This is a dense read. One book to own perhaps. It includes many species re the questions or scientific evolutionary study concerning what is "native" This is a dense read. One book to own perhaps. It includes many species re the questions or scientific evolutionary study concerning what is "native" and what is "foreign invasive".
The text and the graphics were very much like an educational text book used for a class. Advanced class re debate of what humans consider "invasive". Not what is destructive or to whom or to what- (which is the only aspect humans seem to consider) but what is in the larger definitive re long term Earth life, evolution, decline or terminations of a species.
The tone I loved to 5 stars. The inclusions (examples of many dozens count) not as much but they were multiple, myriad of forms and re all continents, YET. Yet, England and the British Isles held the most study of comparison, contrast, individual study for such as certain beaver, otters, hedgehogs, songbirds etc. Far fewer on the North American current examples side of the pond. As our Asian Carp in the Chicago River or giant pythons in the Florida Everglades.
But I do get the gist. Nothing is permanent. Species rise, species fall. All species. Island habitats are SO indicative of this and some of them were done well.
This one is not one of the best but far, far better than some in the middle of this top notch and incredibly long BrunOh Donna Leon, keep them coming.
This one is not one of the best but far, far better than some in the middle of this top notch and incredibly long Brunetti series. I will try to be brief. Very difficult as she is my all time favorite for progressing and aging not only the characters, but a place and an era.
This one is a love LETTER to Venice. As her character Claudia takes walking escapades called "flight" games (she walks 20 minutes in any direction and then tries to find her way back to where she started- which in Venice is HARD) and as the cases involved become entwined within the form and structures of the city on the water itself.
It meanders and turns into dead end calle and leans on closed forever chapels/churches covering the next bridge diversion. So goes the plots as well in the Refiner's Fire. Ending at a closed forever paint factory on a far end of the Laguna.
Claudia and her mysterious Naples upbringing and past are never more fully revealed but the entire book is her. And Guido too parsing the concept of "hero" and what that means in their line of work for particulars. How can they measure "justice" or consequence within the underbelly of not only the young and wild but of the bureaucratic octopus of "we know someone who does this favor" system above and around them. Patta and Elettra are both pivotal movers/shakers in the methods of relevance to the answers for this reckoning.
The family has some input and especially nice lunches and dinners. There is a round about walk in the city with Paola after midnight that is superb. But at every juncture of deciding to take this path or that cut off to calle or canal- it is about VENICE. And being Venetian. About speaking Venetian dialect. About being one of the ones still THERE. So many gone.
You know Claudia is a mother somehow. She cannot fail to be "fair" if Orlando so well met by police job serendipity is in need. Missing another child that is never named or known? Where is the wild Naples girl cat language and gesture?
It ends in fire. And is a terrific tribute to the city that Leon adopted and lived in for many decades. And has left because of age and near necessity. Pure love is exposed in about 3 ways in this novel. One is formed of a father toward his son in a typical Venetian dichotomy.
Having read most of these before in other collections or in magazines etc. when they were nearly new, I remembered some of them down to details. MunroHaving read most of these before in other collections or in magazines etc. when they were nearly new, I remembered some of them down to details. Munro is excellent at place/locale feel and some of the farm placed are done as well as possibly can be. Small town real too.
But then I would have rated them 4. Now I feel the best are about 3.5 stars. Now I find them with too much "overlook" and to be flat out truthful, yet also heavily gossipy. Within a kind of vague distance nuance of the narrator eyes at that. I pick up some great threads of total "me" ambiance too. People move away or just stop their stopping etc. Oh well! Too bad vibes. It makes these particular short stories almost cold, despite the seemingly sense of caring feelings of the primes. More heavily obsession for many.
Now I read only a few of her pieces as having/holding/passing it on as little more than just the depth of telling the dirt. I think her longer singular novella was better, much. She has a long term reputation and legacy of short story excellence. I don't know that some others don't deserve it as much and don't have it. IMHO, a mean girl is far more popular now then it was even then. She is that for sure....more
It is more closer to a 3.5 star. I rounded it up perhaps because I haven't read a Mankell in over a decade or more (but did see the excellent cable/ tIt is more closer to a 3.5 star. I rounded it up perhaps because I haven't read a Mankell in over a decade or more (but did see the excellent cable/ tv/ film series in every season). Therefore it was a good reading experience overall as I could get into the ploys and department so easily. Known!
But I have to admit that the first half was more enthralling. And that after about 2/3rds I was apt to refrain from coming back. But I did. With 4 or 5 days of other stuff in between as it was really rather frustrating to read in latter lengths. TOO MUCH repetition of what is "known" for one thing. But just overlong with way too much what I might call "coincidence" to be either believable or smartly plotted. Because it was not. Maybe in the 1990's? But I doubt it was even then.
How the friends may "turn" was a good theme. Which worked here to a 5 star level. In every life, that period may fall. It does for most, IMHO. Some of us it happens two or three times over the decades. Losing the friends, the supports, the purposes questioned? Things end, places close, and the cores of content may just move far away. Mankell did that well. It does leave a certain sadness that is hard to lift.
But no homicide or any other type of detective is going to fall for the Elvira dating set up OR situation. Nor would that person EVER be a lodging choice for such a dire situation. And that's not the only problem with this plot but I won't go much further except for the dark side. All the baddies in this but the very first body victim found by the ATM were hard to believe in the choices they made. They'd never erase themselves like that either. Nor keep the only tech expert alive.
Still better than most and for its age? It is dated but not at all irrelevant. Maybe even more core now in the focus. But I give it 4 because it was head and shoulders above most of this genre being spewed out now. Even the Scandinavian....more
Changes but if anything variable from the others in the series, this one does seem to have a higher body count. We have a perp who is killing people bChanges but if anything variable from the others in the series, this one does seem to have a higher body count. We have a perp who is killing people by hitting them (without provocation at times) with a heavy glass pop bottle as produced in the day/era. From behind and usually unseen. But there are at least 3 other cases being worked on for other murderous escapades. Or assaults.
Also a girl from 3 books ago's murder was solved in serendipity to some of the other cases here and now. Le Perro's knife man of former books has his demise and funeral too. All happy news all along!
This one had too much repetition for both Abe's and Hanrahan's past situations than I like to handle. So there was points that I sped read. Iris shoots too. And another finishes him off police side.
This is the first one where I felt deeply that Kaminsky needs to move/age/progress these primes or quit the series with some finalities. Some writers can do that to excellence. This one doesn't. But he gets the ambiance of police work, humor in tragedy, and multitudes of flawed people in weird (different languages, races, loyalties, belief systems and 100 other aspects) juxtapositions quite well. And also close to real.
Lisa is such a self-centered dirge that I can't believe she is pregnant. Not a good record for the kids she has already. And Iris? That is not believable. Not then and not for a first....more
This is the Abe Lieberman series book that I have liked the least so far. I have read them all in order these last 2 years despite their publication bThis is the Abe Lieberman series book that I have liked the least so far. I have read them all in order these last 2 years despite their publication being decades ago. And I have to add that in general he does Chicago the best of any writer I'm read. So far. And that does include Studs Terkel and Mike Royko, although both of them are also close to superb. Kaminsky gets the energy and everyman or everywoman aspect better. Of how it WAS, not how it is now. Of course, it might be easier in fiction formats.
The Last Dark Place is "all over the place". Multiple plots with one of them occurring in Yuma, AZ and Abe having to fly up and back twice in context. Also there is more switching narrator and locale placement than in the others for this series numbered 1-7. Not a bad thing overall. But I felt a disorientation a couple of times within the jumpiness of going between major gang fights (Chinese tongs vs El Perro's) and all the various work and personnel backgrounds introduced. Or developed. Of course we see and hear about all at Maish's Diner several different mornings.
Also the plot piece with the 3 baseball bat perps on a rampage didn't mesh well with me. Not that it could not happen. But still, it was way too pat for any scope comparison to reality. That survivor would NEVER have sacrificed himself with the confession he made. THAT is the stuff of movieland, not police/court Chicago.
There is a funeral and Abe's grandson's bar mitzvah. But there is also a HUGE event/crime carryover to #9 at the very end of this one. Which I dislike. It reminds me of the "perils of Pauline" stuff they used to run at the movie theaters when I was a kid. Leaving a murder or a kid tied on a railroad track with the train coming to make you come to see the outcome next week. Authors still use it. I still think it cops out. Cheesy method.
But all the plotting mishaps were all countered by IMMENSE character revelations and onus of personality rarely seen ALSO in this one. And it entertained to a 5 all the God denying readers too. Because it is loaded with faithless going through the motions for traditions sake. UGH! Common, but to me just hypocritical.
So it is a full 3 stars and also is truthful for the aspects of neighborhood change, era change, aging change and status change. Kids grow up, people marry, people die, people move away etc. All here. So is all the cholesterol banter which I despise. Senseless and so dated to a semblance of science truth. Reminds me of all the years that they told us margarine was better than butter. Or to not eat eggs.
Looking forward to #9. I know there are only a couple left....more
Enjoyable read to 5 stars for me. Was it perfect? No, because there is always too much repetition for back story of prior Lieberman novels of the seriEnjoyable read to 5 stars for me. Was it perfect? No, because there is always too much repetition for back story of prior Lieberman novels of the series and also for case uptakes. BUT! Well the mood, the balance of plots toward depth of characters and ESPECIALLY of defining the perps as human and real. It's 5.
In this one we get more resolution about El Perro and also where Abe is put in fully raising his grandkids. Also much of the religious platforms on every side. But especially for the wedding and upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Both.
But was most superior about this book in particular is that the cases of multitudes overlap. And some are connected and some are not at all. Happening in various places but all being covered and attempting to be solved by Lieberman and Hanrahan's district. LIKE REAL LIFE. THERE IS NO SOLID PLOT in police work. Sorry, but that's mostly and completely often true.
This one approaches copper reality more than any detective, law officer, thriller good guy, or any such authority of order side genre that I've read in years. The moderns don't even come close in massive majority. And least in big city environment in this day of anti-cop baselines, even within our own local and national governments. One of the reasons the best are leaving and few are entering such a necessary field of work.
I only have two or three more of these to read, and they are now almost entirely as the Chicago I lived and remember so vividly. So I am tempted to pace them out. But I doubt I can.
Kaminsky gets humor into situation almost exactly in the manner of most of us who have lived with immense and nearly constant aggressions of every sort. Almost and usually totally unearned. So I appreciate that he got some of it down.
All the scenes on the rock piles and barriers lake front were excellent. Not exactly there at all and much farther south or near the Science of Industry Museum I have pulled a few out myself a few times. Many decades ago. Now you can't even park outside there and massive changes exist all the way to Rainbow Beach on 79th. And almost none of them are good changes either.
Reading other reviews, I am surprised at the anti-religious underpinnings for this one. Similar to the dissing and meanness against the obese- it's now one of the most flagrant prejudices that seem to be applauded and approved....more
The writing form itself is closer to 3.5 stars. But I like the way she related the facts or hearsay or proven documentation of detail. She also qualifThe writing form itself is closer to 3.5 stars. But I like the way she related the facts or hearsay or proven documentation of detail. She also qualifies it for what it is. It's the way history used to be recorded and taught. Yes, her opinion or druthers was certainly in there but it didn't overpower as a "tell, tell, tell" from some enlightened source. The intro quote by Howard Zinn nearly made me not read the book. It's like approving a kudo from Herod's telling you all the tales of Jesus's life. But I refrained and I do think these 12 women's life stories was worth the read.
After I finished the book I truly stopped and pondered. They were all quite different and with varying styles of both religious or politico or loyalty quotients. Furthermore they also had nearly opposing stances on suffrage and also on much else of the core work of women's lives in their times. For good reasons too. They all had superior logic and thought. Also sorrow and dire circumstances too. None settled. Not in one place either, but for what they thought they needed to grow/expand and experience- their methods or propensity for "settling" are VERY, very different than the women's of the 21st century. In some methods, nearly the opposite.
So different from each other too. Brave every one. All humans LIVE and strive within the cultures and customs and production work OF THEIR OWN TIMES. Reading some of the reviews of this non-fiction here on this site?? I don't think some have the first understanding of that ultimate human reality. You cannot judge one era by the standards and propensity subjective values of another's.
I also thought it was a true dichotomy (stopped during the read every time I came across one of these) that the author consistently dissed Capitalism and overall in nearly every case here it was that form of system or enterprise that ENABLED these women toward their goals or ends to be meet. Most were long lived too, quite unlike their forbearers. More than 1/2 of the 12 would never be known as they are today without the successes of enterprise.
The one I will remember the most was the native Hawaiian that moved to Utah. Some of the most interesting people traipse against the general flow....more
This is a truly difficult read because it covers so much worldwide shipping and exploring history of that late era Queen Elizabeth I (both 15th and 16This is a truly difficult read because it covers so much worldwide shipping and exploring history of that late era Queen Elizabeth I (both 15th and 16th centuries actually) conceptual world views. Furthermore not only the view "from Europeans" at all. It is far more inclusive.
In fact, I nearly gave this 5 stars because it gave Christopher and Cosmos (two Japanese born) primes of these tales- SUPERIOR "eyes" coming from views of those OF the East. Primarily this entails great tracts of Japanese history of 12th to 16th centuries. I had NO idea that there was a 300 year lengths war there of sections and lords for dominance and/or unity. So essentially rose the samurai class and base military offensive/defensive hierarchies for mere existence. Made the English/ French 100 year war look like a pittance.
Regardless, so much to read. The EAST as described in quantity/placement as Cathay. No real exact geography or physical understandings of space/ distances either. So many ships lost trying to find the Northwest routes to get there over Canada. Everyone (ALL nations and the specifics with no nations re piracy) annihilating and confiscating every druthers of the losers. Viscous. No holds barred when you lost. Be it in a battle off the present coast of CA or somewhere in straits near Russia. Most times they only had general ideas of where they were, IMHO.
The main Japanese gentleman of the title here is taken in ship battles or through slavery/ piracy at least twice before being sucked up by the Cavendish victory. And went from less than slave (could not even remember any parents as sold before 4 or 5) to eventually becoming European gentry. He was 4 years up and 4 years back to the "west" before he was even 20 years old as a nobleman's aide. Learned to read/write Japanese and nearly always at sea. You learn to write first before you can begin to read the figurations. Very difficult. So BEFORE any of the English interchanged control- he was half his life at sea. And only 20 when the English battled and sunk his Spanish lead ship. Yet he had knowledge of ports and latitudes, and weather.
Life was short on these seas. All human life and all of animal life. Well worth the read for the logistics of their worldviews alone. And the reality of their physical conditions and/or fallouts for "luck".
You need a thick skin to read this. The nations that didn't allow slavery, IMHO- they actually treated humans even worse. Some working all ages to death while starving them at the same time. Or in taking chances- even within NOT being of the loser group- often with suffering horrendous outcomes which they triple shared with any accompanied "losers" they had corralled.
Put your thinking cap on if you want to read this one. And give it a month. Immense history context is included, conceptual backgrounds and perceptions of those times from 10 or 15 sets of languages and eyes. Know that I discounted all personal political asides of the author. They appeared in bursts and would have been better to be occluded from this book. Thus the 4 stars....more
Oh did I want to give this a 4 or 5 star rating. Sorry, it's just not. It's a full 3.5 star or 4 in parts for prose form and mood nuance for sure. ButOh did I want to give this a 4 or 5 star rating. Sorry, it's just not. It's a full 3.5 star or 4 in parts for prose form and mood nuance for sure. But soul of Leon? Do NOT expect exposure.
Donna Leon tells us about Donna Leon. Is it a autobiography? Is it a memoir? Hmmmmmm! Rather more a piecemeal set of essays from different periods/ adventures she has lived.
This didn't really disappoint but it surprised me. How can she complete so many tales/ pages/ exploits and still not much reveal physical/ mental core of HERSELF?? Other than her love of opera and classical music as the exception to that sharing of herself. THAT she portrays to a 5 star level.
Well I have come to a personal conclusion. Her Brunetti series is my favorite of all time and this is my summation. I could but won't go long. She IS Paola Brunetti, despite not having a drop of Italian blood or DNA. Just as brilliant, just as selfish, just as SNOBBY, just as pretentious, and absolutely as self-arrogantly sure of her own judgmental superiority. Mostly she is also correct. About all those attributes. But her total sense of adventure, her willingness to trust in the good luck of the fates or karma, her TOTAL self sufficiency and separateness of preferred solitary enjoyments; these didn't as closely parse with her Paola character.
Loved the chapters on opera, the cafes preferred, the cruise ships in Venice especially. Wish she wouldn't have included some others; her preach/teach on bees or her Saudi Arabia version of Monopoly or how her friend spent years building his gondola come to mind. But even those were well and wittily written.
She is her best at detesting and complaining or rejecting- and those pieces filled with those quests / methods were all 4 stars. And the one where she recognizes her own aging WAS 5 stars. Moving that hose and then moving to Switzerland. The same thing just happened to me this last year and I know 80 will be no picnic.
But STILL- we know some attributes but of Donna love life or personal family connection? Just a few stories of friends remembered. For having no ambition and just going from continent to continent and doing the least teaching she could? Well, regardless- BRAVA Donna Leon. I do hope Brunetti series goes on for 5 or 6 more novels. There is SO much more meat to chew.
Have to add. She is exactly the kind of woman I have avoided for most of my life. Arrogant, snobbish, and endlessly condescending. But does she get Venice and the Brunettis and can she write....more
Ok rendition. Media is little different now. And even more elite and arrogant. Equally as mean.
There was sufficient evidence and witness testimony of Ok rendition. Media is little different now. And even more elite and arrogant. Equally as mean.
There was sufficient evidence and witness testimony of her guilt, regardless. The photos and drawings, graphics, memes of that era in characterization of Polly? 4 star. She was a crude and stupid women who got the last laugh, IMHO. Most of the reviews for this book? They fail to note that she was not punished much beyond rejection. Nor that she pawned the stolen goods almost immediately. And totally lied about the hours in question.
Not as good as the title sounds at all. Polly was certainly evil intent in any era, IMHO. She was lucky not to get a far worse outcome that she did. Prose form was good. But pacing not as well done....more
This is a difficult review to do. Do I proceed as a reaction or as a critic or as a realist? For the attitude, the prose form, the pacing? I can only This is a difficult review to do. Do I proceed as a reaction or as a critic or as a realist? For the attitude, the prose form, the pacing? I can only try. To say all I felt (rather than thought) when reading this book, and if I was truthful about all of it- I would probably be censored or have a couple dozen haters in response. Not that I am fearful of that at all. Just don't want to make an effort to explain. Especially with my knowledge of cognitive and emotional maturity tracking history. I spent years doing group data testing. Not 20 years ago either.
Here goes:
They talk about the "wild West" where murder, mayhem, and lifetime injury were all common as dirt during the 1800's in western North America. Well that in numbers and in outcomes was a strange but orderly picnic compared to the myriads of dark, shaded, or open web and medical today in the field of "make a baby" the laboratory and/and or utensil ways. It even has its own language. AI, NI etc. NI is natural insemination or sex. By giving different methods or stages exact nomenclature it makes it all so "erudite". NOT.
The author has all the criteria to do this subject and observation. And participation to a 5 star level. That she lives almost completely in and subject to her emotion of the moment (not only in familial or personal relationships either) as well; so that made it VERY difficult for me to read. She wants what she wants too. She has incredible stamina and IMMENSE arrogance and entitlement too to go with it.. Coupled with her overriding mental perceptions- this was as stony a tale to read as the actions taken. Of course she consistently apologizes to her family. While she guts their caring, values and entire worldview and spiritual essence constantly on double count pages- and often on the very next page from the 2 line apology. Some of her comments re men or her father read like she was 17 not 42. I refrain from her mental illness diagnosis. And pale at her reaction the first time the "perfect" baby becomes a kid and makes fun of the way she brushes her teeth. Read this and you will understand my reference. ANY coupleship demands compromise to last more than months. Let alone a lifetime.
There will be a time when most of these methods will be far more curtailed then they are presently. Especially within the super donors who have kids in fairly small geographic areas within the triple digits. And for other numerous medical and social applications of both short and long term fallout. Not only legal child support or future meetings or emotional bonds desired either. But that time is not now. Right now it is narcissistic playland.
And the costs! Not only in dollars. Family planning? Her very case study stories of late teens searching for their biological fathers and siblings. (One finds over 40.) No, it isn't all about "me" and wanting 20 something adult years of "other stuff" first.
It was a serendipity read I found on the non-fiction "new" shelf. I'm glad I read it. Every generation of my family (on different sides as well) has adopted. Which I NEVER understand as a rejected option here. It isn't easy either. But it is far, far from impossible. You can foster and THEN adopt too. So much of this field- at least half of it was repulsive to me. Especially re the ages upon birthing. Because many will never be able to single parent children into their 60's or 70's well. Or at all. Selfish, selfish, selfish people. Not all, but majority. Even many of the couples which will not be single parenting. And I have been a single parent while both young and in middle age. I do know. It does not surprise me that married lesbian couples after divorce are fighting over donated sperm babies at 3 or 5 years of age before the children are even in kindergarten. Because for most of these humans- it is all about them and very little about the offspring....more
Sometimes I just KNOW the person writing doesn’t know the era. Only observation of the era from decades plus later. This character study left me dozinSometimes I just KNOW the person writing doesn’t know the era. Only observation of the era from decades plus later. This character study left me dozing. It felt like cardboard people. ...more
If I didn't know as much about Chicago and for more than half of the last century with first hand experience within it, I would have given this LieberIf I didn't know as much about Chicago and for more than half of the last century with first hand experience within it, I would have given this Lieberman's Law a 4 stars. But because #5 is far more dire I feel that this 3.5 star rating cannot be rounded up. Not because of the seriousness of these issues and events at all- but because Kaminsky doesn't traipse the lines I think he should have. I think he wasn't brave enough to even approach the destruction and criminality of the past against Chicago citizens and their property and lives. Only my opinion, but when you write about cases of terrorism in Chicago in the 1990's, in the 1960's, in the 2010's or 2020's- I think you just HAVE to realistically portray the depth and the outcomes more closely to what truly exists/ happens/ happened. It has lifelong effect and injury and it isn't just fixing screens, or walls, or finding a stolen Torah. Many never recover despite remaining alive. Many don't remain alive through pure prejudice, as well. And media has NEVER approached the scale or depth of outcomes either. Never.
No synopsis. Most do that with this one because of great changes in Lieberman's and Hanrahan's lives composed and composited upon and next to the anti-Jewish hatred expressed in the violation of the synagogues. And far more than just the criminal elements of expression for anti-Jewish prejudice and vile words and behaviors.
The first half had so much background information and inner synagogues' hierarchies etc. that it was more difficult to read than the Lieberman series I've finished so far. Also there is more violent death than the last few. Overall the book also held immense sadness, IMHO. Even within the various top 2 or 3 families. Alcoholism inherited. Daughter who abandons her children. This is NOT happy face.
The assistance of the Mexican gang in the outcomes was interesting. Straight arrows with crooked parts for "asides" do not often become so exposed in this genre of fiction, IMHO. But Abe has connections, of course. He wouldn't remain alive without the worst elements of them. Yet, the ending left too many stray situations unsettled. The girl who shot the Korean stream of events was impossible to follow. Actually on 2 or 3 counts this ending also did not earn 4 stars.
The entire time I read this book I thought about what Kaminsky would think/feel about Chicago's current "kill the Jews" Jewish hatred. Because it's nearly the opposite of what visible and invisible elements of aggressions of nasty against others portrayed in this book. Nor is the single political party of authority rule at all posited in the same position as it was then either. Close to the opposite as well. Nazi skinheads I've never seen in all my years in Chicago. Hate I sure have. And not only this brand either. So this book truly didn't make me laugh as much as the others, nor resound with the consequences of outcomes. Mid-1990's here? Of course they exist, but they are just about as elemental as Jussie Smollett's noose carrying attacker for equivocal propensities of comparisons. Also, Kaminsky should have had SOME equivocation to the massive Southside other than 3 blocks around the U. of Chicago in Hyde Park to get the true picture for terror and terrorist as a subject in that age. Most of this book happens in Skokie! Chicago policemen work cases for Chicago violations. Not only about who hates Jews and expresses it either but about violent prejudice more general, and far more visible in assaults. But also how vile prejudice goes just as strongly in reverse or quite tangential directions and that fact of reality CANNOT be omitted. For outcomes too far worse than vandalism by far. ...more
The characters in this were fabulous and drawn very well. That was a 4 star for sure. The plot was contrived and frankly just way too around the bend The characters in this were fabulous and drawn very well. That was a 4 star for sure. The plot was contrived and frankly just way too around the bend to be believed. That was 2 stars.
Regardless, it was not a difficult read and much of the dialogue fairly interesting. It cores around an old peoples' "carer" home and books. Both. The pacing was average and there were just a few spots where I wanted to skip some of the redundancies both in information and in personality descriptions.
The show was better than the tell here but overall it was almost exactly 3 stars. Especially considering the various people's depth ranges here. Harbinder has an interesting surround....more
Ok. Not as much about the thief as about top echelon society during this post WWII era in Dallas TX. Long winded as dozens of robbed or seekers for thOk. Not as much about the thief as about top echelon society during this post WWII era in Dallas TX. Long winded as dozens of robbed or seekers for the thief have lengthy opinionated biography. So much else is included but does not pertain. Photos were excellent. You might like this much more if you are interested in high celeb or ritzy worlds. My interest became 1 star. This needed a massive edit. ...more
This one begins to do more than reveal the extent to Abe's crossing the lines side of intense police work. It's better than average in pacing and prosThis one begins to do more than reveal the extent to Abe's crossing the lines side of intense police work. It's better than average in pacing and prose flow as well. Despite too much repetition of description or past circumstance covered by past series novels, it was probably overall the best novel of the series so far.
The Lieberman family situations are rather strange to me, but not at all unusual. It's just difficult to parse Lisa leaving her kids. Not my culture nor anywhere in my experience! If she is brilliant she is also a dingbat.
I will go on with this series but have too much other to do it properly very soon. Hanrahan did the right thing by waiting a year too.
It was masterful to put that feral dog's view in there. It was done and completed short and base attention to perfection. Hopefully he will appear in #7 and possibility even obtain a name. Le Perro is also developing full blown too. Kudos!...more
The first half was 3 stars. But then it got better and better. I wasn't a big fan of placing the thief so ominously in the wrong place at the wrong tiThe first half was 3 stars. But then it got better and better. I wasn't a big fan of placing the thief so ominously in the wrong place at the wrong time because it seemed gimmicky.
Yet, the last parts and especially the epilogue listings of various characters- their states of thought at the very ending after all events was SO well done (yes 5 star)! Which puts this as a full 4 star earned rating from me.
It also progressed every single series return character superbly. And as such these changes intrigued me further; it makes me eager to continue. No one prime seems static.
They still did not go very far into the Southside Chicago. No one did. The Wentworth I knew in this era certainly held few Chinese antiques. It had to be farther North by 2 miles at least to house all that lacquer....more
This one just mesmerized me. The entire event occurs within 48 or so hours. Lieberman getting no sleep again, of course.
Is it perfect? As a novel in tThis one just mesmerized me. The entire event occurs within 48 or so hours. Lieberman getting no sleep again, of course.
Is it perfect? As a novel in the genre, nearly so. The writing is as most Kaminsky set into almost constant dialogue. Just masterful. Did they ever make these into films? They should have. This particular one of true emergency conditions hit the exact right tone and tenure. Especially for that time period before huge economic and cultural declines.
There is violence. And anger. And regret. And politico. IMHO, unto an era that was still not the total corrupt mess it has become for the past 20 years. Just on the way down in the slide. But with the decline and deals of association thoroughly well coupled.
This area that Kaminsky uses as Chicago city (core/prime)representative is really not very. It's actually very mild compared to other much more vast sections. But I forgive him for the tone and tenure to "true". Regardless, fellows well met all together now-hiring from the "other side" of legal, if necessary. But watch your back afterwards. And it was done so well in the telling.
This type of Chicago acknowledging the diner / bar folks etc. Almost entirely gone. But Kaminsky plies it just as it was. Actually for most of the last century. But isn't any more. Vast numbers of folks became just like the dentist did here. Does it not surprise me that Kaminsky never mentions the ultimate losses of that citizen's house/goods/material life as a whole? Nope. It has never once been acknowledged in any reality either. Not for probably next to a 1000 people I myself have observed and known. You can blink your eyes and it is "all gone". Reminded me of that game you play with babies of hide and seek of the object in the hand. There, and then "all gone".
Authority too as it works. Perfect example in this plot situation and sequences of blame OR job/work deed fall out.
I still have many more of these to read. I hope I didn't go to 5 stars too soon. I sure hope that he didn't miss the time that the river wall collapsed into the sewer and subway system. When all was closed with police guards at about 5 stations, entrances to underground etc. My brother had a dozen hot (homicide) cases when that happened and a week later when it got fixed and drained and they got back to their regular jobs after a week of guarding el entrances he had 2 cases left. All the rest had killed each other in the meantime. True. It was in April 1992 when they were repairing a bridge. That would make an even more interesting plot than this one.
Others will probably not grasp some of this one. A beware for all of you fragile folk- there is a body count above 4 by the time it is finished. But it also holds a great dog story....more
This one is sadder and more personal than the first two of the series.
Regardless, it follows the case of the abused wife and child from the 2nd book aThis one is sadder and more personal than the first two of the series.
Regardless, it follows the case of the abused wife and child from the 2nd book and it is also just as well paced. You get a deep dive into some of the series under characters, as well. Especially the crowd at Lieberman's brother's deli and the Mexican supreme thief and his gang compadres. And it does a magnificent job on the crux/core of Hanrahan's soul, life, bridge he crosses at 50. He is Lieberman's partner. But the main core surrounds the crime against Lieberman's nephew and his pregnant wife. TWO plots.
IT"S COLD. This one lets you know exactly the quality of cold in winter. Believe me, curb parking Chicagoans still do the chair or furniture piece occupying their shoveled out space to park THEIRS. Also frequent, the push help to rock it out of the ice troughs is not unusual either. Nor for women shovers, as well. There were a couple of references in this one that truly made me grief laden, equal to the demise/murder of his nephew's murder street scene tragedy. Marshall Field's was one. I am not a crier but visiting that building now could set me off for an hour. Travesty what the physical itself has become inside compared to what it was, let alone the merchant fare held within it. Also his mentioning / story lines with the Rabbi several times re the strong, almost universal, fight against anti-Semitism in any and all forms within Chicago. And within media. ALL the media. VISIBLE support and do I remember it. Man, is that gone. Talk about a flipside!
The book has many era references and places that are now voids. SAD as this tale of a man murdered so young for NOTHING? It seems so.
But triumph for some minutia parcel of justice in the end here and it is on to #4. And I doubt Lieberman will get any sleep then either.
If only the crazy, insane murdering ear biting off idiot could be dealt with as he was here in this book. That time is gone, as well. Now he would be knifing his son as a sacrifice (Abraham/Isaac style) or/and cutting his wife up the very next week after his car thaws out enough to get to them. Probably with a follow up of getting a group to protest his temporary incarceration with signs that it isn't fair to the insane just for having a couple of very bad days. TRUTH. Wonder if he wouldn't even need any bond to do it all again either. I'm sure he would not with Kim Foxx in the job....more
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