THE BLACK-EYED BLOND: A PHILLIP MARLOW NOVEL (Mys-Philip Marlow-Fict. Bay City, CA-1950s) – 1st of Black’s Marlow books – Benjamin Black (aka John Banville) It is the early 1950s, Marlowe is as restless and lonely as ever, and business is a little slow. Then a new client is shown in: young, beautiful, and expensively dressed, she wants Marlowe to find her former lover, a man named Nico Peterson. Marlowe sets off on his search, but almost immediately discovers that Peterson's disappearance is merely the first in a series of bewildering events. Soon he is tangling with one of Bay City's richest families and developing a singular appreciation for how far they will go to protect their fortune.
Linda S – DNF – Thought the writing was clunky and terrible. It all just felt false and she didn’t like any of the characters. LJ – Okay – If one has never read Chandler’s Phillip Marlow, they might fund this a decent read. However, to those who have, it really doesn’t hold together. Once again, I find myself believing that when an author dies, should their character.
GROUP RATING AVERAGE: POOR
I WILL HAVE VENGENCE (Pol Proc-Comm. Ricciardi-Naples, Italy-1931) – 1st in series – Maurizio de Giovanni Naples, March 1931: a bitter wind stalks the city's streets, and murder lies at its chilled heart. As one of the world's greatest tenors, Maestro Vezzi, is found brutally murdered in his dressing room at Naples' famous San Carlo Theatre, the enigmatic and aloof Commissario Ricciardi is called in to investigate. Arrogant and bad-tempered, Vezzi was hated by many, but with the livelihoods of the opera at stake, who would have committed this callous act? Ricciardi, along with his loyal colleague, Maione, is determined to discover the truth. But Ricciardi carries his own secret: will it help him solve this murder?
Charlotte – VG – Really liked it. It held her interest. She liked the way the detective worked. The story was different and intriguing. Christine – VG+ - She loved it. It was well written and wonderful characters. It really was beautifully written. LJ – Ex - This is a series of which I definitely want to read more. Ricciardi is a fascinating protagonist and I loved the relationship he has with his second, Maione, and Maione’s loyalty to Ricciardi. Liked that Ricciardi doesn’t make assumptions, but seeks out the evidence. The back-stage information about the opera was fascinating. The rather wistful romance between Ricciardi and a woman he’s not met. The story is different, unusual and unique; all in very positive ways.
GROUP RATING AVERAGE: VG+
A GHOST IN THE MACHINE (Pol Proc-Ins. Barnaby-England-Contemp) – 7th in series – Caroline Graham Every man should have a hobby. It keeps them out of mischief and from under their wives' feet. A nice bit of DIY, gardening, bowls or snooker, mysterious activities in the potting shed - fine. But killing machines, Dennis Brinkley's hobby - something else. Not what you'd call a nice hobby at all.
Charlotte – Good – She started it and did enjoy it, overall. It’s a pleasant read. Her favorite part was the epilogue where you find out what happens to each of the characters. It was good, but not a book you couldn’t put down. Christine – DNF – Started it but she just wanted to slap Polly. She found she just didn’t like any of the characters and decided there were too many other books she’d rather read instead, so she stopped Cindy – G+ - She’s half-way through but she does like it now that it has become a mystery. She did enjoy the beginning and there were lines at which she laughed aloud. The authors uses very good imagery.
It is the early 1950s, Marlowe is as restless and lonely as ever, and business is a little slow. Then a new client is shown in: young, beautiful, and expensively dressed, she wants Marlowe to find her former lover, a man named Nico Peterson. Marlowe sets off on his search, but almost immediately discovers that Peterson's disappearance is merely the first in a series of bewildering events. Soon he is tangling with one of Bay City's richest families and developing a singular appreciation for how far they will go to protect their fortune.
Linda S – DNF – Thought the writing was clunky and terrible. It all just felt false and she didn’t like any of the characters.
LJ – Okay – If one has never read Chandler’s Phillip Marlow, they might fund this a decent read. However, to those who have, it really doesn’t hold together. Once again, I find myself believing that when an author dies, should their character.
GROUP RATING AVERAGE: POOR
I WILL HAVE VENGENCE (Pol Proc-Comm. Ricciardi-Naples, Italy-1931) – 1st in series – Maurizio de Giovanni
Naples, March 1931: a bitter wind stalks the city's streets, and murder lies at its chilled heart. As one of the world's greatest tenors, Maestro Vezzi, is found brutally murdered in his dressing room at Naples' famous San Carlo Theatre, the enigmatic and aloof Commissario Ricciardi is called in to investigate. Arrogant and bad-tempered, Vezzi was hated by many, but with the livelihoods of the opera at stake, who would have committed this callous act? Ricciardi, along with his loyal colleague, Maione, is determined to discover the truth. But Ricciardi carries his own secret: will it help him solve this murder?
Charlotte – VG – Really liked it. It held her interest. She liked the way the detective worked. The story was different and intriguing.
Christine – VG+ - She loved it. It was well written and wonderful characters. It really was beautifully written.
LJ – Ex - This is a series of which I definitely want to read more. Ricciardi is a fascinating protagonist and I loved the relationship he has with his second, Maione, and Maione’s loyalty to Ricciardi. Liked that Ricciardi doesn’t make assumptions, but seeks out the evidence. The back-stage information about the opera was fascinating. The rather wistful romance between Ricciardi and a woman he’s not met. The story is different, unusual and unique; all in very positive ways.
GROUP RATING AVERAGE: VG+
A GHOST IN THE MACHINE (Pol Proc-Ins. Barnaby-England-Contemp) – 7th in series – Caroline Graham
Every man should have a hobby. It keeps them out of mischief and from under their wives' feet. A nice bit of DIY, gardening, bowls or snooker, mysterious activities in the potting shed - fine. But killing machines, Dennis Brinkley's hobby - something else. Not what you'd call a nice hobby at all.
Charlotte – Good – She started it and did enjoy it, overall. It’s a pleasant read. Her favorite part was the epilogue where you find out what happens to each of the characters. It was good, but not a book you couldn’t put down.
Christine – DNF – Started it but she just wanted to slap Polly. She found she just didn’t like any of the characters and decided there were too many other books she’d rather read instead, so she stopped
Cindy – G+ - She’s half-way through but she does like it now that it has become a mystery. She did enjoy the beginning and there were lines at which she laughed aloud. The authors uses very good imagery.
GROUP RATING AVERAGE: G+