Customer Reviews

Body Blows: A Joe Grundy Mystery

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

 

 

I chose this book after it won an 2010 Edgar award from Mystery Writers of America for Best Paperback Original. I was not disappointed - this book is a great read. The characterization is a delight to unravel along with the solution to the mystery, which is deftly plotted. I was particularly impressed with the dialogue, which is snappy and evocative without being too clever by half or sounding wedged into a scene simply to achieve a one-liner. Marc Strange deserves great credit for respecting his readers enough to treat them to style that matches the substance of his story.

If you appreciate the old masters, Chandler, Hammett, et al, you will be comfortable here. A modern Vancouver setting with a good solid hero doing good work. This makes me look for more by this author.

Mysterious deaths, lots of money and a dysfunctional family-what more could you ask for?

I have to say that I enjoyed this novel, mostly because of the characters. I thought that Joe Grundy was an expertly crafted character and the way that he was interwoven into the fabric of narrative made that story so readable that I was hooked from the word go. I love a good case of family dysfunction too, but then again, who doesn't?

On the down side, I found that as the story progressed towards the end it became a little predictable and I am always a little annoyed when I can figure out who done it before the big reveal, but that wasn't really that big of an issue with this book. It didn't take away from the enjoyment at all because it wasn't even the conclusion of the story, which I liked even more. I have to say I recommend this book, it makes for a surprisingly good, and fast, read.