Author: HCNewton Page 605 of 625

One of the constant battles in The Spellman Files has been Izzy’s struggle with maturity and responsibility — there are people who just don’t grow up, who are locked into an eternal childhood. And then there are people like Izzy who have waged war on their impending adulthood. Her struggles are at times as trying to the reader as they are for those closest to her — friends/family/boyfriends — but primarily they amuse us (this is due to the skill of the Lutz more than Izzy’s inherent charm). Trail of the Spellmans ended with Izzy taking some determined steps towards maturity, however reluctantly, and The Last Word starts off showing how poorly that’s going.

Oddly enough, given her determined adolescence, I’ve always liked Izzy most when she’s interacting with the elderly (other than her grandmother — but I don’t know who could be likable while dealing with her). Early on, it was Mort Schilling — who I’ve missed, and now we get Edward Slayter and Charlie. While they serve similar roles in the narratives (a mature advisory/near-parental voice that Izzy sort-of listens to), Mr. Slayter and Charlie aren’t anywhere as amusing as Mort was.

These are ostensibly mystery novels, and there are a handful this time ’round. More than one of which focuses on Mr. Slayter (keeping this vague for spoiler reasons), so we see Izzy at her strongest. There’s some mysterious antics involving Rae, of course — and I’ve found these stories to be harder to enjoy lately, even more than Izzy’s Pernella Pan syndrome. And the requisite mystery about what Albert and Olivia are up to — once this moves beyond them repaying Izzy for being such a lousy and defiant employee/daughter for yeas, this becomes the emotional core of the book and is probably the best use of these characters in the series. The other cases are entertaining enough, and definitely provide a good balance to the more emotionally charged and serious plot lines.

Maybe it’s just me, but I sound negative about this book so far. And I don’t mean to! As always, it’s a pleasure to spend time with these characters and in this world. Izzy’s TV taste remains impeccable. And Lutz’s breezy style can carry even the most problematic characters and stories in a way that seems effortless (and is undoubtedly very difficult to do successfully). The character development here is a natural — and needed — progression from Trail, even if it means this isn’t the laughter-filled read the first few were. I wasn’t entirely thrilled with where this book left the family and business, but I understand (and would defend) the choices Lutz made — and I’m sure in a few weeks, I’ll only look back on this novel positively. But right now, my reaction to the last couple of chapters are coloring my mood.

Still, highly recommended — throughout the reading of this, I had fantasies of taking a few days off work to do nothing but re-read this series back-to-back, and that still sounds like a great way to spend some downtime.

Quick Updates and (possible) Big News: 7/16

By HCNewton

On July 16, 2013

In Uncategorized

Trying to get a review up today, but my typical caffeine dose just didn’t cut it this morning, so I’m running behind. Maybe I can tide ya over with a couple of ratings from some reviews that are in progress:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey 5 out of 5 stars
The Last Word by Lisa Lutz 4 out of 5 stars
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman 5 out of 5 stars
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan 4 out of 5 stars (this one might turn into 5 by the time I’m done writing the review)

Yeah, I’m in the middle of a good streak right now. Won’t last forever, but I’m enjoying the ride.

Big News: I may have secured an interview with the author of one of my favorite books of 2012 — and I’m sure the sequel will be in the running this year, too — I just have to read it. I’ll let you know more as details arise. Super-excited about this.

Dusted Off: Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz, David Hayward

By HCNewton

On July 15, 2013

In Authors, Fiction, K-O, Lisa Lutz, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a hook, what a killer (no pun intended) concept–an established mystery writer sends off a chapter of a new novel to an ex-boyfriend, asking him to collaborate with her on the novel. She’ll take the odd-numbered chapters, him the even. Interspersed in these chapters are emails sent back and forth, along with other comments they make on the other’s work, as the two stumble through the writing process.

And while that’s amusing enough, the actual novel ends up being a pretty good read. In a small California town, a pot-growing brother and sister team find a headless body in their backyard. They try (a couple of times) to dispose of the body so they can continue their growing without police interference, and then take it upon themselves to solve this murder (and the others that follow). A very unlikely crime stopping pair, to be sure.

The novel is filled with quirky characters, twists and turns that no one (even 50% of the authors) can see coming. Far more than just a catchy hook–Heads You Lose is an entertaining crime novel that’ll leave you wanting more.

The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling To Men by Richard D. Phillips

By HCNewton

On July 14, 2013

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling To Men by Richard D. Phillips
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A few years ago, I spent a couple of weeks staying with a friend in South Carolina. His church didn’t have an evening service, so he would frequently attend the church pastored by Richard Phillips, and he took me along that first week I was there. He preached on the role and duties of husbands from Ephesians 5 — I don’t remember much about the sermon, most of his points have been incorporated into the rest of the sermons/books/expositions I’ve heard/read on the passage. I do remember how humbled, convicted, and challenged I felt afterward. My friend told me on the way home that we were going back the next week for sure, because after all that directed at him, his wife needed to get preached at the same way (as I recall, instead of hitting wives with both barrels like he did husbands, Phillips only gave them one barrel and used the other one at husbands again).

The Masculine Mandate wasn’t as convicting or powerful as that sermon was (books seldom are, if you ask me) — but it was definitely in the same vein. The Mandate that Phillips focuses on is God’s purpose of the first man (and through him, all others descending from him) in Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” His primary concern is to show how contemporary man can and should “work” and “keep” in every sphere of life, yet this book is very Gospel-centered, and he makes it clear that the only way to achieve this mandate is via Ordinary Means-enabled sanctification.

The initial chapters developed these doctrinal points to provide a foundation for the practical chapters. While I thought he was spot-on with his teaching, and frequently insightful, I did wonder why he picked the particular passages he built these chapters around, and why others were excluded, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that he dodged passages/topics — not at all. All in all, Phillips did develop his teaching on “work” and “keep” enough that when he moves to the more practical chapters, the reader is prepared to see the application of doctrine, not just a list of “do’s.”

Like any good preacher, Philips uses Biblical examples and exemplars throughout to illustrate his points. For example, Boaz is shown as the husband model we should aspire to. And a particularly strong and convicting chapter is about using John the Baptizer as a model for a servant attitude. This put some flesh to hid teaching beyond sound thinking and his own experience.

He spends more time on the role of man in marriage than in anything else — fittingly enough — and much of it echoes what I probably heard in that sermon years ago. He covers topics familiar to many, without being stale — he even finds fresh insight (or at least it doesn’t seem stale) in the well-worn territory of comparing storge/eros/philo/agape. Speaking of man as protector (as part of keeping) in the marriage, the idea that struck me most profoundly is that, “The main threat against which a man must protect his wife is his own sin.” That’ll keep you up at night.

From marriage, he moves on to speaking of working and keeping as father, friend, and church member (a good chapter that could have been made better if he included more on what we unordained should do, as there are many more of us than the ordained).

A helpful book, a thoughtful — and thought-provoking book. Not the last word on the subject (not intended to be, either). But well worth the time and attention of a man seeking to live according to biblical mandates.

Saturday Miscellany – 7/13

By HCNewton

On July 13, 2013

In Books, News/Misc.

Odds ‘n ends over the week about books and reading that caught my eye. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:

Being a lifelong bookworm may keep you sharp in old age — There’s hope for me!
S&S Teams With Int’l Thriller Writers On Star-Studded Anthology — this looks very promising
What Makes You Put Down a Book? — Very interesting infographic from goodreads
Book Titles With One Letter Missing — there’s a snicker or two here

The Last Word by Lisa Lutz

Opening Lines – Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

By HCNewton

On July 13, 2013

In Blog Series, News/Misc., Opening Lines, Quotations

We all know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover (yet, publishing companies spend big bucks on cover design/art). But, the opening sentence(s)/paragraph(s) are fair game. So, when I stumble on a good opening (or remember one and pull it off the shelves), I’ll throw it up here. Dare you not to read the rest of the book

—–

Lost in the shadows of the shelves, I almost fall off the ladder. I am exactly halfway up. The floor of the bookstore is far below me, the surface of a planet I’ve left behind. The tops of the shelves loom high above, and it’s dark up there — the books are packed in close, and they don’t let any light through. The air might be thinner, too. I think I see a bat.

I am holding on for dear life, one hand on the ladder, the other on the lip of a shelf, fingers pressed white. My eyes trace a line above my knuckles, searching the spines — and there, I spot it. The book I’m looking for.

But let me back up.

from Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

By HCNewton

On July 12, 2013

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the fifth Hemingway novel I’ve read this year, and by far the most ambitious in length, scope, topic, and style. This classic follows Robert Jordan, American Spanish professor turned Republican Demolition officer in the Spanish Civil War as he leads a small guerrilla band to destroy a bridge that will play an important tactical role in an upcoming battle (as will its destruction). This classic has been analyzed, reviewed and studied far more intensely and deeply than I do around here, so I’ll stick to some general impressions/observations.

First, this took me a long time to read — sure, it’s chock-full of Hemingway’s deceptively simple prose, but something about this one took forever to slog through. I’m not sure why — and what it says about the quality of the book — but this took 4-5 days longer than I thought it should to read.
Hemingway didn’t pull any punches at all with foreshadowing, pretty much every plot point is predicted within the first 50 pages or so. And then you’re hit over the head with them for the rest of the book.
Even though this is a third person narrative, it felt far more personal and intimate than his previous novels — even those that were told in first person.
The part of the book where Pilar describes how she, Pablo and others took over their hometown from the Fascists? Horrific, totally believable and it’ll stick with me far longer than any of the shenanigans regarding the bridge will.
Oh, hey, finally know where the silly phrase, “the earth moved” (and the interrogative form) comes from. Speaking of that, is it just me, or does it take people longer to fall in love in a Nora Ephron script than in a Hemingway novel? Sure, whatever, it’s war . . . things are more intense, things happen faster, yada, yada yada. Not buying it. Forever and ever, amen love should take more time than it does to brew a cup of coffee.

Dusted Off: Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith

By HCNewton

On July 11, 2013

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Western

Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You just have to love this concept. An illiterate cowboy in 1890’s Montana hears about Sherlock Holmes due to the republication of some of Watson’s accounts in American periodicals. He’s drawn by what Holmes does and sets about getting his hands on all of Watson’s reports he can. And then he makes his brother read them to him over and over and over so he can learn how to do what Holmes does. At some point he thinks he’s learned enough to start, and puts himself in a situation to put his skills to the test. And presto, you’ve got yourself a novel.

So much for the concept–how was the execution? Ehhh, not as good. It was dull, downright slow, filled with a bunch of cliched Western types. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but man, did it get sloggy in parts. I’m glad I persevered, because the conclusion was satisfying (even if it’s pace was 200% of what preceded it) and the central characters were amusing.

These brothers offer a great take on Holmes/Watson, and I’m sure I’ll get to the sequels pretty soon. Hoping that now that the series has been set up, the next ones will pick up a little faster.

Clean by Alex Hughes

By HCNewton

On July 10, 2013

In Fiction

Clean by Alex Hughes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was a totally adequate book. This is a futuristic police procedural featuring a telepath who acts as an interrogator, a case of “You’ve got Urban Fantasy in my SF,” “No, you’ve got SF in my Urban Fantasy.”

The telepath in question is a recovering drug addict on his last second chance — and that was pretty well done. I work with a log of people in Recovery, and this rang true. But beyond that, he was sort of a stock PI-type down on his luck. The same goes for his tough, driven and beautiful Homicide detective partner, and the various superiors they have — even his sponsor. They’re all characters we’ve seen dozens upon dozens of times before. To an extent, that’s forgivable in a first novel in a series, you’re building a world, setting up everything, you can skate by with mostly stock characters, as long as you flesh them out later. But there wasn’t a single original character.

The plot wasn’t much better once you strip away the Mindspace parts of the equation.

At the end of the day, for all it had going for it, Clean just wasn’t all that well-written. Too often it read like something I’d write on my best day (and I’m fully aware of my limitations) — sure, it its moments, and the last 40 or so pages, really delivered. But that was more plot than execution, by that point, as long as she wasn’t being incoherent, it would work — it was just getting to that point that was the struggle. It was the setup and curiosity that got me to that point.

It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if one day I really liked Hughes’ stuff, but today wasn’t that day.

One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt

By HCNewton

On July 9, 2013

In Andy Carpenter, Authors, David Rosenfelt, Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, P-U

One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Everyone’s favorite Golden Retriever-aficionado, who practices law when he absolutely has to, is back. At this point in the series, the trick is coming up with something compelling enough to get Andy to take a case — this book just might have the strongest motivating factor in the series.

From there we get one of the more gruesome and devastating crimes in this series (but thankfully, we’re years removed from it, so we don’t have to read much about the details), and one of the more widespread and reaching conspiracies this side of Robert Langdon (but in a book that’s far better written and entertaining)

The gang’s all here, even if Willie’s only seen briefly and off in a storyline all his own (not sure I got the point of it, but it didn’t detract from the main story), and I’m getting used to Andy’s new co-counsel (though I don’t think he’ll truly replace the last one). This may contain Sam’s greatest moment — only to be eclipsed a couple of chapters later by something greater (alas, minor spoiler: no song talking). The courtroom antics were solid and entertaining — even when things aren’t going Andy’s (or the client’s) way. The twists and turns kept coming, resulting in an ending I never saw coming.