There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on August 1, 2016
If you're reading this review, you know what you're looking for. It's worth the couple bucks-- even for Amazon prime folks, go ahead, hit the bartender's tip jar. DeMille serves up a good bite here and earned it.
It's a good little story. It ties up neatly and you see it's tracks before you get to the end, but given the brevity it's not like a dozen characters could be introduced. Reads long enough to fill that gap between the time you finish your shower and your wife finally finishes getting dressed before you go out and grab that drink down by the beach on your summer vacation. Who knows, maybe you can spend the rest of the trip lazily re- reading some of Corey's earlier adventures. I'm thinking its been a while since I've read Plum Island.
It's a good little story. It ties up neatly and you see it's tracks before you get to the end, but given the brevity it's not like a dozen characters could be introduced. Reads long enough to fill that gap between the time you finish your shower and your wife finally finishes getting dressed before you go out and grab that drink down by the beach on your summer vacation. Who knows, maybe you can spend the rest of the trip lazily re- reading some of Corey's earlier adventures. I'm thinking its been a while since I've read Plum Island.
on May 22, 2012
Several years ago I read a couple of Nelson DeMille's novels, including "Plum Island", which I remember enjoying very much. In this Kindle Single, "The Book Case", I think that the means of either accident or homicide in the killing of bookstore owner, Otis Parker, was creative and a bit unusual. Detective John Corey, who investigates this case, and who is from NYPD's First Precinct Detective Squad is a very likeable cop with a sense of humor. I laughed in many places in this short story, especially when he says that cops are the only ones allowed to lie.
As far as the other characters in this Kindle Single, we don't learn a whole lot about them and in a short story or novella like this one, there isn't always time to learn their back stories. Sometimes that becomes less important than what's going on in the present, and I thought that was the case in this story. The important thing was discovering if a crime had been committed, and if so, how it was done, and who did it. Corey's investigative skills were very good and his powers of observation, also.
For a short read, I enjoyed this. It doesn't take long to read and doesn't take a lot of thought. It's one of those stories that, to me, is for the pure enjoyment of it.
I recommend this for mystery lovers and for police procedural fans and just for a fun, short story to read along with a cup of coffee.
~SW
As far as the other characters in this Kindle Single, we don't learn a whole lot about them and in a short story or novella like this one, there isn't always time to learn their back stories. Sometimes that becomes less important than what's going on in the present, and I thought that was the case in this story. The important thing was discovering if a crime had been committed, and if so, how it was done, and who did it. Corey's investigative skills were very good and his powers of observation, also.
For a short read, I enjoyed this. It doesn't take long to read and doesn't take a lot of thought. It's one of those stories that, to me, is for the pure enjoyment of it.
I recommend this for mystery lovers and for police procedural fans and just for a fun, short story to read along with a cup of coffee.
~SW
on March 27, 2017
I enjoyed this story of John Corey when he was a New York City detective. He had the same dry wit that has been synonymous with him through the series. I enjoyed how his mind worked to determine the death of the shopkeeper wasn't what it appeared to be.
I listened to this rather than reading it. I didn't care for the narrator, but loved the story. Guess that's what happens when you picture how a character looks and sounds.
I listened to this rather than reading it. I didn't care for the narrator, but loved the story. Guess that's what happens when you picture how a character looks and sounds.
on July 2, 2016
This is another yarn about John Corey, who is no doubt very familiar to Nelson DeMille fans. Because it is a short story, the plot isn't nearly as twisted as in other Corey novels. None the less, The Book Case is an enjoyable, fast read.
on May 12, 2012
I've read about ten of Nelson DeMille's books, and have loved everyone of them. "The Book Case" is another story showing his extreme wit, and mastery of the mystery genre. He will have me on the edge of my seat, and then with his unique humor have me laughing out loud. He is my absolute favorite author. This book, though short, is every bit as intriguing, interesting, and humorous as all his other books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to all my friends, as I have done with all his other books that I have read.
The story begins with an apparent accident that is proven to be more than meets the eye by DeMille's detective John Corey. The way he weaves the story through mystery and humor will keep anyone interested to the end. I loved it.
The story begins with an apparent accident that is proven to be more than meets the eye by DeMille's detective John Corey. The way he weaves the story through mystery and humor will keep anyone interested to the end. I loved it.
on June 30, 2012
I hadn't read DeMille for quite some time given my steady incoming requests for reviews; however, when I saw the title plus written by a well-known author, I had to get it. OK, I admit it--my passion for books extends to reading books about...books! I'm certainly glad I got this one.
Every author must think of just writing for fun once in awhile...J. P. Lane admitted to me that she had often laughed as she wrote The Tangled Web. I'm certainly not going to get the chance to discuss this short story with Nelson DeMille, but I got the same feeling as I enjoyed this quick mystery as I had been picking up issues in The Tangled Web...
One of the things mentioned was that he was going to solve the murder mystery before he called in CSI! Ha! Can you blame police detectives with all the CSI shows going on TV where the detectives silently stand in the background while the technicians solve the case? I enjoy both but for a professional detective like Detective John Corey, he knows who really solves the cases! And within a minute or two being on the crime scene, he had declared that the apparent accidental death had been murder!
The crime scene: Owner Otis Parker, at the Dead End Bookstore, is sitting at his office desk; a large book-filled bookcase has fallen over and killed him...
No, this is not Plum Island or any other of the wonderful novels by this author, so don't think that's what you are getting for less than $2! But I definitely enjoyed spending several hours with this well-known author when he let his hair down a little and pulled no punches...Things like including himself as one of the top authors making more than the detective working to solve the case provides just the type of story that took me completely away from the heavy suspense novels I have read recently...a delightful side of Nelson DeMille I had not seen before!
Enjoy!
GABixlerReviews
Every author must think of just writing for fun once in awhile...J. P. Lane admitted to me that she had often laughed as she wrote The Tangled Web. I'm certainly not going to get the chance to discuss this short story with Nelson DeMille, but I got the same feeling as I enjoyed this quick mystery as I had been picking up issues in The Tangled Web...
One of the things mentioned was that he was going to solve the murder mystery before he called in CSI! Ha! Can you blame police detectives with all the CSI shows going on TV where the detectives silently stand in the background while the technicians solve the case? I enjoy both but for a professional detective like Detective John Corey, he knows who really solves the cases! And within a minute or two being on the crime scene, he had declared that the apparent accidental death had been murder!
The crime scene: Owner Otis Parker, at the Dead End Bookstore, is sitting at his office desk; a large book-filled bookcase has fallen over and killed him...
No, this is not Plum Island or any other of the wonderful novels by this author, so don't think that's what you are getting for less than $2! But I definitely enjoyed spending several hours with this well-known author when he let his hair down a little and pulled no punches...Things like including himself as one of the top authors making more than the detective working to solve the case provides just the type of story that took me completely away from the heavy suspense novels I have read recently...a delightful side of Nelson DeMille I had not seen before!
Enjoy!
GABixlerReviews
on January 12, 2014
Short stories are not my favorite form of fiction. I often find myself wanting when I compare the story to the author's full length novels. This story was no exception. If you enjoy short stories, this one will probably suffice although I found the ending easily predictable. While I have not read any of DeMille's full length works, this story does not impel me to further explore his works.
on October 22, 2013
I'll avoid trying to summarize the plot because it would spoil the story. The book hits the ground running and get right to the nitty gritty. It's amazing how the author was able to develop the characters within the confines of a very short book. I'm a big fan of DeMille and have read almost all of his books. I'm not a fan of Detective John Corey, the main character in this book. Sometimes I think his smart-aleck comments detract from the story. But, I really enjoyed being "inside" Corey's head as he investigates an incident. It was interesting to see how his thinking goes in various directions as he considers the evidence. The only down side to this book is that it wasn't long enough to really sink your teeth into it. I finished it in one sitting (and not a long one at that). If you're a John Corey fan, you'll definitely love it. If you're a DeMille fan, you'll enjoy it. If you like police procedurals, you'll definitely like it.
on January 9, 2017
Pretty good for a short story. This was a "test" purchase for my new Kindle. I've read most of Nelson DeMille's books and this was the first short story that I read. The John Corey character has been a complex character and this short story is no exception. It is fun to read his thought processes in a condensed version. Good read. Prefer the regular books where the characters and the story have more time to develop.
