Musings of a Bookish Kitty: April 2012

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Bookish Thoughts: The Cut by George Pelecanos

The Cut by George Pelecanos

Regan Arthur Books, 2011
Crime Fiction; 304 pgs

From the Publisher:
Spero Lucas has a new line of work. Since he returned home after serving in Iraq, he has been doing special investigations for a defense attorney. He's good at it, and he has carved out a niche: recovering stolen property, no questions asked. His cut is forty percent.

A high-profile crime boss who has heard of Lucas's specialty hires him to find out who has been stealing from his operation. It's the biggest job Lucas has ever been offered, and he quickly gets a sense of what's going on. But before he can close in on what's been taken, he tangles with a world of men whose amorality and violence leave him reeling. Is any cut worth your family, your lover, your life?
When I think of George Pelecanos, I think atmosphere. I think character driven. I know that when I pick up one of his novels, I will likely be in for a story full of angst and ethical questions. The Cut had all of these things to varying degrees.

The author wrote occasionally for one of my all time favorite shows, The Wire, and so I expect a lot from him when I crack open one of his books. Given that this was also an Independent Literary Award short-listed nominee for the Mystery category . . . Well, he had a lot to live up to with The Cut.

Pelecanos captured the underbelly of Washington D.C. and his characters quite well. Spero Lucas is a character who doesn't always play by the rules as we know them, but he's definitely the kind of man you'd want on your side if ever you find yourself in trouble. He is quick on his feet both physically and mentally and is ever persistent. I felt like I was right there on the streets with Spero (very glad he was by my side--he deals with some shady characters!), where survival can be a matter of a split second decision. As is common with his novels, the author raises questions about morality and how easy it could be to cross the line given the circumstances.

I didn't quite like The Cut as much as I did The Night Gardener which I read by him years ago. The characters, both the good and the bad guys, in the older book were much more fleshed out. Whereas The Night Gardener was much more character driven, I found The Cut to be spurred on more by the plot.

The Cut is dark and at times violent. It is well written and I can see why it made the Indie Lit Awards short list.

You can learn more about George Pelecanos and his books on the author's website.

Source: I personally purchased an e-copy of this book for review.

© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Bookish Thoughts: Fun & Games by Duane Swierczynski

Runner-Up for the Independent Literary Awards Mystery Category:

Fun & Games by Duane Swierczynski
Mulholland Books, 2011
Crime Fiction; 304 pgs

From the Publisher:

The first of three explosive pulp thrillers arriving back-to-back from cult crime fiction sensation and Marvel Comics scribe Duane Swierczynski.

Charlie Hardie, an ex-cop still reeling from the revenge killing of his former partner's entire family, fears one thing above all else: that he'll suffer the same fate.

Languishing in self-imposed exile, Hardie has become a glorified house sitter. His latest gig comes replete with an illegally squatting B-movie actress who rants about hit men who specialize in making deaths look like accidents. Unfortunately, it's the real deal. Hardie finds himself squared off against a small army of the most lethal men in the world: The Accident People.

It's nothing personal-the girl just happens to be the next name on their list. For Hardie, though, it's intensely personal. He's not about to let more innocent people die. Not on his watch.

And I thought The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes was high octane. Wow. Fun & Games is even more so. And like Sakey's book, Fun and Games is also movie perfect--plenty of action with high suspense.

My husband was excited to see this title among the Independent Literary Award short-listed nominees for the Mystery category. He is familiar with the author in his capacity as a comic book writer. That made me even more curious, although I really had no idea what to expect. From page one, I had trouble tearing myself away from the book when I had to. It didn't help that the chapters often ended with little teasers leading me straight into the next chapter. I have a love/hate relationship with those types of chapter breaks. I tend to read on, not even noticing I'm going from one chapter to the next--something that hampers finding a good stopping point. Of course, with chapter endings like that there is no good stopping point, is there? The author really knows how to build on suspense, creating an intense read.

I was caught up in the Hollywood landscape. Swierczynski did a good job of setting up his characters and the story as well as in creating his version of L.A. I love it when an author researches the area he writes about, adding in a little history here and there. It ties me a little closer to the setting, making the story more real.

I really am not sure what else to say about this novel in terms of content, frankly. As cliche as it sounds, with every new chapter, it was like peeling back the layers of an onion. To say much at all about the content of the story or the characters would be to give too much away.

I will say that I really liked Hardie. He comes across as a nice guy trying to do the right thing. He is very hard on himself, especially because of his past. It colors just about everything he does. He is up against some very deadly people who are not only cunning but smart. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like in Hollywood if The Accident People truly did exist. Parts of the book seemed to be taken straight from the headlines, including the B-rated actress, Lane, who reminded me a lot of Lindsay Lohan.

Believability? With books like this, who cares? I had no trouble losing myself in the story and setting aside my disbelief. Swierczynski proved he is a talented writer who can take me out of my own life for awhile and transport me into the pages of his book.

The book did slow down for me a little towards the end, but just a tad. The climax was well worth the wait. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book in the trilogy.

You can learn more about Duane Swierczynski and his books on the author's website.

Source: I personally purchased an e-copy of this book.

© 2012, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Bookish Thoughts: A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

Winner of the Independent Literary Award Mystery Category:

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

Minotaur Books, 2011
Crime Fiction; 339 pgs

Just about everyone I know who reads mysteries and has read Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache's series loves and recommends it. I actually have the first book in the series in my TBR collection. Several books into the series later, I'm finally reading one of her books--just not that first book in the series. I was a big stickler for reading series books in order until I began blogging. I am not sure what's happened to me. Of course, in this instance, I didn't have time to play catch up with the series--seven books total. A Trick of the Light was short-listed for an Independent Literary Award and so I was under a deadline to read it.

No matter. Like with a lot of mystery series, the book stands well on its own. In this case, however, I really do wish I had read the previous books as I have a feeling many of the characters have made appearances before, all tied to another mystery. And that other mystery, well, could it be from another book that is now spoiled? Spoiled in the sense of my knowing the outcome as opposed to being ruined, I mean. There's also the characters' personal stories, which take place over the course of the books--there is so much I feel I missed out on. Yet, the author did a good job of putting enough of the pieces together in this one novel to make it okay that I didn't start with the first book in the series. I just wish I did.

Anyhow, I went into Louise Penny's novel with high expectations. Not only was it a nominee for an award but it also came so highly recommended. Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed. I loved just about everything in this book: from the depth of the characters, including many of the minor ones; the easy and sometimes comical banter between the characters; the serious and sensitive handling of the crime and the issues surrounding it; the atmospheric setting; and the superb writing.

From the Publisher:

“Hearts are broken,” Lillian Dyson carefully underlined in a book. “Sweet relationships are dead.”

But now Lillian herself is dead. Found among the bleeding hearts and lilacs of Clara Morrow's garden in Three Pines, shattering the celebrations of Clara's solo show at the famed Musée in Montreal. Chief Inspector Gamache, the head of homicide at the Sûreté du Québec, is called to the tiny Quebec village and there he finds the art world gathered, and with it a world of shading and nuance, a world of shadow and light. Where nothing is as it seems. Behind every smile there lurks a sneer. Inside every sweet relationship there hides a broken heart. And even when facts are slowly exposed, it is no longer clear to Gamache and his team if what they've found is the truth, or simply a trick of the light.

I am not well versed in the art world. My mother-in-law paints beautiful landscapes and my husband can put together a lovely sketch, but I'm a stick figure woman all the way. Stick figures with big heads. So, the setting was one that was a bit foreign to me (besides being set in Canada). I felt right at home in Three Pines, however. It sounds like a place I wouldn't mind living.

There was one scene in particular that was difficult for me to read, the one where the detectives have to tell the parents of the victim that she's dead. It was heart breaking. All I could think about was how horrible it would be to be in their shoes and how I hope I (or you) never have to experience anything like that in our lives. I have read and seen lots of scenes like this over the years, but having just had a child of my own, I am a little more sensitive to it right now, I think.

The other aspect that of the novel that really got to me was the focus on addiction, particularly alcoholism. It is a problem that touches many of us in one way or another. For me it was in living with an alcoholic parent. The author approached the topic in a very hands on way, offering different perspectives through the various characters, many of which were in different stages of addiction. I don't think it's a major spoiler to mention this--although I won't get more specific.

I really appreciated how the author presented the characters--how she used the theme of light and dark in drawing them out. Everyone, including the main protagonist, Inspector Gamache, had many shades to him. On one hand he was near perfect, admired by just about all; on the other, he had his share of secrets and doubt.

Will I read another Louise Penny novel? Absolutely! I will never get caught up with all the series I want to read if I keep this up!

You can learn more about Louise Penny and her books on the author's website.

Source: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.

This book counts towards the What's in a Name Challenge and The Eclectic Reading Challenge.

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Bookish Thoughts: Missing Daughter, Shattered Family by Liz Strange

Missing Daughter, Shattered Family by Liz Strange

MLR Press, 2011
Crime Fiction; 286 pgs

I went from the high octane action novel The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes into the more laid back classic P.I. novel, Missing Daughter, Shattered Family. David Lloyd is a former police officer turned private investigator who is hired to find the missing daughter of a prominent Toronto family. The young woman has not contacted her family in months, something highly unusual for her. Her history of drug abuse and mental illness make it all too easy to assume she either took off or possibly overdosed. As the case unfolds, David finds that not all the facts are lining up--nor are all the people he is interviewing being completely honest with him. The closer he gets to the truth, the more feathers he ruffles, and the more someone turns to violence to warn him away.

Missing Daughter, Shattered Family was refreshing in its old school detective approach. David does a lot of leg work, interviewing friends and family of the missing woman. The novel starts out slow admittedly, but it didn't take long for me to be hooked in, wondering what the author had in store for me--and her characters.

David is a likeable guy. He has all the makings of a good detective. He is ethical and diligent. He isn't easily intimidated and he is ever persistent. He looks beyond the words spoken to him and seems to be a good judge of character. He knows how to turn on the charm and use it to his advantage.

David's past comes back to haunt him as he works on the case and he comes face to face with the police officer who got him kicked off the force. Beaten severely, resulting in a knee injury and hearing loss, as a result of being gay, David had no choice but to step down from his position on the police force. He knows the men who beat him were fellow police officers, but unfortunately he has no proof. Memories from that incident come flooding back and David struggles to deal with his past as well as search for the missing girl. The author could have taken this in several different directions, but I like how it was kept in the background. It clearly was a significant and horrific event in the protagonist's life, shaping who David had become, but it never overshadowed the main story line.

On the home front, David is dealing with personal issues as well. His long time partner, Jamie, has still not come out to his family and coworkers. This has created some tension between the two men, which finally comes to a head. I really got a feel for how both men must have felt and my heart went out to Jamie.

The personal story line played nicely into the main plot--giving it a nice balance. As with any mystery, such a side story makes the characters more real in the reader's mind. It helps paint a fuller picture of the character as a human being. And it did for me in this case.

As an aside, kudos for the author for throwing in the paperwork! How often do you see the protagonist in a mystery actually complete any of the required paperwork? It was realistic touches like this that made me especially appreciate the novel.

The mystery was at times predictable and formulaic, but I enjoyed getting to know David and following him along on his investigation. Overall, I enjoyed Missing Daughter, Shattered Family. I wouldn't have heard of this novel had it not been for its being short-listed for an Independent Literary Award, and so am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it.

You can learn more about Liz Strange and her books on the author's website.

Source: Copy of the book provided by the publisher for review.

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Bookish Thoughts: The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey

The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey

Dutton Adult, 2011
Crime Fiction; 400 pgs

Sometimes I come across a book that reads like a movie. One that would be perfect for the big screen. Each scene and character is presented in such a way I can see it in my mind's eye. Marcus Sakey's The Two Death's of Daniel Hayes is one such book. The car chase, the action sequences, the angst and sense of betrayal. The doubt and frustration. And what's more, the characters are movie perfect. I was reminded most of Momento and No Country for Old Men as I read The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes.

A man wakes up on a beach, shivering from the wet and cold. He has no memory of who he is. He discovers a car with the name Daniel Hayes on the registration, which he assumes is him. He does the only thing he can think of to do, he follows the leads in front of him, hoping to regain his identity and past. He isn't sure he likes what he discovers: a dead wife that he may or may not have killed; a man searching for him and threatening his friends; the police, hot on his trail; and the public who has already convicted him.

The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes is one of those edge of your seat type books. It takes off at a run and doesn't let up until near the end. I confess I wasn't too sure about Daniel at first. And I couldn't help but ask myself what I would do in his shoes. I am not sure I would have immediately gone into flight mode the way he did--but then, I doubt I would find a gun in my glove compartment. The twists and turns weren't too difficult to see coming in all honesty. I really can't say too much more without giving something away I shouldn't.

I should point out that this particular book was on the Independent Literary Awards, short list in the Mystery category. As a result, I went into it with high expectations and a more critical eye than I usually do with the books I read. I mean, this was an award contender, right? I can see why it made the short list. The writing was good (although I wasn't a big fan of the screenplay narrative bits), the characters fully formed, and the story well told. It didn't quite hold that wow factor for me, but it was a good ride while I was reading. It certainly kept me flipping pages as fast as I could to reach the end. And I definitely would catch it in the theater if it made it to the big screen.

You can learn more about Marcus Sakey and his books on the author's website.

Source: Copy of the book provided by the publisher for review.

This book counts towards The Eclectic Reading Challenge.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Merely Mystery Reading Challenge 2012 April/May Reviews

If you haven't already, please sign up for the Merely Mystery Challenge here!

One of my favorite parts of challenges is supporting and cheering on my fellow participants--not to mention all the great new-to-me book recommendations I come across! Please leave direct links to your April/May review posts for qualifying reviews for the challenge here. Participants without blogs can post reviews on general review sites such as LibraryThing, Goodreads or Shelfari. And if you have the time, stop by and check out some of your fellow participants reviews as well! I am sure they would love to hear from you!

Please include your name or blog name along with the title of the book you reviewed as well as a direct link to your review post (not just a general link to your blog). Thank you!