Customer Reviews

The Examined Life

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gil is destined to be a well-known sleuth. This book, in spite of his quiet title, is a goer. It doesn't start off great with the first chapter as mysteries are supposed to do. It starts off great with the second sentence and moves swiftly from there. I'm generally not much of a mystery fan, but Virgil Jose made a believer of me.

Virgil Jose's first effort is a fast-paced thrillride that delivers. His characters have depth and the storyline is intriguing with lots of twists and surprises. The suspense builds to an ending that "wows" and satisfies. I'm looking forward to the next installment from Jose's creative mind.

This book is a real find. It's a mystery, yes, but with lots of smarts and wonderful irony. The story is nicely plotted, moves briskly, and delivers an ending that calls to mind stories of Cornell Woolrich and James M. Cain. Highly recommended.

This is a top notch mystery able to easily fit into the "who-done-it" genre. At the end of the story you'll find yourself saying,"Of course. Why didn't I see that at the beginning?" As for Gil Rodrigues, well, he's just like an old shoe - reliable, comfortable and totally dependable. This is my first Gil Rodrigues mystery but not my last. I want to meet him again for a martini in his local bar and see how he would solve the next mystery thats left on his doorstep. He's the kind of guy who would not only "have your back" but who would walk up front with you keeping his senses alive for your best interests and his own. Don't miss this read - it may be comfortable but it's not predictable.

Gary A. Best, author of
"Belle of the Brawl; Letters Home From a B-17 Bombardier"

This book was well-written, well-researched, and a joy to read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good murder mystery.

I don't want to say too much about it because I don't want to spoil this amazing book. It really is a page turner and you have to know what is going to happen next!

I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, and live there now. I have also devoured a great number of detective/crime novels, most of which were set in exotic locations. The only ones which come close to describing places with which I might be familiar from personal experience are those set in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, there aren't many (I know, Raymond Chandler's being a notable exception). Virgil Jose's novel is not only set in Southern California, but a lot of the action takes place within a mile or two of my house. It's a bit eerie, but exciting, to read about these places in a fictional context. Virgil's novel is a good read in its own right, though, not just because of its setting. Clearly, the writer knows a thing or two about plot and character development, and the book kept me very interested to the last. A budding Doyle or Christie? We shall see what's next.

The author did a good job. He captures the attention of the reader early in the book and holds on throughout the story. His spin is credible, obviously based on his background as a private investigator, etc. Hope he has more up his sleeve.

If you liked Magnum PI as a kid, then you'll love this book. Gil Rodrigues will keep you hanging on as he maneuvers his way through this twisted mystery. Does anyone know if Jose has anymore books out there?

Realistic -- protagonist has a life and a job, not just this one case. Nicely drawn character, well done plot, introduced me to a whole new world of import/export intrigue, Chinese espionage, even Chinese customs. Gil Rodrigues is well versed in the skills of a fighter, trained as a black-ops type in Vietnam. Read this in one day, in about three sittings. Really enjoyed this story. Let's see some more from this writer, and about this character.