Scan barcode
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
4.0
Suspenseful and interesting characters. I enjoyed it. I got it free from Amazon prime.
declaun's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Very soft 3/5
Likes:
+ Interesting plot and character premises
+ Story is fun to read
Dislikes:
- Female characters are one dimensional
- Unconvincing characters
- plot conclusion is disappointing
Likes:
+ Interesting plot and character premises
+ Story is fun to read
Dislikes:
- Female characters are one dimensional
- Unconvincing characters
- plot conclusion is disappointing
tstreet's review against another edition
5.0
This book was really good. I picked it because it fit a challenge I was in and ended up loving it. I love the story of a son trying to figure out how was behind his mother's murder. I hated Birdie and how he randomly came into the bar Justin worked at and told him he killed his mother. I love how it all starts from there and Justin begins looking into the murder once again. I love that Annie becomes close with Justin and how they both figure out who Birdie is and how they finally solve that mystery. I don't like Justin's dad at all and its probably for the best that he's behind bars. I was glad that Dereck finally decided to just take his horse and leave instead of going back to a life of crime. I hate that Cody used Justin and that he ended up going down a really bad path. Overall this book was amazing! 5 stars!
heathertuna's review
3.0
I wasn't that impressed. It was an okay read...but definitely didn't blow me away. Mediocre book, but once I started, I just wanted to finish. Not terrible for a free Kindle book.
k8clark's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, I'd like to give it 3 1/2 stars. It had twists and turns everywhere, some I saw coming and some I did not. It did slow down a bit after the big reveal.
This was the the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more.
This book gives dysfunctional family a new meaning.
This was the the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more.
This book gives dysfunctional family a new meaning.
kfip's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic Opening. The blurb doesn't do it justice. The tension mounts from word one. I was captivated by the depth of character from the lead to the twisted hit-man. I thought I appreciated a good stiff drink before. I will never look at my favorite cocktail the same way again. I must read for every thriller fan.
k_kiefer's review against another edition
3.0
it felt like watching an episode of Law and Order. lots of characters to keep you guessing and in the end I can walk away and feel content with how I spent my time. It's not a book I'll pick up again but it was perfect for passing the time.
schmoterp's review against another edition
2.0
There are just some books that just can't grab the interest of the reader, and Lashner's The Barkeep is one of them. As a mystery novel it is largely plot driven which wouldn't be so bad if the plot was more unique. In fact, it felt as if Lashner based the entire book on the uninspiring merging of a detective and a bartender. I am neither impressed or intrigued. The main character, Justin Chase, is an ironically charismatic bartender who, through a breakdown of detachment, decides to embark as a gumshoe to piece together the truth behind his mother's death.
Lashner's mystery reads quite dryly and reminds me of film noir in style and texture. I was often reminded, and this is not meant to be a criticism, of the video game Max Payne. Justin Chase lives his life with an air of detachment to people and things. His rhetoric seems to modernize Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry character. At times, The Barkeep can be funny and witty but this is unfortunately far overwhelmed by a distinct lack of quality dialogue, particularly with Justin and his brother, Frank. For example:
Okay, maybe I was. But I've been working through my anger, working through the way I've always felt about you. Did you know that when Mom told me she was having another baby, I broke out into tears?"
This is quote is from Frank to Justin. As an older brother myself, this seems like a hilarious statement to make, in or out of context. This man that was also gone through the horrific death of his mother, but is now also married and with children, is still harboring the childish jealousy of a new sibling? Hardly believable and worse, debatable pretense to the story.
All this isn't to say The Barkeep is entirely without value. It does provide entertainment but only from the perspective that it takes longer to read this book then it does to watch a movie. It's good for a summer read on the beach but personally I would rather read something more impactful.
Lashner's mystery reads quite dryly and reminds me of film noir in style and texture. I was often reminded, and this is not meant to be a criticism, of the video game Max Payne. Justin Chase lives his life with an air of detachment to people and things. His rhetoric seems to modernize Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry character. At times, The Barkeep can be funny and witty but this is unfortunately far overwhelmed by a distinct lack of quality dialogue, particularly with Justin and his brother, Frank. For example:
Okay, maybe I was. But I've been working through my anger, working through the way I've always felt about you. Did you know that when Mom told me she was having another baby, I broke out into tears?"
This is quote is from Frank to Justin. As an older brother myself, this seems like a hilarious statement to make, in or out of context. This man that was also gone through the horrific death of his mother, but is now also married and with children, is still harboring the childish jealousy of a new sibling? Hardly believable and worse, debatable pretense to the story.
All this isn't to say The Barkeep is entirely without value. It does provide entertainment but only from the perspective that it takes longer to read this book then it does to watch a movie. It's good for a summer read on the beach but personally I would rather read something more impactful.