Customer Reviews

Bloodthirsty: A Lomax & Biggs Mystery

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With first novels, authors have as many months or years as they desire to hone their work, polishing every phrase and plot twist until it truly shines. When authoring a series--which normally publish at least one title per year--there is often a marked drop in quality when the second novel comes around, owing to the shortened time in which the author has to create the next adventure.

Bloodthirsty, the second and latest in Marshall Karp's series of Lomax and Biggs novels, is that rare second novel that is as impressive as the first. The Rabbit Factory, the witty and winning first entry in the series (now in paperback), traversed a roomy 700-plus pages to spin its addictive spell of murder, intrigue, and comedy. By contrast, Bloodthirsty is a comparatively modest 425 pages, with nary a wasted word or phrase. Karp so successfully populated his first book with memorable and worthy characters that in this work a simple word or phrase illuminates a new facet to their personalities that lesser authors might spend pages to accomplish. It is comforting to read a mystery written by a new master: You never fear an improbable ending, a character who behaves contrary to his previously-delineated nature, or some grand deus ex machina which brings your reading pleasure to a grinding halt. Karp plays fair, but he plays for keeps.

Detectives Lomax and Biggs, destined to join the pantheon of both great detective and great comedic duos, return again. Their quarry's victims are completely drained of blood, and the drainees run the gamut from minor drug kingpins to Hollywood royalty. Despite the gruesome nature of the crimes, Karp writes compellingly fiction without resorting to stomach-turning, CSI-style theatrics; he's not genteel, just not needlessly graphic. As the killings spread through Hollywood, Lomax and Biggs spar and parry their way through the Hollywood Hills, never dispensing with solid detective work for the sake of a good joke. These are real detectives, really serious about their work, but not so serious about life. They are a joy.

I would have enjoyed spending more time with Lomax's late wife--as we did in The Rabbit Factory--but that is a minor quibble in a work populated with so many people you'd love to know better. There will be no further synopsis here: To tell you more would attenuate the thrills found in the fine pages of this novel. Suffice it to say that the largest mystery in this series in never really answered: Where has Marshall Karp been all these years?

This is my First Review and I hope it helps people out when choosing a book. Im no Book Reviewer but I really enjoyed this book.

Well I have to Say that Karp Did another Great Job. I really enjoyed his first novel The Rabbit Factory about a Disneyland-esque mystery with Two detectives names Lomax and Biggs. Two or the many characters you just love.

I knew that when he came out with another one I had to get it. When I heard that Blood Thirsty, another Lomax and Biggs mystery, was ready to come out, I Went to the book store at least once a week to see if it came in, because of crossed lines with release dates. I finally got it!!

I could not put it down. I found myself looking for opportunities just to be able to read a few chapters. I had a blast reading it too.

There are very few times were I get a book and start reading and actually avoid going out with friends just to see what happends next. Blood Thirsty had me Laughing out loud and captivated by the murders. There is now, an even more Defined Spot on my couch where I sit and read. I Highly suggest this book to anyone, Its a great read and a lot of fun. I hope he Comes out with another Biggs/Lomax Mystery soon!

This is the second book I am reading, and just like the Rabbit factory, I love every line in the book and don't want it to end, at the same time cannot wait to see the end. I love the characters, the twists, the jokes but most of all the story. Fantastic written with great humor and a very intriguing plot. Like the first one, the reader sees both sides of the murder, and do not symphatize with the murderer, but can understand why it is happening.

Again, lots of humor, I am a huge fan of police procedurals, this one is just a little whacky but in a good way. The author develops the characters more and again you know who the killers (most of them) are almost from the first, they are actually nuttier than anyone else. A fun read, I'm going to keep looking forward to more of Marshall Karp's books.

loved rabbit factory and this did not disappoint. fun and fast moving. thoroughly enjoyed.

I just got through reading my first ever murder-mystery - BLOODTHIRSTY. It was all it was advertised to be: fast reading, with a plot that had me wondering who was doing what to whom; loaded with jabs of laughs throughout and, of course, it came complete with a suprise ending.

I would have liked the author to get just a bit deeper into the main characters' feelings, like he did with Aggie's.

I can't wait for an invite to a dinner party so I can show off the new medical word I learned: It starts with an "E".

Beware of attending Marshall Karp's book signings. I wouldn't get too close to anyone who can think as cleverly sinister as he does.

The book starts with the characters talking for pages about the author's last book. Since I hadn't read it I was a bit at sea. But once it focused on the current crime spree it was a fun read. There is some chemistry between the two main characters. The plot had some twists and turns without being outrageous. It's a solid read. I plan on getting the first book and finding out what everyone was talking about at the start of this one.

A satisfying second book in the series featuring detectives Lomax and Biggs. Fun buddy stuff, interesting Hollywood backgrounds, lots of interesting support characters and serious murder makes a great mix for a good read. And Karp knows how to get the mix just right.

A lot shorter than Marshall Karp's debut masterpiece The Rabbit Factory, Blood Thirsty continued the just can't put it down brilliant level of writing with the same great two main characters from that novel. Although nothing of the Rabbit Factory is given away in this one to spoil that novel, I'd still go grab a copy and read that first, just so you get a better understanding of the minor side story involving Big Jim and family plus you'll appreciate it a bit more.

In Blood Thirsty Lomax and Biggs are still Hollywood homicide detectives but are about to get a financial windfall for the rights to their story behind the events of the previous novel which is about to sold to a movie producer. Problem is he doesn't show to his own movie's premier where the boys were supposed to meet him. They find out why early the next morning when they arrive on the scene of a body shoved into a rubbish bin. They learn at the autopsy of the ingenious method of murder and soon have pressure from above to catch the culprit when a second Hollywood movie heavyweight goes missing. Their case a year ago was huge but this is looking to become even more of a public interest murder investigation!

Can't wait for the next book by Marshall Karp.

I love these characters, Lomax and Biggs. They are back and better than ever in the second in this series. If you haven't read The Rabbit Factory, order it now! It is a great book, as is this one. Marshall Karp knows how to deliver. We get characters we care about, a page turning story, laugh out loud moments and touching ones. What more could you ask for in a book? I am looking forward to the third in the series that comes out early 2009.

And I hope the series continues on long into the future.