Category: Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller Page 145 of 153

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.

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.

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.

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.

Killer Ambition by Marcia Clark

By HCNewton

On July 5, 2013

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

Killer Ambition by Marcia Clark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmm, wonder where Clark got the idea and experience to do a novel about a case with ties to Hollywood, celebrity and an all-invasive press corps trying the case outside the courtroom while putting all the details of the attorney’s lives on display for all the world. . . These parts of the novel worked so well — obviously, her own experiences and role as commentator since that one case have equipped her to tackle these things.

The relationships between Rachel and her friends/coworkers/romantic entanglements remain strong — although I think it was a bit more in the background this time around, and the book suffered for it.

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure we spent more time in court in this novel than the two previous. Which is good, on the one hand, because these are supposed to be legal thrillers, so it’s good to have the courtroom proceedings. On the other hand, these are supposed to be legal thrillers, and on the whole, the pace and momentum of this books comes to a standstill in the details of the trial. Now, maybe this is just me — after my Perry Mason phase in high school, most of the courtroom depictions I’ve read have been by David Rosenfelt or from Paul Levine‘s Solomon & Lord series — and while Clark has a fun, light touch — she’s nowhere near as amusing as these two. Similarly, she doesn’t have the gravitas and talent of Michael Connelly — by the time Mickey Haller gets to court, the brakes have failed and there’s nothing to slow the runaway freight train of tension, suspense and energy. I’m not saying I want Clark to turn into a clone of any of these gentlemen — I’m just saying that until she improves, her readers are better served with Rachel & co. doing the bulk of their work in the field.

In the end, it was worth slogging through the slower portions, for the resolution to the mystery as well as to see how it all played out in the lives of those related to the case — I particularly liked the storyline involving the Lindsay Lohan-ish character. Now that she’s had her say about media circus trials and life under the microscope, I do hope that Clark gets back to the sorts of cases/victims that made the earlier books so much fun to read.

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

By HCNewton

On July 4, 2013

In Fiction, Janet Evanovich, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Stephanie Plum

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Series: Stephanie Plum, #16

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When it comes to books in a series — particularly one that I’ve read more than 3 of (so the Plum books qualify several times over) — I don’t bother to read the back cover, I just want to read whatever’s next. So I had no idea how tough a sell this book would be for me until I got a few pages into it.

Vinnie Plum is probably my least favorite character in the Plum books (well, other than Joyce Barnhardt, now that I think of it). His character isn’t that interesting, almost never contributes anything to the story that couldn’t be handled by someone less-skeevy, say, Connie. So when the big story of the novel is going to be about rescuing Vinnie, I’m not going to be that invested. Actually, I’m going to root against Stephanie and her crew saving the day. A happy ending to this book would be Vinnie getting capped and Connie taking over. Or, fine, if he has to live — he’s so shaken by the experience that he sells his business to Ranger.

Of course, I knew that this is a Stephanie Plum novel, so the odds of that happening are pretty low, if not non-existent. Typically, everything resets at the end of the novel, and that status is quo going forth.

So, I had to seek fulfillment elsewhere — how many cars will Steph blow up? (her car’s in the shop for mechanical difficulty, of all things, when the book starts) Will Lula’s diet and the breaking of it annoy me? (not too bad, really) Will Stephanie’s efforts to bring in a pretty easy FTA or two be stupid flops, or actually funny? (eh, not bad…not as funny as they could’ve been, but not annoyingly stupid) Will Grandma Mazur’s antics seem like they’d be a better fit for The Nanny‘s grandmother than a crime novel? That kind of thing.

And overall, Evanovich pulled it off. This isn’t her at her best, but it’s her doing her thing. It’ll satisfy long-time readers, but probably wouldn’t win a first-timer. Pleasant enough way to spend 300 pages.

Death Wore White by Jim Kelly

By HCNewton

On July 3, 2013

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

It’s one of those nights where sleep has been dogging my steps, and there’s a part of me that’s not sure how coherent this will be (I’ve read and reread and rewritten a few times to help with that, but it wouldn’t surprise me if I missed the mark a time or two. Hope not!

—–

Death Wore White by Jim Kelly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At the end of the day, there was a lot more going on here than there is in a typical detective novel — police procedural or not; British police or American police — most just don’t have as much happening. This makes for a richer, although not necessarily more satisfying, police procedural.

Like most mystery novels, there are really 2 things going on here — you’ve got a character story, and a mystery storyline. In this case there are five mysteries, technically — and it’s unclear for most of the book just how related they are (or if they are). Sure, given the fact that three bodies are found with suspicious causes of death in pretty much the same area within a day or two of each other, odds are pretty good they’re at least semi-related, but one can’t be sure until everything has been solved — another body shows up after the investigation has gone on a day or two. Each method of killing is radically different, there are doesn’t appear to be any tangible connections between the victims, adding another puzzle. I briefly lost the thread on a couple of the murders a time or two, but I think that’s more my fault than Kelly’s (although, he could’ve worked a little harder to prevent that).

The fifth mystery is really tied into the character story. DI Peter Shaw is a very (almost too) talented and by-the-book detective, recently partnered with DS George Valentine, a more experienced detective still laboring under the weight of scandal and infamy due to his not-so by-the-book ways. It should be noted, that DI Shaw’s equally scandal-ladened father used to be Valentine’s partner. While trying to solve the other crimes, these two men try to decide if they can — and how they can — work together, and maybe even trust and rely on each other. This is where the weight of the book lies. Eventually, Shaw will try to reopen the case that forever altered the careers of his father and Valentine.

Kelly weaved a very complex story — maybe a touch on the too-complex side, but not so far as to render this unenjoyable. Not a laugh-a-minute type of enjoyable, but a good puzzle or five to figure out.

There were a lot of extraneous materials added into this book — which points to Kelly’s intention to make this into a series, more than it does a weakness. He’s making sure the main characters, as well as the supporting characters, are well-rounded, with complex back-stories that he both establishes and draws upon here. This is a real strength of the novel, although you’re frequently wondering “who cares?” to some of this — it slows the narrative a bit, and occasionally seems extraneous. Which is kind of is, and Kelly just doesn’t care. This time out, anyway, it works. I’m not sure it would every time.

It’s not the strongest procedural, or mystery novel in general, that I’ve read this year — but it did what it was supposed to, and introduced the readers to what I bet will be pretty interesting series, populated by characters that seem real enough that you’d be half-tempted to expect to see at the police station in the flesh.

Dusted Off: Play Dead by David Rosenfelt

By HCNewton

On July 2, 2013

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

Play Dead by David Rosenfelt
Series: Andy Carpenter, #6

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In any PI/Legal/etc. mystery novel, there’s always the question of whether or not you like the client. Sure, you’re always rooting for the hero, that’s why you picked up the book. But the client’s frequently a question. Not so in this case–Rosenfelt goes right for the heart straightaway, having Andy defend a Golden Retriever from a certain death. How can you not fall in love with that client? The dog then leads Andy to help out his owner–wrongly convicted of murder. You’re all-in, no two ways about it.

Like most Andy Carpenter books, I spent about 1/3 (or more) of it, wondering why Andy wasn’t looking into a couple of the most obvious lines of investigation. But, oh well, even when he’s being frustratingly dense, it’s nothing but fun spending time in his world.

Solid mystery, some good tense scenes, and plenty of laughs. Great read.

Saturday Miscellany – 6/29

By HCNewton

On June 29, 2013

In Books, Fantasy, Harry Bosch, Michael Connelly, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, 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:

Blade Reforged by Kelly McCullough. Y’know, I think I’m a book behind in this series. Whoops!
Hunted by Kevin Hearne. So excited about that one that I already posted the review.

Light week, but it’s something.

Dusted Off: Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

By HCNewton

On June 27, 2013

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

Having one of those days — have three new reviews partially done, and no time this morning to finish. So . . .

—–

Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I’ve often felt conflicted about my appreciation for protagonists/leading characters who are murderers–professional hitmen (Peter Brown, Jimmy the Tulip, Martin Blank, Hawk, Jules Winnfield) or serial killers (Dexter Morgan, early Hannibal Lecter), but I can usually get over it because of what their creators do with them. But Angela S. Choi’s Fiona Fi Yu, from Hello Kitty Must Die, doesn’t get to join their ranks in my book. There’s little to commend her, or the book, if you ask me (which is sort of implied if you’ve read this far).

Fi is a successful, thirtysomething Chinese-American lawyer, living with her parents, who stumbles into serial killing (I’ll leave the details to those who read it). An unpleasant childhood, filled with overbearing parents, a strict Catholic school, and one sociopathic friend primes this perpetually single (and proud!) woman for an adulthood that’s even more unpleasant. Until the aforementioned stumbling, anyway. She’s a whiny, selfish, me-first person all the way, with a personality only a parakeet could love. Essentially, she’s a very unpleasant person–beyond the murdering. Sure, she can mix pop culture references into her narrative like Dennis Miller in his prime, but in a post-Tarantino/Whedon/Apatow/Abed Nadir age, is that really so noteworthy? Besides, if Humbert Humbert taught us nothing at all, he taught us that “You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style.”

What about the story itself? It starts off semi-promising, and then goes straight downhill from there. Well, let me amend that. It starts off offensively, but it’s a staged, calculated offensiveness. Choi trades in an actual narrative hook for a hook constructed of shock value. But a few pages later, it gets semi-promising. There’s no redemption of the character–not even growth. Nothing commendable about the events, characters, or cultural commentary.

On the other hand, it was a quick read.