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hmuraski27's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
imalwayswrite's review
4.0
Good, but I liked the first one better. This story was a teensy bit slower and doesn't seem finished.
jerkyf's review
3.0
Ruddy went to prison for murdering a girl when he was young. She was in his car when it went off the road and into the water. Her body was found, drowned, five days later, and he was imprisoned for her mother. He served his time, got out, and is now a repo man. In this book he finds out he wasn't actually responsible for her death. She wasn't in the car when it happened.
I like Ruddy as a character. Alan (the voice of his girlfriend's father who exists only in Ruddy's mind) is back, which keeps things interesting. The story just has so many eye-rolling inconsistencies that it was frustrating. With a criminally incompetent medical examiner, a petty, power-tripping sheriff, and Ruddy telling everybody everything while he investigates a serial killer, the dead dad voice in his head is not even close to the least believable part of this.
I like Ruddy as a character. Alan (the voice of his girlfriend's father who exists only in Ruddy's mind) is back, which keeps things interesting. The story just has so many eye-rolling inconsistencies that it was frustrating. With a criminally incompetent medical examiner, a petty, power-tripping sheriff, and Ruddy telling everybody everything while he investigates a serial killer, the dead dad voice in his head is not even close to the least believable part of this.
dashausfrau's review
4.0
I love how the Ruddy McCann books don't neatly fit into any particular category. It could be a Cozy Mystery, except that it takes place in frozen Michigan, and the "quirky" cast of characters are a rainbow of ordinary non-achievers. It might be Paranormal Suspense, but the occult powers of the leading man extend to just one rather annoying, not even corporeal ghost. Mostly I just love watching Ruddy the Repo Man work. I can see his face & hear his voice in MY head while he runs around trying to get his life back together. You go, Ruddy. Can't wait to see you again!
judya's review
5.0
Convicted in the death of a young woman, Ruddy McCann has returned from prison to the two jobs he can get: bar bouncer, and car repossession. However, he has a unique problem. The voice of his girlfriend's dead father is living in his head, and McCann is doing precious little to solve the issue, as he's trying to determine whether the death, covered in the previous book and touched upon in the beginning of this one, was something he actually caused.
If you can get past the italicized words of Ruddy's internal companion, it's a great mystery, reeking with the testosterone found only in small town America, where football is more than a game. Subtle humor dots the pages, and western Michigan culture is in fine display. It's not a book for everyone, but it's creative and well-written, and has a fantastic plot.
If you can get past the italicized words of Ruddy's internal companion, it's a great mystery, reeking with the testosterone found only in small town America, where football is more than a game. Subtle humor dots the pages, and western Michigan culture is in fine display. It's not a book for everyone, but it's creative and well-written, and has a fantastic plot.
bookertsfarm's review
5.0
I honestly think I have been waiting for this book forever. I loved The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man and the novella which followed and couldn't wait to see what happens next in Ruddy's world. When the book starts, Ruddy's life is running pretty smoothly. He and his fiance Katie are doing well, Jake the Basset is as loving and as lazy as always, and his job is great. However, the bliss is short-lived because a new court-appointed psychiatrist thinks Ruddy is crazy and needs to go back to jail, Alan, the voice in his head is back, his boss is dead from a questionable suicide and Katie wants to move out. Not to mention something happens to Ruddy which makes him question what happened to him in the past and discover that a serial killer may be on the loose.
The book was extremely fast paced and engrossing. There are so many plots and sub plots that I found it hard to put down. The characters are as quirky and as crazy as they were in the original book and Jake is still the lazy basset I have grown to love (who am I kidding - I loved him immediately upon his arrival in the first book). I especially enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ruddy and his new brother-in-law, Kermit. Kermit would probably get on my last nerve too but he and Ruddy aren't as different as they would like to think. I also enjoyed the small town setting and the fact that the book takes place during a Michigan winter only adds to the atmosphere Cameron has created. I kind of imagine Kalkaska as my own little Stars Hollow, only grittier and much colder.
There really isn't anything that I don't love about this book other than the fact that it's over. Now I have to wait for the next installment. However, there is a plus. All the time I was reading this I kept imagining this as a movie/series of some sort. In fact, I was trying to think of actors to play the roles of each characters. (I sort of picture Ruddy as a Matthew McConaughey except I'm sure Ruddy is actually larger). The end of the book contains commentary from the author and it mentions that the Ruddy McCann books are in production for a TV pilot. I will keep my fingers crossed and although I'm sure Matthew may be busy, I know Hollywood will find the perfect Ruddy. They just better keep Jake a basset hound! You know how they like to mess with books!!!!!
I received this book for Forge in exchange for an honest review.
The book was extremely fast paced and engrossing. There are so many plots and sub plots that I found it hard to put down. The characters are as quirky and as crazy as they were in the original book and Jake is still the lazy basset I have grown to love (who am I kidding - I loved him immediately upon his arrival in the first book). I especially enjoyed the development of the relationship between Ruddy and his new brother-in-law, Kermit. Kermit would probably get on my last nerve too but he and Ruddy aren't as different as they would like to think. I also enjoyed the small town setting and the fact that the book takes place during a Michigan winter only adds to the atmosphere Cameron has created. I kind of imagine Kalkaska as my own little Stars Hollow, only grittier and much colder.
There really isn't anything that I don't love about this book other than the fact that it's over. Now I have to wait for the next installment. However, there is a plus. All the time I was reading this I kept imagining this as a movie/series of some sort. In fact, I was trying to think of actors to play the roles of each characters. (I sort of picture Ruddy as a Matthew McConaughey except I'm sure Ruddy is actually larger). The end of the book contains commentary from the author and it mentions that the Ruddy McCann books are in production for a TV pilot. I will keep my fingers crossed and although I'm sure Matthew may be busy, I know Hollywood will find the perfect Ruddy. They just better keep Jake a basset hound! You know how they like to mess with books!!!!!
I received this book for Forge in exchange for an honest review.
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