Reviews

City of the Sun by David Levien

pezski's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 Levien is an excellent screenwriter - best known for the TV show Billions, several successful movies and working as a script doctor "punching up" other's work. Here, he has written an OK detective thriller, centred around a kidnapped boy.


My main problem with it is how many of the events seem random; yes, that is precisely how things work in the real world, but makes for a less-than-satisfying way to structure a plot.


I do already have the next book in the series so will probably see how that goes but, on this outing, John Connolly and Dennis Lehane don't have much to worry about. 

david_brent's review against another edition

4.0

If you're looking for a "hard-boiled" detective story, this one is good as any. Frank Behr is a good protagonist and while mystery/thriller isn't my first choice of genres, I'm curious to see what he does next.

Audiobook fans would appreciate the solid and steady narration. My only complaint is that there were some missed opportunities around the ending.

rojo25's review against another edition

3.0

It was entertaining but a bit far fetched. Behr has incredible luck because you just don’t come to conclusions or find answers by the methods or evidence he has at his disposal. All in all it’s a good read.

boleary30's review against another edition

5.0

Great kidnapped kid story, first in a series, I gave it and 8.5 out of 10

djrmelvin's review

3.0

Levien goes beyond the basic PI mystery by going into a crime that most writers would shy away from - pedophilia compounded with sex slaves. We know who committed the abduction, we know what's happened to the young boy, and we know that he's still alive before the investigator or the parents, but there's still a lot of suspense as to what shape the kid will be in when he's found. Unfortunately, Levien's background as a screenwriter takes over in the final scene, and good solid story telling is replaced by an over the top action scene that brings the cheapens the whole book. He's got some very interesting characters - especially the bad guys; and he knows his setting - Indianapolis. It's too bad the last thing the reader is left with is something from a direct to video action movie.

flogigyahoo's review

5.0

This is the 2nd time I have read this action packed mystery. I liked it the first time I read it and liked it now too. For readers who complained the writing is clumsy, not so. I thought it was quite well written for this type of genre. This is a fast paced "police procedural" type mystery and not a psychological thriller so no going into the fear and terror of the family concerned when their teenaged boy goes missing. Nor are we very concerned with the workings of the mind of Levien's protagonist who lost his own son and his marriage. This is Frank Behr, who comes across as a big, heavy man (bear?) well versed in dealing with the dregs of society, getting them to talk and spill what they know out of fear of Behr. Now to read the 2nd novel in the series.