The Quick - an early review

by Lauren Owen

Hardcover: 544 pages - 19.99 $

Publisher: Random House (June 17, 2014)

An astonishing debut, a novel of epic scope and suspense that conjures up all the magic and menace of Victorian London

London, 1892: James Norbury, a shy would-be poet newly down from Oxford, finds lodging with a charming young aristocrat. Through this new friendship, he is introduced to the drawing-rooms of high society, and finds love in an unexpected quarter. Then, suddenly, he vanishes without a trace. Unnerved, his sister, Charlotte, sets out from their crumbling country estate determined to find him. In the sinister, labyrinthine city that greets her, she uncovers a secret world at the margins populated by unforgettable characters: a female rope walker turned vigilante, a street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife.” But the answer to her brother’s disappearance ultimately lies within the doors of one of the country’s preeminent and mysterious institutions: The Aegolius Club, whose members include the most ambitious, and most dangerous, men in England.

In her first novel, Lauren Owen has created a fantastical world that is both beguiling and terrifying. The Quick will establish her as one of fiction’s most dazzling talents.

What's about that book

I enjoyed the quality of writing, fluid and very pleasant. From the beginning of the book, one is swept away by the story. James and Charlotte are two characters we love to discover. The very Victorian style, both in writing and in story, which makes its charm. Some topics, interesting and well fed (but not enough exploited). All in all, the book is very pleasant and one loves to meander in London or to live a happy life in Italy. I really loved some characters, even if they weren't not present for long (Shadwell and Adeline). It does have a bit of Anne Rice in it, mostly for the supernatural part, the way the characters are written or the setting. 

I least enjoyed the second quarter of the novel - after James' disappearance - which mainly includes the logbook of the famous Doctor Knives, interspersed with parts of the story. It was very confusing, especially as the logbook is not very understandable. Of course, we understand that the logbook was partially destroyed for who knows what reason and it missing pieces but the writing is so weird that it becomes difficult to understand. That would have been clever if one did not already know what element Doctor speaks in his diary. In short, it was a rather laborious part to read and therefore quite unpleasant.

Thereafter, the story starts again and one finds again with pleasure the writing of the author, to which she adds different characters and themes. Now, I admit that the profusion of themes is, in my opinion, unnecessary and sometimes superfluous. The story of the disappearance of an aspiring poet, linked with a more or less secret society of the Victorian London and the differences in social classes have enough to make a good book, given the ease with which the author takes us into her story.

Some characters deserved a little more flesh on the bones as they were so promising. I think of Liza, the street urchin, Mrs. P., Alia's emblematic figure, James which is no that important after all, Burke who is so important but of whom we know nothing...

In a nutshell

A pleasant novel, Gothic at will, well written but which probably addresses too many themes and has too many character at the same time to make it consistent. This is a 3.5 / 5 for me.

Warning: An e- galley of this title was provided to me by the publisher. No review has been promised and chronic above is an unbiased review of the novel.

The Fourth Motive (Ferrell and Kearns #2) - an early review

by Sean Lynch

ANGRY ROBOT Ltd

Exhibit A

US/CAN Print

Date: 24th April 2014

ISBN: 9781909223103

Format: Large (Trade) Paperback

R.R.P.: US$14.99 CAN$16.99

Deputy District Attorney Paige Callen is being stalked, and the man stalking her is motivated, methodical, and relentless. 

The police aren’t merely one step behind Paige’s stalker; they’re stumped. So Paige’s father, retired Judge ‘Iron Gene’ Callen, instead hires retired San Francisco P.D. Inspector turned private investigator Bob Farrell, to the dismay of the local police.

The cops know all-too-well Farrell’s reputation as a reckless wild card. Judge Callen, however, knows Farrell as a man who never lets the rules get in the way of getting the job done. 

Farrell enlists the aid of former Iowa Deputy Kevin Kearns to help him protect Paige, and to stop a madman before she becomes a statistic. But to find her stalker, Farrell and Kearns must first learn why he’s launched his crusade; a journey none of them may survive.

What I think of it

This book is a classic game of cat and mouse between the harasser and the harassed, between the harassed and the handsome guy, between Farrell and the harasser, between Farrell... and the police. There's so many people running one after the other and creating lots of trouble, it sometimes becomes confusing! This book is the second in a series and it seems it's better to have read the first (which I did not ) before reading this one, because Farrell's setbacks with police are directly associated with what happened before. There's also much hints about Farrell and Kearns' ordeal in the first book.

The stalker is ultra motivated in this story. He couldn't be more prepared, both physically, materially or in the sequences of actions. His hatred for Paige is somewhat irrational but very real. Another example of the pathetic loser who prefers to blame others for his failures. But in the same time, Paige is so detestable that one comes almost to wish him good luck! The story is relentless with - always - the threat of the stalker who can kill his prey at any time, it is maddening! I sometimes found that the stalker came back too soon when he should have tend to his wounds, as in those movies where the bad guy never stops coming back.

Talking characters. Paige Cullen has managed an exemplary career with the help of her father, which she refuses to see, and shows a very annoying arrogance insurance. Even when she's almost killed/rape/kidnap (your choice), she continues to refuse to be help because she believes she can fend for herself. Farrell is the typical private detective, always a smoke in his mouth and a glass of whiskey in his hand. He demonstrated a realism bordering on cynicism regarding the rules, which justifies - in his eyes - his unorthodox methods. Kearns is the good guy, always ready to defend the widow and the orphan (or spoiled rotten DDA in this case). He's always there at the right time and doesn't try to get ahead.

The weak point of the novel concerns the love story that ends up happening (and it is not difficult to guess between whom). I sometimes had the impression of being in a Harlequin novel where the virile guy finally coax the temperamental young woman to the point of making her as gentle as a lamb. It's a bit too caricatural and unnecessary in a story that should be fast paced.


However, what I liked about the book is it's highlighting of the police shortcomings in cases of harassment. The protection of a person calls for swift action that does not allow the justice due to very lengthy and costly procedures - thus used sparingly. The author is a former cop and this is reflected in the narrative, especially in Farrell's quips when attacking the limits of justice. We feel the frustration of a cop who knows and hates to see his system helpless against evil and heavy and unnecessary procedures.

In a nutshell

A book that reads quickly, characters that won't leave you indifferent, an interesting critisism of the judiciary system in cases of stalking, but a useless love  story. This is a 3.5 / 5 for me.

Disclaimer: An e-galley of this title was provided to me by the publisher. No review was promised and the above is an unbiased review of the novel.

Tenderloin

by Ty Hutchinson

Abby Kane FBI Thriller

Gangkruptcy Press (June 3 2013)

373 pages - 3,28 $ (kindle edition)

After reading Corktown Ty Hutchinson, I discovered with pleasure that Tenderloin was on Netgalley. I appreciate Abby Kane, the FBI agent who struggles to be as devoted a mother as a bad guys hunter. My thanks to Patchwork  Press for this title!

The blurb

Life in San Francisco could not be better for FBI Agent Abby Kane and family. With white-collar crimes dominating her work schedule, chasing deranged killers is a thing of the past, until the body of a dead DEA agent pops up in Bogotá.

Ordered to Colombia for answers, Abby’s investigation takes her deep into the Amazon jungle where she discovers evidence of strange experiments at a rundown lab. When she later crosses paths with one of the scientists involved, she learns that a new drug has been invented, and its danger isn’t the addictive high but the terrifying side effects.

Abby believes the cartels are behind the drug, but the locals think it’s one man. They call him The Monster.

Why you should read that book

First, because Abby is a lovable character - one feels that the author loves her the way he writes her. She does not lack of humor nor courage, even if she's sometimes a little too masculine in her reactions. Her children are still present, even more than in Corktown (where they appeared only in texting) . This time, we enter her house and see her interact with them. Again, the children are in danger, which I hope will not be a habit, because I find series in which the family is always in danger tedious (even though we know that in the end nothing will happen to them!)

For the fluidity of the story: it reads quickly and you won't get bored. Well, certainly there are sometimes a few facilities in the story and it's easy to understand who The Monster is before the end but it doesn't spoil the pleasure of reading this novel.

For the travel: Ty Hutchinson takes us through the streets of San Francisco, makes us appreciate the food in Bogotá and leads us into the jungle where a tribe makes us live an eventful evening. This is undoubtedly a highlight of the author, he knows how to make us travel and integrate different cultures.

In a nutshell

A light and enjoyable book. An ideal reading an afternoon at the pool or in a train bound to anywhere, with a character, Abby, that one loves to follow. This is a 3.5 / 5 for me.

Blood of the Lamb

by Sam Cabot

PENGUIN GROUP Blue Rider Press - First Edition edition (August 6, 2013)

433 pages - 16.68 $ (kindle edition)

Sam Cabot is a pseudonym for two authors: SJ Rozan who lives in Manhattan and Carlos Dews, who lives in Rome.

The Historian meets The Da Vinci Code in this exhilarating supernatural thriller set in Rome, where rival groups are searching for a document that holds a secret that could shatter the Catholic Church.

This document, dear friend, will shatter the Church...  

Reading these words in a letter in a dusty archive, Thomas Kelly is skeptical. The papers to which they refer have vanished, but Father Kelly, a Jesuit priest, doubts anything could ever have had that power—until the Vatican suddenly calls him to Rome to begin a desperate search for that very document.

Meanwhile, standing before a council of her people, Livia Pietro receives instructions: she must find a Jesuit priest recently arrived in Rome, and join his search for a document that contains a secret so shocking it has the power to destroy not only the Catholic Church, but Livia’s people as well.

As cryptic messages from the past throw Thomas and Livia into a treacherous world of art, religion, and conspiracy, they are pursued by those who would cross any line to obtain the document for themselves. Thomas and Livia must race to stop the chaos and destruction that the revelation of these secrets would create. Livia, though, has a secret of her own: She and her people are vampires.

In a sprawling tapestry that combines the religious intrigue of Dan Brown with the otherworldly terror of Stephenie Meyer, Blood of the Lamb is an unforgettable journey into an unthinkable past.

What I think of it

I enjoyed walking through the streets of Trasteverde near Rome. The descriptions are not too long and fairly well written so I can imagine all the places. One appreciate the sweetness of Rome, the Italian life, the churches and their timeless beauty. The descriptions are very well done, Livia and Thomas are friendly and the characters in general are well written.

There's without doubt a small Da Vinci Code side in this novel, this time through hidden poems that will ultimately enable Livia and Thomas to discover a very important and amazing document. This document, the heart of the novel, is sought by different groups for completely opposite grounds. Between those who want to disclose it and those who want to leave it hidden, followers of pros and cons have very different reasons to do so. Livia and Thomas are sent by their respective groups to find the document and must work together, to the chagrin of Thomas when he discovers what Livia is.

I enjoyed the the authors's view about vampires. It's far from Twilight or Interview with the vampire. Not too bloody or too watered down. The nature of vampires is scientifically explained which makes it almost plausible. Known elements (garlic, mirror and other anti-vampire weapons) are presented here as a folklore maintained by the vampires themselves to enable them to better hide among non- vampires. It is very well done.

What I like least about the book is the religious aspect. I skipped several passages a little too much like an essay on religion for my taste and that's rarely a good thing! One of Elmore Leonard's 10 writing rules is to remove passages that readers tend to skip. The concern of these passages is that they tend to make less dynamic narrative. This novel is not a page-turner, even if the action is always present.

Another flaw but much less serious concerns the similarity of names of some characters. The three police orders team up to arrest what they think are religious relics thieves. However, two investigators from two police orders have somewhat similar names. As a result, it took me some time to understand who was who. This is certainly not a big deal but it hinders the flow of reading when you have to stop to ask " but who is this one already? "

In a nutshell

The writers have written a fantasy novel with a vision of vampires quite new and credible, which in itself makes it a very cool book. The Italian atmosphere is very nice and there's well-made characters. The small weak point remains the religious aspect too far present for my taste. This is a 3.5 / 5 for me.