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usbsticky's review against another edition
2.0
The writing is the equivalent of someone speaking in a monotone voice. I have no idea where the story is going. I don't know it this book is drama, thriller or whatever but the writing just didn't keep my interest and I dnf'd it. Edit: After reading the other reviews I'm glad I dnf'd it.
eleellis's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second installment involving Jay Porter, a sort of all around handy man, known to get involved in slippery investigations involving a variety of people, most of who are not too nice.
The book picks up not too long after the first novel involving Jay Porter and the collection of characters introduced in the first novel. In the story, Porter finds himself involved in the investigation of a scandal detailing the wider use of private prisons, especially when it comes to housing juveniles and those arrested for very petty crimes.
Clifford's books involving this character are well written and enjoyable, however, my main complaint is the behavior of the main protagonist, Jay Porter, do not allow him to be that likable of a character. Without giving away too much, Clifford might be trying to add enough to help readers feel sympathetic toward Jay Porter, which would increase the needed likability, but to me, it wasn't enough.
The third installment, Give Up The Dead, was provided as an ARC from Netgalley and in this partially completed novel, it seems Clifford is, at last, making Porter more tolerable and likable.
Still, with the mild dislike of Jay Porter in the first two novels, books by Clifford are still recommended.
The book picks up not too long after the first novel involving Jay Porter and the collection of characters introduced in the first novel. In the story, Porter finds himself involved in the investigation of a scandal detailing the wider use of private prisons, especially when it comes to housing juveniles and those arrested for very petty crimes.
Clifford's books involving this character are well written and enjoyable, however, my main complaint is the behavior of the main protagonist, Jay Porter, do not allow him to be that likable of a character. Without giving away too much, Clifford might be trying to add enough to help readers feel sympathetic toward Jay Porter, which would increase the needed likability, but to me, it wasn't enough.
The third installment, Give Up The Dead, was provided as an ARC from Netgalley and in this partially completed novel, it seems Clifford is, at last, making Porter more tolerable and likable.
Still, with the mild dislike of Jay Porter in the first two novels, books by Clifford are still recommended.
bract4813mypacksnet's review
5.0
December Boys is the second in Joe Clifford’s Jay Porter series. Just as dark as the first in the series, Lamentation, December Boys moves more quickly without a wasted word. Clifford’s prose is gritty and moody, yet beautiful, with lines that shine like a Jacob’s ladder. The New England winter, with its aching, biting cold, snow and dirty roadside slush, is a recurrent motif.
Jay Porter is a seriously flawed character with deep psychological issues that commence with the death of his parents in his childhood followed by his brother’s “suicide by cop” which occurred in Lamentation.
He now has a 9-5 job as an insurance claims investigator and has married the love of his life, Jenny, but can’t hold his life together. He remains haunted by the deaths of family and the guilt he feels over being unable to save his junky brother. He self-medicates with an increasing does of alcohol. Though he tries to provide a home for Jenny and his son, Aiden, she leaves him because, though present in her life, he isn’t really there.
He remains obsessed by the Lombardi case that got him in trouble in Lamentation. In December Boys, he works with Nicki, a courthouse employee (and Jay’s newest temptation) to undercover the dark secrets of the Lombardis in a new scam. His involvement nearly costs him his life.
Jay is not particularly likable but is a sympathetic character as the reader becomes acquainted with him and his many problems including PTSD, an anxiety disorder, and a relentless paranoia over the Lombardis. Porter has an underlying morality and tries to do the right thing, including not cheating on his wife, but he invariably undercuts his own efforts.
I received an advanced copy of this work in exchange for a fair review.
Jay Porter is a seriously flawed character with deep psychological issues that commence with the death of his parents in his childhood followed by his brother’s “suicide by cop” which occurred in Lamentation.
He now has a 9-5 job as an insurance claims investigator and has married the love of his life, Jenny, but can’t hold his life together. He remains haunted by the deaths of family and the guilt he feels over being unable to save his junky brother. He self-medicates with an increasing does of alcohol. Though he tries to provide a home for Jenny and his son, Aiden, she leaves him because, though present in her life, he isn’t really there.
He remains obsessed by the Lombardi case that got him in trouble in Lamentation. In December Boys, he works with Nicki, a courthouse employee (and Jay’s newest temptation) to undercover the dark secrets of the Lombardis in a new scam. His involvement nearly costs him his life.
Jay is not particularly likable but is a sympathetic character as the reader becomes acquainted with him and his many problems including PTSD, an anxiety disorder, and a relentless paranoia over the Lombardis. Porter has an underlying morality and tries to do the right thing, including not cheating on his wife, but he invariably undercuts his own efforts.
I received an advanced copy of this work in exchange for a fair review.
eleellis's review
3.0
This is the second installment involving Jay Porter, a sort of all around handy man, known to get involved in slippery investigations involving a variety of people, most of who are not too nice.
The book picks up not too long after the first novel involving Jay Porter and the collection of characters introduced in the first novel. In the story, Porter finds himself involved in the investigation of a scandal detailing the wider use of private prisons, especially when it comes to housing juveniles and those arrested for very petty crimes.
Clifford's books involving this character are well written and enjoyable, however, my main complaint is the behavior of the main protagonist, Jay Porter, do not allow him to be that likable of a character. Without giving away too much, Clifford might be trying to add enough to help readers feel sympathetic toward Jay Porter, which would increase the needed likability, but to me, it wasn't enough.
The third installment, Give Up The Dead, was provided as an ARC from Netgalley and in this partially completed novel, it seems Clifford is, at last, making Porter more tolerable and likable.
Still, with the mild dislike of Jay Porter in the first two novels, books by Clifford are still recommended.
The book picks up not too long after the first novel involving Jay Porter and the collection of characters introduced in the first novel. In the story, Porter finds himself involved in the investigation of a scandal detailing the wider use of private prisons, especially when it comes to housing juveniles and those arrested for very petty crimes.
Clifford's books involving this character are well written and enjoyable, however, my main complaint is the behavior of the main protagonist, Jay Porter, do not allow him to be that likable of a character. Without giving away too much, Clifford might be trying to add enough to help readers feel sympathetic toward Jay Porter, which would increase the needed likability, but to me, it wasn't enough.
The third installment, Give Up The Dead, was provided as an ARC from Netgalley and in this partially completed novel, it seems Clifford is, at last, making Porter more tolerable and likable.
Still, with the mild dislike of Jay Porter in the first two novels, books by Clifford are still recommended.
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