Reviews

Pigeon-Blood Red by Ed Duncan

neville_lvr_reads's review

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

 Pigeon-Blood Red is a fast-paced thriller about Rico, one of the best assassin’s out there. Rico is definitely an interesting character and I enjoyed getting a look inside his head! Also, as a Chicagoland native, I always love reading books set in the Windy City.

My main issue with the book was that it didn’t fully suck me in and it almost moved *too* fast. I didn’t have time to get super invested in or attached to any of the characters. I also felt like there wasn’t much of a mystery or many twists, since you get PoVs from just about every side of the story.

That said, if you like fast-moving and action packed assassin thrillers, you should check this book out! It’s also a series, so I wonder if I would get more attached and invested in the later novels.

Thanks to @bookpublicityservices for sending me the audio in exchange for an honest review! 

dapperreads's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

While this wasn’t the most gripping book I have ever read but for this type of thriller it is great! I love assassin stories and this one has a very solid storyline. It’s written in what felt like a conversational tone, meaning I felt like I was listening in on conversations rather than just hearing a story after the fact. It was interesting and enjoyable. 

I was granted access to the audiobook and I can’t complain. I listen at a fast speed and my main complaint was needing to slow it down because at my usual speed I found it sounded almost robotic but slowed down it was fine. However, slowed down I do struggle to pay attention so it took me longer to get through than I was expecting. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

corinne82's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I was looking forward to getting stuck in to this one as this type of read is my kind of thing. I found it to be really slow paced with some action but unfortunately no real backstory or that sense of getting to know the characters which for me is crucial. For this reason I can’t say if I found the characters likeable or not. The storyline doesn’t really give you anything different to other similar storylines and it really lacked any kind of twists or suspense to keep you turning the pages. Unfortunately it didn’t really work for me. 

Thanks to Book Publicity Services for the opportunity to read #PigeonBloodRed

kallu_278's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This one is a perfect literally feast for those who love fast pace action packed thrillers with no more than 200 - 300 pages and pinch of romance.   Writing style so unique that within 200 pages the author was able to very beautifully portray what he wanted the readers to experience. If you want a good gangster story with movie like action go for this one. 

What I liked the most about this book was it had everything, from a crazy killer, to a merciless boss, 
Loads of drama, and ofcourse romance to cool it of all off. They was strong character development and I really loved Rico. 

This one definitely possesses the potential to be made into a movie. First of its series, I would say this was very amazing read, honestly I was not expecting but to my surprise I was a amazed. So excited to read the next in the series.

Did I have any problems with this book? Yes. To be honest, plot was a little slow in the beginning and it took me a few chapters to understand what was exactly happening but once I was into the story, it was like gliding on butter.

Definitely recommended to anyone who likes insta store ways with full on action

genevasbookdiary's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Blood Pigeon Red 

4 ⭐️ 

Action packed quick read/listen very enjoyable. It was nice to listen to something different. My first action - crime book and it was pretty interesting. Mobster mentality type and the narrator did an amazing job with all the voices I knew which character was which. Rico is a definite character he would make a great character in a movie. This book would be great for a man or woman who loves action & who is trying to get into reading it will definitely get their attention. 

Run this book in paperback right now is less than $5 on amazon! I recommend the audiobook as well. 

foreverawordaway's review against another edition

4.0

I was gifted this book in exchange for a honest review.

Rico Stays by Ed Duncan
4.5/5⭐️

Rico returns for the third book in the Pigeon-Blood Red series. This book allows the reader to see Rico in a different light as his relationship with Jean develops. The book also follows the characters Paul and Evelyn from books one and two. I think this book was the best book in the Pigeon-Blood Red series. The characters were better developed. The plot delivered in every aspect and has the reader hooked from the start. I just wish the book could have been longer!

This book is perfect for anyone who loves an action packed thriller.

remi_jane's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

readingtimeatthezoo's review against another edition

3.0

At only 200 pages this is a short sharp read and one that is thoroughly enjoyable.

It has a real-life mafia vibe to it complete with hitmen, conmen and generally unsavoury characters. The entire story is straight to the point with swift justice evoked throughout as problems are dealt with using violence rather than words.

Rico is charged with the job of retrieving his bosses priceless necklace containing the pigeon-blood red ruby after it was stolen almost right from under him. What follows is a cat and mouse like game that takes them from Chicago to Honolulu as he chases down the priceless gem.

Unfortunately, there is collateral damage in the form of innocent bystanders as this fast-paced gritty crime story plays out before us, but when your crime boss tells you to get a job done then what choice do you have?

Thank you so much to Book Publicity Services and the author for my #gifted copy.

charlee92's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

this was a really quick read. I feel like if it was a tv show it would be fun to watch. I'm not really sure how I felt about Rico. I warmed up to him in the end a bit. the other characters need a bit more time to get attached to but they all had included backstories which I liked.  

one thing throughout the book was that this would appeal more to men. the way women are written about is unnecessarily sexual.

if you enjoy shows like peaky blinders you'd enjoy this.

note: publisher sent me a copy to review

xokristim's review against another edition

5.0

actual rating 4.5 REVIEW TO COME ASAP!

I highly enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was paced perfectly, and had just the right amount of action. The amount of backstory given was just enough. I loved that the point of views changed within the chapters and not every other chapter. It helped to see what each character was feeling in each situation thrown at them at the same time.

I loved the character development throughout the story, I feel like I knew each and every one of the main characters. For some odd reason I was really drawn to Rico. I know he wasn’t a “good guy” but he was just so loyal throughout the book. I wasn’t shocked at any characters actions, but I though that was a good thing because I felt that I really knew each character and their though process.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good crime thriller. It also would be a nice start if you want to get into crime thrillers. It was so easy to read and keep up with what was going on.  I haven’t read the most crime thrillers, but this was definitely the best one I have read. I can’t wait to check out more of Ed Duncan’s books!