Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
33rd out of 59 books
—
24 voters
What Smiled at Him
by
Colin Dodds (Goodreads Author)
What Smiled at Him is the story of two childhood friends who find every clue and opportunity they need to solve a grisly double murder, but, for their own reasons, choose not to.
Lynn and Marv, are in their late twenties, one a struggling musician, the other a salesman and both have begun to question the choices they’ve made. One night, far from home, alcohol, irresponsibi...more
Lynn and Marv, are in their late twenties, one a struggling musician, the other a salesman and both have begun to question the choices they’ve made. One night, far from home, alcohol, irresponsibi...more
Paperback, 1st, 285 pages
Published
May 15th 2012
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
758)
I received this book as a first reads winner, which I really enjoy discovering new authors. I thought the description of the book sounded interesting and the cover drew my attention. The description talks about Lynn and Marv in their late twenties who begin to question their choices and one night reunites with Caroline who they both had slept with in High School. A few weeks later she is arrested for murdering her husband and infant son.
First off, this book was very disappointing. I thought it...more
First off, this book was very disappointing. I thought it...more
For starters, I received this book as a First Reads giveaway.
Having now read the book, I must say, ignore the first paragraph of the description. This is not a murder mystery. There is a detective in the story, but it's a bit part and not from his pov. The main characters, Marv and Lynn, don't even attempt to solve what happened. As other reviewers have pointed out, there is no clear picture of what actually occured.
Though the story wasn't quite what I thought it would be, I have to say, Colin...more
Having now read the book, I must say, ignore the first paragraph of the description. This is not a murder mystery. There is a detective in the story, but it's a bit part and not from his pov. The main characters, Marv and Lynn, don't even attempt to solve what happened. As other reviewers have pointed out, there is no clear picture of what actually occured.
Though the story wasn't quite what I thought it would be, I have to say, Colin...more
"The novel has an angry edge to it, recalling the spirit of the Beats. Many of the peripheral characters speak like prophets… Marv and Lynn are just as self-aware as their supporting cast, and their abundance of wisdom sometimes stretches believability; it’s tempered, however, by the flaw of their continually self-destructive behavior. Watching them ignore their better instincts… makes the characters more endearing."
-Kirkus Reviews
-Kirkus Reviews
Colin Dodds has produced another fine novel. It comes on the heels of his 2011 novel, Another Broken Wizard.
What Smiled At Him (2012) could well be called Men Without Women Or Direction. It features Marv and Lynn, a pair of late 20-somethings males who living but without much purpose. Marv is a salesman, Lynn a showman. One ostensibly has a career, the other clearly doesn’t. But both have a habit of dodging life’s difficult questions...(read more)
What Smiled At Him (2012) could well be called Men Without Women Or Direction. It features Marv and Lynn, a pair of late 20-somethings males who living but without much purpose. Marv is a salesman, Lynn a showman. One ostensibly has a career, the other clearly doesn’t. But both have a habit of dodging life’s difficult questions...(read more)
I recieved this book as one of the first reads. It sounded like it would be just up my alley. I enjoyed the character build up and the mystery. The book did leave me wondering who did it and haw did it happen... cause we never really found out
Slow start-up. Too focused on building character. Halfway in, the murder finally happens & we never know who really did it. There's a little unexpected death at the end, but then it just seemed too sudden. All the "sex, drugs, & alcohol" deal seemed a little cliche.
I'm glad I won this book. I think despite this not being one of my favorite genres, I'm still glad I gave it a try as should everyone. Dodds' writing is very straightforward & I like that. I'm looking forward to see what e...more
I'm glad I won this book. I think despite this not being one of my favorite genres, I'm still glad I gave it a try as should everyone. Dodds' writing is very straightforward & I like that. I'm looking forward to see what e...more
May 30, 2013
Pamela
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Carolyn Valdez
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Alex Kuang
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Eric
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Heather Blume
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Amber Mitchell
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Bailey Walker
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Kass Birdsell
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Rachel
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Chris White
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Ann Freele
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Natalie
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Sarah
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Susie Spizzirro
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Pam
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Darrian
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Lacie
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
India Williams
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Evelyn
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Audrey Lawson
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Kimber Burnett
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Patricia
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Vykki
marked it as to-read
May 30, 2013
Kelly Fru-gal
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Colin Dodds grew up in Massachusetts and completed his education at The New School in New York City. His novels What Smiled at Him and Another Broken Wizard have been widely acclaimed by critics and readers alike. Another novel, The Last Bad Job, was touted by the late Norman Mailer as showing “something that very few writers have; a species of inner talent that owes very little to other people.”...more
More about Colin Dodds...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
