Eleven Days

Rating:
Summary: A great book with a bad ending
Review: The book started off with a bang and really had my attention. The story moved along at a fast pace with new discoveries and leads being found in a hurry. I was all excitied for a heck of an ending and was robbed. They summarized the ending in 2 pages and make the cops look like idiots. The body was good but the ending was very dissapointing. If you like a great book with a horrible ending, this is your book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Debut for Harstaad
Review: I just finished this book, and I highly recommend it. From the descriptions of the crime scenes, to the dialogue, it is obvious, Harstaad has lived the life he describes. The book starts off with a bang and never lets up and the 300 + pages go very quickly. I particularly liked that the hero was 50ish overweight county sherrif Carl Houseman, and not a Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwartzenegar type. Carl solves crimes with wit and luck, not brawn. I've already ordered his second novel, "Known Dead" after reading the 1st chapter preview at the end of "Eleven Days", and was thrilled to see that Carl is back. If you're a fan of crime fiction, get this book!

Rating:
Summary: Too much coffee
Review: Some cops make great authors. Unfortunately, Mr. Harstad is unable to make the leap. The characters are trite and the book doesn't flow like John Sanfords' or John Grishams' or Joseph Wambaugh. Mr. Harstead also goes to the coffee urn about 26 times too often. I wanted him to stop writing "I made coffee". When he had nothing original to sya, he went to the coffee pot.That prose was like Lawrence Sanders' detective made sandwiches in The Deadly Sins series. It gets tiresome and boring. Have your characters do something different.

Rating:
Summary: A pageturner, you truly will finish this book in 3 days
Review: Harstad gives you a perspective you always want but don't get. You get front line action here and it's addicting! The twists are complexities of the case may turn some off, but that kept me interested, perpetually changing my mind as to "WHO DONE IT". The writing is conversational, casual and very easy to read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel with intriguing hero
Review: This is a great thriller, which I read just to be prepared for Harstad's latest book, Known Dead. I would recommend Eleven Days over the latter, but both are good. Eleven Days is very satisfying, not so much for the intricacies of the plot, but because of the protagonist. Carl's wonderful narrative voice is reason enough to enjoy this book. There is one twist that isn't thoroughly set up, but Harstad's book is an absolute winner.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Story
Review: There are some people, who I wish could write as fast as I can read. And why do you don't offer his new book....

Rating:
Summary: Tantalizing, who-dun-it, grisly yet mysterious
Review: I found this book to be one of the most intriguing novels I have read in a long time. As one who loves mysteries, I feel that Harstad has put Iowa on the map. I am a resident of the area of which he writes, and I found myself trying to figure just who was who in this book of all the people I know in the area. Thank goodness all of the people in this book are fictitious--at least I hope they are. Harstad's methodology in leading the reader to the real murderer is one of interest because nothing that exciting ever happens around here. I am looking forward to the movie.

Rating:
Summary: Great Start, Disappointing Finish
Review: The books get off to a rocking start with some excellent action and interesting storyline. Carl Houseman paints a realistic picture of small town life (although I believe in a town that size a murder of this magnitude would have a huge impact on the psyche of the townspeople). The story lags a little as the police start to tie together different leads and the killer is actually easy to pinpoint. I like the book, but like any rookie he had a hard time finishing. Look forward to reading Known Dead.

Rating:
Summary: swift exciting read
Review: Although not any particular genre reader, I picked this book up at a supermarket while on vacation. I did not put it down. There were enough plot twists, macabre happenings, and droll humor to warrant continued reading(I had to put down an Elmore Leonard novel midway!). It ain't Shakespeare, and it doesn't put on the pretense of great literature...it's simply there for those who appreciate a fast-paced diversion and enjoy a well thought out multi-layered mystery. Thanks to a first time novelist...I'm glad I took a chance.

Rating:
Summary: Starts strong but plot lacks depth in the end
Review: The novel starts out strong, lots of action, clues, intrigue but as the murder investigation ramps up, the plot wanders. The tie in of the cult members to the murders and to each other is weak and introduced too late in the book. It is hard to care about them at all. The main character, officer Carl Houseman, is entertaining and down-to-earth, very believable. The small town description is also engaging. There were so many theories offered and speculation by the investigative team that by the remaining one fourth of the book, you have lost interest. The culprit will, however, surprise you and is the only thing that makes you finish the book - who done it!