Mourners (PI, “Nameless Detective-Bay Area, California-Cont) – 31st in series – Bill Pronzini Corona - G+ - I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. (I think it arrogant to not name the detective,) It was rich and engrossing. I enjoyed reading a mystery without excessive brutality. I liked the characters. And a bonus: On pages 50 & 153 of my copy the protagonist was referred to by name: Bill. Linda S – Good – Couldn’t decide whether it was her mood that made it hard to get into this book. It was sad, but well plotted. The change of POVs was annoying. She didn’t feel the sub-story with Tamara added anything to the story. Linda liked Tamara professionally, but not personally. LJ - Ex – Remembering I reviewed this in 2006: Pronzini is such a fine writer. He takes, what could be, a basic mystery and layers it with text that deepens and enriches the plot. On the top level, this is a very good mystery. It leads the reader on a fascinating trail finding out exactly what the object character is up to. The sense of place, dialogue and suspense are all very well done. You become involved with all the characters and care about them. Even the minor, and somewhat unlikable, characters are ones you recognize. On a second level is the story of grief and mourning; its many forms and the impact it has on various people’s lives. I can’t say enough about this book. I am ready for the next in the series, and determinedly looking for the ones I’m missing. If you’ve not read this series, even with a few slight misses, start at the beginning and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Marcy G – Good – She was a bit troubled by stating with the 31st book in the series as she liked to read in order. She thought the plot was okay, but needed more back story on the characters. The alternating POVs was annoying and she found it difficult to follow who was narrating when. Marcy S – VG – Enjoyed it very much. She could see where it would have been beneficial to read the series from the beginning. Liked that you get into the characters lives. She was kept in the mystery throughout. The change of POV didn’t bother her, but was occasionally hard to follow.
Inspector Cadaver (Pol. Proc-Inspector Maigret-France-Cont) – Georges Simenon Corona – Good - I remained engrossed in the story although I chaffed impatient at the ‘good’ guy/’bad’ guy story-line then warmed up to it when the stereotype of the ‘cadaver’ began to fill-out. LJ – Okay - I read a lot of translated books, so I don’t think it was that, but I had the hardest time getting into this, beginning with the poor structure of the opening sentence. That was countered, however, by Simenon’s wonderful descriptions: "It was as if the furniture and every object in this house had remained in the same place for generations…” As for the character of Maigret, he seemed brusque and self-involved, yet insecure and lacking self confidence. There was nothing particularly appealing or empathetic about him. Fortunately, the book is short but, even for that, I did not find it captivating. I didn’t care for the characters; the investigation was very hard to follow until the end when suddenly it all came together for Miagret. The final issue for me was that I particularly didn’t like that justice was not served in the traditional sense. Overall, I am sorry my first experience with Georges Simenon will probably be my last.
Incriminating Evidence (Legal Thriller-Mike Daley-Bay Area, CA-Cont) – 2nd in series – Sheldon Siegel Corona – Good – I really liked the relationship of Martinez and Daley! I like the other characters too. The plot got to be over-the-top but it was a good read. Andrea - - She didn’t have a chance to read this particular book, but has liked the one’s by Siegel she has read and particularly Mike’s relationship with Rosie. She feels the legal information is well done. LJ - - I’ve managed to read all of his books except this one. I do enjoy his writing. I like the relationships between the characters, and Siegel’s humor. He creates a very strong sense of place. It’s always fun reading a book set in San Francisco where he references places I’ve been or know and people who are iconic to the Bay Area. His courtroom scenes are probably my favorite parts of his books. Marcy S – VG – Really liked the book even though she didn’t think was as good as his first. She liked his dry wit, dialogue and the San Francisco references. She did feel the ending was a bit convoluted.
Corona - G+ - I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. (I think it arrogant to not name the detective,) It was rich and engrossing. I enjoyed reading a mystery without excessive brutality. I liked the characters. And a bonus: On pages 50 & 153 of my copy the protagonist was referred to by name: Bill.
Linda S – Good – Couldn’t decide whether it was her mood that made it hard to get into this book. It was sad, but well plotted. The change of POVs was annoying. She didn’t feel the sub-story with Tamara added anything to the story. Linda liked Tamara professionally, but not personally.
LJ - Ex – Remembering I reviewed this in 2006: Pronzini is such a fine writer. He takes, what could be, a basic mystery and layers it with text that deepens and enriches the plot. On the top level, this is a very good mystery. It leads the reader on a fascinating trail finding out exactly what the object character is up to. The sense of place, dialogue and suspense are all very well done. You become involved with all the characters and care about them. Even the minor, and somewhat unlikable, characters are ones you recognize. On a second level is the story of grief and mourning; its many forms and the impact it has on various people’s lives. I can’t say enough about this book. I am ready for the next in the series, and determinedly looking for the ones I’m missing. If you’ve not read this series, even with a few slight misses, start at the beginning and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Marcy G – Good – She was a bit troubled by stating with the 31st book in the series as she liked to read in order. She thought the plot was okay, but needed more back story on the characters. The alternating POVs was annoying and she found it difficult to follow who was narrating when.
Marcy S – VG – Enjoyed it very much. She could see where it would have been beneficial to read the series from the beginning. Liked that you get into the characters lives. She was kept in the mystery throughout. The change of POV didn’t bother her, but was occasionally hard to follow.
Inspector Cadaver (Pol. Proc-Inspector Maigret-France-Cont) – Georges Simenon
Corona – Good - I remained engrossed in the story although I chaffed impatient at the ‘good’ guy/’bad’ guy story-line then warmed up to it when the stereotype of the ‘cadaver’ began to fill-out.
LJ – Okay - I read a lot of translated books, so I don’t think it was that, but I had the hardest time getting into this, beginning with the poor structure of the opening sentence. That was countered, however, by Simenon’s wonderful descriptions: "It was as if the furniture and every object in this house had remained in the same place for generations…” As for the character of Maigret, he seemed brusque and self-involved, yet insecure and lacking self confidence. There was nothing particularly appealing or empathetic about him. Fortunately, the book is short but, even for that, I did not find it captivating. I didn’t care for the characters; the investigation was very hard to follow until the end when suddenly it all came together for Miagret. The final issue for me was that I particularly didn’t like that justice was not served in the traditional sense. Overall, I am sorry my first experience with Georges Simenon will probably be my last.
Incriminating Evidence (Legal Thriller-Mike Daley-Bay Area, CA-Cont) – 2nd in series – Sheldon Siegel
Corona – Good – I really liked the relationship of Martinez and Daley! I like the other characters too. The plot got to be over-the-top but it was a good read.
Andrea - - She didn’t have a chance to read this particular book, but has liked the one’s by Siegel she has read and particularly Mike’s relationship with Rosie. She feels the legal information is well done.
LJ - - I’ve managed to read all of his books except this one. I do enjoy his writing. I like the relationships between the characters, and Siegel’s humor. He creates a very strong sense of place. It’s always fun reading a book set in San Francisco where he references places I’ve been or know and people who are iconic to the Bay Area. His courtroom scenes are probably my favorite parts of his books.
Marcy S – VG – Really liked the book even though she didn’t think was as good as his first. She liked his dry wit, dialogue and the San Francisco references. She did feel the ending was a bit convoluted.