Portland Laugher

Rating:
Summary: A good read, but a few holes in the plot.
Review: Earl Emerson's series of Thomas Black mysteries was my father's favorite line of books. Thomas Black, your everyman's hero, is an ex-cop turned private investigator in the university district of Seattle, Washington. Since I went to the UW I thought it might be fun to read these mysteries. I was pleasantly surprised at these books, which feature a hero that almost any guy can relate to on some level. Thomas Black is wonderfully flawed, with a fetish for large breasts and a jealous side that even he can't seem to understand. I really like the characters in Emerson's mysteries too, but this book was rather disappointing in that it introduced Snake Slezak as though he was Black's lifelong friend, even though we haven't seen him in any of the earlier books. Also, I was really confused by the ending, and after reading it a second time I picked up quite a few holes in the story line. I felt like Kathy Bates in the movie Misery when she screams, "What, have you all got amnesia? He didn't get out of the cockadoody car!" Maybe you think I'm being overly critical like someone who brings up flaws in the plot of a porn movie, but I'm just saying that the story could be tighter. However, even though there are mistakes, Emerson's style will definitely keep you reading if you like mysteries, but don't be surprised if you can pick apart the plot and find major flaws. To be honest, I think the guy should find a better editor, because he's pretty creative, and with a little polishing and revision his books would be great.

Rating:
Summary: A good read, but a few holes in the plot.
Review: Earl Emerson's series of Thomas Black mysteries was my father's favorite line of books. Thomas Black, your everyman's hero, is an ex-cop turned private investigator in the university district of Seattle, Washington. Since I went to the UW I thought it might be fun to read these mysteries. I was pleasantly surprised at these books, which feature a hero that almost any guy can relate to on some level. Thomas Black is wonderfully flawed, with a fetish for large breasts and a jealous side that even he can't seem to understand. I really like the characters in Emerson's mysteries too, but this book was rather disappointing in that it introduced Snake Slezak as though he was Black's lifelong friend, even though we haven't seen him in any of the earlier books. Also, I was really confused by the ending, and after reading it a second time I picked up quite a few holes in the story line. I felt like Kathy Bates in the movie Misery when she screams, "What, have you all got amnesia? He didn't get out of the cockadoody car!" Maybe you think I'm being overly critical like someone who brings up flaws in the plot of a porn movie, but I'm just saying that the story could be tighter. However, even though there are mistakes, Emerson's style will definitely keep you reading if you like mysteries, but don't be surprised if you can pick apart the plot and find major flaws. To be honest, I think the guy should find a better editor, because he's pretty creative, and with a little polishing and revision his books would be great.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Mystery -- keeps you wondering "who done it?"
Review: I bought this book in the Portland airport just before a flight back home. Usually I pick up a book for reading on a flight, and when done leave it for either the airline people or another passenger to pick it up -- but not this one. I was hooked from page one and when finished I kept it and loaned it out to others as a highly suggested read.

This was my first Emerson novel; what is interesting is how it shows that he (the author) had developed his ability to paint characters richly as well as handle plots with more dexterity than in his earlier novels, which I sought out to read after this one. I also have read books he's written since this one (except his latest, "Catfish Cafe"), and feel this is his best effort -- both in the Thomas Black series (this book features Thomas Black) and in the Mac Fontana series.

If you are an Emerson fan and haven't read this one, by all means read it. If you've not read any Emerson books yet, make this your first one. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Intricate, clever, and disturbing. . .
Review: In Portland Laugher, Emerson uses his cavalier style of writing to develop a sinister cast of characters caught in a fatal game of cat-and-mouse. But who's chasing whom?

More than a cleverly woven story, Portland Laugher intertwines its twisted plot with the bittersweet emotional complexities. On all fronts, this book kept me spellbound until its devastatingly brilliant conclusion.

Rating:
Summary: Thomas Black is the perfect Northwest Detective
Review: This was the first book I read by Earl Emerson. As a Portland resident and a Tacoma native I was able to identify with Emerson as he weaves his plot from Seattle to Portland. Thomas Black is the perfect character for this and the other books in the series. An ex-cop turned private investigator, Black has the feel of a Northwest detective. Living in the U Dub district in Seattle, Black is depicted as a down to earth guy trying to earn a living as a private detective. Emerson draws from his own knowledge of the Northwest as a Seattle firefighter and a Tacoma native in unraveling the plot. Many of the characters he creates are unique and present a great composite of Northwest life styles. A great read and terrific climax.

Rating:
Summary: Thomas Black is the perfect Northwest Detective
Review: This was the first book I read by Earl Emerson. As a Portland resident and a Tacoma native I was able to identify with Emerson as he weaves his plot from Seattle to Portland. Thomas Black is the perfect character for this and the other books in the series. An ex-cop turned private investigator, Black has the feel of a Northwest detective. Living in the U Dub district in Seattle, Black is depicted as a down to earth guy trying to earn a living as a private detective. Emerson draws from his own knowledge of the Northwest as a Seattle firefighter and a Tacoma native in unraveling the plot. Many of the characters he creates are unique and present a great composite of Northwest life styles. A great read and terrific climax.