July Group Read (Summer Blockbuster): The Cleaner by Brett Battles *Spoilers*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Optional Discussion Questions

1. What do think of Jonathan's job?
2. Does Battles keep the adrenaline going and keep your interest with this story?
3. How do the characters hit you, specifically Quinn? Can you see yourself in his shoes?
4. Does this book stand up to a good summer action movie?
5. What would you do if you were in this situation?
6. Overall rating: 1-5 stars, or 1-10.
7. Other books like this you'd recommend?
8. Will you continue this series?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

1. The job Jonathan does is one that's hinted at in a lot of books and movies. It's an obvious need when you're in a "wet work" type job...someone needs to clean up those pesky corpses and spreading pools of blood. I thought it was a good idea.

2.Does the action hold up...keep the adrenaline going? Sometimes. Early on we get a slam bang set up but then we slow down noticeably. I wasn't dying to get back to it after I'd laid it aside. It was the book I got back to at a given time, so...some good action some slow spots.

3. The characters...Quinn wasn't bad. he was a bit familiar in that I've seen characters of the tough capable school before. The rest of the characters seem shallower to me...even a bit cookie cutter. Nate will be lucky if lives through another few weeks of his apprenticeship if things stay true to the way they went in this book..

4. Well, I suppose it could. It would depend on who made the movie, what the sacrificed for time and so on and how they handled what they retained. Cast would also mean a lot.

5. Frankly hard to say. (view spoiler)[ the old getting everybody around you endangered...snatched...or killed thing kicked in here, predictably I thought. Also the Orlando insists on leaving her child behind and then...oops, child get's kidnapped and held over your head. Right. (hide spoiler)]

6.I gave it 3 out of 5.

7. Nothing using this subject comes to mind....if I think of anything I'll get back.

8. A good solid, "maybe". I don't know yet.

[Eileen]

I usually don't read reviews of books I'm in the middle of, Mike. I was curious what you thought. Being halfway done with this book, I have to agree with you there doesn't seem to be anything new or the WOW factor that keeps me wanting to see what happens next. I also don't feel that invested in any of the characters. I haven't read any of your spoilers since I'm still reading, will when I'm done. I will say it's not a bad book and I will finish it. Right now it kind of reminds me of the movie The American with George Clooney.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Yeah I rated it a 3. Not real good or terrible, but readable.

[Eileen]

1. I think Jonathan's job is a lonely job. It's not a job I personally would want, going in and cleaning up the "mess" that other people make. I also think you would have to be the loner type to do that type of work.

2. Over all, I think the book keep me interested in seeing what happens next, even though sometimes the action wasn't always at octane level. Near the end of the book it did pick up and had my adrenaline going to see what would happen next.

3. I do think this book gave a good idea what it would be like for Quinn in his line of work. That being said, I've never been in that line of work. Maybe, that I am a mother of 3 and helped raise 2 I can say I've done a little "wet work" myself.

4. Not really sure this would stand up as a big action movie. I think I've seen movies like this before. Put a good looking man in the lead and higher decent writers...I'd watch it.

5. Rating this book was hard. Overall I enjoyed it and it was a fun read. I did enjoy the book more towards the end. With the GR rating system I gave it 3 stars (I liked it).

6. Books I would recommend that are similar, not sure. I will say, anything written by Robert Crais or James Rollins you can't go wrong.

7. I will continue the series.

_______________________________________

Responding to Mike's spoiler, (view spoiler)[I agree with what you said. When I read there was a child in the story, it would turn out that it was either Quinn's or that it would be kidnapped. I didn't guess that ( can't remember his name) was still alive. (hide spoiler)]

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Thanks for the comments, Mike and Eileen. I haven't gotten the opportunity to read this yet, but I hope I will this month.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Discussion Questions

1. What do think of Jonathan's job?

--It's interesting. I tend to think of spies as being on the frontline, but in this book, Quinn is a clean-up man who goes behind and fixes the mess left behind. That turns out to be just as dangerous a job at times. It takes an eye for detail and a meticulous nature.

2. Does Battles keep the adrenaline going and keep your interest with this story?

--I don't think this is a book for an adrenaline junky. It's a good book for those who like a more character and detail-driven spy novel.

3. How do the characters hit you, specifically Quinn? Can you see yourself in his shoes?

--I liked that Quinn was a problem-solver and very resourceful. He's not unnecessarily violent, cruel or mean. He's detached from people, not because he doesn't care, but because it's safer. I couldn't do his job. I don't have the patience or the temperament, but I appreciate his skill.

4. Does this book stand up to a good summer action movie?

--This isn't a very good summer action movie book. It's more of a fall type release. Good if you want a departure from family drama or stuff like that. Some good action bits, but not sustained by any means.

5. What would you do if you were in this situation?

--Well, I'd probably be in trouble except for the Grace of God.

6. Overall rating: 1-5 stars, or 1-10.

--I'd give it 3.5 stars or 7.5/10

7. Other books like this you'd recommend?

--I haven't read enough spy books to comment.

8. Will you continue this series?

--Yes. I did like it and I'd like to see more of Quinn, Nate, and Orlando. I like a good spy story.