Customer Reviews

Irresistible Impulse

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

 

 

Unlike one of the critics I find this book was written by a very intelligent and gifted author, a master of stylistic means and rich imagery that makes the reading of this book a real pleasure. But this is not the only reason why this book is perfectly written. Tanenbaum's feeling for "plot" is enormous. The constant twists in the actions, the characters' conflicts with each other and in themselves result in a remarkable novel full of suspense. And this book contains some criticism of the legal system: it is not about justice, but a legal Darwinism is described, in which the lawyer is considered a failure who is not able to play the jury as well as his opponent. Justice is of no importance. I recommend this book to everybody who appreciates a well written thriller. I will read more of Tanenbaum's books!

DETROIT FREE PRESS - December 14, 1997

"Robert K. Tanenbaum's IRRESISTIBLE IMPULSE is a top-notch thriller combining PI work with courtroom drama. The ninth in his series, it features private investigator Marlene Karp, who owns half a New York detective agency that specializes in guarding celebrities and protecting battered women. It's this latter mission that almost splits apart her marriage to Butch, a Manhattan district attorney. Marlene is prone to take risks and is unafraid of violence, including threatening and roughing up men who stalk her battered clients. But DAs can't afford the bad publicity when their wives take someone down in public, as Marlene does in an unforgettable scene, and her marriage is under considerable stress.Her life is further complicated by caring for twin newborns who make her young daughter jealous: bizarre people who enter her orbit, like the Vietnamese assassin who quotes Baudelaire and ends up as a cook-nanny; assorted low-lifes and stalkers and the ever present media jackals.The writing is tense and edgy, perfectly capturing the frenetic downtown life Marlene and her husband live, which she thrives on while Butch secretly longs for quiet, safe suburbs - along with a wife who doesn't court danger. ****"

Publishers' Weekly gave this 9th Butch Karp novel from Bob Tanenbaum a * (starred) review stating that Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi are the Tracey and Hepburn of the 90's. If you haven't read Tanenbaum yet it is time to jump on board. He's terrific.

There are two stories here, one involving Butch Karp and the other involving his wife, Marlene Ciampi. As the head of the NY District Attorney's homicide bureau, he decides to prosecute a high profile case, which is very interesting. He's a tough character professionally and a good husband and father personally. I liked him and the case involved had many facets that kept my attention. Marlene runs a kind of body guard business which involves a lot of violence. She herself seems angry and aggressive and totally bent on always doing what she wants to do despite the needs of her family. Her actions put her 8 year old daughter and 1 yr. old twins in danger. She thinks nothing of packing up and leaving the family for an extended period without discussion or planning etc. I just didn't like her and found myself being annoyed reading about her. I like accomplished, smart women, but she was way more than that. I have another Tanenbaum book, but hesitate to read it because I don't want to be annoyed half the time.

GREAT BUTCH KARP NOVEL.i AM STAYING IN SERIES AND ROBERT TANNENBAUM CONTINUES WITH HIS STRONG CONTINUING CHARACTERS. tRAHN IS ANOTHER GREAT CHARACTOR.hE MAKES YOU WANT TO START THE NEXT BOOK AS SOON AS YOU PUT DOWN THE PREVIUOS

Butch and Marlene are at it again! Each seemingly doing very different and unrelated jobs, in completely opposing ways yet at the end we are rewarded with a plausible tie-in. Tanenbaum keeps Butch and Marlene's relationship fresh, while expanding their family. The character of Mr. Tranh is another great addition to the cast of the Karp/Ciampi series. I would recommend, if you have not read any of this series, you start at the beginning and enjoy! I anxiously await the next.
Ree-views

"As head of the Manhattan DA's homicide bureau, Butch Karp is preparing to prosecute a twisted scion of Long Island's upper crust - a young creep who has taken to cruising Harlem in blackface and snuffing out old ladies who remind him of his childhood nursemaid. For Butch, it is the case of a lifetime, but he's almost upstaged by his wife, Marlene Ciampi, who has more irons in the fire than U.S. Steel.Butch gets down and dirty with star defense lawyer Lionel T. Waley and Marlene confronts an array of bad buys - one of who she plugs herself. The ninth book in a popular series, IRRESISTIBLE proves to be just that."

A true really good book but not a great book, I liked the ending but the beginning was a slow start for me. Ronbert is such a great writer that I thought it was going to be another hit. It wasn't as good as the earlier court room thrillers he wrote.

i really enjoyed reading about butch karp, chief of manhattan's homicide bureau, and his private detective wife marlene ciampi . . . they are both involved in two separate, yet interesting cases . . . but what made the book was the fact that these two characters seemed "real," and i enjoyed reading about their home life too.

This book is good for readers with low than average IQ. Is it enough for the writer? Read the review written by Jonathan Kellerman at the begining of the book. Try to understand his esteem. It's absolutely fair. At the same time Mr. Tanenbaum has a gift to write. I would recommend him to think more about quality of his books. I have no reason to hurt the writer. I only want to tell him that his books, in my opinion, should be on higher level of intelligence. Regards, Boris