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matt357's review
2.0
A rare miss for Highsmith here. A second book of here's I've read with doesn't concern itself with sexuality, and I'm seeing a pattern for the books where her writing doesn't work.
This starts as a stolen dog crime story, and shortly after the police are involved we start to get narration from the criminal and the patrol officer involved. The criminal is irredeemable (in every way a minor crook can be) but hardly able to fail for trying, while the officer comes off as virtuous but constantly being hit with unlucky negative consequences.
While the characterisation is done well, the plot feels like it runs over long and is almost concluded on the spot with little warning, in a rather disappointing way
This starts as a stolen dog crime story, and shortly after the police are involved we start to get narration from the criminal and the patrol officer involved. The criminal is irredeemable (in every way a minor crook can be) but hardly able to fail for trying, while the officer comes off as virtuous but constantly being hit with unlucky negative consequences.
While the characterisation is done well, the plot feels like it runs over long and is almost concluded on the spot with little warning, in a rather disappointing way
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
Patricia Highsmith really is a champion at making things feel sinister, she does it so well. Things start off with a dog being taken and a ransom demanded for its release, and then everything spirals out into more sinister waters.
lvespoli's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
novelesque_life's review
4.0
4 STARS
"The great revival of interest in Patricia Highsmith continues with the publication of this novel that will give dog owners nightmares for years to come. With an eerie simplicity of style, Highsmith turns our next-door neighbors into sadistic psychopaths, lying in wait among white picket fences and manicured lawns. In A Dog's Ransom, Highsmith blends a savage humor with brilliant social satire in this dark tale of a highminded criminal who hits a wealthy Manhattan couple where it hurts the most when he kidnaps their beloved poodle." (From Amazon)
Another great suspense novel by Highsmith.
"The great revival of interest in Patricia Highsmith continues with the publication of this novel that will give dog owners nightmares for years to come. With an eerie simplicity of style, Highsmith turns our next-door neighbors into sadistic psychopaths, lying in wait among white picket fences and manicured lawns. In A Dog's Ransom, Highsmith blends a savage humor with brilliant social satire in this dark tale of a highminded criminal who hits a wealthy Manhattan couple where it hurts the most when he kidnaps their beloved poodle." (From Amazon)
Another great suspense novel by Highsmith.
molly9900's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bundy23's review
5.0
Interesting to see that this is one of the worst rated Highsmiths on Goodreads because it was easily my favourite. The protagonist is a bit of a loser but at least he wasn't a wanker like in every other book I've read by her.
It's not comfortable and there's not a lot of happiness going on but that's probably why I liked it so much.
It's not comfortable and there's not a lot of happiness going on but that's probably why I liked it so much.
elizafiedler's review
5.0
SO GOOD. I really need to read more Highsmith. ALL of Highsmith. The capacity for evil can be found in all of us.
michellebuch's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
happy_stomach's review
3.0
Perhaps an odd choice for my first written encounter with Highsmith, but I didn't want the faces of Hollywood actors in mind when reading. I have no regrets about this introduction. The somewhat silly premise served well to surface Highsmith's skills at turning the most mundane sinister. In fact, I am one rarely to experience nightmares but had several scary dreams while reading this book. Warning, this novel does have the pace of a police interrogation--it's worth hanging on.