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octavia_cade's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
The first of the tie-in CSI novels, and even if I've never cared much for mob stories, this one was leavened by science and so kept my interest. Although what with Grissom's specialty, I was a bit surprised that there wasn't anything on insects here, but maybe the author thought that was a little too obvious a focus to begin the tie-in series with. Given I'm a lot more interested in bugs than in bullets, however, maybe one of the later volumes will go that way.
I did like that there was a fairly even focus on all the characters, although Sara got a little less than the others, I think, which is a shame as she's my favourite by far. CSI is one of the few shows where I enjoy all the characters, though - none of them bore or irritate me (aka the Bran Stark effect) - so I'm happy with an even mix.
I did like that there was a fairly even focus on all the characters, although Sara got a little less than the others, I think, which is a shame as she's my favourite by far. CSI is one of the few shows where I enjoy all the characters, though - none of them bore or irritate me (aka the Bran Stark effect) - so I'm happy with an even mix.
sianw1992's review against another edition
3.0
Double Dealer by Max Allan Collins
I'm a massive fan of CSI, and CSI:Crime Scene Investigation is my favourite, so when I realised there were accompanying books I leapt at the chance. Collins knows what the characters are like and how they speak. It's evident he's researched the show. It was great reading new stories about some of my favourite characters. Overall, they're a good, easy read that require practically no imagination because you already know the people and their history.
I'm a massive fan of CSI, and CSI:Crime Scene Investigation is my favourite, so when I realised there were accompanying books I leapt at the chance. Collins knows what the characters are like and how they speak. It's evident he's researched the show. It was great reading new stories about some of my favourite characters. Overall, they're a good, easy read that require practically no imagination because you already know the people and their history.
library_rift's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
teachinsci's review against another edition
4.0
I noticed some reviews panned this book for not going into the characters personal lives and personalities... those reviewers must not get that this is NOT a book that can be separated from the TV show it was based on.
That being said, this WAS a good literary episode of that series. I am a big fan of CSI (especially the first seasons), and this book captures the flavor of those first season episodes, in some ways it does even better because the book can span more time and give attention to some of the forensic details that the TV show must skip. I especially liked that the author obviously did research and found out what really is and is not possible in forensic science.
That being said, this WAS a good literary episode of that series. I am a big fan of CSI (especially the first seasons), and this book captures the flavor of those first season episodes, in some ways it does even better because the book can span more time and give attention to some of the forensic details that the TV show must skip. I especially liked that the author obviously did research and found out what really is and is not possible in forensic science.
situationnormal's review against another edition
3.0
The author annoyed me. He kept going on and on and on about how handsome and pretty everyone is. I agree. Just don't restate it a million times. I've only seen the first season of CSI so far, but if this isn't an actual episode I want to give this guy a LOT of props for creating this story line. Jesus. Oh, and Nicky! He keeps getting into trouble. Poor dear. And if I hear another word about Sara Sidle's "cute gap-toothed smile" I swear I'll commit suicide. Really. I will. Well...you get my drift.
diannelebold's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
fayan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: March 5th 2023
"Search for the truth has no cure."
I remember reading this series in Dutch back when the books were first being published about twenty years ago, and apparently I liked them enough to keep buying each sequel as soon as they appeared in the bookstore. I was browsing for titles I read over ten years ago for the POPSUGAR challenge when an episode of CSI came up on TV, and I had that eureka moment. Why not rereading Double Dealer and see if the series is still as successful for me in the present? I've always been a CSI Las Vegas fan, and while this book might not be perfect, I had so much fun meeting up with the characters that I personally didn't care about its flaws at all. The case itself is interesting, with the two seemingly different crime scenes that show similarities that make you wonder if they might be connected... It had been so long that I had forgotten about how everything wrapped up, which was a bonus of course. The dialogues and banter were entertaining, and the plot read like one of the TV episodes (with even some references to some things that happened in the first season). I had so much fun rereading the first book that I've decided to continue with the rest of the series as well!
katebenson's review against another edition
5.0
A reread. I don't remember when I read it the first time.
wyemu's review against another edition
2.0
As an avid watcher of CSI (in all of its incarnations) for many years obviously I wanted to read the accompanying works of fiction as well.
Personally, I find it hard to write a full review of books such as these, it's hard to talk about character development, scene setting etc. when all of those things are taking place on the screen over the course of seasons.
So, for me, the most important thing with a book based on a TV series, such as this one, is whether the voices and actions of the characters in the book, ring true to what we'd expect of them based on the series. Collins is no amateur when it comes to writing from a series and, in this book, he's done well to take those characters and portray they as faithfully as possible.
Other than that, all I can think to say is that the crimes, and the solving of them, were interesting and worked well.
Personally, I find it hard to write a full review of books such as these, it's hard to talk about character development, scene setting etc. when all of those things are taking place on the screen over the course of seasons.
So, for me, the most important thing with a book based on a TV series, such as this one, is whether the voices and actions of the characters in the book, ring true to what we'd expect of them based on the series. Collins is no amateur when it comes to writing from a series and, in this book, he's done well to take those characters and portray they as faithfully as possible.
Other than that, all I can think to say is that the crimes, and the solving of them, were interesting and worked well.