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jennifermreads's review against another edition
1.0
Turns out that committing murder in the eye of a hurricane may just be the perfect crime. When hurricane Leo hits Camino Island, Bruce Cable, owner of Bay Books, and his friends have their lives torn to pieces. But Nelson? He was killed. And Bruce wants to know why and to bring the killer to justice.
I really enjoyed Camino Island (see my review of audiobook). I fell in love with Mercer and Bruce – and all the quirky secondary characters on this charming Florida oasis. The stolen F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts was enough to pull this librarian back to Grisham after years away from his stories. They had moved toward the “formula” feel and I don’t want formula – I want new, different, and, sometimes, a challenge. But I was back! And with Camino Island, I was rewarded. I listened to the final words and thought “I wouldn’t mind reading more about these folks.” And, lo and behold, Grisham was writing/had just finished a sequel!
May I save you some time? Don’t bother with Camino Winds. Everything that I loved in Camino Island was absent here – with the addition of some stereotypical language that made my skin crawl, a narrator that I wanted to reach through the ear buds and throttle, and a wooden story structure with elementary language & sentence structure.
This novel is the perfect example of two things: (1) publishers should not pressure authors to churn out novels, and (2) authors should think once, twice, three times and then once more before giving fans a book they are clamoring for. Sometimes? It is better to just let the characters live in the single story they shone in.
I really enjoyed Camino Island (see my review of audiobook). I fell in love with Mercer and Bruce – and all the quirky secondary characters on this charming Florida oasis. The stolen F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts was enough to pull this librarian back to Grisham after years away from his stories. They had moved toward the “formula” feel and I don’t want formula – I want new, different, and, sometimes, a challenge. But I was back! And with Camino Island, I was rewarded. I listened to the final words and thought “I wouldn’t mind reading more about these folks.” And, lo and behold, Grisham was writing/had just finished a sequel!
May I save you some time? Don’t bother with Camino Winds. Everything that I loved in Camino Island was absent here – with the addition of some stereotypical language that made my skin crawl, a narrator that I wanted to reach through the ear buds and throttle, and a wooden story structure with elementary language & sentence structure.
This novel is the perfect example of two things: (1) publishers should not pressure authors to churn out novels, and (2) authors should think once, twice, three times and then once more before giving fans a book they are clamoring for. Sometimes? It is better to just let the characters live in the single story they shone in.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Another good Grisham novel. Maybe not quite 4 stars but a good read
emster852's review against another edition
4.0
The ending felt rushed compared to the rest of the novel but otherwise a very good read.
ralphw's review against another edition
3.0
Read this having just finished Camino Island #1 but it really isn’t as good all a bit silly.
sarasmith21's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
alyssah3768's review against another edition
2.0
This book was not at all as I expected. I liked the first one enough to be excited about this one. I was very disappointed. Bruce as a detective and also a monogamous man was very unimpressive.
cybersuccubus's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this was so-so. As this isn't my typical favorite read, I didn't find it too interesting. Not particularly a thrilling page turner, but not an absolute snore. His writing rather simple, not difficult to get through and can be read rather quickly.
rytisa04's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
debbiemanning's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not writing a review; I just have a comment. Let me preface it by saying, I am a fan. I've read and enjoyed all of the Grisham books I've read. I think he's a masterful storyteller. There was one thing in Camino Winds that really bugged me. It's inconsequential and certainly not a spoiler. In the book, it's just after a major hurricane is Florida. It's beastly hot, and the electricity hasn't been restored yet. The protagonist heats up tomato soup to serve for lunch. Really? Hot soup. Seems unlikely. What was he thinking?