Tess Gerritsen is one of two authors I buy in hard cover, on release day. Typically, for me, suspense series tend to ebb and flow. I love some books, like others, and there are usually a couple I'm not so wild about. Gerritsen is no exception, although I will say her last several have been very, very good reads for me. The Silent Girl, the 9th book in the series, finds homicide detective, Jane Rizzoli, and medical examiner, Dr. Maura Isles investigating a brutal slaying in Boston's Chinatown. When primate hairs are found on the victim, Jane finds herself plunged into the Chinese fable/legend of the Monkey King.
This was a good, solid entry to the series. Jane is still Jane, Maura is still reeling from the aftermath of the last book, and the mystery is compelling, not to mention every loose thread is wrapped up. Two things I really appreciate about Gerritsen's series is that she allows her characters to "grow" without morphing them into pod people, and that you can tell she got her start writing category romance (for Harlequin Intrigue). I never feel like I'm slogging through a bunch of unimportant "filler" in a Gerritsen book. Every word has it's place, every moment is there for a reason. No drudging through verbal diarrhea to get to the goods. More please.
Final Grade = B
My Man read this while I was at RWA, in about 2 sittings. Let it be noted that as much as I love the guy - My Man ain't much of a reader. He can read. He has read. But it's not his leisure activity of choice. He called the book "fluffy." I'm not sure I totally agree - but it is a super quick read. I'm not sure it's going to appeal to anyone who hasn't seen (and enjoyed) the TV show, but if you're a fan? It was interesting, if only to get some of the back-story. And whoa doggie, it's quite a back-story. These guys have led some....uh interesting lives. Honestly, it's amazing Big Hoss isn't dead. Chumlee isn't as dippy on the printed page as he is on the show, and Rick and The Old Man love the hustle. I'm not sure I'd run out and plunk down hard cover prices for this book - but as a library read? As a book that My Man actually read, and happily? Good stuff. Do you have a reluctant reader in your life who loves the show? Yeah, this one is a no-brainer, slam-dunk.
Grade = B
11 comments:
Chumlee might not be dippy, but I've seen him in person and he looks (and smells) like he hasn't had a bath since his 23rd birthday.
Does Rick - or the Old Man - tell the story how he got his pawn lisence involving the sheriff and his son?
Love Pawn Stars!! I enjoy everyone on the show and it always makes me laugh. I may have to see if your library has this :-)
Jami: Somehow this doesn't surprise me re: Chumlee's odor O_o
They do talk a little bit about how they got their pawn license and Vegas politics. Not as much as they probably could have though. Wowzers.
Dev: Your library might. I think it might have landed on the bestseller lists. Uh, maybe? Not entirely sure.
Wendy, we love Pawn Stars! Your library does own the title, so holds are in order!
I love the show. Monday there was a story that went over three shows ending on Pawn Stars involving a present for the Old Man. I will be looking for the book at library, next time I go. Thanks for the heads up.
Jan: And last I checked, there wasn't much of a holds list. My colleague responsible for this Dewey area ordered several copies :) It's a super quick read too. I finished it in under 24 hours.
MaryDee: We watched all three! We normally don't watch American Restoration, but when we realized they crossed over all three, we tuned in :)
I married a non-reader, don't know how it happened. He used to read the Clancy books (when really written by him) so he was a one book a year guy. Now if I hand him a graphic novel he'll read it. He did read the bio of Major Winters of Band of Brothers fame. Maybe I'll get him this one; we like Pawn Stars. Thanks for the review of it.
Okay, after RWA, I'm really interested in Ms Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series. I've watched the first season and all. It's just that we all the books I've just received... where am I going to find time to read 9 books?!? LOL. Have to admit though, I'm more interested in the characters than the mystery. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Wendy :)
I love that show. My ex-husband and I started and owned two quite successful pawnshops for several years. He stills owns and operates one of them. I did all the books in my spare time (along with my day job and my writing).
I've never though of it until now,but I should write a book with a pawnbroker hero. What a hoot. You meet a lot of colorful characters in a pawn shop.
Wendy, my NF reading seems to jibe with yours. Anything in the modern-day Ripley's Believe It Or Not vein is interesting to me! Just got a sort of picker chronicle, "Killer Stuff and Tons of Money" by Maureen Stanton, and I'm ripping through it. Nice to take a break from romance every once in a while and read about genuine real-life weirdness.
PK: It's a nice "behind the scenes" look at the show. Your reluctant reader might like it :)
Nath: I think you got The Apprentice at RWA? That's the second book. You CAN start with that, although the villain does make an appearance prior in The Surgeon (technically Book 1 - although Rizzoli is secondary character and Isles isn't in it at all? Can't recall now).
Jami: They discuss some of the colorful characters in the book. Also, some of the wackier things that they've witnessed while working the night window. Yikes!
Theresa: I used to read a lot of history - but it just takes me longer to read. These days the NF I gravitate towards are the quicker reads like this one - or those written in a narrative style.
Post a Comment