hkingcrab's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I picked this book out randomly while browsing in the library and I'm glad i did. It's the first book i've read of the "noir" series.
Characters: most of the stories introduce the character in a way that doesn't reveal their name or situation right away, and keeps you interested while it unravels.
The first story "Terminal City" sat with me after finishing it. There's a good mix of humour and dark themes.
There are one or two stories I didn't finish, but that doesn't mean there isn't a story in the anthology for everyone.
I appreciated the range of featured authors and canon queer relationships.
I would say anyone who would enjoy a quick mystery read with lots of variety of writing would enjoy this book. I don't live in Vancouver so I can't say it's accurate, but I will be checking out other books in the collection.
Characters: most of the stories introduce the character in a way that doesn't reveal their name or situation right away, and keeps you interested while it unravels.
The first story "Terminal City" sat with me after finishing it. There's a good mix of humour and dark themes.
There are one or two stories I didn't finish, but that doesn't mean there isn't a story in the anthology for everyone.
I appreciated the range of featured authors and canon queer relationships.
I would say anyone who would enjoy a quick mystery read with lots of variety of writing would enjoy this book. I don't live in Vancouver so I can't say it's accurate, but I will be checking out other books in the collection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, and Death
Moderate: Addiction
suzanneloving's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written, but overtly sexualized and crass in parts. Nuanced areas. Made me genuinely laugh out loud, wince, be concerned and gutted. Very masculine power and weakness, raw in many ways.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
3.0
READ IN ENGLISH
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Publication Date: August 18th 2014
Another Canadian suspense novel. This one set in Vancouver. Michael Drayton is a 29-year-old private detective, who still haunted by the case of a missing little girl he was unable to save. When another father comes in telling about his son gone missing together with his car, he takes the case. But it's not going to be easy as neither the police nor the last private detective on the case really cared about it.
It was a decent novel, but nothing special. The story was okay, it still felt a bit too long for what was told in the end. Near the ending the plot became a bit unbelievable and I was not really happy with the ending. I had seen it before. It has a first person POV from Michael but then decides it wants to tell something he's not present at. This is solved by shifting the POV slightly in a confusing way. I had to read twice to know that he wasn't present. The story is made a bit lighter to read by a sub-plot containing a necrophiliac in a funeral home, which Michael has to stop before he strikes again.
Micheal is very young for what he has done already. He's an ex-cop and had already run his private detective agency for a few years. And he's only twenty-nine. I wonder how long he's actually been a cop. He's surrounded in his job by his secretary/assistant Kathleen, a boy with a completely different job who for some reason is always around, and a witness/(possible suspect) from his newest case. Together they form a weird group and there is even *sighs* a hint of a love triangle (they now have escaped into other genres besides YA).
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Publication Date: August 18th 2014
Another Canadian suspense novel. This one set in Vancouver. Michael Drayton is a 29-year-old private detective, who still haunted by the case of a missing little girl he was unable to save. When another father comes in telling about his son gone missing together with his car, he takes the case. But it's not going to be easy as neither the police nor the last private detective on the case really cared about it.
It was a decent novel, but nothing special. The story was okay, it still felt a bit too long for what was told in the end. Near the ending the plot became a bit unbelievable and I was not really happy with the ending. I had seen it before. It has a first person POV from Michael but then decides it wants to tell something he's not present at. This is solved by shifting the POV slightly in a confusing way. I had to read twice to know that he wasn't present. The story is made a bit lighter to read by a sub-plot containing a necrophiliac in a funeral home, which Michael has to stop before he strikes again.
Micheal is very young for what he has done already. He's an ex-cop and had already run his private detective agency for a few years. And he's only twenty-nine. I wonder how long he's actually been a cop. He's surrounded in his job by his secretary/assistant Kathleen, a boy with a completely different job who for some reason is always around, and a witness/(possible suspect) from his newest case. Together they form a weird group and there is even *sighs* a hint of a love triangle (they now have escaped into other genres besides YA).
robert_bose's review against another edition
5.0
Mike Drayton is a Vancouver P.I. with an interesting set of friends, family, love interests, nemeses, and enemies. He is flawed anti-hero that is clever enough to overcome his shortcomings with a bit of smarts and healthy helping of violence. The interwoven plot lines flow nicely, making the book a fun, page turning read.
Great book. Highly recommended!
Great book. Highly recommended!
middleditch's review against another edition
4.0
This book gets a couple of stars just because it takes place in Vancouver and area. It had such a Lower Mainland feel to it. And, I enjoyed the mystery, the writing, the witty conversations and the interesting people. Great fun, although with a touch of evil.
skimdavidson's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tonstantweader's review
5.0
I like to travel, vicariously, and there is no better way to travel than a deep dive into a city through one of the Akashic Noir series. This time, I went to a city I have been to in reality, staying for a few days before taking my mother on an Alaskan cruise. I don’t think that is why I loved Vancouver Noir so much, though. I think it was the variety of very truly noir stories that kept me reading until 3 AM.
Vancouver Noir is organized into three sections: Blood Money, Rags and Bones, and Night Visions. It’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite from these murderous little stories, though perhaps “Eight Game-Changing Tips on Public Speaking” which cracked me up, but the first “Terminal City” and the last “The Perfect Playgroup” were emotionally affecting. In Rags & Bones, the stories are sad and desperate like the people who people them, people on the downside of life and struggling to maybe just for a bit do more than subsist. Night Visions was my favorite section and that’s weird as I usually avoid paranormal stories unless I am reading an outright fantasy like something about kids going to learn how to practice magic at some academy.
“The Demon of Steveston” and “Survivor’s Pension” are stories that will have me seeking out more by their authors in spite of the supernatural elements. In fact, reading “The Demon of Steveston” had me thinking SERIES! TV syndication! I would watch that show. I really don’t like paranormal stories but I want to know more about Ricky, lots more.
This is an excellent collection with sections that make sense and hang together. I could recognize the themes even though the editor, Sam Wiebe, did not explain them. I like the sense of justice and humanity that runs through the collection as well. There’s a beating heart at the center of this book that sees people as they are and holds them with compassion, even when they are sometimes on the wrong side of the law. You get the feeling that many of these authors would not turn their head toward the road when they pass a panhandler on the sidewalk.
As always, I am an enthusiastic supporter of Akashic Books marvelous series of books that can make us world travelers – albeit to the noir side of town. More than once, when traveling, I have ignored tourist warnings and had a great day in the noir side of town. I don’t travel any longer, but I can count on Akashic to keep me on the road. Also, let me suggest Akashic Noir books as great presents in time for Christmas. If you have a friend in Vancouver, Vancouver Noir is the perfect book, one written by locals but who will see their home through a different lens. If someone is planning a trip to Vancouver, same thing. Prepare them, maybe scare them.
I received an e-galley for review from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Vancouver Noir at Akashic Noir
Akashic Noir series
Sam Wiebe author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2018/12/04/9781617756597/
Vancouver Noir is organized into three sections: Blood Money, Rags and Bones, and Night Visions. It’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite from these murderous little stories, though perhaps “Eight Game-Changing Tips on Public Speaking” which cracked me up, but the first “Terminal City” and the last “The Perfect Playgroup” were emotionally affecting. In Rags & Bones, the stories are sad and desperate like the people who people them, people on the downside of life and struggling to maybe just for a bit do more than subsist. Night Visions was my favorite section and that’s weird as I usually avoid paranormal stories unless I am reading an outright fantasy like something about kids going to learn how to practice magic at some academy.
“The Demon of Steveston” and “Survivor’s Pension” are stories that will have me seeking out more by their authors in spite of the supernatural elements. In fact, reading “The Demon of Steveston” had me thinking SERIES! TV syndication! I would watch that show. I really don’t like paranormal stories but I want to know more about Ricky, lots more.
This is an excellent collection with sections that make sense and hang together. I could recognize the themes even though the editor, Sam Wiebe, did not explain them. I like the sense of justice and humanity that runs through the collection as well. There’s a beating heart at the center of this book that sees people as they are and holds them with compassion, even when they are sometimes on the wrong side of the law. You get the feeling that many of these authors would not turn their head toward the road when they pass a panhandler on the sidewalk.
As always, I am an enthusiastic supporter of Akashic Books marvelous series of books that can make us world travelers – albeit to the noir side of town. More than once, when traveling, I have ignored tourist warnings and had a great day in the noir side of town. I don’t travel any longer, but I can count on Akashic to keep me on the road. Also, let me suggest Akashic Noir books as great presents in time for Christmas. If you have a friend in Vancouver, Vancouver Noir is the perfect book, one written by locals but who will see their home through a different lens. If someone is planning a trip to Vancouver, same thing. Prepare them, maybe scare them.
I received an e-galley for review from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Vancouver Noir at Akashic Noir
Akashic Noir series
Sam Wiebe author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2018/12/04/9781617756597/
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