Customer Reviews

Point and Shoot

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Interesting and entertaining. A story of love, war, friendship and betrayal that will keep you reading well past bedtime! I can't wait to know Fletcher and look forward to reading the sequel.
Keep writing, G. D. Baum!

I read it in one sitting!! I think that the interweaving of East and West sets this book apart from others. The plot is complicated enough to hold one's interest and although the Grandfather is my favorite character the author manages to make all the other players believeable. It is clear that a sequel is in the wings and I will be eagerly awaiting its appearance.

It is not often that I read a book that I have to force myself to put down. Such a book is "Point and Shoot" by G.D. Baum. It is a wonderful combination of great storytelling, fascinating local color and an excellent description of certain martial arts. I anxiously await the next of a hopefully long series of novels by this extremely talented author.

I liked this book a lot. The martial arts stuff is authentic and has a really fast pace. The murder is solved in a very unique way. Really enjoyed this read. I understand that this is G.D. Baum's first novel, and I read that he's going to create a series using these same characters. Sounds good because I think this is a worthy addition to the genre of murder mystery novels. He is really at the top of his game.

compelling I couldn't put it down
from the first page to the last. I haven't fallin' into a fiction that deep since seawolf-Jack London

G. D. Baum is a terrific writer. The book opens with a scene in which the main character is making love to his partner who has cancer. The emotion is intense and is hightened as each new character is introduced. One is suicidal. Another is a grandfatherly man who has seen his share of crime.

Baum does a great job of weaving facts about martial arts into the story and this is the part I didn't expect. This made it a great read for both genders. I would not have chosen a book about martial arts, but I love a book from which I can learn. This one certainly fit the bill.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)


PI Henry Cho needs assistance from PI Lock Tourmaline. Cho needs someone he can trust to watch his back. Cho is Susan Heung's bodyguard and friend of Lock. Susan is the daughter of "old man Heung." Heung is beginning to turn the family business over to his children. Susan runs the legitimate part of the business. Her brother Jason is taking over the illegal part, drugs. Cousin Bodacious is upset and wants a summit meeting. He insists that he and the "Old Man" meet and insists that Susan and Jason be included. Cho suspects that Susan is planning to assassinate Cousin Bodacious. Susan and Jason's presence was significant.

When Cho tells Lock "No one will have a gun." Lock decides to bring Grandfather with him. Grandfather "is the embodiment of the paradoxical truth that the greatest martial artists were so often gentle, humble men."

Lock was beat up and picked on as a child. His father insisted he learn martial arts. Grandfather taught Tae Kwon Do. "Your ignorance breeds the fear." "You'll never be afraid again of anyone, even your father. You'll respect him, but you won't fear him."

Susan has been grooming Cho to run for congress. She knew it would be beneficial to have connections in the Federal Government.

Lock's lover, Janice has terminal cancer. He loves her very much and is attempting to cope with her illness and imminent death. Her daughter looks up to Lock as a daughter looks to her father. His ex-wife's love beats her. The summit goes bad and "Old Man Heung" is murdered. Can life get any more complicated for Lock?

G.D Baum offers readers a winner in "Point and Shoot." The title refers to cops doing what cops are not supposed to do, taking care of problems in an illegal way. The plot of this book is fascinating. Baum takes readers on a roller coaster ride with twists and turns along the way. From the first page I was hooked. I didn't lay "Point and Shoot" down until the last page. When Lock describes making love to a woman with terminal cancer I found myself in tears. The tenderness with which Lock deals with his lover made me think that Baum may have suffered through such a battle. Janice is a stronger character bringing to life the plight of breast cancer patients. For me, the mystery took a back seat to this couple's relationship. The martial arts scenes were enthralling. Lock is deadly without a gun. Well-done G.D. Baum! I highly recommend "Point and Shoot" to mystery and fiction enthusiasts.

Received book free of charge.

Point and Shoot by G. D. Baum

This is a really neat book. It reminds me of the old classic dectective stories of the 1940s. Some sex, just enough violence, a hero with two great loves in his life who's also a first class martial arts practitioner. And does it with the classic kung fu spirituality taught by his mentor, Grandfather. This new author knows his stuff and he lays it out very neatly, very crafty. Thumbs up for Point & Shoot!

First the disclaimer, I'm a 4th degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo, the same system the author (and the main character) studies.

For the martial arts scenes, they were crisp, well written and provided an interesting insight into the internal arts. They also reminded me to practice my Tai Chi more. :-)

This book isn't a murder mystery, lots of people get killed, and it is very clear who done what to who. It is a book about relationships, not nice ones either. It is more about one man's struggle to improve himself and those around him while playing with the cards life dealt him.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it for those who like an engaging read. The good guys aren't paragons of absolute virtue, but that is often how it is.