I love prohibition-era crime and this book really captures that period in time with the plot revolving around Jimmy Quinn, the owner of a speakeasy prI love prohibition-era crime and this book really captures that period in time with the plot revolving around Jimmy Quinn, the owner of a speakeasy profiteering off the sale of illegal alcohol.
Author Michael Mayo's New York is brimming with corrupt cops, gangsters, and femme fatales - all of whom find their way to Jimmy's speak for one reason or another. All of whom bring trouble in one form or another.
Bombings, brawls, money, and murder are commonplace in Jimmy's line of work and a constant threat to his livelihood. However, among this mayhem are clearly defined characters with interesting stories and a plot that has many threads weaved cleverly together to deliver an enjoyable and entertaining read.
EVERYBODY GOES TO JIMMY'S is a sequel and, as a reader not familiar with the first series installment, I was pleasantly surprised as the book reads very well as a stand alone, providing plenty of backstory to add context to the current day setting. I will, however, track down a copy of the first book, given I enjoyed this one so much.
A crime fiction epic set amid the backdrop of Peal Harbor, PERFIDIA, is densely rich in characterisation and bedded down with intrinsically linked subA crime fiction epic set amid the backdrop of Peal Harbor, PERFIDIA, is densely rich in characterisation and bedded down with intrinsically linked sub plots that can, at times, be off-putting but ultimately rewarding.
The first book in the Second LA Quartet, PERFIDIA reads familiar for those who have read James Ellroy's previous novels. Characters such as Kay Lake, Lee Blanchard, and Bucky Bleichert are re-imaged as their younger counterparts embroiled in a sinister sleep deprived state of uncertain seduction and apprehensive allegiance to morals following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This period of flux fraternisation of the film and citizen population leads to a myopic perception of post Pearl Harbor peril compounded by corrupt police and agenda rampant public figures.
I found the best way to read this 700pg plus book was to read significant chunks each day. Stopping and starting will quickly get you lost. The core and ensemble cast all have prominent moments throughout so taking the time to read slloooowwly pays off. PERFIDIA is a not a novel you can gleam over passages despite how tempting it is. James Ellroy does employ the use of a fair amount of filler content which can, at times, be difficult to wade through but the gamble of missing something crucial to proceedings isn't worth undertaking - in my opinion.
Despite being a direct sequel to The Girl Hunters, Complex 90 reads well as a standalone but does deviate a little from the traditional Mike Hammer PIDespite being a direct sequel to The Girl Hunters, Complex 90 reads well as a standalone but does deviate a little from the traditional Mike Hammer PI novels earlier published by Spillane.
At time Complex 90 reads like a hard man's James Bond - in a good way. Mike Hammer, no longer just a PI in New York has been assigned a high security clearance by one of the secretive US alphabet agencies giving him immediate access to classified documents and personnel, it also puts him in the cross-hairs of international espionage and danger. The Mike Hammer of this book finds himself in a vastly different role to his first hard-boiled appearance in I, The Jury.
Assigned as a body guard following the untimely death of his predecessor, Hammer accompanies an American politician to Moscow. Hammer is promptly kidnapped by the KGB and has to fight he way back to US soil.
Complex 90 then establishes the continuity link with The Girl Hunters via reoccurring bad-guys and establishing common themes between the two books. However, there is a little more spice to Complex 90, with the mysterious namesake drug coming into play.
'Complex 90' is a medical breakthrough of sorts; one that has the potential to protect astronauts in space from contracting earth born viruses. The Americans want it for themselves, while the Russians, via the KGB are doing everything in their power to gain access to it. Hammer finds himself in the middle of this tug of war and in traditional Hammer fashion, lets the fists fly just as readily as the bullets from his cannon.
Complex 90 is a multi-layered Mike Hammer novel that ties diverse elements together to form a well rounded and enjoyable tale featuring one of my favorite fictional characters. ...more
Think adventure, grifters, and pulp amid a backdrop of post WWII era Egypt where chivalry and romance abound influenced by thievery and black-market pThink adventure, grifters, and pulp amid a backdrop of post WWII era Egypt where chivalry and romance abound influenced by thievery and black-market prosperity and you'll get a somewhat cracked and faded picture of the atmospheric piece of fiction author Gore Vidal has craftily created.
THIEVES FALL OUT follows Peter, a former army lieutenant who tried his hand at oil prospecting in America before heading to Egypt where he's approached by a duo to smuggle goods out of the country. Always on the take and out for easy money, Peter quickly agrees and in no time finds himself thrust into a peculiar and highly mysterious arrangement between an odd couple, an entertainer, and a country in turmoil.
I had a great time reading THIEVES FALL OUT. Not only did the book cater to my pulpier reading tastes but the story was in constant motion; the character circle's typecast ever changing with each turn of chapter and proceeding event. Not knowing who the good guys are from the bad (though they're all bad to some extent) makes for interesting reading.
THIEVES FALL OUT is another quality read from Hardcase Crime.
It's been a long time since I read Temperance Brennan, yet, what makes this series so ever-green is the fact that a reader can step away for a number It's been a long time since I read Temperance Brennan, yet, what makes this series so ever-green is the fact that a reader can step away for a number of years and pick up enough back story within the current read to enjoy the present day setting without feeling lost.
BONES NEVER LIES is a good example of not trapping readers into having read every preceding volume. Despite the plot revolving around a spate of murders, both from the cold case files and fresh victims matching the modus operandi of a reappearing murderer in Anique Pomerleau, I never felt like I wasn't understanding of the importance of the past and the impact present day events. Being more familiar with Pomerleau would have made the book all the more enjoyable so I would urge readers to at least track down some of the earlier books though it's not essential.
Mainstream crime fiction can at times feel stale and unfortunately there is a little of that here - though it's not to do with the investigation as Brennan and co in the cold case team try to track a killer, it's more to do with the side plot threads. Brennan is a well established character who is always busy bouncing from one drama to the next, be it professionally or personally - it's the personal elements that make the book drag for me, however, I can see how other readers may enjoy the extra padding to the character.
The plot itself is one that has plenty of twists and turns and Kathy Reichs really made me think about the murders and who was responsible - putting doubt in my mind when there really should have been none. I did experience some confusion at the volume of cold cases and the associated leads Brennan and co followed-up on. Keeping tabs on which acquaintance, workmate, family member, or corresponding police office involved in an initial investigation proved difficult at times.
BONES NEVER LIE is an average read that will appeal more to the die-hard fans over the occasional Kathy Reichs reader.
A tightly constructed noir that relies almost exclusively on dialogue to tell the story, luckily the method doesn't hinder the atmosphere providing juA tightly constructed noir that relies almost exclusively on dialogue to tell the story, luckily the method doesn't hinder the atmosphere providing just enough description to cater to the readers imagination. It also helps that author Denis Johnson is gifted at delivering smooth and crisp dialogue not dissimilar to crime fiction grand-master Elmore Leonard.
Perhaps author Michael Robotham's best book yet - a deftly balanced noir infused piece of crime fiction that pulls no punches. Brimming with heartachePerhaps author Michael Robotham's best book yet - a deftly balanced noir infused piece of crime fiction that pulls no punches. Brimming with heartache, pain, and loss, LIFE OR DEATH has all the hallmarks of a darker form of crime fiction, similar in tone to books by Victor Gischler, Alan Guthrie, Tony Black, and Ken Bruen.
The most impressive aspect of LIFE OR DEATH has got to be clever plot flip which changed my perspective of prison escapee Audie Palmer and the missing 7mil of which he's accused of stealing. Robotham sets the story up only to make it all come crashing down in a moment of crystal clarity that is as heartbreaking as it is enjoyable to read....more
A diverse band of characters collide in a bloody fury that, while expected, is still satisfying. With a character like Weaver, a true degenerate and dA diverse band of characters collide in a bloody fury that, while expected, is still satisfying. With a character like Weaver, a true degenerate and dangerous member of society, his life consumed by lust and driven by murderous thoughts, BORDERLINE was always going to end up on the darker side of sleaze pulp. The other characters all have a penchant for the illegal things in life making them easy targets to fall within Weavers cross-hairs.
Readers my reviews will know I'm a fan of Orrie Hitt, and BORDERLINE will instantly appeal to others with similar tastes. While the sleaze pulp element is prevalent, it doesn't overshadow the characters, if anything it's a critical component to their make-up.
Each of the separate situations the characters find themselves are as interesting as it is unique to their predicament and what led them to the border in the first place. I found this subtle yet highly effective back-story complimentary to the core plot.
The short stories, I can take or leave; THE BURNING FURY was a quick firecracker of violence while A FIRE A NIGHT told the brief tale of a murder cover-up by arson. THE STAG PARTY GIRL was the longest piece of short fiction (clocking in at 50+ pages) and read like a Mike Hammer story. The murder mystery at a bucks show was good and the characters had depth. A pulp told at a cracking pace.
Like many, I've been geeking out of the new Star Wars movie and thought this was a good time to finish my reading of the excellent Thrawn trilogy by TLike many, I've been geeking out of the new Star Wars movie and thought this was a good time to finish my reading of the excellent Thrawn trilogy by Timothy Zahn. One of the really enjoyable things about THE LAST COMMAND and the trilogy in general is that it reads as a natural progression from the original movies.
Set shortly after the fall of the Empire, General Thrawn and his Dark Jedi, clone C'baoth launch a range of attacks on the rebel forces across the galaxy; sometimes being successful others not so much. In THE LAST COMMAND, the plot evolves from Thrawn's grand plans to C'baoth and the madness that is wrecking his mind and consuming his every move. His relentless obsession with jedi's is at the forefront which makes for some interesting reading, particularly as the Jedi's themselves slowly grow in number throughout the trilogy.
There is a distinct likeness to some of the events which took place in the original movie trilogy which allow for some nice continuity references, though certain concepts did feel a little repetitive - this is only a minor gripe though.
Timothy Zahn rounds out the trilogy quite well, however the final confrontation, whilst it included a nice surprise did come across a little convenient. This is an area which could have been fleshed out with a great emphasis on the final confrontation - again a relatively minor gripe in what was, overall, a fans delight.
The second of the Wolf Creek prequel novels continues to expand upon the murderous figure that is Mick Taylor and his blood letting escapades in the AThe second of the Wolf Creek prequel novels continues to expand upon the murderous figure that is Mick Taylor and his blood letting escapades in the Australian outback. DESOLATION GAME takes readers to Mick's time in 'Nam as he hones his kill skills, steadily developing an unrivaled prowess in the art of murder which provide the foundation for the 1968-era blood bath DESOLATION GAME focuses on.
When a tour group fall in Micks's sights, there was never going to be a happy ending. Surrounded by the nothingness of the harsh outback and reliant upon the kindness of strangers, the tour group find themselves at Mick's mercy when their van succumbs to mechanical problems. From there author Greg McLean crafts a deadly game of cat and mouse as, one by one, the group meet their death.
DESOLATION GAME is not for the faint of heart. It's bloody, violent and blends elements of R-rated thriller with survival horror. Mick is perhaps the most terrifying bad guy I've read or seen on the silver screen. His laid-back Aussie accent and unassuming facade make him that much more menacing, especially when he's lost to the voices inside his head and dancing around wearing human hide.
I'm not sure if there are plans for anymore prequel novels continuing the Wolf Creek story but I do have my fingers crossed for more. There is a whole world of pain out there waiting for Mick to explore and exploit. Highly recommended.
THE BROKEN EYE is a frustrating read. Despite the interesting premise and well defined characters, the third installment in the Lightbringer series meTHE BROKEN EYE is a frustrating read. Despite the interesting premise and well defined characters, the third installment in the Lightbringer series meanders through its 750+ page count slowly progressing the story at a snail pace.
Reading more like a bridge between its predecessor and the next installment, THE BROKEN achieves what it sets out to do. The characters find themselves in new situations that demand the reader to follow their story in future books. It's a hell of a build up that is overshadowed by the inconsequential dialogue and over descriptive fight scenes that are littered throughout the book.
I struggled to maintain interest, which is a shame as I really enjoyed the previous two books. Despite my negative feelings towards THE BROKEN EYE I do want to read what happens to Kip, Gavin, Karris and co next. ...more
NICK'S TRIP is a booze soaked road trip into the underbelly of greed and deceit. What looks to be a simple enough missing persons case turns complex wNICK'S TRIP is a booze soaked road trip into the underbelly of greed and deceit. What looks to be a simple enough missing persons case turns complex when Nick's high school friend casually omits portions of the truth to travel with Nick down memory lane, all the while building lies and laying the foundation for murder.
Unlike A FIRING OFFENCE, Nick Stefanos is a fully fledged PI working in a bar to supplement his chosen career. This allows him to pick and choose his caseload. So when an old high school buddy shows up asking for help to track down his missing wife, Nick agrees.
The story largely centers around locating the missing wife, but is peppered with chunks of another case - the murder of one of Nick's friends. This additional case proved a little distracting at times and didn't seem like it was needed with the core case enough to sustain an entertaining narrative.
Other reviews liken the Stefanos books to James Crumley in style and I'd have to agree. The later books by George Pelecanos are much better but NICK'S TRIP is still worth a read.
As the title suggests, the fifth Harry Bosch book is a murder mystery surrounding the death of a Hollywood shyster whose body was found in the trunk oAs the title suggests, the fifth Harry Bosch book is a murder mystery surrounding the death of a Hollywood shyster whose body was found in the trunk of his car. Having all the hallmarks of a mob hit, Bosch and co turn their attention to the underworld, looking for links between the deceased low budget movie maker and those in a less lawful occupation.
The investigation takes Bosch to the city of sin where he is reunited with a love interest from earlier in the series. This in itself adds a layer of complexity to the case as Eleanor Wise, former agent turned felon is found to have an association with Joey Marks, a mobster who looks good for the hit. With Bosch pressing Marks' business associates for info on the murder, his relationship with Eleanor Wise lands him in the cross-hairs of Internal Affairs (associating with a known felon is a no-no) - forced to fight an uphill battle on both sides of the law, Bosch turns to his trademark grit and determination to ensure justice prevails.
This felt like an Ellroy Hollywood whodunit from the get go and didn't fail to deviate from that path for the most part. Michael Connelly always writes solid police procedurals and TRUNK MUSIC is no different. The plot is as smooth as freshly spilled blood on a slick surface hitting no hurdles unless Connelly wants it to - which he does when the vic, Tony Aliso's past and present extra marital actives are unearthed; deliberately turning the plot in another direction and making the reader think that little bit harder about who is to blame for the bullets in the body.
THE ROSARY GIRLS is a solid conventional police procedural that pits its protagonists against a heinous spate of crimes that surprisingly spans a shorTHE ROSARY GIRLS is a solid conventional police procedural that pits its protagonists against a heinous spate of crimes that surprisingly spans a short period of time. Throughout the course of a week, new homicide detective Jessica Balzano and her seasoned partner Kevin Byrne are haunted by the ghosts of the Rosary Killers victims; searching for answers in holy places to solve unholy acts of horror.
As the first book in the Balzano and Byrne series, THE ROSARY GIRLS reads rather deep. Byrne is a vet with baggage; murder on his conscious and a personal life devoid of human contact outside of the job. While Balzano isn't your typical rookie cop on the beat. She's a boxer with who packs a punch in the ring just as well as she handles the murder book.
Despite the page count clocking in at 500 (for the mass market paperback) THE ROSARY GIRLS is actually a quick read. I managed to knock it off in three sittings. This is both a sign of a good writer and an engaging plot.
Forbidden romance, a prison break, necessary violence, and a score too big to ignore – Jack Foley, a career bank robber has his hands full in Elmore LForbidden romance, a prison break, necessary violence, and a score too big to ignore – Jack Foley, a career bank robber has his hands full in Elmore Leonard’s OUT OF SIGHT.
On the run following a successful prison break, Foley, dressed as a guard runs into US Marshal Karen Sicsco just as he breathes the faint scent of freedom. In no time Karen’s bounded up in the truck with Foley as his getaway driver makes for greener pastures. The two get to talking and an instant rapport is formed that plays out as the novel progresses – even after the two are separated by circumstances both of which they control their connection is continually referenced and forms a large part of the broader plot mechanics.
Like any novel written by Elmore Leonard, the dialogue is crisp, clever and straight to the point – you won’t find any filler content in OUT OF SIGHT. The plot is multifaceted; from the original prison break to the two robberies that play out leading to Karen and Foley’s reunion – a lot happens but it’s written in such a way as the reader doesn’t get lost in the different perspectives.
I love books that immediately immerse me within their pages. Opening chapters, lines, or paragraphs are paramount to making that first up reader impreI love books that immediately immerse me within their pages. Opening chapters, lines, or paragraphs are paramount to making that first up reader impression and in STOLEN SOULS the opening was vice-grip like:
"Blood hot on her hands. Red. The brightest red Gayla had ever seen. Her mind tilted, her vision disappearing down a black tunnel."
And the momentum carried through until the very end.
The third Jack Lennon book continues to distance the series from the opening installment, THE TWELVE, all but abandoning the paranormal elements to be a fully fledged crime thriller - which is a good thing (though THE TWELVE is an exceptionally good read). This time round Lennon faces fearsome competition from within the force and outside via a dangerous serial killer and a sex trafficking ring. It's a thrill ride that reads more noir than mainstream crime fiction.
Stuart Neville has a way of making his characters connect with the reader and those that appear in STOLEN SOULS are no different. Gayla Petrova is a victim of people smuggling and sex trafficking. However, this is one 19yr old who isn't ready to succumb to a shortened life of pain and prostitution. With a shard of glass she becomes and instant murderer and survivor only to fall into the hands of a more sinister predator; one who is as sadistic as his misguided religious beliefs (linking murder with acts of faith). Lennon, the series protagonist and police officer with a solid moral compass forgoes his personal life to save Gayla and bring the sex peddlers to justice.
STOLEN SOULS is very readable - the chapters are short jabs to the stomach, the action is fast, the characterization is deep but efficiently concise and the twists and turns (especially towards the ending) are awe inspiring. This is a must read book but beware, STOLEN SOULS is not new-reader friendly (something I talk a lot about with series books) and does contain spoilers of the events that occurred in its predecessors.
Despite being the fifth book in the series, RUNNER is new reader friendly, which is something I tend to look for in series books where I'm jumping in Despite being the fifth book in the series, RUNNER is new reader friendly, which is something I tend to look for in series books where I'm jumping in post that first installment. Everything that attracted me to RUNNER lent itself towards reading like a standalone and author Thomas Perry didn't fail to disappoint, mixing enough back story with the present-day setting to provide a well rounded account of protagonist Jane McKinnon and her past exploits.
One of the major hurdles I found in reading RUNNER was the overly descriptive nature of the travel sequences to and from destinations, which in some instances took double digit pages without really progressing the story - some editing on this front would've made the story all the more enjoying and free flowing.
Yet, whilst there are moments of padding it didn't make me want to put the book down. I love the multiple angles and switch in perspective from Jane and the runaway to those who were looking to do them both harm.
A big plus was the natural evolution of the plot from runaway survival suspense to vengeful tale of redemption and action. A nicely done transition that really progressed the story and added another element to an already entertaining read.
RUNNER works for me as a standalone but I don't think I'll be chasing down other books in the series.
PANDEMONIUM is certainly a convergence of two di"There's something worse than primal brutality here: there's fury, there's bloodlust, there's hatred."
PANDEMONIUM is certainly a convergence of two distinct worlds with the end result being bloody, blasphemous, and nothing short of brutal.
I read a couple of reviews of this book prior to delving in (something I don't tend to do all that often) whose sentiments mirrored that of my above sentence. Early in reading (as in 200pgs +) I thought I was looking at a different book to what was being reviewed by other readers and critics. Coming across as little more than teenage angst mixed with a Sunday school reform curriculum centered around restoring the grieving students faith following the loss of a class member - oh how things changed.
PANDAEMONIUM is survival horror and pure blood-splatter gore gloriously mixed with the notion of hell and it's inhabitants. It's a slow burn that steadily turns red hot - to use the tattered and tired phrase 'I couldn't turn the pages quick enough'.
How do you possibly review a book which has had so much praised lathered on it over so long? I could just reiterate how good it is, how real and well How do you possibly review a book which has had so much praised lathered on it over so long? I could just reiterate how good it is, how real and well written the characters are, how enjoyable the plot is, and how it conforms to my ideal 'package' of a novel - binding the elements that make a five star read. But I wont. Instead I'll simply say THE MALTESE FALCON (pub,1929) is one of those rare timeless tales that reads as relevant today as it did some eighty-plus years ago when it was first published. Sam Spade is sinister; the multi-faceted shade of grey that is the very foundation of noir, while Miss Wonderley is mysterious, devious, and dangerous - basically in replica of the novel itself. The only way to do this book justice is to read it again and again and again - and that I will.
I've read a lot of zombie books but none quite like Jonathan Maberry's DEAD OF NIGHT. Rather than zeroing in on the stock standard survival horror aspI've read a lot of zombie books but none quite like Jonathan Maberry's DEAD OF NIGHT. Rather than zeroing in on the stock standard survival horror aspects typically associated with zombie books, Maberry crafts a tale full of emotion, character and sass.
Sass? Yep. The protagonist, local beat cop Dez Fox is an all American action hero who, despite her self destructive nature, kicks a bunch of zombie and bad guy ass. I particularly liked the fact that her past formed the person she is during the man-made outbreak and that her on-again-off-again relationship with a local reporter was paramount to proceedings. This clever use of character as a side plot made reading DEAD OF NIGHT that much more real.
As with any zombie book there is going to be a fair amount of gore and violent death and this book is no exception. That said, what put DEAD OF NIGHT a subtle notch above the rest was the use of the vulnerable as a last stand against certain extension at the hands of both the infected and the military brought in to contain the spread.
DEAD OF NIGHT is a great addition to the zombie sub horror genre.
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