Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Telephone!

A Walk Among the Tombstones by Lawrence Block

by Leave a Comment

One thing I’ve come to appreciate about Lawrence Block’s Matthew Scudder series the further I get into it is how unique each book feels. Sure, as with any writer one reads a lot of, I’m used to Block’s rhythms and characters but every plot and finale feels fresh. I’m ten books into this series and it’s remarkable that he can keep such a streak going. There are other series I like more than this one but I can’t say the same about them. Block is […]

A Different Type

When The Thrill Is Gone by Walter Mosley

by Leave a Comment

Walter Mosley’s Leonid McGill books are different than the standard issue PI fare. They’re different than his own Easy Rawlins ones. They’re hardboiled but they’re also…I don’t know. There’s a lot going on. You go headfirst into this world but Mosley refuses to let you see it all. The way he reveals things and keeps you guessing. These books are so transgressive against the typical PI fare. I think that’s because Leonid McGill isn’t really a private eye. I mean, I guess he is in […]

The Shield

The Force by Don Winslow

by Leave a Comment

Whoo man, this one…wow. I’ve always had mixed feelings on Don Winslow. Some of his books are full-of-themselves to the point of making me actively disdain the writing (The Death and Life of Bobby Z, Savages). Others are too broad in scope to get their full point across (The Power of the Dog). The Winter of Frankie Machine almost falls into the latter category but I really liked the voice of the lead character so it won out for me. Much like Frankie Machine, I picked this up because […]

Sidewalks of New York

Manhattan Nocturne by Colin Harrison

by Leave a Comment

Note: This book has been re-published under the title “Manhattan Night”. It was renamed because a movie by that name based on the book came out, so the publisher re-issued it with the movie title. Since I hate when publishers do this, I’ve chosen to review it under the original name. The Amazon link directs to the page with the updated name and appropriate info.  Colin Harrison is a writer I’ve been meaning to try for awhile. I started The Havana Room and was enjoying it but stopped for […]

Home Videos

A Dance at the Slaughterhouse by Lawrence Block

by Leave a Comment

I’m a mystery book lover and I’ve read plenty of Edgar Award recipients. For the life of me, I don’t know why they pick some of the ones they do. Margaret Millar’s Beast in View is fine but it in no way should be considered better than Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. Some of the other winners I’ve not been impressed with either, especially ones by Stephen King and Noah Hawley. Occasionally, they do get it right. The Laughing Policeman, Briarpatch and The Spy That Came In From the Cold are a […]

Dad Energy

A Ticket to the Boneyard by Lawrence Block

by Leave a Comment

I try hard to avoid books that are marketed specifically for older white guys. You know the type because they’re everywhere: lone wolf alpha male, usually with some military or police background, goes on the prowl in a specific terrain to vanquish the bad guy in defense of someone, most commonly a woman. Basically, they’re westerns with different topographies. While I’ve occasionally enjoyed the works of authors such as Lee Child, these books really aren’t my thing. Lawrence Block’s Matthew Scudder series fits the mold […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo