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North of Boston
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Year's Best Crime Novels: 2014, Booklist
Dennis Lehane meets Smilla’s Sense of Snow: a big discovery in the world of female suspense, about an edgy young woman with the rare ability to withstand extreme conditions
Elisabeth Elo’s debut novel introduces Pirio Kasparov, a Boston-bred tough-talking girl with an acerbic wit and a moral compass that points due north.
When the fi ...more
Dennis Lehane meets Smilla’s Sense of Snow: a big discovery in the world of female suspense, about an edgy young woman with the rare ability to withstand extreme conditions
Elisabeth Elo’s debut novel introduces Pirio Kasparov, a Boston-bred tough-talking girl with an acerbic wit and a moral compass that points due north.
When the fi ...more
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Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
January 23rd 2014
by Pamela Dorman Books
(first published January 1st 2014)
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*3.5 stars*
A lobster boat is rammed by a freighter twenty miles north of Boston, and Ned, her skipper, is drowned. His friend, Pirio Kasparov, crewing for him as a favour, is rescued after four hours in the icy water.
Back onshore, as Pirio struggles to explain the disaster to Noah, Ned's ten-year-old boy who is also her godson, she feels compelled to seek justice - to track down and identify the ship which she sees as the vehicle of hit-and-run criminals.
As she starts to trace it, she encounters ...more
A lobster boat is rammed by a freighter twenty miles north of Boston, and Ned, her skipper, is drowned. His friend, Pirio Kasparov, crewing for him as a favour, is rescued after four hours in the icy water.
Back onshore, as Pirio struggles to explain the disaster to Noah, Ned's ten-year-old boy who is also her godson, she feels compelled to seek justice - to track down and identify the ship which she sees as the vehicle of hit-and-run criminals.
As she starts to trace it, she encounters ...more
“I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.”
----Ellen DeGeneres
Elisabeth Elo, an American author, has penned her debut thriller, North of Boston, that unfolds a riveting mystery behind the accident of a man fishing with her friend on boat who were hit by a large freight ship that came out of nowhere and left no trail behind it's disappearance thereby k ...more
----Ellen DeGeneres
Elisabeth Elo, an American author, has penned her debut thriller, North of Boston, that unfolds a riveting mystery behind the accident of a man fishing with her friend on boat who were hit by a large freight ship that came out of nowhere and left no trail behind it's disappearance thereby k ...more
I received a galley copy of North of Boston via goodreads.com's Early Reads Giveaways. It was a privilege to be among the first to read this work, and I thank the author and publisher for that.
If I had lunch with author Elisabeth Elo, I'd love to ask her about this character of hers, Pirio Kasparov. While by the end of the book I would describe Pirio as multifaceted and interesting, through much of North of Boston I struggled to get past the first adjective that came to mind in describing her: ...more
If I had lunch with author Elisabeth Elo, I'd love to ask her about this character of hers, Pirio Kasparov. While by the end of the book I would describe Pirio as multifaceted and interesting, through much of North of Boston I struggled to get past the first adjective that came to mind in describing her: ...more
Wonderful sense of place, vulnerable characters, and a heroine who can kick butt and take names. I really enjoyed this book. The writing itself is first rate all the way. I admit to having to skip a few paragraphs of terrible violence (which I normally don't do or have to do), but that's to the credit of the author who made it so real. I'd read more by this author.
...more
Pirio Kasparov is lucky to be alive after a fishing boat she was on is rammed and sunk of the north-east US coast. The vessel that hit them had appeared to come out of nowhere with the skipper Ned losing his life. Pirio thinks the incident was no accident and is upset that not only has she lost her friend but also that her godson, Noah, no longer has his father.
With the help of local reporter Parnell, Pirio will look into Ned's past that uncovers a deadly secret that will take her far from the o ...more
With the help of local reporter Parnell, Pirio will look into Ned's past that uncovers a deadly secret that will take her far from the o ...more
I particularly appreciated the lack of profanity, graphic violence, and descriptive sex. This is just a great plot peopled with intelligent characters that stands on its own merit. What a vivid read! Riveting!
I appreciated the allusions to Dennis LeHane and Smilla's Sense of Snow in the promotional materials, and agreed wholeheartedly. In the same way that Smilla says, "I know snow", Pirio knows the ocean, and has the uncanny ability to survive hours in forty degree water. For both of these wome ...more
I appreciated the allusions to Dennis LeHane and Smilla's Sense of Snow in the promotional materials, and agreed wholeheartedly. In the same way that Smilla says, "I know snow", Pirio knows the ocean, and has the uncanny ability to survive hours in forty degree water. For both of these wome ...more
It's hard to believe that this book is Elisabeth Elo's debut novel. The story is quite unique, and the writing flows with an even pace. There are many aspects of this story that appeal to me, with the name of the main character, Pirio Kasparov, leading the way. Character development seems to be a particular strength with Elo, as Pirio and all the supporting cast are given a thorough treatment of background and how they have all arrived to be a part of the events that unfold. I admit that I wasn'
...more
I feel like for the first novel the author grabbed everything and chucked it up against the wall spoiler below
Spoiler leading to a troubled rich girl protecting alcoholic friends son from ex lover while solving crime dealing with ability to stay in cold water comes in handy for saving whales from billionaires
I think subsequent efforts by the author will be much more promising with a little restraint
Spoiler leading to a troubled rich girl protecting alcoholic friends son from ex lover while solving crime dealing with ability to stay in cold water comes in handy for saving whales from billionaires
I think subsequent efforts by the author will be much more promising with a little restraint
This book seems to have all the ingredients for a thriller . . . but somehow it isn't thrilling. It could be the pacing, it could be the misguided metaphors here and there, it could be the lack of emotional connection to the reader; but it's probably all of these factors and then a few more. In any case, I figure that if even someone living north of Boston isn't fully engaged, who else will be?
...more
Piero Kasparov is a tough rich girl (or very nearly rich), who has lived wild since high school (she's thirty). Her family owns a leading perfume company, which she will inherit, and she knows how to run it. But she's crewing on a pal's new lobster boat as a favor when it is run over by a large unidentified sea-going vessel. Her friend dies and she survives, though against all odds. The Navy and Coast Guard even test her at a research facility to see why she was able to survive when hypothermia
...more
This debut novel is a surprisingly fascinating, thrilling and powerful read. Pirio Kasparov defies medicine after surviving for four hours in frigid Atlantic waters after the lobster boat she was on was run through by a large freight ship. The owner of the lobster boat isn’t as lucky. Pirio’s friend, Ned, is dead and helps his ex-lover and mother of his child (who is herself an old boarding school friend of Pirio’s) grieve. Spurred on by her successful perfume-owning father, Pirio begins to sear
...more
An over the top book which I wanted to dislike but couldn't. I am definitely not one of those who can withstand cold temperatures. but I found that I liked the premise, the geography, and at least a couple of the characters.
...more
This book was billed as a match to Dennis Lehane. In some ways, I'll agree. The book's characters are fascinating and by far the strongest part of the book .Pirio, the main character, and her friend Thomasina are interesting, flawed, multi-faceted and real. Noah, Thomasina's son, is a heartbreaking little boy. I'm not often a fan of child characters who are put in as motivation but I felt that Noah had a purpose beyond that and was interesting in his own right. The relationship between these thr
...more
This review originally appeared at Pop Culture Nerd, along with a giveaway.
In crime fiction, the protagonists can start to resemble each other after a while: tough FBI agent or military guy or cop or private eye, etc. I'm not saying books can't be good with those types of characters--it all depends on the execution--only that every once in a while, it's nice to see a different type of protagonist, and that's who Pirio Kasparov is, in Elisabeth Elo's debut, North of Boston.
One foggy night, Pirio ...more
In crime fiction, the protagonists can start to resemble each other after a while: tough FBI agent or military guy or cop or private eye, etc. I'm not saying books can't be good with those types of characters--it all depends on the execution--only that every once in a while, it's nice to see a different type of protagonist, and that's who Pirio Kasparov is, in Elisabeth Elo's debut, North of Boston.
One foggy night, Pirio ...more
North of Boston is Elisabeth Elo's debut novel. She introduces us to a unique protagonist in this literary mystery - Pirio Kasparov. Pirio is the child of Russian immigrants and heir to the perfume dynasty started by her parents. She's also a bit of a rebel, taking chances and sometimes leaping without looking.
Pirio is helping Ned, the father of her best's friend's child, on his lobster boat when they are hit by a tanker and she is plunged into the freezing ocean. Against all odds, she survives ...more
Pirio is helping Ned, the father of her best's friend's child, on his lobster boat when they are hit by a tanker and she is plunged into the freezing ocean. Against all odds, she survives ...more
There are gritty, hardcore mysteries and then there are gritty, witty mysteries that bring excellent humor, in-depth storytelling, and truly descriptive scenes together in a combination that makes you wish that the novel was playing out on the big screen. This particular debut is the latter; an amazing page-turner that brings Pirio Kasparov, an extremely witty girl from Boston, onto the literary scene.
Pirio is about face a huge challenge. A fishing boat she’s on is rammed, supposedly by a huge f ...more
Pirio is about face a huge challenge. A fishing boat she’s on is rammed, supposedly by a huge f ...more
Jan 21, 2014
PopcornReads - MkNoah
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
mysteries-thrillers,
giveaway,
suspense,
crime,
family,
environment,
secrets,
drugs,
murder,
boarding-school
Book Review & Giveaway: I love book covers that cause me to wonder what’s going on, like the one for North of Boston by Elisabeth Elo. Why is this woman standing peering into the fog at the end of a dock? Very mysterious and I knew I had to find out – I’m like a curious cat that way. Reading the publisher’s description clinched the deal; I knew I had to read this book. If you like mysteries or thrillers with strong, persistent but caring women protagonists who won’t stop until they learn the tru
...more
North of Boston is a gripping and fast-paced novel. Constant interruptions and life in general kept me frustrated as I wanted to sit and read this book straight through, in one-sitting. Ideally, that's how it should be read.
While the plot was not as compelling as I would have liked, and some of it even predictable, the lead character Pirio more than made up for any minor defects in the story. Pirio is edgy, brainy, fearless, strong and vulnerable at the same time, and lonely enough to take risks ...more
While the plot was not as compelling as I would have liked, and some of it even predictable, the lead character Pirio more than made up for any minor defects in the story. Pirio is edgy, brainy, fearless, strong and vulnerable at the same time, and lonely enough to take risks ...more
From the description of this book, I thought I would enjoy reading it. There were parts that were interesting, but overall I think that the author tried to encompass too many elements. Or maybe it should have been two books. The part I got most involved in was how Pirio was able to survive in extreme cold water and the U.S. Navy's interest in that. I also liked Pirio's interest and support in Noah, her godson. But when The author went into Pirio's involvement in the perfume industry and her Russ
...more
I bought this book from a remainders bin and left it on my shelf for over a year. Now that I've finally read it, I have to wonder — "What's wrong with me?!" Best book I've read in March.
...more
In the book world, thrillers are usually lacking in the kickass female lead department. They are commonly relegated to sidekick or annoying, but resourceful, friend who just happens to be beautiful as well. The book world needs strong, intelligent, interesting female leads and North of Boston introduces us to Pirio Kasparov, a woman of many talents, an unusual background, and is quite possibly beautiful, but the author does not dwell on this aspect. Instead, she gives the enterprising Pirio styl
...more
Ksteenbookreview calls it "exciting, mysterious, and thrilling!"
Hey everyone, so I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of North of Boston from the lovely author and Goodreads, and I thought I should give you my thoughts on the book. Now, it is not what I would normally read, as it is a bit above my age group, but I really have to say that I enjoyed it!
It was packed with mystery and suspense, murder, love, and all the things that a teen would love. The only difference was that instead of ...more
Hey everyone, so I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of North of Boston from the lovely author and Goodreads, and I thought I should give you my thoughts on the book. Now, it is not what I would normally read, as it is a bit above my age group, but I really have to say that I enjoyed it!
It was packed with mystery and suspense, murder, love, and all the things that a teen would love. The only difference was that instead of ...more
Pirio Kasparov has miraculously survived a boating accident and was rescued by the Coast Guard after four hours in freezing cold water. The owner of the boat and Pirio’s friend, Ned, did not survive. She clearly saw the boat that struck them and does not believe it was an accident.
Pirio is not the type to take no for an answer and wants to find out who is responsible for Ned’s death. She begins asking questions and conducting research on her own, eventually uncovering a complex and devious plot. ...more
Pirio is not the type to take no for an answer and wants to find out who is responsible for Ned’s death. She begins asking questions and conducting research on her own, eventually uncovering a complex and devious plot. ...more
Here's what I posted on my library's book review blog, MADreads: http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/m...
Starting on December 1st, librarians around the country began tweeting their top ten books for the year under the #libfaves13 hashtag (one book each day). One of the titles mentioned was Elisabeth Elo's mystery, North of Boston. Though it technically doesn't qualify (it's due out in early 2014), I immediately favorited and re-tweeted the post because of how much I loved the book when I'd read ...more
Starting on December 1st, librarians around the country began tweeting their top ten books for the year under the #libfaves13 hashtag (one book each day). One of the titles mentioned was Elisabeth Elo's mystery, North of Boston. Though it technically doesn't qualify (it's due out in early 2014), I immediately favorited and re-tweeted the post because of how much I loved the book when I'd read ...more
A terrible boating accident leaves one dead man and one woman who barely survived beyond human comprehension! Working in a lobster boat with a friend, Ned Rizzo, Pirio Kasparov spends four hours in frigid waters, a feat that not even the renowned Navy Seals can accomplish without special equipment. At first Pirio and Ned’s friends show the expected comfort; but when Pirio realizes she’s not getting any answers about how a very, large ship came careening out of the dark and fog to totally wipe ou
...more
North of Boston is not only well researched and well plotted, it is skillfully written. Locations spring to life in the mind's eye with ease, and characters are made vivid, but with an economy of exposition.
The strength of Elo's writing is most evident in the distinctiveness of Pirio's 1st person narrative voice. It is consistent, often quirky, but always recognizable as a character, not just an observer reporting the action. I never forgot I was living in Pirio's head. Because of that, a reader ...more
The strength of Elo's writing is most evident in the distinctiveness of Pirio's 1st person narrative voice. It is consistent, often quirky, but always recognizable as a character, not just an observer reporting the action. I never forgot I was living in Pirio's head. Because of that, a reader ...more
This thriller has a strong female lead and a page turning intensity. The plot has many twists and turns and the characters have a little flesh to them to make them sympathetic to the reader.
Pirio and her friend Thomasina are the daughters of wealthy families who bonded at school as the resident bad girls. Pirio has been able to curb her impulses and join her family's perfume business, but Thomasina is declining into a chaos of alcoholism and bad men. She has a ten year old son Noah who is as att ...more
Pirio and her friend Thomasina are the daughters of wealthy families who bonded at school as the resident bad girls. Pirio has been able to curb her impulses and join her family's perfume business, but Thomasina is declining into a chaos of alcoholism and bad men. She has a ten year old son Noah who is as att ...more
After receiving this as part of the goodreads first reads program, I quickly was enthralled in the storyline. Although, for some reason the character descriptions and what I pictured in my mind never coalesced. When I began the book, I thought of Pirio and Thomasina as more lower class trash than the damaged upper crust women they were supposed to be. The relationship between Pirio and her a ten-year old boy was heartfelt, but the actual mystery and circumstances surrounding Thomasina's husband'
...more
finished reading an advanced copy i had laying around. it was just ok to me, maybe not my type of read. it seemed too scattered. I would have preferred that it stuck to one industry for example...either the perfume industry or fishing but not both. I know it was mainly written as a thriller but at times I felt it was starting to spin off into an historical novel about the main character's Russian parents and the perfume trade which actually would have made a great novel all on it's own! somethin
...more
It took about 30 pages to get into the book but once you do it is a great ride. This is one of those tough as nails female protagonist books that you will want to know how she is going to get through these adventures or how will she even solve it. The story was very engaging and if not for wanting to sleep would have finished sooner Pirio is a character that will stay with you after you finish. There was enough loose ends at the end that screams this needs to continue. I wouldn't mind waiting a
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Books, .99, ...: Win North of Boston by Elisabeth Elo! | 1 | 12 | Feb 21, 2014 08:46AM | |
| North of Boston | 2 | 23 | Jan 06, 2014 05:03PM |
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Elisabeth Elo is the author of NORTH OF BOSTON, chosen by Booklist as a Best Crime Novel Debut of the Year. Published in six countries, it was also an Indie Next selection and a Book of the Month / Literary Guild Selection. Elisabeth’s second suspense novel, FINDING KATARINA M., is forthcoming in March 2019.
Elisabeth grew up in Boston, attended Brown University, and earned a PhD in American Liter ...more
Elisabeth grew up in Boston, attended Brown University, and earned a PhD in American Liter ...more
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“But a bond is a bond. And when you’re young and haven’t yet learned to live in your own solitude, even a destructive bond can seem better than none.”
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“All across the world, people are loyal to their tribe. --- (Pirio)”
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