book data
66 ratings, 3.56 average rating, 14 reviews
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published
January 3rd 2005
by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
binding
Paperback, 400 pages
isbn
0747577420
(isbn13: 9780747577423)
description
In the prime of his successful, happy existence attorney Bill Wyeth suffers a ghastly tragedy that he might have prevented. It robs him of everything ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 90)
Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
This turned out to be a pretty good book. The author knows how to paint a picture, and you definitely feel how fleeting money and power can be. It reads as obvious fiction, in that 'too much happening to one person' kind of way. But it has some interesting characters and moves along nicely.
The story also takes palce in Manhatten, and the author shows his love for the city and it's way of life.
The story also takes palce in Manhatten, and the author shows his love for the city and it's way of life.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
At times brutal, at times quixotic, this novel by Colin Harrison is always a quirky little read. The sometimes~tough~to~follow plot weaves in and out of many places in New York City and Long Island making both an integral part of the story. Had I not had the benefit of growing up in NYC, I don't think I could have followed the story as well as I did.
Additionally, the legalese, real estate jargon, medical and gangsta vernacular could serve to put off some readers. The nearly~formulaic conc...more
Additionally, the legalese, real estate jargon, medical and gangsta vernacular could serve to put off some readers. The nearly~formulaic conc...more
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So I'm in the airport, about to board a flight, and I go into one of those bookstores that usually has just the New York Times' top 20 bestsellers list. My hope is to find a book that will at least engage me for the next three hours. I chose The Havana Room, and I literally could not put it down. Harrison takes the reader into a world of constant intrigue, into the private room of a Midtown Manhattan steakhouse that ends up smelling like sex and sushi, a dynamic combo to say the least. If you li...more
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Read in November, 2007
I haven't read a straightforward "thriller" in so long, the genre felt like an undiscovered country: you mean you're allowed to put that much plot in a book? It's okay if some characters are obvious stereotypes? And then ending is somewhat underwhelming?
Still, this was also the first book in a long time to keep me up at night, refusing to put it down. That might be one of the oldest book blurbs in the blurb book, but it's true in this case. 4:30am. Not even kidding.
Still, this was also the first book in a long time to keep me up at night, refusing to put it down. That might be one of the oldest book blurbs in the blurb book, but it's true in this case. 4:30am. Not even kidding.
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2 comments
Read in August, 2007
I was skeptical about reading this book after reading Afterburn — which started off fantastic then deteriorated into bleak masochism. The Havana Room stays the course. Colin Harrison is a smart writer; this book is full of urban esoterica, quite satisfying for a late-night read. If you enjoy mournful neo-noir, you don't really need a summary of the set-up: just jump in and enjoy.
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Very intense and riveting book about a man trying to put his life back together after lingering in self-pity way too long as his wife and son have left him...it seems he that he gains self-confidence beyond what he ever had, if he can stay alive and keep his clients alive, or keep alive his chance to com out on the other side rightways up...
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Read in May, 2008
What a fun read! This is a great page turner and Harrison is a top notch author. All in all, I highly recommend this book for fans of NYC, crime fiction junkies, Noir specialists and others that just enjoy a fun story. Harrison reminds me of a faster paced Turow-- lots of plot twists and really great characters.
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Read in January, 2003
The author only loses points for the portrayal of African Americans in his book--I found them racist and stereotypical. It actually bothered me quite a lot.
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Read in July, 2008
Interesting. Have not read a book with such a different premise and plot. You may imagine more, but the facts are not there.
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This was a very strange book, but I got into it almost immediately and couldn't stop reading it. Kip liked it too.
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It was ok. I actually only got through about half of this book and it didn't keep my interest/attention.
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One of my all time favorites!!! Incredible story, a real page turner!!!
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