This is my third Lucy foley book (The Hunting Party and The Guest List are the others) and I'm seeing a pattern (I rated those others 2.5* rounded up,This is my third Lucy foley book (The Hunting Party and The Guest List are the others) and I'm seeing a pattern (I rated those others 2.5* rounded up, Paris Apartment gets the same.) All have almost entirely unlikable characters. In this outing Jess is the protagonist, and while she's not totally unlikable, she certainly is irritating. As we are introduced to the Parisian building, where her missing brother rents an apartment, I thought "Great, Paris will be the one likable character in the story." First, you're going to wonder how her less-than-successful brother managed to rent an apartment in a chic, if a bit run down, palatial building. That's somewhat explained later on, but it does make you wonder. When Jess leaves the apartment in search of her missing brother, she might as well be in Sheboygan. (No offense to Sheboygan, I've never been there and don't really know where it is, but if the book had been entitled "The Sheboygan Apartment" I doubt I'd have picked it up! Thus my disappointment in Paris not playing a leading role. I'll avoid spoilers so you'll know there is some connection between the other tenants, it just takes forever to reveal it. I do like Ms Foley's writing, but that's really the only saving grace (thus the .5* round up.) As Rick said to Ilsa in Casablanca "We'll always have Paris". Sadly, you don't really get Paris in "The Paris Apartment"...more
May I start with a pet peeve? Authors, please stop with the "she suddenly remembered she forgot her cell phone" or "she didn't have a chance to recharMay I start with a pet peeve? Authors, please stop with the "she suddenly remembered she forgot her cell phone" or "she didn't have a chance to recharge her cell phone." Don't you realize we all hear the "Dun Da Dun Dun" music? Swanson uses it again in this fun and fast read. It doesn't ruin anything, just telegraphs what's about to happen (and often makes the character look foolish, after all, you're in the middle of a cat and mouse game with a possible killer yet you forget your phone? OK, enough venting (and Swanson isn't the only guilty party. ) What I liked about this outing is that there's a unique crime story which I fret some copycat murderer who reads Swanson (or even this review, yikes!) will someday imitate. But it is clever and, while you might think you see the twist coming, you're still not going to be certain who the sociopath is. I didn't realize that this was the third in a series. However, I looked back at my review of the first (which I loved) and I truly don't remember either character. Thus, I didn't know what Henry's relationship to Lily is, or what he does etc. That won't spoil the book as a standalone. Just could have used a bit more of an explanation. I would have enjoyed longer dialogue/time between two characters (Lily & Ethan) but I won't comment further to avoid spoilers (I just wanted Ethan to know more than was revealed to him.) I've enjoyed all of the Peter Swansons I've read. This was no exception. Just keep your cell phone nearby....more
Erik Larson is a master at detailed research and bringing historical events to life. He succeeds again with "Demon" the back story of people, places aErik Larson is a master at detailed research and bringing historical events to life. He succeeds again with "Demon" the back story of people, places and events leading up to the attack on Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War. Once again, as with his previous works, you'll learn much about a subject in which you might already think you are well-versed. He discovers and shares characters both major and supporting who truly transport you to the era and the atmosphere of the day. My only critique, minor though it may be, is that he will introduce a character and spend a good deal of time giving background or history that made me want to skim and move forward. But it does help the entire narrative, so stick with it. Larson is a great writer and brings us new insight into every historical event he addresses....more
This was a fun vacation read set in old London featuring two Asian characters based upon Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. I was a big fan of all the ArtThis was a fun vacation read set in old London featuring two Asian characters based upon Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. I was a big fan of all the Arthur Conan Doyle books as a kid (still am, I guess) so this twist upon those adventures was thoroughly enjoyable. It's a bit of a rollicking tale as well since our hero is something of a "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" type fighter. Some interesting supporting characters and great atmosphere made it a pleasurable reading experience. ...more
I’m on vacation, and this is a decent vacation read. OK, I’ve found something positive to say about this Amazon First Reads (at least I think that’s hI’m on vacation, and this is a decent vacation read. OK, I’ve found something positive to say about this Amazon First Reads (at least I think that’s how it ended up in my Kindle Library.) Some reasons I don’t recommend it: the characters are pretty one dimensional imitations of hundreds of characters you’ve met before in other novels. The macho renegade super hero FBI agent ( he’s a bit worse than the normal stereotype, he does more mansplaining in the first few chapters than most of his type do in a complete novel.) PS: to show how macho he is, he actually says � a man ought to smell like a man.� Whatever that means. Enter Dev, the sultry Israeli agent skilled at all forms of combat, cyber intelligence, etc etc, but still her Daddy’s girl. The villains are clones of multiple others of this genre. The first 60% of the book focuses on an interminable manhunt through the unforgiving Southwestern terrain. This is to demonstrate the author’s credentials, he knows of which he writes. But at 40% I was rooting for the ...more
Admittedly I'm a total fanboy of Harlan Coben's work and his Myron Bolitar series in particular. But even a fanatic will recognize when the plot goes Admittedly I'm a total fanboy of Harlan Coben's work and his Myron Bolitar series in particular. But even a fanatic will recognize when the plot goes a bit overboard and believability gets tested. The relationship between Myron and Win still shines in this outing. Some old characters (like former love interest Therese) reappear. But I struggled with the concept of a non French speaking former sports agent with limited knowledge of Paris doing much to assist the local Gendarmes, but, hey, it's Myron. I'll still keep reading and hope for a better story next time....more
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