Eric > Recent Status Updates

Up front, I came about five minutes away from putting this novel on the DNF pile, but once one figures out the style of writing and who's who (and it really doesn't take too many pages to do this), this book really takes off.

In a way, grammar-wise, it is written similarly to how Cormac McCarthy would write, with a dash of James Ellroy thrown in.

Wow. Such amusing writing. Blake Crouch is correct in his introduction - Shaw has this wonderful skill of delivering some of the most humorous lines not a few times, but about on each and every page.

So far, this is a book I have been searching for for a long time. Not only that, I seriously wish this book had been around when I was in my late teens (though, I might not have been mature enough to fully relish the wisdom inside this book on advanced aging).
I strongly suggest everyone read this book. I am trying to get my children to because it is a roadmap to the future.

I wish this book had been written when I was 20. I have been looking for a book like this for some time. I can't recommend it strongly enough for mature adults and young people.

So far, a third and final installment as good as the previous two.

Just started and Sean Duffy is in peak form still (except for his knees) and still cracking-wise at the worst of times. Also, just learned McKinty also has a prequel of Duffy coming out soon.

Purported to be the conclusion of the Dept Q series and number ten has been one of my favorites from the series.

Review to be forthcoming. This was like a crime epic from 1920s Chicago.

This is a 1920s Chicago gangster tale incorporating real figures and once the reader picks up on the writing style, this turns into a wonderful, gritty tale. Also, if I had to describe the style, I would suggest it is similar to Cormac McCarthy but with more words.

So far, very enjoyable. The writing is so smooth and fans of Garry Disher should also enjoy the novels of Patricia Wolf.

Offutt is one of those writers who seems to be able to string together words, sentences, paragraphs, and chapters where words run so smoothly together that one wonders if it is even humanly possible.

Netgalley just provided an ARC for review and it is a good problem to have when the TBR pile has a new Chris Offutt book to add. The bad thing is there is already a TBR book in front of it that has to be finished first.

This novel is a bit different from Knox's Aidan Waits novels (which I have really enjoyed and highly recommend to other readers) and sort of started slow for me, but it has since picked up and has grown to be quite an interesting novel.

If this novel ends as well as what is in it, then there is a good chance many more will hear about this novel. A very good Southern noir.

Review to be forthcoming, though, no summer can be bad when a new James Lee Burke is to be had.

So far, 30 percent in and three villains have emerged and the great thing is each seems to be progressively more frightening than the others.

And in one way, the real action hasn't even started yet. A very good book.

This is turning out to be quite the enjoyable Southern Noir-type novel.

This will be an interesting novel to follow when released. It will be interesting to read the reaction of fans of JLB, especially because this is told from Clete Purcel's POV and he isn't the most, um, couth person around and some may miss JLB's more floral writing style from the POV of Dave Robicheaux.

An exceptional novel. Review to be forthcoming

One thing I'm really enjoying about this novel is how I have no real idea how it is going to end and this is almost 75 percent of the way through. The writing is so smooth it seems flawless.

So far, so good. Pruitt is one of those writers whose words flow together so smoothly like summer sweet tea.

This is not my typical preferred type of novel in the crime/thriller genre, however, it is exceeding my expectations by far. The authors also toss in little tidbits of New York historical information at the start of each chapter that adds to the story.

This series has been quite a pleasant surprise and unique in its plots and characters. It surprises me that it is not more well known, especially in the US.

I'm a bit behind in my reviews, but if someone wants an excellent unique series to start, Juan Gomez-Jurado's Antonia Scott series is highly recommended. Some good stuff here.

I am purposely taking my time in reading this book due to the wonderful writing within the covers.

Okay, this novel starts out kind of slow, but it does pick up and becomes really interesting and the writing - it is so good. I would suggest America Fantastica is sort of like reading The Bonfire of the Vanities as if Tom Wolfe was also channeling Hunter Thompson when writing that novel.

This is one of those novels where a reader has to read slowly to catch all of the wonderfully crafted sentences throughout.

Hm, I don't know how to describe the opening of this novel, but it has certainly picked up and seems to be quite the sardonic look at life. Just glad to get a new Tim O'Brien book.

Nothing But The Bones is one of those novels you can envision to be what could be a really good movie, but only if done right.