Customer Reviews

Innocent Monster

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You don't have to be a crime writing fan to appreciate Coleman's finely tuned writing and what Booklist calls the main character's "bone-deep world weariness and mordant sense of humor." There's a lot within these pages: lost love, estranged family, ghosts of the past, dead dreams, a kidnapped 11-year-old art prodigy, a hard look at the art world and the parents who capitalized on the child's fame, a protagonist who's risking much to mend his relationship with his own adult daughter - and a smattering of hope. You won't forget these characters or this story when you close the book.

If you've read the other books in the series, fine, but if not, don't hesitate to start with this one. And then go seek out the others.

A predominant theme of this wonderful new novel by Reed Farrel Coleman is guilt, something of which there is more than enough to go around, and which plagues several of the characters, not least of whom is the protagonist, Moe Prager. Moe [as are most New Yorkers] is still feeling the aftershock of 9/11; unable to deal with the murder of his first wife [from whom he had been divorced], seven years prior, for which he still feels responsible, and which.had in turn led to his continuing estrangement from his adored daughter, Sarah; morose following the end of his second marriage after six years, which had also caused him to close his p.i. office, in which his ex-wife had been a partner. He now, with his brother, owns several successful wine shops in and around the metro New York area, from Brooklyn to the Hamptons. All that changes when Sarah asks Moe to speak with a woman who was her best friend, role model and babysitter when Sarah was a child, about the disappearance of the woman's young daughter, a prodigy in the art world at four years of age, now only 11.

Moe, though now 60 and out of the NYPD for thirty years, cannot refuse his daughter, and he takes on the search for the possibly kidnapped child, now gone for three weeks; as he says, he is "back in the game," hoping that at the end there will be two daughters restored to their families. The title derives from something Moe is told by a possible suspect: "Beware the innocent monster, Mr. Prager, for it need not hide itself and lives closely among us."

The book is totally engaging from page one. The plot is intriguing; the characters well-drawn; the ending stunning. I've read most of Mr. Coleman's prior books and loved them all. The 2008 "Empty Ever After" stayed with me long after I'd read the last page, and I suspect this newest novel will as well. [And it's not just the fact I grew up, as did Prager, a Brooklyn Jew who still remembers all the neighborhoods where the investigation takes Moe, the original Nathan's Famous in Coney Island, the villainous departure of the Dodgers in 1957, and now roots for the Mets in Flushing.] The book revolves around the [mostly] enduring love of family. The writing is terrific, and the book is highly recommended.

Reed Farrell Coleman is today;s best American mystery writer. I got to know him through The James Deans. I had no idea what I was in for. Like Raymond Chandler or Henning Mankell, the mystery matters but the people and the culture around them matter more. Coleman is unusual in that his protagonist, Moe Prager, ages and develops and is not eternally a 25 year old super hero. What is going on around Moe is what is going on in today's world seen through the eyes of a brilliant observer. In Innocent Monster Moe turns his perceptive eye on parents who live their lives through their children's real and imagined accomplishments, with a surprising and yet right outcome. Read it or miss one of the few books this year that will be remembered by generations to come.

Innocent Monster

Call me a slow learner, hard-headed or whatever term applies but I read my first Moe Prager novel, Innocent Monster when it was released in October 2010.
Slow learner or hard-headed because I met Mr. Coleman in 2007 at the pre-launch party for the LA Festival of Books at The Mystery Bookstore in Westwood and did not immediately become a fan. I remember carrying around a stack of signed books from my favorite authors who was in attendance and Mr. Coleman saying to me, "You need to collect me." Thinking he wanted to sell a few books I bought "The James Deans" and "Soul Patch" which had just been released. These promptly went and sat unread in my bookcases from 2007 until October 2010.
The dustcover jacket of "Innocent Monster" caught my eye and after reading the blurb on the inside flaps, I chose to give it a try, unlike the two previous offerings I had bought.
Mr. Coleman has been called a poet and I can see that as well as the poetic justice that he hands out in his novels. Moe Prager is a divorced ex-cop forced to retire after a knee injury and now a lone P.I.. He is a great character with a unique sense of humor, a lover of the past, the way things were, haunted by what could have been as he tries to restore a father's relationship with his daughter. Moe Prager is the best.
Mr. Coleman's ability to grasp the reader from page one is remarkable, the words flowing with the prose that keeps you turning the pages.
After reading "Innocent Monster", I frantically pulled my other two titles and buckled myself in for the ride. I have since purchased all of Reed Farrel Coleman's and am anxiously awaiting his next book.
I read somewhere that someone had said something to the effect of,"Reed Farrel Coleman is the best writer no one has heard of." I tend to agree but I know that like me there are many slow learners. Take my advice buy his books now, become a fan before everyone finds him as they surely will.
Mr. Coleman has won the Anthony, Barry, and Shamus Awards for his Moe Prager P.I. series. Innocent Monster

"Innocent Monster" by Reed Farrel Coleman is a classic detective mystery novel. It takes place in contemporary times with the setting in New York City.

This novel is a Sixth (7th due out in December) for the author with the main character 'Moe Prager". It follows generally the same writing style as similar types of books of this genre. The story is narrated by the protagonist, Moe Prager and is reminisent of the old "Sam Spade" series where the detective talks his way though his adventure.

The story is about a child artist who is abducted and the twists and turns of events that occur as Moe Prager attempts to solve the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The setting in New York City (and Long Island) provide a vivid backdrop for the tale. There is an ample abundance of peculiar characters in the story that provide the requisite distraction from what really happened so the reader is continually 'pulled in' with false leads.

I thought the book was ok. It was written well enough to keep me reading to the conclusion. There was nothing particularly memorable about the novel. Moe Prager as a character is not an endearing soul although likeable enough in this story. I did have some problems with the missing young artist in that her character was not really played up satisfactorily. The reader almost has no sympathy for her and this takes away from the underlying motivation to find her.

In all I liked the novel. I would recommend it for a light summer read. If you are at the beach you can put it down and pick it up again and continue right along from where you left off.

As a mystery lover and obsessive reader, I am surprised that I have never run across this amazing author and only did because this book was offered as a Kindle freebie. Grab it right now while it's free, you won't be sorry. Or grab it if it's not free anymore, it's an excellent read. It is a mid-series book but reads just fine without having read the other ones. There's enough backstory given so that we know who the characters are and how they relate to each other.

Several much more eloquent reviewers have already talked about the excellent writing, the great plot and the wonderful characters. I can only chime in with a "me too!" Love the Moe Prager character; he's 60 years old and he's real, not a young hunk action hero.

And it's a who dunnit that was a complete surprise. But to me it was more about the characters than the mystery. Even so, the story is very good and there's enough action to keep thriller readers entertained.

As someone who has read mysteries and thrillers all my life - I highly recommend Innocent Monster.
Coleman hooked me from the opening sentence to the very last. The story could keep the pages turning all by itself, but add a character like Moe Prager - and you have a layered intricate story that fully captured my attention.
Who knew a 60 year old ex-NYPD ex-PI could be so cool?

First Sentence: Kathy's blood was no longer fresh on my hands and after 9/11 people seemed to stop taking notice.

It has been six years since Moe worked his last case; the case that created an estrangement from his daughter, Sarah. When Sarah asks him to find 11-year-old Sashi Bluntstone, an art prodigy who has been missing for three weeks, he can't refuse her. What he didn't expect were the dark secrets and betrayals hidden in that world of apparent refinement.

Coleman's background in philosophy and poetry are clearly reflected in his writing. The story's opening conveys the mood of the story while providing back-story to new readers. Achieving both, without bogging down the story's beginning, is only one example of Coleman's talent. His style and imagery is one which both tells a good story, but makes you stop and think about what he's saying..."There are lies to hate and lies to adore. Even now, seeing it clearly maybe for the very first time, Coney Island was a lie I adored."

The strong sense of place nearly becomes extra character and the dialogue brings the characters to life. Moe is a character I particularly like. He is not perfect, has known and contributed to tragedy, is definitely not a super-PI, but he is intelligent, determined and has a wry sense of humor. He has an overriding morality and ethical core along with a certain vulnerability. It is for others who are vulnerable that he does his job; not for the money.

The book is very well plotted and engrossing. Exposing the dark side of the art world is fascinating as is the reminder that we should all "Beware the innocent monster" as the one we don't suspect is the one who is often most dangerous.

Although there is certainly a case to be solved, the story is very much about Moe. Many of the issues in his life are, if not resolved, at least confronted, acknowledged and accepted. This feels to be a pivotal book in a series one should read in order from the beginning. I look forward to seeing where the series goes from here.

INNOCENT MONSTER (PI-Moe Prager-New York-Cont) - VG
Coleman, Reed Farrel - 6th in series
Tyrus Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9781935562207

I would give Innocent Monster 4 1/2 stars if it were an option. The writing is excellent. The protagonist Moe is a great character. In the best tradition of hardboiled fiction, Moe is worldly and brings some wisdom to the party. The minor characters are well-executed, the social criticism is appropriate, and the victim who we don't really meet is very symptathetic. It's definitely worth reading.

What keeps me from going "5-star" are not weaknesses in the character or the comedy of manners aspect, but just in the mystery plot component of the story. Simply, disbelief is stretched. The ending is clever and a surprise, but few people lose a finger without the fear and pain that's missing completely. How that event came about is never explained at all and due to that missing finger the conclusion is implausible. You don't notice in the moment, but it's like an aftertaste. You realize later that aspect of the book didn't make much sense. Serendipity also lends a hand in a final violent episode that's gratuitous and struck me as a false note. I would shrug off the last point, but since the other implausibility impacts the greater plot structure, it can't be shrugged off. Still, it's a rare book with heart that makes you think. Some of the strong observations, even relating to the title, really stay with you. So imho it's 4 1/2 stars.

Another book that I liked a lot in this genre is the Kindle-only novel "The Wounded Man," which also is influenced by classic noir. Like "Monsters," "The Wounded Man" is a very well-written book that's brimming with action. The plot in "The Wounded Man" resolves in a surprising and satisfying way, and the writing in "The Wounded Man" has a lyrical quality. Moe and his dilemmas, however, are unique to "Monsters." I highly recommend "Monsters."

Pretty decent mystery. A good read, especially if you're looking for something kind of light. It doesn't pull you into any deeper questions, but it doesn't need to. It's meant to entertain, and that's what it does. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.