William Nesdale’s Reviews > Inherent Vice > Status Update

Finished Chapter 19, where Doc meets up with a wealthy client and makes a drop-off.

Well that ends Doc’s plan of getting the evidence (which leads back to him) off his hands and into someone else. Im feeling that the epilogue is already tying up loose ends, although the plot itself is completely baked the more I read it (as in it is high off its rocker that it wonders around aimlessly)

Finished Chapter 18, where Doc gets a surprise visitor.

Looks like it’s the end of a long chapter, which means that we are about to have an epilogue to the whole ordeal. Also, looks like some of the loose ends are wrapping up like shoelaces. According to “stoner logic” that is.

Up to Chapter 18, where Doc encounters Adrien, and gets an unexpected surprise in his own car.

Looks like we are onto the wrapping up phase of the book, as Doc’s misadventures in the late sixties have become pretty erratic, yet simply psychedelic. I’m not sure about this, but I think the book did a pretty good job at world building, even if the overall story is dazed and confused.

Finished Chapter 17, where Doc gets some truth about Coy from the man himself & Shasta.

Ok, now we got a little backstory about the elusive Coy, which I’m not going to give out here due to being a huge spoiler. By the way, We are nearly at the end of the book, which is over 300 pages long, so there’s got to be conclusion happening that would either be satisfying or divisive.

Finished Chapter 16, where Doc gets interrogated, learns hidden secrets about Bigfoot’s past & the LAPD’s darkest secret, discovers another Golden Fang lead, and finds Tariq & Clancy getting it on.

Ok, now we are getting somewhere with the whole “Golden Fang” mystery. I’m pretty sure the protagonist has got to be one of the most dazed, yet realistic portrayals of stoner PIs.

Started Chapter 16, where Doc confronts Penny about the FBI boys that he encountered, which ends with the both of them getting more then just a conversation.

OK, this is a surprising development as Doc is pressing Penny on the FBI’s actions towards him, while also getting a potential (yet unlikely) romantic interest. I think the third act is a bit more stoned out then the previous two acts.

Finished Chapter 16, where Doc arrives back home & finds a new investigation path in Puck & Adrian, gets Bigfoot’s wife riled up, Shasta reappears, goes to Venice to investigate, and goes to Puck’s old stomping ground.

Ok, well the mystery has gone in a different direction, which may strike the risk of making this story go off the rails. Still though, I’m still intrigued at what comes next

Finished Chapter Fourteen, where Doc goes over to Mickey’s unfinished “dream project” before going to a motel to watch some TV.

Well, this is a nice chapter, as it reveals more about Mickey’s inner character motives and showcases the various programming of the late 60’s, which are referenced at the end of the chapter. I do like the world building and character set ups, even if the book is like it’s lead.

Up to Chapter 14, where Doc explored the seedier side of Las Vegas, bets on Mickey’s disappearance, enjoys a show, runs from the feds, watches a movie, and talks to the newlyweds.

Well, I’m pretty sure this book is either a drug trip through the mind of a private detective, an absurd mystery with many expanding plot threads, or a cozy book to read. Either way, I’ve just nearly finished Act 2

Finished Chapter 13, where Doc notices Puck’s luck getting out of hand and plans a trip to North Las Vegas.

This book either has a dazed sense of humour or this book is psychedelic enough to be a cozy mystery thriller. Whatever the case, it sure is a solid Chapter that expands on the mystery and its growing connections.