California Fire and Life

Rating:
Summary: Audio cassette version is terrible
Review: This might be a good book, but the audio version so put me off, I gave up halfway through. He did OK when it came to American males, but his Russian and Asian character voices were terrible (even offensive) and his attempts at a woman's voice was also bad. He should have just played it straight.Read the book -- avoid the audio cassette.

Rating:
Summary: This is not a novel to wait for in paperback!
Review: This novel establishes Don Winslow as a worthy peer of Thomas Harris, Dennis Lehane, Robert Crais, Elmore Leonard, Brian Hodge and both Parkers: Robert B. and T. Jefferson. As much as I loved his The Life and Times of Bobby Z, I enjoyed California Fire and Life more. Winslow has a unique comic voice that blends well with the fast pace of the plot. Although I thought some of the plot coincidences near the end of the book were a stretch, Winslow's characterization and pseudo-courtroom drama more than made up for that minor flaw. Of the 42 novels I've read, reviewed and ranked this year, California Fire and Life ranks second only to Harris' Hannibal.

Rating:
Summary: arson 101
Review: This was my first Winslow book and as a light read it was great. The first 3-4 pages got my attention like no other book I've read recently. Don Winslow's an author to watch in the next few years.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: What a disappointment! It sure looks like there's a good mystery in this book somewhere but digging through all the detail and ploding style is just too much. A great read if you're looking to become an insurance claims adjuster.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: What a disappointment! It sure looks like there's a good mystery in this book somewhere but digging through all the detail and ploding style is just too much. A great read if you're looking to become an insurance claims adjuster.