1 to 10 of 10
Review Date: 12/6/2021
Louis L'Amour has always been a personal favorite, but I am finding in this novel, writing, story, and characters were put together in a similar fashion to Louis' best.
I cannot say that all of J.A. Johnstone's work is up to the par of this book, but I think what we are seeing is an author that may potentially be a master one day very soon.
I cannot say that all of J.A. Johnstone's work is up to the par of this book, but I think what we are seeing is an author that may potentially be a master one day very soon.
Review Date: 12/26/2021
Would've given this story 5 stars, except for the unlikely event of my eventually finding a better western.
The best elements of both a murder mystery and a traditional western are combined in Crimson Quirt; so it was a two-fer for my personal favorite reading genres.
I will seek a hardcover of this book for my permanent library.
The best elements of both a murder mystery and a traditional western are combined in Crimson Quirt; so it was a two-fer for my personal favorite reading genres.
I will seek a hardcover of this book for my permanent library.
Review Date: 12/9/2021
I don't know why people write a synopsis; I will just say what my impression is of the story.
Andrew Gross is a VERY good writer in my opinion, but I read fiction to escape, especially in these strange times. This story was hard to put down, well-paced, and the characters nicely developed, but my rating is only 3 stars because I personally prefer a mostly happy ending. This story is mostly a good ending, but I wish that it had gone a slightly different direction, and now I wish I get the hours of my life back I used reading it.
I am nearly 60 years old, and haven't the time for slightly disappointing endings; younger readers might really enjoy this book.
Andrew Gross is a VERY good writer in my opinion, but I read fiction to escape, especially in these strange times. This story was hard to put down, well-paced, and the characters nicely developed, but my rating is only 3 stars because I personally prefer a mostly happy ending. This story is mostly a good ending, but I wish that it had gone a slightly different direction, and now I wish I get the hours of my life back I used reading it.
I am nearly 60 years old, and haven't the time for slightly disappointing endings; younger readers might really enjoy this book.
Review Date: 12/5/2021
If you are a fan of Louis L'Amour, as I am, you may not be pleased with this story. It had a build-up of the main character's former gunfighting skills, but that wasn't developed much into the present-day story.
I wouldn't describe it as a happy ending, either. If you read fiction as a pleasant distraction from current grim events, this story may leave you feeling that it didn't quite take you there.
I gave 3 stars as a courtesy to the writer (Joseph A. West) because writing is not easy to do well, but I'd skip this read if I had the chance to do it over again.
I wouldn't describe it as a happy ending, either. If you read fiction as a pleasant distraction from current grim events, this story may leave you feeling that it didn't quite take you there.
I gave 3 stars as a courtesy to the writer (Joseph A. West) because writing is not easy to do well, but I'd skip this read if I had the chance to do it over again.
Review Date: 2/21/2010
Moves quickly, like a screenplay. No time for boredom to set in.
Review Date: 1/3/2022
Have NOT read preceding 4 books in this series, but this novel worked fine as a stand-alone story. To be even more accurate, this is 2 stories that overlap nicely, so the reader gets more bang for the buck.
The Perley Gates character is a refreshing, but realistic take on the western gun-handy hero and I plan to read more books in this series.
The Perley Gates character is a refreshing, but realistic take on the western gun-handy hero and I plan to read more books in this series.
Review Date: 12/25/2021
I have read Ace Atkins novels that followed up on Robert B. Parker's Spencer series, and while no one can fully fill Parker's unique shoes, sometimes a 'take-over' author comes close; Atkins isn't too far off so far.
Unfortunately, I was only 4 pages into this novel when the author decided to make Sunny Randall political. While politics is a thing in real life, Robert B. Parker didn't let it infect the stories that I've read, to any appreciable degree or at all.
If readers like political bias in their character, especially to the political Left, then readers may enjoy this novel. To me, it was a cheap shot, and not worthy of Parker's fiction, thus the poor review.
Detective/crime stories may include peripheral characters with a political bent, but the main characters seem to do best when we focus on the human relationships, strengths and weaknesses, and leave non-essential waste out of the story.
Unfortunately, I was only 4 pages into this novel when the author decided to make Sunny Randall political. While politics is a thing in real life, Robert B. Parker didn't let it infect the stories that I've read, to any appreciable degree or at all.
If readers like political bias in their character, especially to the political Left, then readers may enjoy this novel. To me, it was a cheap shot, and not worthy of Parker's fiction, thus the poor review.
Detective/crime stories may include peripheral characters with a political bent, but the main characters seem to do best when we focus on the human relationships, strengths and weaknesses, and leave non-essential waste out of the story.
Review Date: 1/19/2022
Another Parker/Brandman that reads like a screenplay, but that's okay; I read it in one sitting. I do share the same disappointments of one of the other reviewers, of Jesse assisting yet another troubled teen girl, and now he' a 'cat person' when he traditionally has a dog companion. Also, as a reader slightly familiar with firearms, Mr. Brandman should do a little bit, or ANY research at all into calibers: a .45-millimeter is less than the thickness of a dime. I think Parker stumbled on firearms occasionally, but his writing made it easier to digest.
Other than those barely significant issues, this is a book that I feel Robert Parker would've comfortably signed-off on.
Other than those barely significant issues, this is a book that I feel Robert Parker would've comfortably signed-off on.
Review Date: 1/3/2022
Read like a screenplay, but that was great for me; I pretty much read the novel in one sitting.
Though Brandman is obviously skilled as a writer, some Parker-isms are absent that I enjoyed, BUT!, again, there were enough to keep me hooked.
I am glad the Parker estate chose differing writers to carry-on the 3 main character franchises, as the first Sunny Randall novel after Parker passed was a disappointment. Brandman and Atkins are so far, so good.
Thank you Joan and family.
Though Brandman is obviously skilled as a writer, some Parker-isms are absent that I enjoyed, BUT!, again, there were enough to keep me hooked.
I am glad the Parker estate chose differing writers to carry-on the 3 main character franchises, as the first Sunny Randall novel after Parker passed was a disappointment. Brandman and Atkins are so far, so good.
Thank you Joan and family.
Review Date: 7/3/2020
Unlike other reviewers, I found the story-line engaging, interesting, and compelling. Another believable character with flaws and strengths; like all of us, all too human.
1 to 10 of 10
