Customer Reviews

Greenwich Killing Time

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

 

 

This was the first Kinky Friedman book I read, having known of him by reputation for many years. It lived up to all I've heard of his books: fast-paced, quirky humor, a wild cast of characters, a touch hard-boiled. But Dashiel Hammett he's not. As in many mystery novels, the writing in this book, although fun, breaks no new literary ground and is typical for the genre. If you're looking for a good, easy read, you'll certanly enjoy this!

I picked up "Greenwich Killing Time" on a whim...partly because of the cover art and partly because it was in the $... sale table at the local bookstore. Thus I became addicted to Kinky's tales of his Village Irregulars, his family, and especially his cat. I can sing along with all his tunes. I own, personally, a guitar pick with "Kinky" emblazoned across it, a gift from the man himself. You know...in rereading this, I realize that I sound like a really sad, pathetic person. Hmm. Maybe he'll put me in one of his books.

This is a very enjoyable page-turner mystery. It is hip, literary and chock full
of one-liners that made me laugh out loud. I ran out and bought his other
book after reading this.

The author is a folk singer in real life who places himself as the protagonist
private eye in this novel. Lots of fun.

Not bad for a first try. In many ways Kinky reminds me of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar, in that he is always read with a "smarta**" commment, whether it's called for or not. Besides the woman and drugs, people snort cocaine like it's being delivered by girl scouts and everyone has to do their part to help them make their cookie quota. But then this book was written in the eighties, so you have to give some here and there.

What is interesting, is the period comments about how dirty and down in the mouth 'The City' was at this time. He even mentions the old 'squeegee' guys washing windows for quarters. All this was pre-G (for Guiliani) and of the Disney Company taking over Times Square. Kinky's place down on VanDam in a warehouse, would be worth millions today. The area around Sheridan Square is so wholesome, even the bi-sexuals wear black and grey and carry faux-Guchi bags.

As to the story, well it would have made a good western, with Kinky as Marshall Dillon, Ratso as the deputy, and his upstairs lesbian neighbor as Miss Kitty (or KittyCat). Typical of a book written by any New Yorker, the Cops act like civil servants who are one week from retirement and never have to worry about a review board, or getting fired. In other words they are in no hurry to do anything that might keep them out of the 'House' when the donut-man comes around.

Considering that there are like twelve more novels in the series, I've got lots of time to get used to his style; and he's got lots of time to get into character development and such.

"Greenwich Killing Time" is Kinky Friedman's first novel, written in 1984 and first published in 1986. His books had been recommended to me by a number of people - and his first novel seemed like the best place to start.

The Kinkster certainly doesn't take the normal approach. He has cast himself as the PI-hero in his books and has used the names of several friends in his stories. As with real life, the book's Kinky is a cat-loving retired country and western performer. In his defence (!!), it seems he also likes dogs, Jameson's, Guinness and cigars.

Set in the Greenwich Village area of New York, the book sees Kinky sharing his loft with a cat who refuses to answer the phone. It starts at a high pace, with Kinky's friend Mike McGovern informing him of a neighbour's murder. Not long afterwards, McGovern contacts Kinky again with a little background information on the victim - and with the news that he's just been arrested and charged with the murder himself. As a sleuth with a successful record, Kinky takes it upon himself to clear his friend's name and find the real murderer.

Fast-moving, easily read and packed with superbly delivered one-liners, "Greenwich Killing Time" is not what I would call an entirely serious 'whodunnit'. As an author, Kinky was described to me as irreverant - that's probably how I would best describe this book.

The flow of the book is a little strange. It starts out in short, sometimes incomplete sentences which bothered me a little. However, once I got into the book and used to the flow, I thouroughly enjoyed it! Kinky Friedman is the main character who is a country singer turned private sleuth. The crime and clues are as puzzling as the strange array of friends and suspects. I thought I had the mystery figured out about 6 times, but did not know the truth until the end. Puzzling, Funny, and Bizarre are the best words to describe the Kinkster. A very entertaining read!

I was kind of disappointed in Greenwich Killing Time. But wait, I gave it 5 stars? Yep. It truly is a great book. Kinky has done it again in one of his earlier works. Kinky is embroiled in a wicked plot of murder and mayhem. Ratso, McGovern, and the beautiful Stephanie DuPont are all trying to figure what Kinky has figured out behind the cigar smoke in this intelligent thriller.

I really wanted to like this book. I read 50 pages and found myself completely unmoved by the story and the pursuit of the killer. The writing is good: sharp, clear, fast paced. Kinky's view of the world is original with plenty of good oneliners. My main problem is the genre rather than the book - if you're into crime you will probably dig it. Most crime books are entirely plot based with not much characterisation. This is the inherent problem for me with this one. Without finding out about the characters you simply don't care if they live, die or get caught. A nice cup of tea becomes a more interesting option than trawling through another 200 pages to find the killer. I did find the killer by going straight to the end. Sam Cooke would have been proud.