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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
This is a fast paced crime thriller book. Set in Chicago we come across a husband, Robert who owns two appliance stores with financial and gambling problems. He spends many hours at the stores to the dismay of his wife trying to break even promising they are so close he just needs more time. His wife Evelyn is sick of this and tries to get him to go with her on a trip to Honolulu. When he tells her he isn’t going, she decides to take one of her girlfriends along instead.
Robert is wrapped up with a loan shark gangster boss and owes a lot of money by a certain date. He comes across a pigeon-blood red ruby necklace, and he thinks this will solve all his money problems. He rushes to Honolulu to meet his wife and this is where the story really begins.
We follow Rico who is sent to retrieve the necklace and put a hit on the person who took it. Along the way there are twists and betrayals. This book really played out like a mobster movie and I couldn’t put it down. There are several characters introduced but they are all connected.
This book is a first in a trilogy, and honestly I’m interested in knowing what happens next. This does not have a cliff hanger as it has an ending I was happy with but I do want to know where a certain character goes next. With 228 pages, you get plenty of detail and the story never feels rushed.
Huge thank you to Kelsey Butts (Ed Duncan’s book publicist) for the gifted copy! I was honored to be asked to read this and provide my review.
I admire anyone who can put their thoughts on paper and develop a book! It truly takes talent. I will say, I do not find that I am the target audience for this.
It is promoted as a thriller but felt it was a more “gangster” style plot line where there isn’t much depth to the characters… just a lot of killing and lust after women. Everything felt fairly surface level and the writing felt a bit sporadic. There were 3 parts to this book and every chapter bounced around to multiple plot lines which made it more confusing. I also didn’t find myself liking any of the characters nor the purpose of the storyline.
This book has a ton of rave reviews and can see how many would enjoy a novel such as this! I would say, I love how quick-paced this book was. I read it in a few hours!
I admire anyone who can put their thoughts on paper and develop a book! It truly takes talent. I will say, I do not find that I am the target audience for this.
It is promoted as a thriller but felt it was a more “gangster” style plot line where there isn’t much depth to the characters… just a lot of killing and lust after women. Everything felt fairly surface level and the writing felt a bit sporadic. There were 3 parts to this book and every chapter bounced around to multiple plot lines which made it more confusing. I also didn’t find myself liking any of the characters nor the purpose of the storyline.
This book has a ton of rave reviews and can see how many would enjoy a novel such as this! I would say, I love how quick-paced this book was. I read it in a few hours!
Rico is on the hunt for a man who stole a priceless necklace from his boss who happens to be a loan shark. It seems like an easy mission for this hit man, get the necklace back and everything will be fine, right? Wrong. Amidst cheating scandals, secrets, and past lovers, Rico botches his job. Will he be able to finish the job he set out to do or will his conscience prevail?
The style of this book almost reminded me of The Pelican Brief with how different stories were intertwined to create one novel. The novel also reads very well as a movie (which I could see it being adapted to at some point.) With the fast pace, it felt like it was over all too soon but the novel wasn't lacking anything.
I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading this book. It had everything I wanted in it, a likable main character, witty dialogue, and twists at every new chapter. Although some were predictable, others were not.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by Ed Duncan after Kelsey, his publicist, reached out to me.
The style of this book almost reminded me of The Pelican Brief with how different stories were intertwined to create one novel. The novel also reads very well as a movie (which I could see it being adapted to at some point.) With the fast pace, it felt like it was over all too soon but the novel wasn't lacking anything.
I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading this book. It had everything I wanted in it, a likable main character, witty dialogue, and twists at every new chapter. Although some were predictable, others were not.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by Ed Duncan after Kelsey, his publicist, reached out to me.
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
Firstly, I want to thank Book Publicity Services and the author for providing me with a free paperback copy to read and provide an honest review.
Though this book is short and fast paced with an interesting plot and resolution - the execution of the characters and writing style made it a challenging read
The book constantly bounces back and forth between lots of different characters as they interact with each other to gauge their thoughts and behaviours. Without a consistent character to follow the narrative through, it made all the characters feel shallow and relied very heavily on just telling us how each character is reacting to a situation rather than showing it in a more refined way which made it feel very monotonous to read.
I really struggled to like any of the characters. Where we didn’t get any depth to them, a big flaw I had with this is that all the male characters just felt too similar - each these fun welding bravado men who only seem to want to kill people or try and get with a female character.
The women on the other had were poorly written about as their only purpose in this book is to serve as sexualised objects for the male characters and even when 2 female characters were talking it was only about guys… definitely would not have passed the Bechdel test.
Whilst I can see how this book is thoroughly enjoyed but some, sadly it just didn’t hit the mark for me and can’t see myself reaching out for the other books in this trilogy.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Pigeon Blood Red
Ed Duncan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Action packed, this one is edge of your seat suspenseful. There’re twist terms all through this book. Wonderful car novel that will keep you turning the pages in completely entertained.
Rico, a total gangster to the core, totally flawed murderer (only if deserved) but I loved this character. Litvak, Rico’s, gangster boss, intimidating, dude, I wouldn’t want to face him, especially like Rico had to after the necklace was lost.
The book was told in multiple point of views. Slower start in the beginning but about 25% in and it kicks into high gear and all the action starts. This is the first book in the trilogy and I can’t wait to see what happens.
Ed Duncan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Action packed, this one is edge of your seat suspenseful. There’re twist terms all through this book. Wonderful car novel that will keep you turning the pages in completely entertained.
Rico, a total gangster to the core, totally flawed murderer (only if deserved) but I loved this character. Litvak, Rico’s, gangster boss, intimidating, dude, I wouldn’t want to face him, especially like Rico had to after the necklace was lost.
The book was told in multiple point of views. Slower start in the beginning but about 25% in and it kicks into high gear and all the action starts. This is the first book in the trilogy and I can’t wait to see what happens.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed the crime boss vibes of this story!
This story was quick moving and quite engaging! I was quickly swept into the plot and enjoyed trying to put the pieces together. I had zero idea what would happen or how it would play out. I grew SO attached to Evelyn and Paul. I loved their story. I wish Rico, who is a main character, was better laid out and had more of a back story. He was far from my favorite for obvious reasons that happen very early in the book but I would have like a chance at redemption. Some of the pacing and set up of the book was confusing at times but overall I did enjoy this one.
This story was quick moving and quite engaging! I was quickly swept into the plot and enjoyed trying to put the pieces together. I had zero idea what would happen or how it would play out. I grew SO attached to Evelyn and Paul. I loved their story. I wish Rico, who is a main character, was better laid out and had more of a back story. He was far from my favorite for obvious reasons that happen very early in the book but I would have like a chance at redemption. Some of the pacing and set up of the book was confusing at times but overall I did enjoy this one.
Rico does any job that his gangster boss needs of him. When his work takes him to Honolulu and innocent lives are endangered, he begins to question whether he can follow the orders he has been given.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced and gripping book.
I found myself absorbed in the story from the very start. After just a short time getting to know the different characters I got a good feel for who they were and what was important to them. This meant that I couldn't decide who to root for! Ed Duncan has done an impressive job in creating so many likeable characters. I particularly enjoyed reading the story from Rico's viewpoint as he isn't your typical protagonist and this gave the entire book a very original feel.
I had no idea where the plot would take me and raced through it in less than a day to find out what happened. I already can't wait to read the sequel to this fantastic book.
Thank you Ed Duncan and Book Publicity Services for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes