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salbulga's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
I read this because it was the semi-inspiration for Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, one of my favorite movies. The story itself however is closer to Weekend At Bernie’s. A funny, entertaining mystery with a private eye that’s actually not a repellent misogynist and/or sexist! The dialogue isn’t as great as Halliday’s contemporaries and dialogue is half of why people read PI books based in this era. But you could do worse.
knowledgelost's review
3.0
Mike Shayne is back, and yet again he finds himself unable to say no to a beautiful rich woman asking for his help. But maybe he will change his tune when she winds up dead in his bed and his is being accused of a crime he did not do. With the girl’s political stepfather eager to see Mike fry, will he find out just who is trying to frame him?
Bodies are Where You Find Them is the fifth (of over seventy) Mike Shayne book by Brett Halliday, but it is the first I’ve read. Shayne is a heavy drinker, heavy fisted but a quick thinker. However the thing that really stood out with this character was the fact that he was a real anti-hero. I find with hard-boiled detectives they normally blur the line between good and evil but they always seemed to always be a hero; well in all the ones I’ve read, I’ll be happy to be proven wrong. But with Mike Shayne he often crossed the line, not particularly into evil but he was a deeply flawed detective that found me groaning at some of his actions.
The novel is a typical hard-boiled plot, with some political thriller aspects thrown in; Shayne has backed one candidate to be mayor and now he finds himself being framed. With the help of a reporter, he uncovers political corruption and dead bodies. You are never really sure exactly what is happening, I think this is because Shayne’s thought process really throws the reader off.
The Robert Downey Jr. movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is apparently based on this novel but I think it must be very loosely based; there are glimpses of a resemblance but nothing really that stands out apart from the idea of being constantly sidetracked by the protagonists thoughts and unexpected bodies.
While this book wouldn’t be high up in my recommendations for pulp novels, it was an enjoyable read. There are some parts of the book that felt like they have been done to death but I do think Mike Shayne will go on to be a great protagonist; one I’ll love to hate. One thing that stayed in the back of my mind was the amount of cognac Shayne drank; seriously I kept imagining just how hard it would be to be a private investigator if you are plastered all the time. I wonder if anyone have written or filmed a satire about a PI that is too drunk to solve or do anything. Bodies are Where You Find Them is worth reading for pulp fans but if you are new to this genre maybe check out these recommendations.
This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/01/20/book-review-bodies-are-where-you-find-them/
Bodies are Where You Find Them is the fifth (of over seventy) Mike Shayne book by Brett Halliday, but it is the first I’ve read. Shayne is a heavy drinker, heavy fisted but a quick thinker. However the thing that really stood out with this character was the fact that he was a real anti-hero. I find with hard-boiled detectives they normally blur the line between good and evil but they always seemed to always be a hero; well in all the ones I’ve read, I’ll be happy to be proven wrong. But with Mike Shayne he often crossed the line, not particularly into evil but he was a deeply flawed detective that found me groaning at some of his actions.
The novel is a typical hard-boiled plot, with some political thriller aspects thrown in; Shayne has backed one candidate to be mayor and now he finds himself being framed. With the help of a reporter, he uncovers political corruption and dead bodies. You are never really sure exactly what is happening, I think this is because Shayne’s thought process really throws the reader off.
The Robert Downey Jr. movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is apparently based on this novel but I think it must be very loosely based; there are glimpses of a resemblance but nothing really that stands out apart from the idea of being constantly sidetracked by the protagonists thoughts and unexpected bodies.
While this book wouldn’t be high up in my recommendations for pulp novels, it was an enjoyable read. There are some parts of the book that felt like they have been done to death but I do think Mike Shayne will go on to be a great protagonist; one I’ll love to hate. One thing that stayed in the back of my mind was the amount of cognac Shayne drank; seriously I kept imagining just how hard it would be to be a private investigator if you are plastered all the time. I wonder if anyone have written or filmed a satire about a PI that is too drunk to solve or do anything. Bodies are Where You Find Them is worth reading for pulp fans but if you are new to this genre maybe check out these recommendations.
This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/01/20/book-review-bodies-are-where-you-find-them/
beckydouglas's review
3.0
I feel like the grand old tradition of hard-boiled, pulp fiction detective novels is overdue for a resurgence. Perhaps I read the wrong genres, but I feel like there isn’t an obvious modern day equivalent to someone like Brett Halliday or Ray Bradbury and I think that’s kind of a shame.
Bodies Are Where You Find Them is a fine example of that grand old tradition. I’m not sure it technically counts as a “good” book generally, but if you’re looking for a hard-boiled mystery it’s a great book for that. You have your detective Mike Shayne, a hard-drinking, hard-smoking, tough guy who works endless hours, gets beaten up a lot, beats people up a lot and has been set straight by his perfect, understanding wife.
Incidentally, his wife is not present for most of this novel, giving him permission to be on less than his best behaviour for the adventure. During which time, in spite of a cunning plan by The Baddies, he manages to eventually Save The Day, mostly by being a tough guy who can stay smart whilst drinking too much bourbon. Honestly, it’s a delight.
So, if you can find a copy without paying the terrifying costs of books that are out of print, I do recommend it. If you can’t, worry not, I suspect that it’s only a matter of time before someone buys up the rights to the Mike Shayne novels and re-publishes the lot.
Bodies Are Where You Find Them is a fine example of that grand old tradition. I’m not sure it technically counts as a “good” book generally, but if you’re looking for a hard-boiled mystery it’s a great book for that. You have your detective Mike Shayne, a hard-drinking, hard-smoking, tough guy who works endless hours, gets beaten up a lot, beats people up a lot and has been set straight by his perfect, understanding wife.
Incidentally, his wife is not present for most of this novel, giving him permission to be on less than his best behaviour for the adventure. During which time, in spite of a cunning plan by The Baddies, he manages to eventually Save The Day, mostly by being a tough guy who can stay smart whilst drinking too much bourbon. Honestly, it’s a delight.
So, if you can find a copy without paying the terrifying costs of books that are out of print, I do recommend it. If you can’t, worry not, I suspect that it’s only a matter of time before someone buys up the rights to the Mike Shayne novels and re-publishes the lot.
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