caitlinxmartin's review against another edition
4.0
Whoever buys the mysteries at my local library does a fabulous job and has added many new writers to my ever-growing TBR pile. This is apparently the fifth novel in a series, but it's a great read all on its own. I will caution, however, that if you read this one you're going to go look for the other four, as well.
Ed Loy is a wonderful character - an Irish P.I. - confronted by his past in the form of his former friend, Jack Donovan, a larger-than-life Irish film director. Jack needs Ed's help - in more ways than he knows. As the book evolves and girls begin disappearing the story deepens and the chase for the killer is on.
Hughes does a good job of keeping the plot going, but the real joy of this is in the writing and the underlying story of friendship and the engine that makes it run (and sometimes makes it run off the road). This is a mature and thoughtful book with plenty of excitement and plenty of pure fun.
Ed Loy is a wonderful character - an Irish P.I. - confronted by his past in the form of his former friend, Jack Donovan, a larger-than-life Irish film director. Jack needs Ed's help - in more ways than he knows. As the book evolves and girls begin disappearing the story deepens and the chase for the killer is on.
Hughes does a good job of keeping the plot going, but the real joy of this is in the writing and the underlying story of friendship and the engine that makes it run (and sometimes makes it run off the road). This is a mature and thoughtful book with plenty of excitement and plenty of pure fun.
scotchneat's review
2.0
I like Ed Loy. He's been through it. He's Irish. He's got some shady friends.
In this one, his Hollywood past comes home to roost when he gets caught up in some detecting for Jack Donovan - local boy made good as big Hollywood director. Only his muse extras (girls of a certain type) have gone missing.
Circumstances remind Loy of similar missing girls related to the Donovan sets 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, we end up with some stereotypical bad guy moves and plot twists, saved only by the strong characterization of Loy himself.
In this one, his Hollywood past comes home to roost when he gets caught up in some detecting for Jack Donovan - local boy made good as big Hollywood director. Only his muse extras (girls of a certain type) have gone missing.
Circumstances remind Loy of similar missing girls related to the Donovan sets 20 years ago.
Unfortunately, we end up with some stereotypical bad guy moves and plot twists, saved only by the strong characterization of Loy himself.
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