Max Tomlinson > Recent Status Updates

This is a tough read. Although well-written, it's obviously part of a series and not for the standalone reader, which is what I am. There are so many ongoing references to characters the standalone reader knows nothing about, I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

This book feels like too much of a sequel. Lots of backstory and catch-up.

I'm going to be honest - I'm a little underwhelmed so far. Lots of narrative and backstory, not a lot of conflict.

A good premise of two very different men who are brought together when their gay sons are brutally murdered and answers are not forthcoming. Some deep diving into the two main characters but this quickly devolves into revenge fiction with too much violence (e.g. several pages on chopping up and disposing of a body). This reads like male adventure, which I thought was a dead genre - and probably should be.

An excellent, harrowing account of "life" in Auschwitz for a prisoner who has to hide the fact that he was a policeman in his former life is marred by a convoluted mystery plot that keeps adding improbable events and hard-to-believe orchestrations to the plot, derailing the real story: a valuable, authentic historical account of the Nazi killing machine. It's a shame because the depiction of camp life is powerful.

Hard to put this one down. Connelly's impeccable research along with a taut story of a police detective working nights trying to solve a pair of crimes is a winner

Powerful story of the slave trade in 18 Century Africa told from the POV of those captured.

The writing is excellent but the characters and situations are hard to take: a man in a coma, unable to move - terrifying. Another young man has autism, which is very well done, but he is emotionally stunted and spends his time doing autopsies, which are exceedingly grisly. Another character is a nurse who is selfish and cares nothing for her patients. It's all very well done but I don't like any of them.

Gorgeous writing and a story that really pushes the boundaries of the mystery genre.

How did this thing ever get published?

This is turning into one unpleasant book. There are some highlights and story questions raised, along with some strong dialog, but the characters are scum and much of the book simply doesn't work. The lengthy descriptions of products and brand names are overdone and something I find myself skipping over. I honestly don't buy the protagonist as a serious fictional character but we'll see.

"Not for everybody" might be an understatement!

What a writer!

Very well-written mystery with nuanced characters. I'm hooked.

Not her best.

Suggestive title to my impure mind but it's Dorothy B. Hughes, one of the greats.

Highly intellectual comix.

Off to a flying start!

Solid mystery, great writing

Solid mystery, great writing