crime – Page 29 – Cannonball Read 17

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Black Friday by David Goodis

December 6, 2019 by Jake Leave a Comment

A few months ago, a journalist whose newsletter I follow posted about how much he loved David Goodis’ books. We had exchanged e-mails in the past; he turned me on to the fabulous Martin Beck series (bless him forever). Hearing him laud Goodis made me want to read more of the man’s work. When I saw a Black Lizard (bless them forever) copy for sale, I pounced. My favorite avenue to explore existentialism is not in the philosophical novels of graying old men but in […]

Whodunnit, meet Breakfast Club

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

November 19, 2019 by TheShitWizard Leave a Comment

The Breakfast Club goes slightly wonky as five students enter detention, but only four leave. The nerd, the princess, the jock and the criminal are those left standing, while the deceased – the gossip blogger – had been about to ruin each of their lives by publishing their deepest secrets in his latest post. So who did the deed? It’s a slow burn to find out, following each of the group as they deal with the fall out from Simon’s death, the media having turned […]

Look at Flawed Detectives Taking Place in Denmark

The Tenant by Katrine Engberg

November 5, 2019 by Classic Leave a Comment

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review. So this was a really good thriller. I have never read a book taking place in Denmark before. Or at least I don’t think I have. It was interesting to see how the partners in this book (Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner) deal with the murder of a young woman and then the twists and turns the murder case takes. We do get to see more of Jeppe […]

War and Drugs

Every Man A Menace by Patrick Hoffman

August 31, 2019 by Jake Leave a Comment

Patrick Hoffman’s Every Man a Menace is everything I want from a crime novel: suspenseful, dialogue that cuts yet isn’t cute, and an attempt at a realistic plot. It has all of those things and more. Writers can take note. A beloved work from the guys at The Watch podcast, where I’ve gotten many a good recommendation, this book never takes its foot off the gas. But not in a pulpy, cheap thrills kind of way. These characters are real, the circumstances are legit, and the atmosphere claustrophobic. […]

Oh Margaret. You can do so many things, but rapping is not one of them. (CBR 11 Bingo: Remix)

Hag-Seed: William Shakespeare's The Tempest Retold by Margaret Atwood

August 17, 2019 by andtheIToldYouSos Leave a Comment

I love a good Shakespearean remix. I devour everything Margaret Atwood has to offer. I was delighted to come across Hag-Seed, as I am still haunted by her addition to the Canongate Myth Series (Penelopiad) 14 years after reading. Atwood sets her storm in the “summer-stock” theater world of world of far flung Canada. Our Prospero is a wrongfully toppled director of a prestigious theater; toppled by schemes, toppled by loss, and toppled by grief. His island takes the form of a prison, where he rises once […]

Boardwalk Empire

Casino Moon by Peter Blauner

August 14, 2019 by Jake Leave a Comment

I collect Hard Case Crime books as a hobby. I love crime novels and I love the simplicity of HCC works: nothing pretentious, just good ol’ fashioned pulp fiction. However, I’m really bad at reading what I collect. I think I take it for granted that these books may be around for awhile and that, unlike most books I purchase, I’m not giving them up. So I only read about two a year in a collection of sixty or so. One of the great things […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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