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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
If You Like James Patterson, this is Worth a Try, March 3, 2009
This review is from: Don't Look Twice: A Novel (Hardcover)
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I was not a big fan of Andrew Gross's first two novels, but I think his third one qualifies as a considerable improvement. DON'T LOOK TWICE is an interesting, well-plotted murder mystery.
Andrew Gross used to be a co-writer for James Patterson, and he writes this book in the Patterson style. The book contains a lot of short chapters, and is very fast paced and action-oriented. Unlike Patterson, however, Gross invests sizable energy into his characterization, so all the main characters seem more like flesh-and-blood human beings, as opposed to the superheroes and supervillains that dominate Patterson's work.
DON'T LOOK TWICE is not an over-the-top, high-concept thriller. It is instead structured more like a whodunnit, and I think it works well at that level. If this novel has a major flaw, it's the sheer predictability of some of its plot twists. It's not very difficult to figure out who the guilty culprits are, which diminishes the suspense level of the storyline. This book also has some political content near the end, and I wouldn't recommend this book to a hardcore Republican for that reason.
Overall, DON'T LOOK TWICE is an enjoyable diversion, and reads better than most of the James Patterson books I've read over the past several years. If you like Patterson, it's worth a try.
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22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Murder, greed and corruption in Greenwich..., March 8, 2009
This review is from: Don't Look Twice: A Novel (Hardcover)
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This novel was a fun page turner that kept me guessing most of the way through. The plot has some depth and the story was interesting even though the characters were quite stereotypical of thrillers involving detectives, murder, gambling, crooked government and the requisite love interest. Along the way is the building body count, and the reader learns quickly that it's dangerous to trust anyone involved in the case.
This was the second book in a series featuring Lt. Ty Hauck and I did not read the former, The Dark Tide, so am basing my analysis of the character on this novel only. He's the typical man without a family - estranged from an ex -- and his current love interest is lukewarm, so he's the solitary voice of truth and justice fighting against the rich and powerful. This type of character has become a cliché of detective novels - probably because it works. It would be hard for a man with any type of family or home life to rarely sleep, eat or interact with anyone but those involved in the case. He has a daughter, brother and father and those all make brief appearances in the story but his relationships are never fully fleshed out. The reader doesn't really get to know Ty although he certainly seems to have a conscience even as he displays a lapse or two in judgment that almost compromises the investigation.
All in all -- an entertaining, if somewhat convoluted, tale of murder, greed, and corruption. I will most likely read another installment in this series in the future.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast action, fast and fun read, March 8, 2009
This review is from: Don't Look Twice: A Novel (Hardcover)
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Here we go, a novel with a complex and interesting plot that the author lays out and explains in a reasonable length of time. Too many novels are painful exercises in inordinate detail and background that make you think you should be taking notes to remember it all.
You get into it quickly, the story is compelling, there is entertainment and, sadly, an end. Does this mean the book is "light" or cheats you with too few words? No, it means it is good and fun to read, exciting and you don't want to put it down just because you have an obligation or it is late.
It takes skill to lay down a complex plot and situation that doesn't get in the way of the story. Gross does this very well, with a refreshing ease and clarity. Very impressive and recommended for anyone who wants a little fun in their reading while still being engaged in the subject.
My wife, a native Spanish speaker, found errors in the Spanish. She always does(roll-eyes emoticon). The errors were confined to the first half of the book for some reason. Still, she loved it and also recommends five stars.
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