Munichs by David Peace
The first David Peace book I ever read was The Damned Utd. I had no idea I was reading a “David Peace book.” I know that sounds like a weird way to look at it but Peace’s style is so distinct in its repetition, bringing the banal to life whether you want to it to or not. I’ve heard it be described as an “occult” writing style because of the way he hides things within his story. Seems accurate to me. The Damned Utd. was good AND accessible, […]
Very grateful to my cannonballer for my gifts! Margo’s Got Money Troubles isn’t the kind of thing I normally read but it came highly recommended and I thought it was worth a shot. And I’m happy to have a republished work from the legendary Cornell Woolrich added to my Hard Case Crime collection. Thank you so much! Happy holidays!
Even the Wicked by Lawrence Block
Revelation by CJ Sansom
Just as with Trump’s election last month dovetailing into subjects I read, the recent shooting death of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson by a vigilante killer coincided with me reading two consecutive books on vigilante justice. Going to review both vis-a-vis how they speak to the moment. Even the Wicked Growing up, vigilante justice was always right wing coded. Dirty Harry. Death Wish. I still remember the popular “Beer For My Horses” song in which Willie Nelson and Toby Keith talk about public hangings and “putting […]
Remembrance Day by Henry Porter
Dead Lions by Mick Herron
Zero Days by Ruth Ware
Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman
Killing Castro by Lawrence Block
Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins
Spy Hook by Len Deighton
London Rules by Mick Herron
Real Tigers by Mick Herron
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate. Remembrance Day**** An interesting take on the English-vs-Irish spy novel and while the author telegraphs too many things, he knows how to keep a story moving. Barely clears the 4-star threshold but if I invest time to read something almost 500 pages long, it has to be at least “good” and this was. Dead Lions, Real Tigers, and London Rules**** I had originally meant to do a big long post on my love/grr relationship with Mick Herron’s Slough House […]
A Long Line of Dead Men by Lawrence Block
I usually don’t take a long post for my Scudder re-reads as most are summarized compared to what I originally wrote about them. But I wanted some extra space to explore this one. I’ve noticed that post-Eight Million Ways to Die, Lawrence Block’s Scudder plots have become weaker. That’s fine with me; Block’s not bad at plotting but it’s not his strong suit and I’ve come to see these more as hang out novels than Christie-type whodunnits. So I wasn’t looking forward to this one […]
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
The first time I tried Intermezzo, I didn’t last ten pages. This was the fault of Conversations With Friends. I read it earlier this year in anticipation of Intermezzo and found it disappointing. I gave it a reluctant 4-stars but with more distance, I find myself continuing to dislike it. I never cared for the central relationship and while Rooney has talent, it’s evident that this was her first book and she was not yet fully confident in telling stories like this. My first go round with Intermezzo, I’m again introduced […]
