lakecake's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
mickeymole's review against another edition
3.0
I became a big fan of Mosely with [b:Devil in a Blue Dress|37100|Devil in a Blue Dress (Easy Rawlins, #1)|Walter Mosley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1336545202l/37100._SY75_.jpg|1344080]. After reading a few of the Easy Rawlins novels, I love Mosely's prose. I'm not sure what he's trying to do here. Although I enjoyed it, there were some things that really weakened it. Too many characters. Too many plot lines in such a short book. It bounced all over the place. Mosely seems to have an obsession with folks' skin color or nationality. We are told the pigmentation and how light or dark it is of every character, and sometimes their parents as well. That was especially annoying. And, if I was told one more time how short Leonid was, I probably would have had a fit of some kind.
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Here's my problem: I really like Leonid McGill as a character. I think Mosley writes him in a detailed and engaging fashion, and I admire how the character is constantly underestimated by those around him.
But... there's just too much in this book for my taste. There's the main mystery, a side job with disturbing implications, and another subplot dealing with one of McGill's sons. Mosley describes why McGill has decided to go (mostly) straight in a paragraph that is so chock full of drama that I was convinced it must have been covered in another book. And then there's a whole host of supporting characters, including one that (once again) could have the subject of another book.
It was too much plot for me, and because of that, I had troubles at times following the details I think Mosley wanted to emphasize. The ending was good, but I doubt I will pick up another installment.
But... there's just too much in this book for my taste. There's the main mystery, a side job with disturbing implications, and another subplot dealing with one of McGill's sons. Mosley describes why McGill has decided to go (mostly) straight in a paragraph that is so chock full of drama that I was convinced it must have been covered in another book. And then there's a whole host of supporting characters, including one that (once again) could have the subject of another book.
It was too much plot for me, and because of that, I had troubles at times following the details I think Mosley wanted to emphasize. The ending was good, but I doubt I will pick up another installment.
caustic_wonder's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Good story, quick pacing, gritty dialogue and details. Some of the story got a little jumbled at times because there was so much going; it felt like there were 5 different story lines running at once.
lisaeirene's review against another edition
1.0
I REALLY wanted to like this book! It was the first I've read of this author and my first impression (and I was reminded of this throughout the book) is that this guy can really write. He has a lyrical way of writing about him that reveals these gems throughout the book. I liked the main character and I wanted to like the book but....the story was all over the place. The flow was off, it was confusing, there were too many story lines, too many characters I couldn't figure out how they fit together. It was all just TOO MUCH. Sadly, I think this might be the only book I read by Mosley as a result...
jsmithborne's review against another edition
4.0
One of the books I picked up in my Walter Mosley binge. I think this was my favorite of the books I read, but to be fair, it was written about 20 years later than the Easy Rawlins books I had, and Mosley is clearly a writer who keeps getting better. McGill is a PI who is trying to find a way to do the right things instead of the very lucrative wrong things he has built a reputation and career on. He's a complicated guy with a complicated life; really looking forward to picking up more of these.
myrdyr's review against another edition
4.0
3.76/5 stars. I enjoyed it, but I found parts of it rambled a bit too far off the storyline. I will check out the next in the series.
tanitaa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
knit3314's review against another edition
5.0
I don't usually reader PI novels but I read Mosley's Pytolemy Grey and feel in love with his style of writing. I wanted to read more. I enjoyed both Leonid McGill and the narrator on the OverDrive audible I listened to. I will continue to read more by Mosley. He has a gift for developing characters you care about in spite of there faults. They all seem to be aware of their weaknesses and strength. And McGill was certainly confident but so human. Great read.
boleary30's review against another edition
2.0
As the first in the series, it shows some potential, the lead character is good, but this book has too many wasted pages.