Customer Reviews

California Fire and Life

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Having just finished reading Michael Connolly's groundbreaking "Lincoln Lawyer", I thought I'd pretty much tapped out my stash of superlatives in book reviews. Then I picked up "California Fire and Life" - and let me tell you, if you looked up "blockbuster" in the dictionary, a picture of Don Winslow holding a copy of this book would pretty much sum it up.

Jack Wade is the stereotypical Southern California Zen surfer dude, though while pushing forty, an aging one. But he is no slacker. The ace claims adjuster for the fictional California Fire and Life, Jack possesses an uncompromised work ethic and speaks fluently the language of fire. When a multi-million dollar cliff-top home burns, taking the young mother and wife with it, Wade gets the job of confirming that the fire was in fact accidental before writing the big checks. Jack meets homeowner and less-than-grieving widower Nicky Vale, aka Diaziatnik Valeshin, a Russian immigrant who took full advantage of the American dream, transforming himself from penniless cab driver to multimillionaire real estate developer over a short couple of decades. The sheriff's department has ruled the fire accidental, Cal Fire and Life is ready to pay the claim, but the maverick Wade sees the evidence differently. Convinced that the fire was arson and that Nicky is guilty of murdering his young wife, Wade takes on the system, and is engulfed in a fiery orgy of chainsaw-toting Russian mobsters, corrupt cobs, Vietnamese gangs, outlaw bikers, scams, cons, and deception. While this may sound like central casting for the standard LA crime novel, Winslow uses these usual players effectively as props to back this classic tale of the good Jack vs. the evil Nicky and his creepy "Mother Russia".

Winslow writes in the easy ebb and flow of SoCal vernacular, but where the "likes", "goes", and "dudes" could get old soon, Winslow keeps a watchful eye on the annoyance meter, resulting in a refreshingly hip and irreverent style that is all his own. Fans of Lee Child will see a lot of Lee Child's stoic loner Jack Reacher in this Jack, but unlike the nomadic Reacher, Wade likes Southern California just fine, and is content to remain there as long as the wild coast stays that way - undeveloped. Aside from a clever plot and characters able to stand up to the engaging dialogue, Winslow backs his story with an authoritative and highly educational tutorial on the science of fire and fire forensics, adding depth while building credibility. As with the finest authors, Winslow begins his tale with a number of seemingly disconnected threads, drops obscure hints along the way, and in the end succeeds spectacularly in whacking the reader with a powerful climax as rich in irony as it is in suspense.

In short, this is about as good as crime fiction gets; one of those books that you'll wish just didn't end, for you know it will be a long time till you find an equal. Well done, Mr. Winslow!

California Fire and Life Don Winslow Knopf 1999 ISBN 0676549705 H.C. Mystery

I had never heard of Don Winslow before I was sent this book to review, now he is a favorite.

Jack Wade an arson adjuster for California Fire and Life Mutual, understands fires, its the people that he doesn't understand. Wade is a very engaging character, who really knows what he is doing. Jack must investigate a fire that he knows is arson, but others believe is accidental, his own company starts to pressure him to settle the case, but he cant and he breaks his own cardinal rule, "You don't get emotional and what ever you do don't get involved. As Jack gets further and further involved the situation becomes more dangerous. Soon arson is the least of Jacks worry, as the case grows to involve the Russian mob and Vietnamese gangs and much more. This book is a wild ride through the world of fire and insurance. The characters are cool and real life. I especially liked the details of the fire investagationing.

The first half of this book -- the one that stays withinhailing distance of reality -- is engrossing. Details of arsoninvestigation and a sympathetically flawed hero kept me glued to the pages, not wanting the book to end. The portrayal of arson investigator school are especially crisp.

Somewhere in the middle of the book, though, it appears that Winslow freebased his James Ellroy collection. His prose starts hyperventilating, mimicking the Ellroy's staccato authority but throwing believability out the window.

Winslow stokes his novel with complication and conspiracy until the engine explodes, with fatal results. He ends up with a grotesque charicature of Hollywood pulp and Ellroy complexity. Given the cool confidence he displays in the beginning, it's a real shame.

Read the first half over and over again; read the second at your peril.

Take the Southern California angst of Micheal Connelly's Harry Bosch. Add the techno-element of a Tom Clancy. Toss in a dash of the international intrigue of a Robert Ludlum. Set it on fire-- and you have California Fire and Life.

What a treat to find this book. So many of the "new" Southern California school of mystery writers seem to be the same. Sure there are elements here - Jack surfs and his girlfriend is a Latina. But this is a book with a solid driving plot and an interesting angle -- arson.

I must admit I started out planning on only four stars for this book because of the sometimes overwhelming detail about the chemistry and physics of fire. Still the section on fire as a "seduction" is a gem. However, my husband convinced me that this detail (which he heard on tape and couldn't skim over) was one of the best parts of the book. Must be a guy thing.

So, for those who love the best of the classic elements in mystery/thriller reading but are looking for a refreshing change -- my solid thumb up.

I was looking through my library for something to battle the "blahs" and found this gem. Don Winslow's book is excellent with a clever and tightly constructed plot. The story is written from the point of view of an observer who describes what the colorful and believable characters say, do and think. The realistic dialogue reveals the thought processes of the main characters in a way that cleverly allows the reader to anticipate and follow the action.

Jack Wade is an ex-cop, arson investigator who is employed as a claims adjuster-arson specialist for a large insurance company, California Fire and Life. He investigates a fire claim submitted by Daziatnik Valeshin,aka Nicky Vale, a Russian KGB military officer in the U.S. to investigate/infiltrate/use the Russian Mafia. He uses his connections to make money and put himself in a position of power. Jack's investigation of Vale's claim uncovers arson and murder. Jack stands up against his insurance co. which wants to pay the claim. Why? It is all inter-related, clever and very, very entertaining. It is funny, easy to relate to and would be a movie hit if done right. Highly Recommended!

Old pro Don Winslow sets up a pace and never lets up. The story grows, expands and explodes like the fires that are that are the bedrock of the tale. Jack Wade, the fire investigator for the titled insurance company, is as terse as his name. He works hard, gives value for the dollar and owes nothing to anyone. He is as unengaged as Lew Archer.

There is a lot of fire technology interspersed throughout the book. I was fascinated by all the information and feel it lent credence to the sometimes mystifying plot line. The characters are broadly drawn; this is a plot-event driven tale and has a gruesome factor of +3 out of 5. We aren't looking so much for a particular villain as a conspiracy. Just when the reader thinks he has things narrowed down and is ready for the grand denouement, the clues expand and become more inclusive. Remember "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers"? By the time the movie is half over you suspect your neighbor, wife and sister of being in cahoots with the bad guys. This is true of "California Fire & Life." Everyone and everything begins to look suspect.

A good fast read where you learn a few things in spite of yourself!

Okay, so maybe my title for this review isn't all that interesting and original, but (and trust me on this one) CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE is. Jack Wade, a down-on-his-luck fire insurance investigator, becomes the novel's unlikely hero in this technically-filled thriller (think Crichton meets Ellroy) that combines the science of fire and arson with a slick writing style that often felt like was being read aloud to me. Never was I let down by any of the surprises, flashbacks or characters while reading CA FIRE & LIFE and found myself nearly begging for more. The dialogue was quick and often very witty. The depth of deceit was very believable and never confusing (despite what other reviewers may say). Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. Just read it. In CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE, Don Winslow has proven himself a great mystery writer.

Now, how about bringing Jack back?

This novel moves like a firestorm. It has a relentless pace, sharp staccato prose with a So-Cal vibe, and a smart and engrossing story filled with fascinating details about fire investigation. The novel really shines in the first half, as Jack (our flawed hero) investigates a fatal house fire. Winslow provides the reader with great insight into the world of fire investigation as Jack builds a case of arson against the husband of the woman who died in the fire.

This is the fourth Winslow novel I've read. I started with Dawn Patrol which was an absolute riot, which led me to The Winter of Frankie Machine which was even better. Then - a bit of a misstep - I read The Death and Life of Bobby Z which wasn't bad, but disappointing. California Fire and Life, I'm pleased to say, is of similar calibre to Dawn Patrol and Frankie Machine.

I may even have given it five stars if it weren't for an ending that feels like it got away from Winslow a bit. It gets a little carried away with conspiracy and coincidence - and really stretches credibility too far. But still, I can live with the crazy ending - after all it's still fast-paced fun. California Fire and Life is one of those rare novels where I was really disappointed when it ended, because it was just such a blast to read.

It is worth noting that the writing style here may throw a few people off. There are like lots of dudes and choppy sentences that read like bullet points. The prose is peppered with `likes' and `dudes' For example: "...the Russian dude shows up again and asks like, You been talkin' to the cops? And Tony is like, No man, I don't talk to cops." It works well here and effectively conveys a Southern California vibe that sets the tone for the novel.

I really enjoyed California Fire and Life. I wish the ending hadn't been quite so over the top given the gritty edge to the first half of the novel, but that shouldn't deter you from reading it. This is a great ride, right up there with Dawn Patrol and The Winter of Frankie Machine. If you haven't read anything by Don Winslow, what are you waiting for? Next up for me: The Power of the Dog. 4 ½ stars.

I found California Fire and Life to be at times fascinating and at times kind of silly. The hero, Jack Wade, seems to go out of his way to do the wrong thing, over and over again. For example, he's offered a second chance to spend his life with a sexy Latina, and punts. The passages laying out the nuts and bolts of investigating a suspicious fire were really interesting and well written. The 30 pages or so which were supposed to be the villian's backstory were over-the-top violent and not integral to the plot. And at the climax of the book, the villian, Nicky Vale, goes on a page-and-a-half rant/confession worthy of a Bond villian. The fiery conclusion is tailor-made for Jerry Bruckenheimer's next big dumb summer movie.

Lots of folk here love this book but I find it very uneven. When the author is describing how his arson investigator reads fires, he is obviously enthralled. But when he describes how insurance companies and the police conspire to reward the guilty and destroy anyone seeking justice, like his hero, he is less compelling. Is Winslow overreaching to make his villain not merely a ruthless California realtor but also an ex-KGB agent and member of the Russian Mafia? I might excuse that but then comes the funeral of his totally virtuous wife where the love of our hero's life is yelling, "You killed my sister." Naturally this woman is also an honest cop to boot. I will not spoil the ending here except to say that those who read many thrillers should not be surprised at the last plot twist. This book might provide psychological release for latent pyromaniacs.