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ofliterarynature's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Book club pick July 2023
I was looking for some fun, thrilling, ‘be gay, do crime’ etc. This was absolutely not that. It was remarkably depressing and unsuspenseful, and the two leads were not particularly convincing confidence men, let alone an interesting couple. I recommend everyone give this a hard pass.
I was looking for some fun, thrilling, ‘be gay, do crime’ etc. This was absolutely not that. It was remarkably depressing and unsuspenseful, and the two leads were not particularly convincing confidence men, let alone an interesting couple. I recommend everyone give this a hard pass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
annap5519's review against another edition
5.0
Light fare with some intriguing and novel twists. A fun, never-see-it-coming, who-dunnit. From the first few pages, it’s hard to predict who are the heroes and who are the villains. Are there any heroes or are they all just villains?? Keeps you guessing right to the end.
mb918's review against another edition
3.0
This book had fantastic writing, a thoroughly outlined plot, and some very intriguing and interesting characters. But looking back on the story as a whole, I really didn’t feel the suspense until 3/4 of the way through. The plot really escalated from there, and I was definitely on the edge of my seat as it drew to a close, but the beginning was just too drawn out.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Fun book with just enough intrigue, great atmosphere, nicely drawn characters.
Like a brighter, lighter Talented Mr. Ripley.
Recommended for suspense lovers who want something a little different.
Like a brighter, lighter Talented Mr. Ripley.
Recommended for suspense lovers who want something a little different.
somojones's review against another edition
4.0
You know you read a good book when you go through the plot and think about it after completing the book. Very good read. The two main protagonists are likable and interesting. The plot is good with just a little questionable weak spot concerning West. The ending was good I just wanted more.
thosewinterreads's review against another edition
5.0
“This city is sinking and has been for centuries. Enjoy it while you can. The blood is pooling around the body. Screams are blaring from all directions. The killer is making a run for the exit. But none of this has happened yet.”
When a book starts off with a prologue like that and gets you hooked from the very first page you know you’re in for an incredibly immersive ride.
This book had instantly captured my attention when I first came across it in a goodreads article. And after I finished reading it, without a doubt it has taken place as one of my most favourite reads of the year. What’s truly criminally offensive is that this book has less than a thousand ratings on the aforementioned site which I’m pretty sure is the direct pandemic effect. And I haven’t seen posts about it on bookstagram and of course that needed to change.
The story follows Nick who’s flying from NYC to meet his boyfriend Clay in Venice, to assist him in taking revenge on a man who is an old enemy. This man has subotaged Clay’s chances of pursuing his dream life in the floating city. And he is awfully manipulative and has been on the bad side of Clay’s beloved ‘friend’ Freddie.
Nick and Clay are no criminal masterminds. They’re your everyday ordinary young folks who have been dealt with the bitter lemon by life time and again. Former one, for being gay in a conservative family and the latter, the same as well as because of his race. We follow their journey in Venice and New York, through alternating perspectives between the two characters, which also switches between their current and past lives, converging into a intricately beautiful and suspenseful narrative throughout the entire book.
The author painted the picture of both the beautiful and ugly side of modern day Venice remarkably well. Even though, the book has a contemporary setting but to an outsider like myself the idea of an European landscape is always picturesque and a bit distant. And perhaps that is why this book read almost like a historical fiction to me (which it isn’t of course).
I cannot recommend this book enough >>> if you’re a fan of mystery, psychological fiction, like discussions on art and history. Pretty much if you’re a fan of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History and enjoy the dark academia aesthetics make sure to put this book on the top of your priority tbr list.
When a book starts off with a prologue like that and gets you hooked from the very first page you know you’re in for an incredibly immersive ride.
This book had instantly captured my attention when I first came across it in a goodreads article. And after I finished reading it, without a doubt it has taken place as one of my most favourite reads of the year. What’s truly criminally offensive is that this book has less than a thousand ratings on the aforementioned site which I’m pretty sure is the direct pandemic effect. And I haven’t seen posts about it on bookstagram and of course that needed to change.
The story follows Nick who’s flying from NYC to meet his boyfriend Clay in Venice, to assist him in taking revenge on a man who is an old enemy. This man has subotaged Clay’s chances of pursuing his dream life in the floating city. And he is awfully manipulative and has been on the bad side of Clay’s beloved ‘friend’ Freddie.
Nick and Clay are no criminal masterminds. They’re your everyday ordinary young folks who have been dealt with the bitter lemon by life time and again. Former one, for being gay in a conservative family and the latter, the same as well as because of his race. We follow their journey in Venice and New York, through alternating perspectives between the two characters, which also switches between their current and past lives, converging into a intricately beautiful and suspenseful narrative throughout the entire book.
The author painted the picture of both the beautiful and ugly side of modern day Venice remarkably well. Even though, the book has a contemporary setting but to an outsider like myself the idea of an European landscape is always picturesque and a bit distant. And perhaps that is why this book read almost like a historical fiction to me (which it isn’t of course).
I cannot recommend this book enough >>> if you’re a fan of mystery, psychological fiction, like discussions on art and history. Pretty much if you’re a fan of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History and enjoy the dark academia aesthetics make sure to put this book on the top of your priority tbr list.
tinybibliophile's review
4.0
Tiny Synopsis: This is a literary thriller about Clay Guillery and his boyfriend, Nick Brink, who have come to Venice from New York with a detailed plan to con a retired American millionare by selling a collection of counterfeit silver to this collector. Will Nick’s good looks and Clay’s smarts outwit this millionaire?
Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy for my honest review!
My Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars
The story talks about the background of how Nick/Clay meet and how their lives were before they arrived in Venice. You really learn of the hunger and drive they have to motivate themselves to live a better life together with the money they hope to get from this elaborate plan. Some parts were very slow moving and I had to stop reading it for a little while. There was also a part in the book (without giving out spoilers) that involved Clay and his father that really broke my heart and I actually admittedly teared up reading it on the subway! When I finally got through it, I was glad to know what their true background was why they were so desperate to get this done and be together in peace. The ending got a bit more exciting as everything comes together, but I felt it like I needed more. It’s not a fast read - but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their struggles and experiences.
The book is out Jan 28, 2020!
Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy for my honest review!
My Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars
The story talks about the background of how Nick/Clay meet and how their lives were before they arrived in Venice. You really learn of the hunger and drive they have to motivate themselves to live a better life together with the money they hope to get from this elaborate plan. Some parts were very slow moving and I had to stop reading it for a little while. There was also a part in the book (without giving out spoilers) that involved Clay and his father that really broke my heart and I actually admittedly teared up reading it on the subway! When I finally got through it, I was glad to know what their true background was why they were so desperate to get this done and be together in peace. The ending got a bit more exciting as everything comes together, but I felt it like I needed more. It’s not a fast read - but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their struggles and experiences.
The book is out Jan 28, 2020!
kiki124's review against another edition
5.0
Reckless, young, vengeful,
scheming, panicked, broken—lost
innocents abroad.
scheming, panicked, broken—lost
innocents abroad.
tinybiblio's review
4.0
Tiny Synopsis: This is a literary thriller about Clay Guillery and his boyfriend, Nick Brink, who have come to Venice from New York with a detailed plan to con a retired American millionare by selling a collection of counterfeit silver to this collector. Will Nick’s good looks and Clay’s smarts outwit this millionaire?
Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy for my honest review!
My Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars
The story talks about the background of how Nick/Clay meet and how their lives were before they arrived in Venice. You really learn of the hunger and drive they have to motivate themselves to live a better life together with the money they hope to get from this elaborate plan. Some parts were very slow moving and I had to stop reading it for a little while. There was also a part in the book (without giving out spoilers) that involved Clay and his father that really broke my heart and I actually admittedly teared up reading it on the subway! When I finally got through it, I was glad to know what their true background was why they were so desperate to get this done and be together in peace. The ending got a bit more exciting as everything comes together, but I felt it like I needed more. It’s not a fast read - but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their struggles and experiences.
The book is out Jan 28, 2020!
Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy for my honest review!
My Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars
The story talks about the background of how Nick/Clay meet and how their lives were before they arrived in Venice. You really learn of the hunger and drive they have to motivate themselves to live a better life together with the money they hope to get from this elaborate plan. Some parts were very slow moving and I had to stop reading it for a little while. There was also a part in the book (without giving out spoilers) that involved Clay and his father that really broke my heart and I actually admittedly teared up reading it on the subway! When I finally got through it, I was glad to know what their true background was why they were so desperate to get this done and be together in peace. The ending got a bit more exciting as everything comes together, but I felt it like I needed more. It’s not a fast read - but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their struggles and experiences.
The book is out Jan 28, 2020!
emeelee's review
4.0
be gay, do crime
--
Two young gay men--charming Nick and careful Clay--scheme to sell fake antiques to an odious millionaire, but the deeper they sink into the grift the more likely it becomes that they'll lose everything. I don't often read crime thrillers, but how could I resist a queer con set in Venice? The synopsis took me right back to my 11-year-old self's adoration of The Thief Lord. Venice itself is like a character in A Beautiful Crime, in all its glory and disrepair. The undercurrent of resident protests against tourist development runs throughout the book and eventually intersects with the plot in a tangible way.
TW: infidelity, cancer, death of a parent, AIDS-related death, rape
--
Two young gay men--charming Nick and careful Clay--scheme to sell fake antiques to an odious millionaire, but the deeper they sink into the grift the more likely it becomes that they'll lose everything. I don't often read crime thrillers, but how could I resist a queer con set in Venice? The synopsis took me right back to my 11-year-old self's adoration of The Thief Lord. Venice itself is like a character in A Beautiful Crime, in all its glory and disrepair. The undercurrent of resident protests against tourist development runs throughout the book and eventually intersects with the plot in a tangible way.
The love of the city had killed its people. Quite simply, Venice had been visited to death.The motif of past vs. present is carried throughout the story; in the juxtaposition of art restoration and modern development, an ancient city that essentially functions like a theme park, old money and new wealth, the elder queer community and the Millennial gays. I really loved how nonchalantly queer this book is, without ignoring the struggles of both older and current LGBTQIA+ generations. There's also a heavy focus on wealth disparity and the faux-activism of the ultra wealthy.
Clay had grown up wary of people like the Wests; they were always desperate to save public parks by kicking out the people who actually needed them.While our amateur conmen are certainly not vigilante thieves, you also can't help but root for them to succeed in their scheme against a character that represents the worst sort of people: a hoarder of wealth who cares more for things than people. What really sold me on this story is how real it all feels-- the con is the sort of miracle opportunity that seems too good for even a reasonable person to pass up, and certainly not someone in dire straits, even though they aren't a professional criminal. Clay and Nick aren't skilled grifters, but their circumstances have given them enough to gain and not enough to lose to justify undertaking the risk of fraud in order to screw over an asshole and set themselves up for life.
These monsters, Nick thought, and at the same exact moment, These wonderful people.A Beautiful Crime is a slowly-plotted character study more than a thriller, but the stakes feel high and there is a creeping feeling of dread and an edge of mania. At one point I was too nervous to keep reading and had to put the book down for a couple of days to settle myself before continuing. But I'm definitely glad I read this-- even with a couple plot holes and an uncomfortable scene (see TW below) Christopher Bollen has delivered a lusciously-written novel filled with compelling characters and an interesting perspective on modern morality. 3.5 stars
TW: infidelity, cancer, death of a parent, AIDS-related death, rape