18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Parker delivers yet again with this dynamic novel., November 9, 2004
This review is from: California Girl: A Novel (Hardcover)
California Girl is about the Becker boys and follows them into early adulthood. One becomes a homicide detective, one a minister and one a reporter. The bulk of the novel is focused on the death of a young woman, whom the Becker men have known most of their life. Her death affects each of them in a different way.
I have to start by saying I am a fan of Parker's writing and have always been impressed by his work. Having said that, I think California Girl is an exciting step in a new direction. Less of a novel about catching the killer and more about the effects the murder has on the people around her. Like Lehane with Mystic River and Rozan with Absent Friends, Parker is stepping to the next level with a novel that is every bit a piece of literature as it is a crime novel.
It is work like this that helps remove any posible stigma that comes with the term "genre novel"
In April 2005, California Girl was awarded the Edgar award for best Novel of 2004, by the Mystery Writers of America.
It is Parker's second Best Novel Edgar, as Silent Joe also won.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great stuff!, October 1, 2004
This review is from: California Girl: A Novel (Hardcover)
Mr. Parker has always been exceptional at characterization, but this book nails real atmosphere as well, and is at the top of my 2004 list, along with The Narrows by Michael Connelly, Memorial Day by Harry Shannon and that new Robert Crais. The 60's seem especially relevent these days (war and all) so the writing really make my skin ripple. Great stuff! Buy it, you won't be disappointed. As usual.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
California in the 60's, January 14, 2005
This review is from: California Girl: A Novel (Hardcover)
The 1950s and 60s were a chaotic time, in a world that was
undergoing tremendous social change, the youth of California were
not unaffected. The story is about the Becker brothers, Nick (now a
homicide detective), David (a Priest) and Andy (a journalist). The
three boys are mentally transported back to relive their childhood
when Nick is assigned, as his first case, the investigation of the
beheading murder of Janelle Vonn, the younger sister of the violent
Vonn brothers - arch-enemies from the boy's childhood. Andy
recognises that the story of the investigation could lead to his
break into big-time journalism so follows the case closely. Janelle
was abused by her brothers and Nick and Andy had helped her escape
to start a new life, her escape caused a violent encounter between
the two sets of brothers. David, Nick and Andy all investigate the
case from different angles, occasionally co-operating and sharing
their information. As secrets are revealed - careers, lives and
loves are threatened. Are the brothers able to solve the crime
before they become victims of it?
Parker is a very descriptive author, and has used powerful imagery
to portray an investigation that is totally guesswork and hunch
following, does not include computers and modern day forensic
techniques. The era is well researched and brought back memories
of events and fashions of the day. Parker even had well known `real'
characters flitting in and out of the story, such as Richard Nixon
was a friend of the Becker brother's parents. This is my first book
by this author and I found his portrayal of the different characters
to be meticulous, I felt that I knew them all personally by the end
of the book. The plot was good, the characterisation was good and
the writing was excellent.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
