As the Watts riots (1965) come to an end, the police enlist Easy Rawlins to do some sensitive investigation. A black woman has been brutally murdered As the Watts riots (1965) come to an end, the police enlist Easy Rawlins to do some sensitive investigation. A black woman has been brutally murdered and the prime suspect is a white man that she sheltered from an angry mob in the middle of the riots. All of this is very hush hush, primarily because of the very real concern that if word gets out that a white man has murdered a black woman it will spark a resurrgence of rioting.
Wrapped around this very interesting murder mystery is a powerful cultural piece. Mosley, through Easy's dialogue and thoughts, reveals an optimistic attitude in the midst of the sorrow of the devastation of the riots. Easy is disgusted and dismayed at the opportunistic looting and wanton acts of violence-- yet he understands the anger that motivated the riot. He is discouraged that black women have been being murderedand the police have scapegoated innocent men as the suspects. His emotions are justifiably mixed and oft times confused.
There is one very interesting discussion about why things never seem to get better. Easy's friend Jackson explains it with an allegory. He says he once went to a doctor who gave him a round of antibiotics-- he got better-- but weeks later he was back! He said the doctor would give him just enough penicillin to get better, but never enough to get healed. Then he says that's why the agencies trying to help the poor (think today's homeless) can never completely solve the problem.
Easy goes about his investiagtion in a clever way, utilizing both an undercover style and his network of friends to obtain the info he is seeking. He sorts his way through wreckage, pure greed, angry blacks, ands racist cops. The dialogue (and the way that Easy thinks) is crisp and raw. The scenes of destruction are described in such a manner as to make the reader almost smell the smoke and ashes.
I won't profess to comprehending some of the black cultural practices, specifically their ability to cheat on a girlfriend and offer affection to other women. But I will say I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. ...more
This was one of those books that maintained a delicate balance between quirky comedy and serious emotion. Such are few and far between.
The titular DeThis was one of those books that maintained a delicate balance between quirky comedy and serious emotion. Such are few and far between.
The titular Deacon is the oddest character in the book. He has been a drunk for many years, but somehow still serves as a deacon. His departed wife appears to him and talks to him, while he is confused both by old age AND his alcohol consumption. Everybody calls him sportcoat because he is always seen in two sports coats. He is confounded by changes in his community, 1969 New York. HIs real trouble begins when he shoots a young drug dealer.
The story is full of wonderful moments, such as the regular delivery of some high-quality "white people" cheese to the local projects. The local Italian smuggler with scruples (who won't smuggle drugs) falls in love with a chubby Irish woman. The church holds a secret that becomes an overwhelming blessing that brings a smile to the reader's face.
There is a wonderful discussion of racism. The speaker describes his father's cruelty as an outgrowth of being treated cruelly by the white man. The discussion leads to the conclusion that black folks need to be careful that they don't seek power at the expense of those they love.
While I would suggest that the book is full of conincidences, each one of these has a purpose.. The purpose is to show that all of these people's lives are intertwined with one another. They are very, much entangled and the story that is slowly revealed shows just how much.
I don't agree with some of the religious viewpoints and hypocrisy presented, but do recognize that it truly exists.
By the way-- the deacon gets the nickname because of the homemade liquor he drinks made by his friend in the boileer room of the building he oversees. King Kong...
This novel is a King Kong sized novel, not for its length, but for its content, and even action.
The title of this novel was cryptic to me at first. Then, one of the characters is observing a 3 part painting that collapses into a single image (remThe title of this novel was cryptic to me at first. Then, one of the characters is observing a 3 part painting that collapses into a single image (reminded me of a Mad back cover fold-in) and explained that it was called a Triptych. Once I realized that the author was attempting to create a literary version of such a picture, I understood that changing perspectives. While I applaud the author for attempting to accomplish a literary balancing act-- it didn't really work effectively for me.
This is only my second outing with Will Trent. I have to remind readers that the literary version of Will Trent is somewhat different from the televised version. The first major difference is Will's relationship with Angie. As I read the first book I read (out of order I might add) and then this one, I grew to despise this character. She's messed up and conflicted and I realize that this relates to the years of abuse in the foster system (Will also suffered greatly in that system)--- Though she loves Will, she just keeps hurting him. She doesn't know what to do to make the relationship healthy-- and frankly that's more than sad, it is absolutely depressing. Since I read the two books out of order, I saw that things were not much better- she was still causing him pain.
Besides my hatred of Angie, there was an angry feeling towards Will for allowing her to continue pulling his strings and manipulating his emotions.
The violence was part of the literary imagery-- but it wasn't very pleasant. The idea of a rapist who bites off his victim's tongues was an effort to create a sicker and more perverted character-- but it just felt like gory details for the purpose of gore.
I've yet to give up on this series-- but the writing constantly changes direction and causes me some discomfort.
This is an amazing book. The author has written an outstanding novel, full of wonderful imagery, covering the full scale of emotions, and developiWOW!
This is an amazing book. The author has written an outstanding novel, full of wonderful imagery, covering the full scale of emotions, and developing a historical novel of epic proportion.
The story begins with the arrival of Josef, a European Jew, who comes to live with his cousin, Sammy. Josef has sacrificed a lot and the author describes a clever escape from Europe with the aid of a old magician. Josef arrives with his odd European ways, but Sammy immediately discovers Josef is a wonderful artist. Soon, Sammy pitches his boss (a novelty catalog publisher) with the idea of publishing a comic book. The boss is amused and Sammy pulls togethere a number of artists and writers, creates several new characters-- the most important being an escape artist hero that is somewhat based on Josef's exploits. The novel moves into a joyful period, describing the camraderie of a "bullpen" and the production of comic book titles.
Yet, underlying tension exists. Josef is plagued with guilt over his parents' sacrifice to get him out of Europe and the need to find a way to get them away from the Nazi persecution that is rising prior to World War II. Both young men realilze that they have been "cheated" as the creators of their heroes, but they are being well paid and choose to overlook the slight to keep making money. Josef contrives a plan to rescue his brother, but that is full of complications. Meanwhile, he falls in love with a lovely, eccentric artist.
Sammy, meanwhile, struggles with relationship issues of his own.
Eventually, we get to a crisis moment--- that stupid psychiatrist and his efforts to sexualize the relationship between Batman and Robin, etc. A crisis in a Congressional hearing intensfies as the novel pushes Sammy's issues to the forefront at about the same time that Josef returns from a self-imposed exile complicating the relationships.
As the reader nears the end of the novel, he brings back some of the earlier characters in order to create some closure. The novel tends to end on a bit of a high note, but Sammy's future is left open (for another novel?)--
Not only is there an emotion-filled story, but the imagery, vocabulary, and general tone of this novel is really well worth reading. The author covers the depth of emotions-- both the exultation of creating a comic book hero and experiencing fame AND pain and exploring the anguish of tumultous relationships as well as loss.
Cool and Lam are a very odd mix of characters. If you haven't read these novels, you've missed some fun stuff.
This one was intended by Mr. Fair (ActuCool and Lam are a very odd mix of characters. If you haven't read these novels, you've missed some fun stuff.
This one was intended by Mr. Fair (Actually Erle Stanley Gardner, the creator of Perry Mason) to be the second in this LONG RUNNING series of detective novels. However, the publisher rejected it because they felt that Bertha Cool was much too crude, dishonest, and greedy. They felt that she cussed too much (and the author did tone her down a bit.
This one wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as some of the others in the series. The note at the end telling how it came to be "lost" was a bonus.
Grisham is a wonderful writer and his characters are always very well defined. This set of Novellas didn't really do it for me.
The first novella had Grisham is a wonderful writer and his characters are always very well defined. This set of Novellas didn't really do it for me.
The first novella had an unsatisfying conclusion-- as Jake Brigance deals with a lawyer friend who abandoned his family, stole client's money, has been hiding out for years, but now wants to reconnect with his family. As an essay on what is truly important in life-- maybe-- but the conclusion is so poor that it really left me feeling kind of blah.
The second novella also did not have a decent conclusion. Instead, the story featured a prisoner on death row-- though guilty of his crime-- Grisham paints the death penalty as an awful thing-- rather than a sad necessity for a safe society... poignant at times-- but again-- Grisham used this one as a vehicle to suggest his social/political agenda was the only correct one and it was too preachy.
The third novella was about two brothers who are partners in a law firm and the battle for control. This one was the most satisfying of the three novellas.
Grisham doesn't shine quite so brightly here. His writing and prose remains wonderful, but it is like he was wandering around looking for a conclusion....more
Zack Walker is a lackluster Science Fiction author who is working as a feature writer for a newspaper. His current assignment has him hanging out withZack Walker is a lackluster Science Fiction author who is working as a feature writer for a newspaper. His current assignment has him hanging out with a private detective trying to solve some smash and grab crooks.. His exhuastion from working the stake out is compounded by his college age daughter dealing with a weird stalker. He goes to a government auction where he purchases a hybrid vehicle, which has a strange starting problem. All of these things come together in a story that is both full of action and mystery as well as comedy.
This is the main problem with the book. The author doesn't know whether he is trying to write a suspensful action story or a comedy-- and while the humor is appreciated-- at times it just isn't blended together too wll.
The story is interesting enough and the action scenes feel realistic as well. The bad guys are both ominous and funny in an odd sort of way. The main bad guy is nicknamed "Barbie"-- a name he doesn't seem to mind, but his "fetish" is almost sad. ...more
New Orleans has always been a city that seems synomous with vice and corruption. At the turn of the 20th centurty, with the political positions controNew Orleans has always been a city that seems synomous with vice and corruption. At the turn of the 20th centurty, with the political positions controlled by a group known as the ring, it was no exception. But when the vice got too much for the common citizens to handle, they contrived a plan... Let's push all the vice to one area, and named after its main advocate, "Storyville" was born.
Krist ties together nearly thirty years of New Orleans History-- giving the reader a quick primer on vice, history, politics, Jim Crow laws, and jazz.
The greatest concern of the reformers who objected to the goings on in Storyville wasn't the prostitution or the human trafficking. It grew into a fervor against the racial integration of those frequenting the infamous red light district. New Orleans had always been an integratee city and blacks, while not exactly equal, had a great deal of freedom there. The rise of jazz music and its popularity among not only blacks, but also whites, seems to have added an impetus for reform, as the races comingled in the saloons, brothels, and restaurants of the district.
Meanwhile, some folks got very wealthy during this period, while politicians ignored laws and enforcement was lax, at best.
Tied into the story of jazz and vice, is the rise of the black hand, the Italian mafia... and the city lived in panic as an ax murderer preyed upon them. The prevalent thinking was that these killings/attacks were all related to mafia activity-- but apparently some of them were merely copycat or coincidental attacks.
The reader is treated to a finely researched book that desmontrates both the morals and the attitudes of the day. Though the title of the book implies it will be an exploration of vice, the author never offers lurid details other than stating that the working girls often exposed themselves at the doors or windows of their cribs. He describes the ineptness of the police as well as exposes their corruption. The racial prejudice of the time ripples through every level of society. And, the famous musician, Louis Armstrong is quoted frequently, as well as some of his life story is presented.
This is a great historical piece, and the author also has written a volume on Chicago's history that I want to read. ...more
Having started to tune in the television series "Will Trent" that is based on this series, I decided it was time to actually try one of the books in tHaving started to tune in the television series "Will Trent" that is based on this series, I decided it was time to actually try one of the books in the series. This is # 6 so I am WAY out of order, but that doesn't seem to matter. For those who are only versed in the television series, I have to advise you that for political correctness and diversity's sake many of the ethnicities of characters have been adjusted and differ from the literary foundation.
Therefore, I enjoyed this book for itself, and not really an extension of the televisiom programming.
I found this particular novel, which focused on Will's origins (somewhat like the tv episodes) to be first, an insightful novel. It was insightful because it dealt with so many issues-- race, women newly working in the police force-- desegregation--- the foster care system--- as a modern day mystery caused a flashback to Amanda and her first case. Amanda has kept Will in the dark about their real relationship--- she has watched over him from the time he was a baby-- found a scheme to force him to attend college, and intentionally recruited him for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Most of the time, he has been unaware of her "meddling" in his life, but she has kept some secrets, primarily to protect him from himself.
There are two solid mysteries unfolded in this novel. One takes place in 1975 and the other takes place in modern times. The mysteries involve Will's father, who murdered Will's mother. Will wants to murder his father and take vengeance, because he should never have been paroled. The resolution of this conflict is both surprising and satisfying.
Will and his ex-wife, Angie, (he grew up in foster care with her and they both harbor a great deal of resentment for how they were treated) have unresolved conflict. While they love each other, they realize that their relationship is almost entirely based on the common abuses they suffered as kids-- their relationship is toxic-- Will refuses to let it go completely, as he is still carrying his wedding band in his pocket, and his new girlfriend know it, but has chosen to remain silent.
The complex relationships and burning emotion drive this story forward, but that doesn't mean that the investigations are not handled with literary craft and skill. Slaughter uses the emotional upheaval in Will's life (his resentment to his father, and concern that he might have inherited his propensity to evil) to drive the story, but she decorates the scenary along the journey with carefully seeded clues and invesigations that make this journey really good.
I'll be reading more of this series. Slaughter does an excellent job keeping the reader engaged in both mystery and traumatic upheaval. ...more
Even though I've been a fan of the Jack Reacher series, I wouldn't have gone out of my way in order to pick up a copy of any of the newer installmentsEven though I've been a fan of the Jack Reacher series, I wouldn't have gone out of my way in order to pick up a copy of any of the newer installments. The Secret offers a whole new reason to avoid this series-- team writing!
There is nothing worse than the disjointed combination of story angles in this novel. Multiple chapters offer changes in perspective from bad guys, to other bad guys, to Reacher's team, to potential victims. It creates a massive break that is often like a jacknifed trailer.
The story itself is so formulaic-- bad guys have a big secret-- someone's killing to expose it-- investigators aren't told about it, but uncover it, while the bad guys keep trying to conceal it.
The killers are interesting and clever enough. In fact, their reason for being involved is kind of a neat twist, but is telegraphed so blatantly to the reader as to remove any real surprise.
Child thinks Reacher's elbow trick is cool and it makes its appearance in pretty much every novel. It's amazing that Reacher never injures his ulna nerve (the one that hurts if you hit your elbow) when he uses his elbow as a weapon. Kind of lame.
This novel shows that team writing, without a decent editing job, can create a mess of a decent hero, a decent investigation, and stir it up into a total mess....more
I could not find the correct edition to match the cover of my copy, but this one was first published in 1959. Apache Wells is as quality western novelI could not find the correct edition to match the cover of my copy, but this one was first published in 1959. Apache Wells is as quality western novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My copy had a number of irritating typographical errors, but the story was really well-written and the characters seemed very true to the frontier spirit.
The story centers around three brothers. The older one convinces a group of people to travel to California and they hire an old mountain man to be their guide. When they get to a place called Chirichua Wells, they camp for the night and trouble ensues when the older brother catches the middle brother in a compromising situation with his wife. He chases the middle brother off, and during the night he sneaks back, takes some of the family money and the wife. This takes the heart out of the older brother, leaving the youngest brother (the actual hero of the story) in the middle of the conflict between the two. The older brother lets the small wagon train leave without him and immediately begins building a house and declares his intention to settle the area.
There are a number of skirmishes with the Apaches, but as several years go by, the Natives decide that they will leave the two brothers alone. This is accomplished through and incredibly courageous act on the part of the older brother. A very interesting scheme -- this scene was one of the best in the book.
Eventually the confllict between the brothers is set up when the middle brother goes to work for a gang in Tuscon, who eventually decide they want the land. Steelman handles this conflict with a deft hand, expanding further on the character of those involved. By this time, the land around the wells has attracted more settlers and the conflict intensifies. No spoiler here- young Joe is right in the middle of this conflict as he seeks to save both of his brothers.
There are no expert gunfighters in this novel. There are the usual toughs and ruffians and the characters all seem to come straight out of the west. Steelman gets the weapons right and the Apache culture right and that counts for a lot.
This is sort of a small-scale epic western and I'll be looking for more by this author. ...more
I've always enjoyed the Dismas Hardy novels, and despite some drawbacks, this one was not an exception. However, this one deals with Hardy facing postI've always enjoyed the Dismas Hardy novels, and despite some drawbacks, this one was not an exception. However, this one deals with Hardy facing post traumatic stress over a shooting (in the last novel?) and struggles with leaving behind the trial of murder cases. It seems he feels that involving himself in such cases only opens his family up to dangerous situations. The struggle with this decision and the conflict over it provides the major issue in the novel as Hardy is contrasted with a detective experiencing some of the same trauma (same shooting?) but responding in a different manner.
After a time this one is a bit like an episode of Cheers-- just a few too many characters. Lecroart always adds rich and well-developed characters (my favorite is Abe Glitsky) but this time there are just a few too many of them for my own personal taste.
There is a mystery here, but the astute reader will have no problem solving it even before Hardy does so. For me, this was the major drawback. He offers us a number of suspects, but only one really ever stood out.
There is one scene where the old cast-iron skillet omelette, a staple in the Hardy novels, makes its usual appearance, much to my delight. Some of the other food references and culinary treats enjoyed by people in the novel just seemed to be a waste of space, but it does offer a rich background and setting.
Poison seems to be a swan-song for Dismas Hardy. He has aged along the progression of the novels and at times just seems like a worn-out old man. Still, he keeps his hand in and throws into a tough legal case. ...more
The author gives us another sweeping tale of Mithgar. This time, the target of the Epic Quest is an evil being named Baron Stoke, who has miraculouslyThe author gives us another sweeping tale of Mithgar. This time, the target of the Epic Quest is an evil being named Baron Stoke, who has miraculously risen from a thousand year entombment in a glacier. Baron Stoke commands the foul folk who join him in kidnapping people for his evil experimentation which includes created an undead army. Stoke is sort of a Dracula character, a shape-shifting fiend who at times is a man, at others a venom spitting wolf (a vulg) and at others a giant bat-like creature.
This one takes place about 1,000 years after some of the other adventures. This allows the author to flesh out the story of the last 1,000 year, which sometimes gets in the way of the current story. Still, it also adds to the enchantment of the world.
One practically needs a glossary, for the author uses his own words for Orks, Trolls, etc. Which ones are which is something I never got fully straight.
The story is full of multiple perils and our group of adventures manages to fight properly through each of them. The quest takes them all over the world, sometimes on ships, sometimes on dog sleds, sometimes on camels, and sometimes on horse and pony.
I enjoy this author quite a bit. His Iron Tower Trilogy was the best fantasy novel I recall ever reading. This one was good, but again, his constant repetitition of the other events from the other books occasionally got in the way.
Matt Helm is the real deal. He doesn't rely on gadgets, just sheer brains and grit! This time around, as part of a deep cover, he courts and marries aMatt Helm is the real deal. He doesn't rely on gadgets, just sheer brains and grit! This time around, as part of a deep cover, he courts and marries a female scientist, (all undercover work on both their parts)... Their purpose, to draw out the leader of a group of assasins.
This is cold war spy stuff. Peripheral characters get involved (and hurt) and Helm suffers from guilt. Hamilton's Helm novels are always good, generally full of cross and doublecross, but the best part is that they aren't about stopping some HUGE threat to the world, but generally a serious threat, just not world ending.
I like Helm. A tough galoot compared to James Bond. But a real secret agent. ...more
Michael Connelly does not report. With solid procedurals, a fine understanding of legal procedures, careful plotting, and intriguing characters, ResurMichael Connelly does not report. With solid procedurals, a fine understanding of legal procedures, careful plotting, and intriguing characters, Resurrection Walk is a fantastic novel. There are plentry of twists and turns, legal wrangling, and a quality description of investigative procedures.
My review is of the audiobook version-- and the readers do a fantastic job of making the characters come alive. I especially appreciate the voice used for Harry Bosch-- gruff, mature, and full of power. The characters that populate this novel are well-drawn and all seem to have particular character traits that give them life.
Bosch's position on helping Haller out on a defense case makes perfect sense. I think the one thing I did not really fully comprehend was Haller's ex-wife's participation to attempt to discredit Harry on the stand.
Lucinda Sands is imprisoned for the murder of her husband, a gang unit deputy sheriff, but she claims to be innocent. Soon, Bosch and Haller are discovering a terrible conspiracy that framed her for the crime.
A great dramatization. I enjoyed it immensely....more
Castle in the Air isn't the best of Westlake by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, it is an awful lot of fun. It is one of those heistCastle in the Air isn't the best of Westlake by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, it is an awful lot of fun. It is one of those heist novels where everything goes wrong.
When a dictactor decides to flee his small nation, he needs to sneak his wealth out of the nation. He does so by shipping a castle to a Paris exposition with treasures concealed in the blocks. A criminal mastermind assembles a team of criminals to steal the castle before it can be assembled for the exposition. The primary source of comedy comes from the fact that the criminals he recruits are from various nations and speak French, Italian, German, and Spanish. This leads to a great deal of comedic relief as they argue with one another, but don't know exactly what the subject of the arguments really are.
To add insult to injury, each international group intends to doublecross the others and take the loot for themselves. There is much chasing about (think the old movie It's a Mad, Mad Mad World) and hollering in various languages.
A clever idea... a clever novel... lots of laughs... and an interesting conclusion. It is a story that just seems as confusing as the people confused in their languages... disjointed and confusing in places... still worth reading the comedy. ...more
I'm enjoying the excitement and pacing of this series. It's outrageously over-the-top action at times and in this one our hero is shot and has an arm I'm enjoying the excitement and pacing of this series. It's outrageously over-the-top action at times and in this one our hero is shot and has an arm broken, but continues his hand-to-hand combat with an opponent-- which is the main reason for 4 stars instead of 5.
I love the plotting of these novels. Everyone wants to kill "The Gray Man" and he is constantly on the run, more than old Doc Kimball in "The Fugitive." He faces threats at every turn. This time, the tables are sort of turned on him by another op who has the same training and skill set as he has. The bad guy sets him up so that both the CIA contractor and the Mossad are after him, as the bad guy has accepted a contract on the Israeli Prime minister while impersonating the Gray Man. So our hero is dealing with a guy who pretends to be a friend, but in reality is just using him as a patsy. He has studied Court's methods.
While I finally enjoyed learning about the job in Kiev, teased so often in all the books, that part of the story was so absurd and unbelieveable that it offered yet another reason for a drop to 4 stars.
This is a prose comic book. It is pulp. Realistic enough with its machinations, spycraft, weapons knowledge, etc. to be believeable, outlandish enough to be fun. Hey, I read comic books, too... I mean Superman can fly and it doesn't put me off. Batman can have his back broken, yet somehow manage to come back from that traumatic injury and keep being Batman, right?
If you like action and spies-- this is a good series. If you take it too seriously, you probably won't be as thrilled with it. But for a guy who grew up on Doc Savage, The Avenger, The Shadow, etc. it is modern day pulp--- well written...
Oh... one last gripe. The author overuses an English word used in rugby in reference to crowds. After seeing it over and over to describe how a person in breaking away from a "scrum" I just get a touch annoyed by it. Maybe Gearny is familiar with rugby and was watching a game while he was writing or something... but I've seen in now in several books, sometimes more than once, and it seems like it is a clever way to describe a bustling crowd, but not over and over. ...more
I struggled with Calico. While it is competently written, it has what I see as some terrible flaws. Since Goldberg's procedurals or heist novels just I struggled with Calico. While it is competently written, it has what I see as some terrible flaws. Since Goldberg's procedurals or heist novels just get better and better, and show a plethora of research, I expected better. The remainder of this review will be marked with a + for positive points and - for negative points
- The major problem I had was that it was billed as a mystery set in modern times AND the old west. While that was true, I was expecting a western. It is not a western. It is Science Fiction. I had a terrible time getting past expecting a western. Yes, there were western elements, a western theme, and the old west stuff was pretty authentic. Categorizing this as a western novel is a disservice to readers. How the Western Writers of America are praising it as a western completely escapes me.
+ The procedurals and police presence in the novel are very well written. It was riveting to watch the detective putting pieces together. I loved watching her deal with the heist crew. This was fun.
- While the detective's sex life played a part in the story, at times it just seemed like the author enjoyed including such details a tad more than necessary. In one place, he describes her deciding not to pick up a guy in the bar but going home for a date with her vibrator. That one crossed the line for me.
+ The characters, especially those in the old west setting, were very well-developed. The former prostitute spurning the guy who delivers water and the development of that relationship and how the man's brother related to it was fantastic characterization. The newspaper publisher, the store keeper, the judge-- all very relatable characters. This characterization is drawn out by the poor guy stranded out of his time.
- The final conclusion was typical of Goldberg, and normally would have been welcomed. Having the detective and the coroner join an X-files type investigative unit in order to set up for a possible sequel was annoying. As a reader, I felt I had reached the proper conclusion of the novel and don't want any more of this world. Not because it was bad--- but because as a stand alone novel I could tolerate it, but as a series this won't interest me.
When I finally realized that this was a Science fiction novel and accepted it as I did , I was much happier. I'm not saying I did not enjoy it... but I like Goldberg's other books much better. ...more
Face of a Snake is an interesting western, which at times tries to be as epic and quirky as McMurty's Lonesome Dove series, but falls somewhat short. Face of a Snake is an interesting western, which at times tries to be as epic and quirky as McMurty's Lonesome Dove series, but falls somewhat short. In other words, it is a poor man's Lonesome Dove. There are two main scenes that will cause the reader to see the oddity of the old west in a McMurtyish effort, but the author (Not Compton-- that's a publishing house name) fails to conjure up any of the real emotion of his inspiration (not imagined, his author's note explains).
Still, the story manages to be both readable and enjoyable, with the exception of the young girl depicted on the cover with a bow and arrow, the "wild child" of one of the outlaw leaders' faithful lieutenant.
The story begins with the arrest and trial of two rival outlaw leaders, the last of their gangs (with the exception of the lieutenant) who are sentenced to 20 years in prison, much to the disgust of the townspeople in the area where they were captured. This period of the story is mostly glossed over and we find the two men released 20 years later. One leader returns to the town where he is banished, starving and suffering, he encounters an old hermit, a trapper, who befriends him and teaches him to trap and skin, and survive.
Eventually, the leader learns that his son married the daughter of his rival. He spurns a relationship with his son. However, later the son is murdered and his grandson kidnapped by a land baron who is bent on taking his ranch. He is forced to work with his rival, his lieutenant, and the wild child in order to rescue his grandson (a young man, not a child) and end the threat towards his family.
The action picks up, and the McMurtylike scenes take place as they journey to the son's ranch.
This is a pretty decent western, but the only real emotion provided is the rivalry between the two rivals, and for that reason it never really completely connects with this reader. The other disconnect is the two "circus freak" giants in the employ of the bad guy. L'Amour managed to use this idea to better effect in several of his novels. The girl with the bow also bugged me as silly. Still, I enjoyed it. ...more
When Attorney Billy Cambridge (former Texas Ranger) and his partner Nacho Garcia are transporting a sizable sum of cash from the sale of a ranch to thWhen Attorney Billy Cambridge (former Texas Ranger) and his partner Nacho Garcia are transporting a sizable sum of cash from the sale of a ranch to the original owner they are mixed up in a stagecoach robbery. The robbers get the cash and wound Nacho, and the two stick around with plans to track down the outlaw gang and retrieve the cash. Along the way they meet Billy's old friend, Jake Maxwell, who runs the local stage station, his daughter-in-law, his son, as well as an old Comanchero living like a hermit in the rough country with his half comanche daughter, and a preacher, and an icompetent and unconcerned deputy.
Before long, the reader is made aware that someone is working with the outlaw gang that has been plauging the area. Eventually, the reader is made aware that there is a leader of the gang who is discreet enough to conceal his identity better than Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent. However, even though the characters in the story don't know who the outlaw chief is- and despite the authors mediocre efforts to conceal this man's identity until further towards the end of the book-- any competent reader will far too quickly guess the identity of the outlaw leader-- who will be very apparent as this type of character is almost always chosen to be the secret bad guy in pretty much every B western film with such an evil leader. When the leader is revealed clearly to the reader, we find at the end he isn't really the true leader, but is being used by another. He thinks he is the chief, but he is being played.
The Daughter-in-law is suffering abuse at the hands of her husband, causing Billy's old friend (and Nacho) to sympathize with her. The husband is definitely working with the outlaws and this is quickly, perhaps too quickly, revealed to the reader. The father-in-law's sympathy for the abused woman turns to lust and love, further complicating the plot-- a much needed complication, to be sure.
Red River Ruse is, sadly, pretty standard western pulp material. The characters seem to be transplated from episodes of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers with some small exceptions. The author gets the weapons right, but could have provided more details rather than just names of the guns. However, the author drops in several flawed details that seem anachronistic. First, the trading post supposedly has hours that extend until 10 P.M. While a trading post operator would have been more than willing to open the store to a late night traveling customer in need-- such hours are nowhere near reality for the period. The pastor of the Baptist church has a weekly dinner on the grounds, but offers it on Wednesday. The idea that a local rancher would let his hands loose to go to a mid-day event in the middle of the work week is totally absurd. In modern times with modern vehicles, maybe, but not when they had to travel there via horseback or even buggy.