It’s hard to know where to start when reviewing this book. Let me just start by saying it is awesome. You need to buy it. Like now.
Ok. Got that out oIt’s hard to know where to start when reviewing this book. Let me just start by saying it is awesome. You need to buy it. Like now.
Ok. Got that out of the way. Let me highlight a couple of things that really stick out as reasons why I feel you should part with your hard earned cash.
1. Prudence Osgood - formerly Pru, now Os. She’s a queer (very queer), smart-talking, paranormal investigator with a troubled past. She suffers from depression, has more than a few substance abuse issues, and I totally fell in love with her within a few pages. Her differentness from the stereotypical Raymond Chandler knock-offs that haunt most investigative novels is a breath of fresh air. 2. The Trio - Os undergoes her journey with two companions, Audrey and Zack. Audrey is the estranged bestie who comes back into Os’ life with a back story that adds depth and complexity to the mystery and Os both. Zack is the techie geek no investigator can be without these days. He is loyal, loving, and the perfect companion for Osgood’s witty and snarky repartee. It seems these three are here to stay for sequels and that only makes me want to read them more. 3. The Mystery - I won’t say too much about this. I don’t want to drop spoilers. Suffice it to stay that it involves 80s Rock, vinyl LPs, occult symbolism, conspiracy theories, possession, and trans-dimensional beings. Beckett takes you carefully through the unraveling, teasing you along the way, and the brings it to a crescendo that does not disappoint. 4. The Ending- This deserves its own number. While the mystery is really cool and compelling from the get go, Beckett takes it to a place that lives more in the horror genre than mystery novels. (Particularly, I smell some strong Lovecraft aromas in this brew.) For me, a confirmed Lovecraft nerd, that made the novel go from damn good to freakin great.
This novel was fun as hell. It had a great mystery and better ending. It will make you want to read the next ones (coming soon, I hope). If you love it half as much as I did, your time and money will have been well spent. ...more
This was my first attempt at an Agatha Raisin mystery. For the sake of my own frustrated sanity, it will probably be my last.
I cannot for the life ofThis was my first attempt at an Agatha Raisin mystery. For the sake of my own frustrated sanity, it will probably be my last.
I cannot for the life of me figure out what’s supposed to make Ms Raisin a competent sleuth. She’s not especially observant. She doesn’t make connections others can’t. She holds no expertise in criminology or forensics. She doesn’t have special personal contacts which she alone can use and combine their work into a cohesive whole.
From the writing it would seem her main competence lies in being a self-possessed woman in her 50s. That’s it. That might make her a compelling character, but it’s not enough to make her an investigator cracking tough mysteries. Having the insight of an adult in your 50s is great and all. I’m nearly there myself. But, I’m sorry, it’s not enough to solve the sort of complex and convoluted mysteries that take place on the pages of such books.
Two features of this book bare out Ms Raisin’s distracting lack of skill more than any other for me. First: It is staggering how much “investigating” in this book is done in livingrooms while drinking tea, sherry, or gin. In isolation this is not that meaningful. However, it adds to the overall feeling that the “heroine” is nothing more than a dilettante out of her depth. Second: each major “break in the case“ is made by accident. In the end, it leaves me with the impression of a hobbit solving a Sherlock Holmes level case. Kay Scarpetta or Lisbeth Salander would have had this mystery solved in 15 pages.
Other than my desire for the protagonist to excuse herself from each and every scene (or to have been the victim in the first scene), the crime well constructed, the plot was nicely paced, and the book was well written. ...more
This was my first Holly Black book. On the surface, this is a story about three childhood friends in their early adolescence, just on the cusp of goinThis was my first Holly Black book. On the surface, this is a story about three childhood friends in their early adolescence, just on the cusp of going their separate ways. They are dimly aware of this dynamic. When Zach insensitive father throws away the toys essential to their friendship, their breaking up is accelerated. The three friends have one last, final great adventure precipitated by a doll which may or may not be haunted.
I think, in the end, the story doesn’t quite work. Not in the way it is being told. If it is for early adolescent readers, then it would have been better to focus primarily on the mystery of the doll. Is it really haunted? It is not? Is Poppy just manipulating them all? If all of this is real, then how is it real? Ms. Black leaves most of these questions unanswered. In stead she focuses on the second dimension of the novel.
The second dimension of the novel is one that really cannot be fully grasped by the adolescents readers this book is marketed to. The kids in the story, their friendship rekindled by their adventure, are wholly unaware of what adult readers (and the author) know. Their childhood friendship is over. Their adventure - which never really was about the haunted (or not) doll - is actually all for nothing. One begins the long path to lonely and solitary teen years. The other two are off to begin their first forays into pre-adult sexuality together. As a “coming of age” story, this book is incredible depressing. The worst part of it is that few 12 year old readers will catch this.
So, Ms. Black leaves the tale that would have spoken most clearly to her audience for one they can only partially grasp, one that is only really understood by an audience she isn’t trying to reach. ...more
There is no question that Preston and Child stick to what has become a pretty successful formula over the last few decades. Brilliant outsider discoveThere is no question that Preston and Child stick to what has become a pretty successful formula over the last few decades. Brilliant outsider discovers importune information that will change the world. They connect with someone loaded with cash who shares their interests. A motley crew of professionals is assembled. They go on an adventure together where many or most of them die. Someone betrays the group for something higher or greed. They (and other sundry bad guys) are overcome just at the moment you are sure the good guys will be defeated. Then the credits roll.
What saves this book is that Child and Preston seems to clearly know how to keep this formula from seeming like a formula. Their writing is excellent. Their characters are compelling and three dimensional. Their research is first rate. Unlike Dan Brown, who seems to only read three wikipedia articles before pontificating in a book like an expert, these guys actually delve into the source material and find interesting tidbits to tease out a great yarn.
Thunderhead has everything in it that fans of this genre will be looking for: compelling female protagonist, the aforementioned motley crew, a great adventure, some heartwarming scenes, and the even obligatory romance isn’t too groan-worthy. (Honestly, why do so many people get horny when their lives are in peril?)
Personally, the story wasn’t my favorite this time around. I think something about the American Southwest or the Anasaz or the mystery they pursue didn’t speak to me. However, it was clear to me from early on that this had to do with me not being engaged by these particular themes, locals, and historical material. The writing, story, and plotting where all on point.
Pretty much any fan of the genre, or Preston and Child, will enjoy this book....more
**spoiler alert** I've loved all of these books and I will keep reading on. I thought this one installment in the series, however, was a bit of a "jum**spoiler alert** I've loved all of these books and I will keep reading on. I thought this one installment in the series, however, was a bit of a "jump the shark" story. The kidnapping escalates into breaking into this not-quite-Bond villain installation and Spenser doing a gig as hitman for the federal government, to clean up a problem they can't solve themselves. I'm pretty sure they don't need a Boston gumshoe to do that kind of work for them. Maybe it's just me.
All the other elements of a Spenser story are there. The wise cracks, the insightfulness, the sensitivity to women and minorities, the interpersonal relationships and the slow but steady character development of favorites like Susan. So, all the stock elements were great - as always. The plot just felt like a bit of a "wtf?" moment for me. ...more
Andrew “The Weirdling”
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