Customer Reviews

Burn Notice: The Giveaway

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

 

 

I love Burn Notice, and have enjoyed the previous two books written by Goldberg as tie-ins. However, I'm still not finished with the book (about 25 pages to go) and there are at least three references to the Obamas already. Since the references really have no place in the story, it seems like the author purposely included these. Must we make everything political? I was sick of the Bush references in other media, and now here we start with Obama (although these are positive - which is a twist). The TV show has no political affiliation, so why introduce it in the books? I don't care what party the book is talking about - I follow politics but would prefer my entertainment to be just that...entertainment. Obviously Mr. Goldberg is an Obama supporter, but it had no place in this book.

It's never a good thing when Michael's "friend" Barry calls him asking for a favor. Barry is an expert money launderer, and Michael owes him a favor or twenty. So it is with some reluctance that Michael takes on the case of Bruce Grossman.

Bruce is a bank robber who did his time. He's reverted to his old ways in an effort to raise the cash to take care of a mother who is dying of cancer. But he's robbed the wrong people, specifically the Ghouls, a motorcycle gang. And the Ghouls are hunting Bruce down to kill him. Can Michael and his friends find a way to save Bruce?

I completely enjoyed this book. The series characters are spot on. I had no trouble hearing the actors saying the lines. And that's extra impressive when you realize that the book is written mostly first person from Michael's point of view. Much of the narration sounds like a voiceover from the show. The plot is the best one in the novels yet, and completely enjoyable.

If you like the TV show, don't pass up this book. You'll enjoy every minute of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Goldberg's two previous "Burn Notice" books. However, I feel he really lost the voices of the characters in "The Giveaway." I don't envision Fiona Glenanne expressing such extreme admiration for Oprah and "that nice Michelle Obama." Of course, that was only one of at least five instances of Obama's name being mentioned in this book. And Mr. Goldberg also decided to let us know his feelings on the war in Iraq in several occasions in the book; again, he did this through uncharacteristic dialogue from the characters.

I wanted to read another entertaining "Burn Notice" book. Instead, I felt like I was reading "The Political Leanings of Tod Goldberg, Esquire." And I would give that book a pass. I am definitely waiting before purchasing the upcoming "Burn Notice" book, "The Reformed," until I can see a review or two that will convince me that Mr. Goldberg has returned to the form of "The Fix" and "The End Game" and dropped the political commentary.

Recommendation to avoid.

I agree with Dancing Mike, I don't want to read about Tod's political leaning, I wanted to read a store about my favorite TV show. This book didn't flow very well at all. It was choppy to me. The other two books I read within days but this one took me over two weeks because it just didn't read like the Burn Notice show I know and LOVE. I have read books that out of the blue the author puts in a line just to show their political leaning, it doesn't fit in the book but they do it anyway and every time that happens, it turns me off and I never read anymore of that authors works. I don't care what their political leaning is, that's not why I bought their book, I don't care and I especially don't want to read about it unless that is the kind of book it is suppose to be. I don't know why authors would do that because I know it's not just me that it runs off. I only wish I had read Dancing Mike's review first before I had bought this book.

I liked the story, I like the "players", they are true to the TV series, BUT whats up with the mention of Obama, Mr. and Mrs.?

If I wanted to read, mention and glowing comments of Obama, I would read a left wing newspaper.

I hope the next Burn Notice in the series, will not have the political comments, or it will be the last one I buy.

Tod Goldberg's BURN NOTICE: THE GIVEAWAY tells of a former covert op and a gentleman thief who gets caught. A Robin Hood-like encounter with a gang leads to efforts to save a life in this fine mystery of intrigue and action.