Customer Reviews

Whispering Nickel Idols: A Garrett, P.I., Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This novel was a vast improvement from the last Garret novel, Angry Lead Skies. The plot was more cohesive and focused and the book overall was a quick, light read.

I will not discuss the plot, as that would be a spoiler for any type of novel, but I will say that I found the action and mystery much more engaging than the previous two novels in the series. The characters are lively and interesting, especially the addition of the pixies, which I feel could be livened up even more. Pular Singe is still there, with her brother John Stretch playing a larger part in this investigation. While the addition of the new characters is enjoyable, it does seem to get a little crowded in the novel, with so many characters coming and going that it seems as if Garret's role is marginalized to that of a by-stander who does get to see some action, but has most of the other characters do his work for him while he is stuck at home. A couple of characters specific to the plot line are glossed over at best ("Penny Dreadful") and never really given a personality. Maybe fewer people, and more focus on the main individuals would've improved the overall story.

All-in-all, I did enjoy this novel, and sincerely hope there will be another.

This is the 11th in Cook's Garrett series ("Sweet Silver Blues," "Bitter Gold Hearts," "Cold Copper Tears," "Old Tin Sorrows," "Dread Brass Shadows," "Red Iron Nights," "Deadly Quicksilver Lies," "Petty Pewter Gods," "Faded Steel Heat," "Angry Lead Skies," and "Whispering Nickel Idols"). And, thank goodness, this is a good one. The previous book, "Angry Lead Skies," was a stinker that was filled with inconsistencies and errors and didn't really go anywhere. This one has most everyone back on track with fairly good direction and pacing. There are still a few minor inconsistencies in this one, but they're ignorable (Doris and Marsha described as being 12 feet tall instead of the 20 feet tall they are (though they're not even present in the book), Playmate not being the simple soul he was (and I think this is permanent), and a couple of cases of cut-and-paste redundancies and slips). This book sits very firmly in the universe Cook created in his previous books. It's very entertaining and engrossing. I really only have one significant problem with it. About half way through, the Dead Man essentially takes over everything and Garrett is relegated to a mere observer. I LIKE the Dead Man. But, I prefer Garrett to figure things out because he's the point of view Cook is writing from. With the Dead Man doing everything, it feels more like I'm watching from afar than participating. But, because the plot is so entertaining, it's forgivable. I've read rumors that this is supposed to be the last of the Garrett series that Cook's going to write. Since Cook's gotten back on form with this book and done such a good job with it, I certainly hope that's wrong. I guess time will tell. I rate this book at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5.

There seemed to be a lot of disappointment over the last entry in Cook's series. It certainly wasn't one of the better titles, but it wasn't the worst, either (that'd be 'pewter,' in my opinion). What it was was different. Less serious in tone. And I enjoyed it for that reason. It just needs to be accepted on its own terms.

I was thrilled to see that a new title was out. After reading the series for about a decade, each new title is like checking in with an old friend. And one of the greatest things about the series is how much effort Cook has put into creating a rich, evolving world complete with political struggles, racial tensions, and a complex underworld.

Another great thing about the series is that Cook is paying just as much attention to Garrett. In this book we're starting to see a Garrett who's beginning to understand how aging is going to affect his occupation and his personal life. As he feels the first creaks in his joints, he sees how easily he could lose everything-- his own life, those of friends and lovers. Slow down a little bit in his line of work, and the wolves catch up quick.

I for one am pleased to see that Cook is bringing a touch of his trademark gritty realism to the Garrett Files. Cookie-cutter fantasy novels are easy to find, but this series is a unique jewel. If I wanted a godlike protagonist, I'd read Superman comics. But I like my hard-boiled gumshoes to be as genuine as any of us. Even if they share a house with pixies.

Oh, yeah, and the plot of this one is pleasantly complex, bringing together the mob, a mysterious cult, spontaneous combustion, and those most notorious and evil creatures-- lawyers and priests. There isn't any of the light-hearted tone of 'lead.' This is pretty serious stuff, and almost the entire coterie of Garrett puts in an appearance. If the book has a problem, it's that the mystery is too ambitious-- after all, sometimes a case is just a case, and not a race to save the entire city.

Okay, I confess, I bought this volume based on the cover art and the blurb on the back. I was trapped in an airport and had nothing to read (quelle horreur!), so I grabbed this volume because I liked the weirdness it seemed to promise.

It was an excellent choice. I was lucky to "chance" into something this good.

The novel is strong and intelligent. Better still, it is really funny. The characters, human, extra-human and otherwise, are fun and interesting. I enjoyed it mightily.

The blurb on the cover of my copy of the book calls the series "Fantasy Noir." I suppose in one way, that's a moderately appropriate assessment; Cook is certainly familiar with the conventions of the Noir genre, but that isn't really the direction he is going in this volume, Whispering Nickel Idols is actually a fantasy echo of the Rex Stout turn of mind.

What I'm saying is that the novel is a Noir/Cosy Mystery hybrid (mostly Cosy) with fantasy elements thrown in. This is excellent...I like all three turns of mind. The fantasy elements are really the fun bit, since a lot of the character color of the vignettes is based on the character styles of the varying "others" who inhabit the fantasy.

Regardless, the reason I mentioned Rex Stout is because the novel very much takes its primary cue from the Nero Wolfe stories.

Cook's narrator, Garret, P.I. is far more like the amiable Archie Goodwin than "Noir," tough guy Mike Hammer or Sam Spade, and the literary allusion and "wiseacre" attitude displayed by the amanuensis is pure Goodwin. Also, just as in the Nero Wolfe stories, the principal of the firm (The Dead Man) is immobile and actually does the brainwork while the narrator is really the prime legman and personality.

The Dead Man even sends Garret out to collect the persons he wants to interview, just as Wolfe sends Goodwin out.

The real giveaway though, was the Dead Man's "speech patterns," which are pure Nero Wolfe.

This is not a criticism, nor is it intended to be, I enjoyed the volume a great deal...it a far stronger and friendlier Wolfe pastiche than any of the "authorized" attempts to create posthumus Rex Stout-styled mysteries since his death in the 1970's.

The strength of the novel is in its wit, but there are plenty of broad physical slapstick jokes that liven things up.

This is a solid novel and is entertaining enough to even please the "Fantasy Challenged" of the audience.

The closest I can come to a criticism of the book is that it seems to be a mystery in search of a plot: until very near the end I wondered just what it was Garret was supposed to be investigating. It's not that the story is short on crime (small "c"), it's more that it is short of A Crime (caps). Not to worry though--the situations that Cook sweeps us through function nicely as self-sufficient vignettes.

This is the good stuff...

I thought that this novel went back to the roots of Garrett; the last two were less in line with the earlier novels in the series. Yes, he's getting old and yes, TunFaire is a-changin', but there seemed to be more "head-tapping" and gritty language in this than the deity ridden Pewter and "visitor" laden Lead. I was a little scared at first that the novel would turn out like Lead when they started talking of Spontanious Human Combustion. I was sure that Big Foot or Nessie did it. This went back to the roots of a complex twisting whodunit that I've known Cook for. I like that he relied on beings within this realm to be the perpitrators. I love Garrett Novels and this is no exception. Looking forward to stiffling a yelp when I discover the next Garrett novel in a bookstore within the next few years....

"Whispering Nickel Idols" is the 11th book in the Glen Cook's Garrett, P.I. series. It's set in the town of TunFaire and centers on Garrett, ex-marine private eye with a heart of gold and a lot of sidekicks. These are great stories, mixing the noir detective genre with the fantasy genre to great effect. All of them more or less stand alone; if you wanted to you could pick this up as your first Garrett novel and have a pretty good feel for what was going on. But to better appreciate the universe of Garrett's friends, it's better to start earlier.

The plot involves the criminal underworld, the attempt of law and order to assert itself, and sartorially challenged religious cultists. And lots of kittens. It's as enjoyable as any of the Garrett books that I've read, which is to say quite a bit. These aren't terribly deep, but they're a lot of fun, perfect to curl up with on a rainy day. If you've ever enjoyed mysteries and ever enjoyed fantasies and don't have a problem with really witty anachronisms, I couldn't recommend this more.

I've enjoyed every other Garrett book, gleefully accepting them for what they are: light, low brain power required, reading. Nickel Idols left me very disappointed. Too much Dead Man, not enough Garrett. And what's worse, what Garrett there is has gone way too soft. My advice is to skip this one, and hope Glen gets his edge back in the next one.

I think Garret has lost the keen edge he has in Petty PEwter Gods, or even yes, Angry Lead Skies. ALS had the cool tech factor built in. This one.. it just seems too much of the White KNight in garrett crept into the book, and not enough of the "Guy Noir"-y wisecracking roue' we know and like. Know and Love, as well all know, would make Morley Dotes snigger.

Come on Glen, give us more of that weltanschaung we look to in your heroes from Croaker to Mouse Storm.

But yes, I bought it, and yes I'll buy the next one, and even the Instrumetalities of the Night, because there's something in the man's writing that keeps me re-reading. I mean how many people know enough to use the verb "porlocked" nowadays? Or name a pixie "Nadkarni"?

(...)
Tinnie and Garrett admit they have something going on. Belinda collects a hetherto unsrevealed group of competitors - no, not Crask aand Sadler, though they rate mention. Relway is absent. Block is almost likeable. Morley is cranky and is too exhausted from SIlver Elf Lovin to give us a peek at delectable rumps disappearing through his curtains. He even gets rumpled, for cryin' out loud... And Garrett only gets to make out with one chick. Yet, everyone is happy at the end? Well maybe not the Green Pants Gang or the Sculdytes.. I mean what the hell kind of a *Adjective*Metal*Noun book is THAT?

(...)

Glen Cook's book "Whispering Nickel Idols" is an "OK" book. By "OK", I mean that I would recommend this book as one to read if your in the need for some mindless reading entertainment and want to be amused by witty sayings done by the main character. With a good editor, it had the possibility to have been a great book. Specific observations:

1) This book's feel is best described as "choppy". It has 81 chapters in it, one of which is ONE page of written material. This had to have been deliberately done (or agreed to) by the author. Much like a MTV music video, which used quick "cuts" to create tension in your viewing, this created tension in the reading of the book. Tension which was, quite frankly, not needed or desired.

2) The writing flow was also choppy. I can summarize the book as so: Garrett goes out, does something in 2-3 sentences while making witty sayings/whining about something/whining about money/admiring Tinnie/talks about or visits friends, then comes back and either checks on Dead Man/talks to dead man/drinks beer/talks about Dean/looks at something in door/goes to sleep.

3) Garrett keeps complaining throughout this book. Look, I get it. He's a curmudgeon. I'm tired of hearing him complain. After the third time of him complaining about getting up in the morning it became irritating. Have him do something for goodness sakes.

4) Other than Garrett, the author takes some great characters....and does absolutely nothing with them. No expansion of them, no revelations, no nothing. The two main female characters in this book could have been sooo much more. Heck, there could have been tension between them throughout most of the book (and for good reason) over the main character...and that could have been an interesting subplot. Note to author: Sometimes readers take an interest in the other characters, especially since they've been in how many of the books?

5) The ending was a complete letdown. I'm only telling you that so you won't be disappointed. A whole book....to get to that. Ouch.

The really irritating thing about this book is that with the proper editor, this book could have been really good. Cook's creativity, grasp of his characters, ability to see things and write about them is outstanding. His basic idea of what he wants to do with the book is sound. But he needs someone he trusts to tell him when he's gone too far with some things and not far enough with others (like, oh, moving the story along and not having it repeat it's basic form over...and over...and over again). Just my opinion, your mileage my vary.

I don't know what it is about this guy Glen Cook, but I just cannot get enough of him. Any character who claims beer is his favorite food and redheads are his favorite sport is my kind of guy. If someone told me it was possible to blend the fantasy lit world of elves and fairies with the Dectective Noir world of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, i would laugh in their face. However, Glen Cook does exactly that. And it works. I have laughed my way through all eleven Garrett books and I can't wait for more. All I can say is I hope Mr. Cook considers taking some more time off from his job at the General Motors light duty truck plant and writing us some more Garrett. I cannot get enough.