Books March 2011
Gischler takes the reader on a fun romp through Prague with a Vampire looking for; well I don’t want to spoil it. Allen Cabbot is sent off with a professor to assist in researching a bogus article on Kafka. He quickly get’s swept up in the search for some secret hidden somewhere in the city. On the journey joined by witches, shape shifters and battle priests trying to unravel the mystery of what everyone seems to be looking for. There are some great comic moments, and Gischler is a master at reminding the reader of the importance of Coffee to the modern action hero. Fun and recommended, I am looking forward to cracking open my copy of The Deputy.
Stark House Press novel of the Month: Like Mink Like Murder by Harry Whittington
A fast tough noir that is part David Goodis part Richard Stark. Sam Baynard has been out of the stir for close to a year. He’s got a square job and a good girl, only she and her family don’t know about his past. He’s trying to leave that past behind, only someone won’t let him be. First it’s the girl, and then her master, and after telling his girl Lois and her father about his past everything is set in motion. Throw a cop who can’t believe that he’s gone straight, a black mail and you have a nice short, direct tough piece of noir. There is nothing groundbreaking about the story, but it’s told with a strength and knowledge that is atypical. I especially liked the way in which Sam was able to see the world in terms between the saints and sinners, and the deep pain he feels at having been thrown out of the paradise of squaresville. Stark House has another volume of Whittington’s work slated for release, and I will be picking up a copy. Like Mink, Like Murder is highly recommend, it’s a great entry point into the work of Harry Whittington
Lawrence Block book of the Month:
Sins of the Father
The first Matthew Scudder book.
Scudder is hired to find the back-story on the murder of a semi-MIA daughter who is found apparently slashed to death in her apartment by the man she’s been living with. It’s a great start to the Scudder series, as the darkness of humanity that Scudder faces time and time again is present, along with the Hypocrisy of humanity.
1 comment:
The ending of "Sins of the Fathers" is terrific. Not the resolution that I expected, very dark and very revealing about Scudder's worldview.
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