So with this return to the THD blog I am going to briefly cover all of the books I have read in the last 5-6 weeks. I read four books in this stretch and a one graphic novel. I am terribly pleased with all of this progress.
Even though the Anthony's, the Barry's and the Dagger's all released nominations a while ago I still have some commentary I would like to share. But not wanting that to get lost in the shuffle, I'll save commentary for another post. Thanks to Rap Sheet and Confessions for the links.
Body Scissors - Michael Simon
I really adored Michael Simon's first book, Dirty Sally. That book was very reminiscent of early Connelly say up to Trunk Music. Body Scissors did not reach the heights of Dirty Sally, but it was a pretty good read. Detective Dan Reles is a transplanted New Yorker in Austin Texas circa 1991. The first Gulf War, the first President Bush.... ahhhh those halcyon days. Mr. Simon writes a tight, gritty little story about real people who have seriously lost their way.The story concerns the attempted murder a female attorney and civil right leader. The assassin misses his target, killing her daughter and seriously wounding her son. The axiom that you may be through with the past but the past may not be through with you is an apt description to the events of this novel.
Pipsqueak - Brian Wiprud
Well I finally, after many a moon, read a Brian Wiprud book. And it was kind of a bummer. The plot a weird and not to my liking. I found the whimsy of the book to be forced at almost ever turn. It is funny when a book turns on you because even the most inane bits of detail begin to grate. By way of example I need only write Swing Musician Villains. It just felt like weirdness for weirdness-sake. However, I didn't hate this book. I liked the lead, Garth and his gal-pal Angie. There was a nice bit of give and take in their relationship. I like the idea of a crime fighting taxidermist. I particularly like Garth's near-do-well brother, Nicholas. Here is hoping he returns in all of the books. The set up was one that I actually found enticing, a nice bit nostalgia. The hunt for a television animal puppet hark ends back to my days with Capt. Kangaroo. But again and again when the the story was presented with a fork in the road it almost always took the road I didn't want it too. This can work to a reader's benefit, here it only ostracized me. Our collective paths pretty much diverted around the 100 page mark and I never saw the story again.
I have three more books to 'review.' Check my next post. Which come heck-or high water will show up on Saturday.
Even though the Anthony's, the Barry's and the Dagger's all released nominations a while ago I still have some commentary I would like to share. But not wanting that to get lost in the shuffle, I'll save commentary for another post. Thanks to Rap Sheet and Confessions for the links.
Body Scissors - Michael SimonI really adored Michael Simon's first book, Dirty Sally. That book was very reminiscent of early Connelly say up to Trunk Music. Body Scissors did not reach the heights of Dirty Sally, but it was a pretty good read. Detective Dan Reles is a transplanted New Yorker in Austin Texas circa 1991. The first Gulf War, the first President Bush.... ahhhh those halcyon days. Mr. Simon writes a tight, gritty little story about real people who have seriously lost their way.The story concerns the attempted murder a female attorney and civil right leader. The assassin misses his target, killing her daughter and seriously wounding her son. The axiom that you may be through with the past but the past may not be through with you is an apt description to the events of this novel.
Pipsqueak - Brian WiprudWell I finally, after many a moon, read a Brian Wiprud book. And it was kind of a bummer. The plot a weird and not to my liking. I found the whimsy of the book to be forced at almost ever turn. It is funny when a book turns on you because even the most inane bits of detail begin to grate. By way of example I need only write Swing Musician Villains. It just felt like weirdness for weirdness-sake. However, I didn't hate this book. I liked the lead, Garth and his gal-pal Angie. There was a nice bit of give and take in their relationship. I like the idea of a crime fighting taxidermist. I particularly like Garth's near-do-well brother, Nicholas. Here is hoping he returns in all of the books. The set up was one that I actually found enticing, a nice bit nostalgia. The hunt for a television animal puppet hark ends back to my days with Capt. Kangaroo. But again and again when the the story was presented with a fork in the road it almost always took the road I didn't want it too. This can work to a reader's benefit, here it only ostracized me. Our collective paths pretty much diverted around the 100 page mark and I never saw the story again.
I have three more books to 'review.' Check my next post. Which come heck-or high water will show up on Saturday.
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