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bookswithtori's review against another edition
4.0
I was sent this book from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest view. The book is set in Chicago, with a Mafia style vibe to it. Rico is told to retrieve a stolen necklace for his boss, which leads him to Honolulu where innocent bystanders get in the way of his plan. Once he starts hunting down the bystanders to tie up lose ends, he may have found himself an unlikely ally. But are these strangers worth the life of the girl he loves?
This book was really well written and incorporated interesting back stories to a lot of the characters. Although, i do wish there was more drama in the book. I found it jumped a lot with one big event happening and then another one happening but not a lot of build up between events. At least not the kind that had you really invested and wanting more from every page. I would recommend to anyone look for a slow-burn read. I found that I read it slowly and think I enjoyed it so much because i took my time with it and didn’t rush through it!!
This book was really well written and incorporated interesting back stories to a lot of the characters. Although, i do wish there was more drama in the book. I found it jumped a lot with one big event happening and then another one happening but not a lot of build up between events. At least not the kind that had you really invested and wanting more from every page. I would recommend to anyone look for a slow-burn read. I found that I read it slowly and think I enjoyed it so much because i took my time with it and didn’t rush through it!!
brittanyraeann's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you Book Publishing Services for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is not my typical read. It's the fast paced opener to a gangster crime trilogy set in Chicago. I definitely got Tarantino vibes while reading this book. So if that is your jam, this book is definitely for you.
Unfortunately, it is definitely not for me. It starts out immediately with the action. Rico and Jerry realize they can't find the pigeon-blood red ruby necklace their boss needs them to deliver. They know it's been stolen, and the book dives right in sending them on the chase from Chicago to Hawaii. Rico is your typical gangster that all the ladies find attractive. Except for this lady because I did not like this character at all. He was misogynistic, rude, and predictable. I also felt like this book didn't give much background until the back of the book - like what this necklace even is or where it came from.
If action-packed-crime-boss-loan-shark novels are your thing, you'd probably like this novel more than me.
This book is not my typical read. It's the fast paced opener to a gangster crime trilogy set in Chicago. I definitely got Tarantino vibes while reading this book. So if that is your jam, this book is definitely for you.
Unfortunately, it is definitely not for me. It starts out immediately with the action. Rico and Jerry realize they can't find the pigeon-blood red ruby necklace their boss needs them to deliver. They know it's been stolen, and the book dives right in sending them on the chase from Chicago to Hawaii. Rico is your typical gangster that all the ladies find attractive. Except for this lady because I did not like this character at all. He was misogynistic, rude, and predictable. I also felt like this book didn't give much background until the back of the book - like what this necklace even is or where it came from.
If action-packed-crime-boss-loan-shark novels are your thing, you'd probably like this novel more than me.
rhirhireader's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first in a series, it is your typical gangster thriller full of action and excitement. But it also has some relationship content and I particularly enjoyed reading about the contrast between the hard, dark life of guns and murder, and the relationships these men had with their loved ones at home.
This book goes straight into the good stuff, the way the characters are introduced at the beginning, mid- action, is very clever.
This is a fairly short read, worth a go for fans of a fast action packed book.
This book goes straight into the good stuff, the way the characters are introduced at the beginning, mid- action, is very clever.
This is a fairly short read, worth a go for fans of a fast action packed book.
kaitbreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Song: Let's Kill Tonight - Panic! At the Disco
Pigeon-Blood Red is the first installment in a crime trilogy and it sets off with a bang. Richard "Rico" Sanders is an underworld enforcer whose mission was to retrieve the valuable "pigeon-blood red" ruby necklace that was taken from right under their noses. What should have been a simple job from the boss, turns into a wild goose chase from the streets of Chicago to the beaches of Honolulu.
This quick and fast paced story sucked you in from the beginning and throws you right into the action. This is a fun read and it is way more than just a crime novel as we touch on quite a few different subjects such as second chances, love, and doing the right thing. I could 100% see this book being made into a movie, it has all the perfect elements of one!
What I loved:
-Being able to get to know the characters, sometimes we don't always get that in a thriller/crime story.
-Multiple viewpoints left you on your toes! I loved how they weaved together to form the story.
-Rico is a wonderful anti-hero that you couldn't help but root for.
-Despite being the first book in a trilogy, but you aren't left hanging at the end
I would have loved a little more backstory on Rico's livelihood and how he became working for his boss, but we might learn that down the line. Ultimately, this is a classic crime thriller and fans of the genre would really enjoy it!
I would love to thank Kelsey Butts at Book Publicity Services and Ed Duncan for sending me a review copy. I throughly enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
thebookwormscorner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Pigeon-Blood Red was an emotionally and heart racing crime novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is my first Ed Duncan novel and I will say, I love his style of writing and I will definitely be reading more of his work.
The story focuses on Rico, Rico is a hitman (the way I see it)for a Chicago gangster named Litvack. Litvack has asked Rico to hold a beautiful Pigeon-Blood Red necklace; worth a lot of money. After the necklace lands in the hands of someone who it doesn't belong to, Rico has to figure out a way to get it back from the thief. Not only that, but he's also dealing with another score he has to handle. Confused by everything and also dealing with his own personal issues, Rico soon realizes how things take a turn for the worse.
It so happens more people get involved into Rico's mess, and he's given orders to take them out as well. Rico's conscience gets the best of him and he starts questioning if this is all a big coincidence or is there something else going on? I do have to say that I was really invested in Rico. I wouldn't mind seeing him in another book...who knows...we might get it. Huge thanks to Book Publicity Services and Ed Duncan for reaching out to gift me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The story focuses on Rico, Rico is a hitman (the way I see it)for a Chicago gangster named Litvack. Litvack has asked Rico to hold a beautiful Pigeon-Blood Red necklace; worth a lot of money. After the necklace lands in the hands of someone who it doesn't belong to, Rico has to figure out a way to get it back from the thief. Not only that, but he's also dealing with another score he has to handle. Confused by everything and also dealing with his own personal issues, Rico soon realizes how things take a turn for the worse.
It so happens more people get involved into Rico's mess, and he's given orders to take them out as well. Rico's conscience gets the best of him and he starts questioning if this is all a big coincidence or is there something else going on? I do have to say that I was really invested in Rico. I wouldn't mind seeing him in another book...who knows...we might get it. Huge thanks to Book Publicity Services and Ed Duncan for reaching out to gift me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
mymellowmania's review against another edition
3.0
*Special thanks to the author for giving me this book via Kelsey @bookpublicityservices, in exchange for an honest review.*
This was incredibly binge-worthy and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the story. I enjoyed the pace and I enjoyed the events that were happening. However, I also felt like there were very unnecessary plot enhancements, although it seemed perfect as a whole for the book. The plot-twists were also quite shocking and I loved the fact that the story wasn't fixated on a specific theme, since there were many interesting characters to be explored. For the length of a book, it will definitely hype you up for the second and third book.
This was purely a recreational read. I found myself reaching for it more than the permitted time I allow myself to read for the day. Very light and fast-paced.
This was incredibly binge-worthy and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the story. I enjoyed the pace and I enjoyed the events that were happening. However, I also felt like there were very unnecessary plot enhancements, although it seemed perfect as a whole for the book. The plot-twists were also quite shocking and I loved the fact that the story wasn't fixated on a specific theme, since there were many interesting characters to be explored. For the length of a book, it will definitely hype you up for the second and third book.
This was purely a recreational read. I found myself reaching for it more than the permitted time I allow myself to read for the day. Very light and fast-paced.
thereadergram's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
jodiesheerin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mymellowmania's review against another edition
3.0
*Special thanks to the author for giving me this book via Kelsey @bookpublicityservices, in exchange for an honest review.*
This was incredibly binge-worthy and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the story. I enjoyed the pace and I enjoyed the events that were happening. However, I also felt like there were very unnecessary plot enhancements, although it seemed perfect as a whole for the book. The plot-twists were also quite shocking and I loved the fact that the story wasn't fixated on a specific theme, since there were many interesting characters to be explored. For the length of a book, it will definitely hype you up for the second and third book.
This was purely a recreational read. I found myself reaching for it more than the permitted time I allow myself to read for the day. Very light and fast-paced.
This was incredibly binge-worthy and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the story. I enjoyed the pace and I enjoyed the events that were happening. However, I also felt like there were very unnecessary plot enhancements, although it seemed perfect as a whole for the book. The plot-twists were also quite shocking and I loved the fact that the story wasn't fixated on a specific theme, since there were many interesting characters to be explored. For the length of a book, it will definitely hype you up for the second and third book.
This was purely a recreational read. I found myself reaching for it more than the permitted time I allow myself to read for the day. Very light and fast-paced.
reading_under_covers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I found the main character, Rico, to be ridiculous and extremely unlikeable until the last couple of chapters. This didn’t feel like a book or story where we should be rooting for him and wanting him to succeed.
With that being said, I loved the two characters that he was on a mission to kill, and I loved the way this story was built out with all of the side plots and side characters.
This was a fun (if absurd) crime chase novel.
*** thanks to Book Publicity Services for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
I found the main character, Rico, to be ridiculous and extremely unlikeable until the last couple of chapters. This didn’t feel like a book or story where we should be rooting for him and wanting him to succeed.
With that being said, I loved the two characters that he was on a mission to kill, and I loved the way this story was built out with all of the side plots and side characters.
This was a fun (if absurd) crime chase novel.
*** thanks to Book Publicity Services for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***