way into his mind. Angella Benton, an employee of Eidon Productions, was found dead in the vestibule of her apartment building. Bosch was assigned the case and was working it days later on a movie set when the set was robbed of two million dollars during a brazen daylight robbery shootout. Bosch would wound one robber, none of whom were ever caught, and the money was never found. After the robbery and the resulting high profile glare of the media, the Benton case was pulled from Bosch and folded into the robbery investigation and given to two detectives from Robbery Homicide. Days later, while eating lunch, one of the detectives was killed and the other permanently paralyzed in a robbery at a neighborhood bar.
That was a death knell for the case as cops are a superstitious lot and there are always new cases that demand immediate attention. But Bosch without a badge is just as aggressive as he was when he carried the shield. He may be retired, but he still goes at it the only way he knows how and soon seems to have antagonized his former bosses as well as other parties. Before long, old friends are annoyed, a federal terrorism task force is involved and unhappy, as well as numerous other shadowy figures. Once again, violence comes home in more ways than one, but no matter what, Bosch won't stop.
As in the other novels of this enjoyable series, Connelly looks deep into the dark abyss that lurks within everyone where life is cheap and greed in the moment wins out over human decency. At the same time, by using an unexpected plot twist, one of several at the end, Harry is redeemed and temporarily at least, finds the peace and solace he has sought for in novel after novel.
While this book reads like it might be the final one in the Harry Bosch series, which has had one heck of a run, I hope not. If it is, Michael Connelly has fittingly ended the series by exploring and further developing his signature character. He has done so in new and unexpected ways while adding plenty of action, an intriguing core mystery as well as additional secondary storylines, and a fine plot. This is a top notch read and proof of why he is simply one of the best crime writers in the business today.Lost Light Overview

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Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery) Review

Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery)
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Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery) ReviewMike Knowles is a fresh new talent in crime fiction. His character, Wilson, is to Lee Child's "Reacher," or Lawrence Block's "Keller," like Superboy is to Superman. He will develop into a superhero character that all will admire. The writing, pacing and character development are all superb; and have a somewhat "hardboiled" tone reminiscent of Max Allen Collin's "Quarry" series. The book left me wanting more of Mike Knowles. I am sure others will feel the same. He is going to become a well-known, successful author. Can't wait to read more.Grinder: A Mystery (A Wilson Mystery) Overview

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Pursuit: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries) Review

Pursuit: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries)
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Pursuit: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries) ReviewI have been a fan of Garcia-Roza for a while and was very impressed with the first three installments in the Espinosa series. This book, which for a while seemed was going to be better than the fourth installment (a disappointment in itself), ended up abruptly. The ending explains nothing and resolves little. I was a very frustrated and angry reader when I turned the last page.
The book is divided into "stories", what should rather have been presented as chapters of the same story. The first one of these is stellar. It builds up the mystery around Jonas/Isidoro and leaves one yearning to get to the end of the book and to discover what is behind this baffling character. His motivations are dark and his actions are confusing. The plot seems to lead the reader closer and closer to what could have been an exciting ending.
What happens in the end, however, I can tell you without offering any spoilers. Nothing is resolved. No questions are answered. The story ends. It almost looks like the author didn't know what to do with it. Read the book if you want, but don't say that you weren't warned. I give it two stars only for the unachieved potential this story had.Pursuit: An Inspector Espinosa Mystery (Inspector Espinosa Mysteries) Overview

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In Plain Sight (A Wilson Mystery) Review

In Plain Sight (A Wilson Mystery)
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In Plain Sight (A Wilson Mystery) ReviewIf any book deserved the description of gritty crime drama, it is In Plain Sight by Mike Knowles. Written in narrative style with dialog only when necessary, you get directly into the mind of Wilson who is a very good, bad guy. This is a vicious, bloody and violent story with the Russian mob, crooked cops, and people who get in their way.
The author uses a unique style of adding a psychological look at his characters. There was an interesting look at a lesson Wilson's uncle taught him about the necessary behavior to learn to hide in plain sight. This psychological twist is also used when Wilson sizes up his enemies. There was not a character in the book I really liked, but I don't think it matters. In Plain Sight is not a warm fuzzy. Had I read Mr. Knowles' previous Wilson Mysteries, Darwin's Nightmare and Grinder, I think would have understood the character of Wilson more.
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City of Bones Review

City of Bones
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City of Bones ReviewI have heard lots of good comments about the Harry Bosch novels and I was not disappointed with this seventh book of the series. Bosch is a hard boiled homocide detective in the Hollywood division of the LAPD who gets a call that a dog has discovered a human bone. The investigation uncovers a 20 year old murder of a 12 year-old boy who was the victim of child abuse. As the case proceeds, Bosch meets and becomes involved with a rookie cop named Julia Brasher, who has an idealistic view of police work.
Some information leaks and false clues initially sidetrack the investigation but slowly the victim is identified and his short and tortured life revealed. Connelly draws his characters with fine strokes and his development of the details of the police procedures which are key to solving cases was really fascinating to me. Understanding the murder book, how warrants were drawn up and served, and details behind the forensic investigation added to my enjoyment of the story.
False directions provide intrigue but I was a little disappointed with the unsatisfying way the murderer was revealed and dealt with.
All in all though, a fast paced (I read it in one 24 hour period), and very enjoyable read.City of Bones Overview

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The Guilty Plea: A Novel Review

The Guilty Plea: A Novel
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The Guilty Plea: A Novel ReviewI recently finished both The Guilty Plea, and its predecessor Old City Hall. I consider this a review of both books.
3 stars is a relatively low rating, although I want to be clear that I enjoyed reading this book. It has a lot of positives. First and foremost, this book is authentic. I currently study Canadian law, and have spent a lot of time in the Toronto area. This book is a very authentic reflection of both. It is refreshing to read a legal thriller with an authentic Canadian edge. I also think that Rotenberg does a great job developing some of the main characters, Detective Greene and his father in particular.
Now for the "buts". Even though the plot is reasonably exciting (I was eager to see what happened next), I found it to be simplistic. It had the depth of an episode of CSI. It reminded me a bit of the Hardy Boy books I read as a kid. There are a couple twists, some subtle hints along the way, and a climax "ah hah" moment at the end. More experienced thriller writers generally put together a much more complex, multi-layered story, with different story arcs, overlapping in interesting ways. Both of Rotenberg's books focus on a single narrative: a single murder, with an obvious suspect who everyone thinks committed the crime (but did they really?!). We see the case from different perspectives, but Rotenberg doesn't really use that device to create suspense. There is a side plot in both books regarding the death of Officer Kennicot's brother, but neither book pushes the story line forward, even a little bit. That annoyed me.
There were a few other things that annoyed me as well. Right off the bat, I found it agitating to see the same device used to kick off the plot in Guilty Plea as we saw in Old City Hall. In both books, an immigrant worker goes through a routine, comments to themselves how silly North Americans do things, and then discovers the body and calls the police. As I started reading the book, part of me wondered if I could have saved my money and just read Old City Hall again. But my money spent, I read on. The main story wasn't so forumalic, but I ran into a bigger problem: it didn't always make a lot of sense. For instance, there is one scene in which Detective Greene and his father mourn the death of the detective's late mother. The chapter concludes with Greene emotionally "letting go". Here's the problem: Greene's mother has almost never been mentioned in either of the two books, and this whole things comes totally out of nowhere. At least the distraction is momentary; the romantic relationships of our main two characters (Greene and Kennicot) are a constant annoyance. The relationships don't progress in a believable way, they have no value to the plot, they don't reveal anything about the main characters, and by the end of the book they are of no significance at all. Speaking of the end of the book, I didn't like the final twist/climax. A good twist is one that you can't believe you didn't see coming; this twist was one I couldn't believe even after it was spelled out in detail. The resolution of the story also felt rushed, although in some ways that was a good thing: the climax made more sense when I didn't have time to think about it.
That's how I'd recommend you approach this book. It's an insightful and authentic look at Toronto, and the Canadian criminal justice system. The story is good popcorn fun, and some of the characters are quite likeable. But don't waste your energy trying to figure out whodunnit. Enjoy the book like you would enjoy CSI: don't think too much, and try to enjoy the ride.
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Die a Little: A Novel Review

Die a Little: A Novel
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Die a Little: A Novel ReviewThis was a great read! One I had a very hard time putting down. Set in 1950's Hollywood, it explores the dark, twisted lives of high powered studio men, call girls, drugs and murder. Bill and Lora are siblings living in quiet suburbia in Pasadena. He's a cop and she's a school teacher. Then Bill meets vivacious Alice Steele when her car hits his. A friendship blossoms, and soon after a relationship. The two marry, buy a house, and settle into simple lives.
In the beginning all is well. Lora is happy for her brother and loves having sophisticated Alice around, who throws lavish neighborhood parties and is always in the spotlight. But soon Lora starts to notice little things that don't seem quite right. Dark edges around sweet Alice...who is Alice really, and where did she come from?
As Lora gets deeper and deeper into the trenches of shady Hollywood, she begins to realize that she's getting caught up in everything, she's beginning to change from the mundane schoolteacher into something else, something bad. Can she figure everything out before it's too late? I've gotta say I really recommend this book. I initially picked it up because of the era it's set in, but the story really grabbed me. Definitely give it a try...you won't be disappointed!Die a Little: A Novel Overview

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Pacific Heights: A Novel (Marten Fane) Review

Pacific Heights: A Novel (Marten Fane)
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Pacific Heights: A Novel (Marten Fane) Review
According to the book's flyleaf, this is the start of a "new series" featuring detective Marten Fane.
From the Amazon product page, "... the quiet, plotting detective Marten Fane...".
Well, that's certainly accurate. He's so quiet he's basically comatose. Though this may be an accurate description of the type of guy who has a successful career in intelligence in the real world, it makes for some pretty boring reading, and not exactly the kind of literary character who's going to set the world on fire with a fan following.
That's the problem with this book. It never really develops any momentum. A couple of society trophy wives are having affairs with the same guy, who seems to be doing something nefarious. The problem is that you have to wade through over half the book to really find out what's going on, and that half of the book never develops any pizzazz or sense of danger.
Yeah, he's getting in their heads. So what? Then, by the time you do find out what the bad guy's doing, it's hard to develop any sense of urgency even then. There's a real problem with pacing in this novel.
The other problem is the characters. None of the players are really all that distinctive; they wander in and out of the story; they're not especially unique or interesting. The whole thing's kind of a yawner.
Meh.Pacific Heights: A Novel (Marten Fane) Overview

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The Big Sleep; Farewell, My Lovely; The High Window (Everyman's Library) Review

The Big Sleep; Farewell, My Lovely; The High Window (Everyman's Library)
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The Big Sleep; Farewell, My Lovely; The High Window (Everyman's Library) ReviewNot whether to get it -- for you must -- but which edition to get it in -- that is the question. And the Everyman's edition is the edition you want. It has three novels to Modern Library's two, and its paper is thicker than that of the Library of America edition. The font is a tad smaller than that in the Vintage Crime paperback editions, but still pleasantly readable. And the hardcover binding is a sturdy, beautiful and very strokable red cloth.
As for the novels themselves, well, suffice to say, they are classics: addictive, page-turning, vivid, funny, haunting. The characters are original and believable. All rendered in tight prose and witty, convincing dialogues.
Enjoy.The Big Sleep; Farewell, My Lovely; The High Window (Everyman's Library) Overview

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The Big Sleep & Farewell, My Lovely (Modern Library) Review

The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely (Modern Library)
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The Big Sleep & Farewell, My Lovely (Modern Library) ReviewSeeing as how "The Big Sleep" and "Farewell, My Lovely" are the first two Philip Marlowe detective novels that Raymond Chandler wrote (published in 1939 and 1940, respectively), this is a grand place for a Chandler novice to begin pursuing the morally decrepit alleys and boulevards of the rich and not-so-rich in Los Angeles.
One thing you should note is that Chandler held the conventional detective stories (think: Agatha Christie) in disdain. Ergo, any attempt of mine to barf back the plots to you is a waste of time. They are so complex that you often forget exactly what happened shortly after you finish reading the books themselves...which doesn't detract from their quality whatsoever mind you. It's been told often enough that after their publication, Chandler often didn't even know what was going on in his own novels!
Suffice to say that both books concern murder among the wealthy elites in L.A. during Chandler's life--a time when the city was a lot smaller than its present size, and more hostile to outsiders--particularly to people of color. "The Big Sleep" concerns a disappearance and a reclusive millionaire and his two daughters (one is a mentally deranged nymphomaniac; the other is a bit more sensible, but no less shady) and the lengths he'll go to protect them. While this isn't the best Marlowe novel, this is probably the best place to start. Plus, it got made into a pretty good movie starring Bogie and Bacall.
"Farewell, My Lovely" is perhaps the most politically incorrect of the Marlowe books. It starts off with a murder at a bar in South Central L.A. and extends its tentacles into jewel heists and gambling rings where it is difficult to ascertain exactly who is doing what to whom. In Chandler's L.A., nothing is what it seems.
The story itself is engrossing, however, you must prepare yourself for Marlowe dropping the "N" word at least once, and his mockery of an American Indian for speaking in pidgeon English. Remember that this was 1940 and was 25 years before the Watts riots began to put an end to the white-dominated old boys network that used to rule L.A. That in itself makes it an interesting look at the mentality of the powers at be (the wealthy, the LAPD) and see how much has changed since Chandler's day...and how much hasn't.
My personal favorite of Chandler's books is "The Long Goodbye"--the second-to-last Marlowe novel that was published in 1954. I would rank both of these books below that one, but "Farewell, My Lovely" is a close second, while "The Big Sleep" is an auspicious debut for the hard-boiled, cynical, yet romantic ...
For those who are willing to take more than a passive interest in the works of Raymond Chandler, this two-book set is an excellent place to start. Furthermore, for those who are merely casual Chandler fans, this set is great because these two books are among his best (and it looks nice on your bookshelf too!)The Big Sleep & Farewell, My Lovely (Modern Library) Overview

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Very Bad Men Review

Very Bad Men
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Very Bad Men ReviewDavid Loogan lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his girlfriend, Detective Elizabeth Waishkey and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Sarah. Loogan edits a mystery magazine, and he has made the mental leap from writing and critiquing stories about crime to tracking down villains in real life. In Harry Dolan's latest novel, "Very Bad Men," David tells us a story that will explain "the motives people have for killing one another." As we will see, the reasons for taking someone's life can vary from a matter of convenience to a thirst for revenge. Loogan, who is a witty first person narrator, gets embroiled in his latest adventure when someone drops an unsolicited manuscript at his office, in which the anonymous writer confesses to committing murder and even provides the name of his next victim.
An emotionally disturbed individual has targeted particular men whom he believes must die; if he has to dispatch others who are not on the list, so be it. When Elizabeth and David become familiar with the case, they discover that it is far more complex than it at first appears. "Very Bad Men" involves a seventeen-year-old bank robbery, corrupt public officials, an aspiring senatorial candidate, and an ambitious young newspaper reporter who stirs things up.
Harry Dolan has created a large cast of characters, each of whom plays a role in what will turn out to be a Greek tragedy, Michigan style. The author is good with details: how to kill someone who is locked up in prison; what it is like to live with excruciating migraine headaches; a fine description of the landscape and inhabitants of Michigan's Upper Peninsula; and the tricks that tenacious journalists use to get their stories. Although the plot is ridiculously convoluted and not particularly believable, "Very Bad Man" is entertaining enough to hold our interest. As bodies pile up and events occur that shed new light on what is happening, David and Elizabeth decide to dig deeper into the past. They suspect that the slaughter will not stop until secrets that have been hidden for many years are finally revealed.
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