Natural Causes [Paperback]

Jonathan Valin (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (May 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380682478
• ISBN-13: 978-0380682478
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,959,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lighter Stoner, July 15, 2000

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Causes (Hardcover)

This is one of the lighter toned books in the Harry Stoner detective series as Harry leaves his native Ciccinnati and goes to Los Angeles to investigate the murder of a soap opera writer. The Hollywood types Stoner matches wits with here just are not as menacing as the street toughs he usually tackles in Cincinnati. Nevertheless, as with all Stoner books, you get a first rate detective story in the bargain.

2.0 out of 5 stars Shallow Story About Shallow People, July 15, 2008

By 

Debra Purdy Kong "Author of Casey Holland Tra... (British Columbia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Causes (Mass Market Paperback)

Cincinnati PI, Harry Stoner, has been hired by a company called United American to find out how head soap opera writer, Quentin Dover, really died. His body was found in a LA hotel room, badly cut from having apparently fallen through the glass while showering. Since Dover had had heart problems, an accidental death is probable. Head of production, Frank Glendora, however, wants to stop the nasty rumors which could ultimately hurt the TV show United American spends a lot of money sponsoring.

As Harry delves into the world of soap opera production, he learns far more than he wants to about paranoid, greedy, backstabbing people whose self-esteem and careers depend on shallow plotlines, great piles of money and, not surprisingly, drugs.

Unfortunately, the plot is almost as shallow as the people Harry investigates. We do learn what motivates some of the characters to do the things they do, but the more I read the less I liked almost everyone in the story. Shallow lives and shallow people who are neither smart or complicated just isn't interesting. The story unfolds with Stoner interviewing one person after another, and the red herrings aren't strong enough to supply good twists. The killer's identity left me thinking "so what?" Even Harry isn't really fleshed out, although I did like him. All I really remember about him is that he lives in Cincinnati, used to be a cop, likes women, and knows how to handle a gun. But shouldn't there be more?

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard-Boiled at Its Best, November 19, 2007

By 

P. Schumacher (atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Causes (Mass Market Paperback)

Valin is a terrific writer.

His prose is poetic, but tough and lean as Hammett's and Chandler's.

Harry Stoner, his tough-guy detective, is smart, uncompromising, relentless, and ever-watchful.

Even though he has to go to L.A. to pursue the dubious death of a soap-opera writer, he is hardly dazzled by the glitz-dope-and-egos of those around him.

Instead, he pursues the dark underbelly of L.A. and T.V. to a horrifying, near tragic conclusion.

The scenes in L.A. are harsh and unsparing; the scenes in the desert are gorgeous and shocking.

Fine characters, wonderful writing, a dark and scary plot.