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What Members Thought

Steve
Mar 11, 2010 rated it did not like it
The blurbs on the back of Ken Bruen's novel The Guards are impressive: Boston Teran, James Crumley, and T. Jefferson Parker, who all weigh in with thumbs up. And these are wonderful writers who have written fine books that I really admire. So I'm mystified over their enthusiasm. In contrast, what I found in The Guards was a loosely told story about a drunk cop who pretty much stays that way. Oh, there's a story nibbling around the edges regarding some missing women and the bad men who did them i ...more
Jessica
Apr 28, 2008 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
This one's all about style - the plot is nothing fancy, but the writing makes it well worth the effort. Bruen has a strong voice and his perfectly noir protagonist is vividly realized even as the prose is stripped down to a nearly skeletal level. This one kicks off a series, so a good place to start - it goes quite quickly, so you won't lose much time if it doesn't take. ...more
Brian
Jul 18, 2008 rated it really liked it
Amy Rosa
Jan 12, 2010 marked it as to-read
Steve Anderson
Jan 16, 2011 marked it as to-read
Sk888888
Sep 26, 2016 rated it it was ok
Anna
Jun 29, 2018 marked it as to-read
Rachel N.
Oct 29, 2018 marked it as to-read
Tammy AZ
Dec 24, 2018 marked it as to-read
Pam
Jan 16, 2019 rated it it was amazing
Tuck
Jun 01, 2020 marked it as to-read
Keeley
Oct 02, 2023 marked it as to-read
Carla
Mar 20, 2025 marked it as to-read