Customer Reviews

Pulse

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

 

 

Heart transplant recipients lately seem to be prime subjects for mystery novels. In this one, a rich man from Miami Beach who has received a new heart searches, against all advice, for the family of the donor. Convinced that the donor was murdered and not a victim of suicide, he begins a search for the truth. Character development is mediocre, and the plot is somewhat tiresome. The spark and humor found Buchanan's other novels is nearly absent in this one. I have read all of her books and this is the one I like the least.

I liked PULSE, but I didn't love it. The novel moved at a quick enough pace, and the plot was both original and engaging. Frank Douglas is a main character who intrigues the reader with his various emotions - paranoia, suspicion, lust, anger, concern, and more. The more minor characters in PULSE, however, are a different story.

Frank's wife, Kathleen (who Buchanan intends to portray as the suffering wife), is in reality manipulative, annoying, and whiny. Rory, Frank's heart donor's widow, comes off as being nothing more than a fliratious, helpless ditz who is constantly is need of a male provider. Even Detective Lucca, who shows so much promise in the beginning of PULSE, is nothing more than a shallow character who has a minute role in the story itself. He seems more a character of convenience than anything else.

Don't get me wrong - PULSE was a compelling, satisfying read. But there is much to be desired, and Buchanan definitely leaves room for improvement.

Super story...another good read by Edna Buchanan. I really enjoy her books on tape, the reader is excellent. This book was quite entertaining, but left me angry at the wife and elder daughter of the main character. They didn't trust or believe in the man they'd known for years and nearly destroyed him in his quest for truth regarding the person who died and gave his heart so Frank could receive a transplant and live. I would have given the book a five star rating had there been more of a finish with his wife and eldest daughter because of their betrayal. Obviously, he just forgives them and goes on with the marriage, but I'd have been a bit more circumspect with the relationship at the end. Nevertheless, the book was really enjoyable. The wife and eldest child will really get your dander up and make you wonder what the heck is wrong with them not to trust the man who'd given them such a wonderful life.

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. IT WAS EASY TO READ, EASY TO FOLLOW AND COMPELLING HARD TO PUT DOWN. I ZOOMED THROUGH IT AND WAS SORRY WHEN IT WAS OVER. I FOUND THE MEDICAL TERMS APPROPRIET AND LIVING IN THE SEATTLE AREA WAS SURPRISED TO SEE FAMILIAR SETTINGS DISCRIBED. I CAN'T WAIT TO READ ANOTHER BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR.

At first I too was disappointed that this was't a Britt Montero book and at the very begining I thought - oh no not a heart transplant. But I got over these reservations very quickly. Buchanan writes so well that before you could say Miami I was hooked! I love all the secondary characters- especially Shandi, Casey, Lucca, Billy, and Sue Ann and her grandbabies and I really love Rory. I was so caught up in what was happening that it was like I was watching a movie (Geena Davis and Harrison Ford maybe?) and I didn't want it to end. Terrific book!

THE SETUP
Frank Douglas has a heart transplant and soon thereafter begins having new feelings, and "visions" (or hallucinations) that he is being protected by a male "spirit", which he attributes to the heart donor. He seeks out the widow, and discovers that her finances have been wrecked--every penny having been disposed of by her husband prior to his suicide. In the meantime, Frank's wife, older daughter, secretary, and his so-called friends are conspiring against him.

CAVEATS
I am NOT a fan of this Dean Koost/Steven King "spooky", in which the reader does not know what is real, or what is merely symbolic, or what is imagination, or what is hallucination. At best it was overdrawn and detracted from the plot.

The first portion of the novel was painfully slow, I was tempted to give up and move on to something else.

As a crusty older guy, I was totally disgusted by the ending. Frank should have divorced his disloyal wife, disinherited his older daughter, and fired his traitorous secretary. I would have--in a heartbeat.

Character development is so-so. Frank and Rory are potentially sympathetic, but Rory is too pathetic, and Frank turns out to be a doormat. None of the other characters has any depth.

VERDICT
With the caveats above, a good read

This is my second reading of "Pulse". Years ago, "Pulse" was the reason I quit reading Edna Buchanan novels. Most earlier novels were disappointments, and "Pulse" was the last nail in the coffin, for me. However her most recent 4 or 5 novels have been terrific. I decided to give "Pulse" a second chance, but that was a mistake. I was right the first time.

My favorite book is a good mystery. A good mystery keeps my interest and that was true of this book. PULSE kept me intested from the beginning. There are many twists and unexpected turns. I consider myself to be a little better than a novice due to the number of mystery books I have read, but I have to admit that I didn't see the final outcome until right before it was disclosed. I did figure it out before so that is why I gave it four stars. I recommend this book.

this book had an interesting concept. it was a bit long but the ending was definitely worth the wait. great paperback book to sit an veg out with on vacation. if you don't expect much and have the time, I recommend it. Also recommend the movie "Return to Me" which has a similiar concept.

This was a good story, although I felt as if I'd read it or one similar to it previously. The main character, Frank was a likeable guy but I agree with another reviewer who said most of the characters were somewhat annoying. The widow, Rory, was just too pitiful to be believed. The story is a little plodding early on but finally takes off when the hunt for answers begins. An action packed ending saves this one from being ordinary.

Miami CPA Frank Douglas is the classic yuppie, always trying to make a buck at the opportunity cost of spending no time with his family. However, Frank's business world crashes when he becomes desperately in need of a heart transplant. He is fortunate that a donor is found and he vows to change his lifestyle by spending quality time with his wife and children with this second chance.

When Frank learns that his donor was a suicide victim, he decides to help the surviving family members (wife and son) by insuring their financial well-being. However, the widow Rory tells Frank that her husband did not kill himself. Frank does some preliminary investigation and realizes that some strange occurrences, including a missing fortune, do not add up to suicide. Frank and Rory begin to look deeply into the death of her spouse.

Edna Buchannan is a highly regarded mystery writer due to her brilliant Montero who-done-its. However, PULSE may be her best novel to date. Besides an intriguing amateur sleuth story, Ms. Buchannan digs deep into the heart (no pun intended) of what makes a person tick. A frustrated and obsessive Frank, in spite of his efforts to radically change, remains the same work till you drop individual, though he toils in a different and more dangerous arena. It is Frank's inner war that makes PULSE beat at a level of excellence that few amateur sleuth tales obtain.

Harriet Klausner