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klparmley's review against another edition
2.0
This PI ghost story is set in familiar places. It's fun reading about trips to Butner and walking around Old Salem. However, the story is uneven.
I got the boxed set because it was on special and the premise intrigued me. I'll finish it because I have it and it is moderately entertaining. It will never be on the NYT Bestseller list, but it passes the time.
I got the boxed set because it was on special and the premise intrigued me. I'll finish it because I have it and it is moderately entertaining. It will never be on the NYT Bestseller list, but it passes the time.
marcelozanca's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
drajon's review
4.0
Cults, conspiracies, and curses, oh my. I found this book had a good main character who I could enjoy reading and learning about. His side kick being a ghost was interesting and the limitations of the world were reasonable and enjoyable. I look forward to the next in this seriea
geminidragonbadger's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up Southern Bound at Illogicon in Raleigh where Mr. Jaffe was one of the vendors. When he described the premise of the book, I was definitely intrigued and thought it would be something interesting and different to read. I immediately purchased the first three books and started reading it at the convention itself. It's been way too long since I read a good supernatural novel.
Max has just moved to Winston Salem and taken a job that was too good to be true - something everyone should be wary of. His job leads him to meeting Marshall Drummond, the ghost who has been bound to his office, and Drummond gets him started on solving the mystery of his death.
First of all, I loved that the book is set locally. I don't live in Winston Salem, but there were references to areas I am familiar with and that's always really cool. I loved the ghost detective and I loved how Max was drawn into this world of the supernatural. I loved how Max's research would have probably led him to the same conclusions he got to eventually, but that Drummond sped that up.
I found Southern Bound to be a fast read with lots of twists and turns that keep you turning the page. It was also a fast read - it only took me so long because I am participating in a readalong of another book and had to read that book at the same time. I think it's a positive addition to its genres - an enjoyable detective book and an enjoyable ghost story. I definitely recommend it.
I saw some of the same problems listed as some of the other reviews - the pacing felt off in some places and at times, it never felt like our characters were in danger. I was left with a few questions about the mysterious organization that had both hired Max and wanted to kill him and a few parts pulled me out of the story (generally involving Max's wife Sandra - between her deus ex machina power and some of the descriptions of her, I didn't end up liking her or feeling like she had a fully developed character).
Overall, though, I thought Southern Bound was really enjoyable and I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what other mischief Max, Drummond, and Sandra get up to.
Max has just moved to Winston Salem and taken a job that was too good to be true - something everyone should be wary of. His job leads him to meeting Marshall Drummond, the ghost who has been bound to his office, and Drummond gets him started on solving the mystery of his death.
First of all, I loved that the book is set locally. I don't live in Winston Salem, but there were references to areas I am familiar with and that's always really cool. I loved the ghost detective and I loved how Max was drawn into this world of the supernatural. I loved how Max's research would have probably led him to the same conclusions he got to eventually, but that Drummond sped that up.
I found Southern Bound to be a fast read with lots of twists and turns that keep you turning the page. It was also a fast read - it only took me so long because I am participating in a readalong of another book and had to read that book at the same time. I think it's a positive addition to its genres - an enjoyable detective book and an enjoyable ghost story. I definitely recommend it.
I saw some of the same problems listed as some of the other reviews - the pacing felt off in some places and at times, it never felt like our characters were in danger. I was left with a few questions about the mysterious organization that had both hired Max and wanted to kill him and a few parts pulled me out of the story (generally involving Max's wife Sandra - between her deus ex machina power and some of the descriptions of her, I didn't end up liking her or feeling like she had a fully developed character).
Overall, though, I thought Southern Bound was really enjoyable and I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what other mischief Max, Drummond, and Sandra get up to.
cthuwu's review
i read seven chapters and have no idea what was going on. the plot advanced too quickly and there wasn't enough substance to keep me occupied.
rclz's review
4.0
This was a fun story. I had no idea where it was going and that made it interesting. The characters were likeable. I thought at first I wasn't going to like Sandra but she turned out to be made of sterner stuff than I thought. Max is a bit of a ding dong in the beginning but he gets it together. Drummond of course is a fun addition. The plot tied up very well at the end. It could have been a bit more in depth but all in all if there were more Max stories I would read them.
tarana's review
2.0
I tried really hard to like this book, but it just lacked the spark for me. I might try it again at a later time. This was author narrated and he did an excellent job!
bertturtel's review
5.0
This is a wonderfully fun take on the paranormal and the Archie Goodwin/Sam Spade type of detective. Max is very whiny at the beginning, but by the end it appears he will have more of a backbone in the later books.
I cannot wait to get to the second book! Wonderful vacation read- engrossing but not overwhelming.
I cannot wait to get to the second book! Wonderful vacation read- engrossing but not overwhelming.
nini_f's review
4.0
I throughly enjoyed this book in fact I almost read the whole thing in one go, and was only stopped by needing to charge my kobo. I enjoyed the mix of historical conspiracy theory and paranormal. I particularly liked the fact that the story was fast paced with engaging and likable characters. The writterror has createdone a suspenseful thriller with engaging ough comic moments so that it doesn't become simply a ghost story. I will most certainly be continuing with this series !!
scribal's review
3.0
Did not finish. Perfectly fine, but not for me. No atmosphere. I purchased it because I'm always looking for a gothic feel that is NOT horror, NOT romance, NOT YA....but I couldn't even tell if it was winter or summer. So not "southern gothic" by my definition at all. I was bored.