Scan barcode
kerrynicole72's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It has a quality to it that reminds me of "White Oleander." I'm not exactly sure what it is specifically, sort of a dreamy yet powerful undercurrent of something I can't quite name. I guess I'd describe this book as provocative. This is the first I've read of this author, so I'm looking forward to reading more of his work.
abigailbat's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, so it's not really my kinda story. Macleod Andrews narrates and does a fine job, but I just stopped listening about 3/4 of the way through. I can definitely see why this is an Alex Award book and I'd hand it to teens who like crime books or possibly fans of John Green's Paper Towns.
caresays's review against another edition
3.0
I just...have some like continuity questions.
Like, for instance, how I'm not sure how Michael became a MASTER THIEF in between Michigan and Pennsylvania in the beginning. Or how all of a sudden he knew EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING at his SECOND JOB in New York. What????
I mean, maybe the idea was that he pulled some other jobs blah blah blah, but it didn't seem like there was enough time for him to do a lot. He was only a box man for a little under two years. The way he narrated at the beginning, it seemed like he had been doing it for a few years.
I can't believe they all listened to Gunner. What IDIOTS. Could have told them -- worst idea ever.
Also, the audiobook had some weirdly racist voices. Ramona had this thick Latino accent. It was bizarre. I know she's Hispanic, but I don't need that fact drilled into my head.
Like, for instance, how I'm not sure how Michael became a MASTER THIEF in between Michigan and Pennsylvania in the beginning. Or how all of a sudden he knew EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING at his SECOND JOB in New York. What????
I mean, maybe the idea was that he pulled some other jobs blah blah blah, but it didn't seem like there was enough time for him to do a lot. He was only a box man for a little under two years. The way he narrated at the beginning, it seemed like he had been doing it for a few years.
I can't believe they all listened to Gunner. What IDIOTS. Could have told them -- worst idea ever.
Also, the audiobook had some weirdly racist voices. Ramona had this thick Latino accent. It was bizarre. I know she's Hispanic, but I don't need that fact drilled into my head.
additionaddiction's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable read. Partially because the book (at least briefly) takes place in the town I currently live in, but besides that it's got several interesting themes: lock-picking (no spoilers there), mutism, comic books, and a somewhat mysterious backstory.
I'll admit that the ending wasn't quite what I was hoping for, but it did wrap up rather nicely. Also, there was a moment in the final big "sequence" that resolved an issue I had with most of the story, so that was an added bonus.
My only major complaint is that the "action" moments weren't intense enough. That tends to be a problem (in my opinion) with books that are told in a "flashback" because you know that the narrator must make it through the situation in order to tell the story.
All in all though, a very good book. It's a pretty quick read and hooked me enough that I'll probably check out other books by Steve Hamilton
I'll admit that the ending wasn't quite what I was hoping for, but it did wrap up rather nicely. Also, there was a moment in the final big "sequence" that resolved an issue I had with most of the story, so that was an added bonus.
My only major complaint is that the "action" moments weren't intense enough. That tends to be a problem (in my opinion) with books that are told in a "flashback" because you know that the narrator must make it through the situation in order to tell the story.
All in all though, a very good book. It's a pretty quick read and hooked me enough that I'll probably check out other books by Steve Hamilton
maryrobinson's review against another edition
3.0
I almost stopped reading this as I didn’t like the protaganist’s voice at first – too choppy, repetitive – but as I hung in there – because I liked learning about safe-cracking – I grew to like the main character and accept that maybe his voice had to do with his mental issues, abusive past, and tough circumstance. Compared to Lisbeth Sanders, for instance, this damaged character still falls short, but the plot is unique and the story well laid out. Did like the wise-guy characters and the crime setups.
trixie_reads's review against another edition
3.0
The story was very suspenseful, but I never really felt a connection with the main character.
kkbe's review against another edition
4.0
First, a disclaimer: I have a soft spot in my heart for the amazing Mr. Hamilton, who gifted me with his time and expertise when I was new to this whole fiction-writing stuff. I can't thank him enough for that. Plus, I feel a special affinity for any fellow Michigander who sets their novels here, even if 'here' is waaaay 'up north,' as it is in some of the author's other, wonderful novels.
The main character in 'The Lock Artist' doesn't speak, not a word. We're privy to his thoughts, though; his memories...we understand him through his sign language and deeds. We travel back and forth through time with him, beginning with his present: he's in prison, writing in fits and starts about how he came to be there, the choices he made and why he made them. The premise--a person who doesn't speak asks us to listen--is so unique, then Hamilton twists that premise by telling the story in a non-linear fashion, leaving readers dangling time and again in one cliff-hanger more harrowing than the last.
I rate this novel four stars only because the ending wasn't quite what I expected, which was . . . not disappointing; instead, I felt some vague consternation there. Not Mr. Hamilton's fault--that's on me. Alas, 'tis the bane of fiction writers that they can't satisfy every adoring fan by writing the book that person erringly thinks she wants to read.
The main character in 'The Lock Artist' doesn't speak, not a word. We're privy to his thoughts, though; his memories...we understand him through his sign language and deeds. We travel back and forth through time with him, beginning with his present: he's in prison, writing in fits and starts about how he came to be there, the choices he made and why he made them. The premise--a person who doesn't speak asks us to listen--is so unique, then Hamilton twists that premise by telling the story in a non-linear fashion, leaving readers dangling time and again in one cliff-hanger more harrowing than the last.
I rate this novel four stars only because the ending wasn't quite what I expected, which was . . . not disappointing; instead, I felt some vague consternation there. Not Mr. Hamilton's fault--that's on me. Alas, 'tis the bane of fiction writers that they can't satisfy every adoring fan by writing the book that person erringly thinks she wants to read.