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nerissassippi's review against another edition
4.0
This was a completely fun read and a great vacation book. It was inventive and engaging enough that I will look up other novels by the author.
branch_c's review against another edition
4.0
One of the most enjoyable new books I've read this year. This story is cleverly plotted, stylishly written, and just a lot of fun to read. The eccentric Keane has a lot in common with Adams' Dirk Gently, and the scheme he gets caught up in is bizarre enough to test his investigative abilities. The more level-headed narrative voice of his partner Fowler sets the tone perfectly; many of Fowler's observations are laugh out loud funny, as are numerous sections of dialog.
My only disappointment is regarding the extended explanatory ending. The fiendishly twisted plot needs so much exposition by the villain, revelations by other characters, and general unraveling that we lose a bit of the pace and spontaneous delivery that's kept up for most of the story.
Other than that, no complaints; highly recommended to fans of original SF with a comedic edge.
My only disappointment is regarding the extended explanatory ending. The fiendishly twisted plot needs so much exposition by the villain, revelations by other characters, and general unraveling that we lose a bit of the pace and spontaneous delivery that's kept up for most of the story.
Other than that, no complaints; highly recommended to fans of original SF with a comedic edge.
library_ann's review
4.0
hardboiled noir in a near-future setting with plenty of twists and double-crosses.
Oh, and the audiobook narrator is top-notch.
Oh, and the audiobook narrator is top-notch.
interrowhimper's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of clumsy, but fun. I wish they had spent more time world-building. Definite nods to PKD were appreciated.
cdeane61's review against another edition
3.0
Quick and very entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, even in spots.
But just a tad convoluted for my taste. Would not stop me from picking up another of his novels.
Some seriously good here's-what-the-future could look like going on in this work.
But just a tad convoluted for my taste. Would not stop me from picking up another of his novels.
Some seriously good here's-what-the-future could look like going on in this work.
dmturner's review against another edition
2.0
The book has a great title and is an homage to noir. It starts off auspiciously with plenty of wisecracks and some send-ups of the Nero Wolfe type of mystery, but I found it hard going after the first few casual deaths that apparently didn't bother anyone. It is theoretically set in the future, but there wasn't much futuristic about it except for a sort of formulaic cloning plot. The end is excruciatingly badly written with people holding guns on one another and explaining the whole situation, and it ends with a cliffhanger. Oh, well.
wordsofclover's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
In a futuristic, dystopian LA, Blake Fowler assists private investigator Erasmus Keane as they hired to look into the robbery of a genetically modified sheep from a laboratory. As the two try to figure out why a sheep would be a hot commodity, they are also approached by superstar Priya Mistry who is convinced someone is trying to kill her. It turns out there are connections between the two cases and things take a wild turn.
I've had this lined up on NetGalley for quite a while and I was always excited to read it as I really felt like it was something I would enjoy but unfortunately the writing and storyline fell flat for me due to a myriad of reasons. I think the dystopian aspect of this is good in theory and it actually reminded me a little bit of the cities and QZ zones in The Last of Us so picturing the city split down the middle was actually an easy thing for me but we got the Maelstrom information about why it all happened a little bit in a rush near the end, and it was slightly info-dumping.
I just thought the crime/mystery elements in this story were poor and there was nothing particularly exciting or surprising about the cases and I actually felt like it was all a bit ridiculous. I also really hated how all the women were written in this book and it very much felt like a case of 'women written by men.' Whenn Priya Mistry first arrives on the scene and describes why she believes someone is out to get her, she is immediately dismissed by our main character because she is a beautiful woman and obviously people would be watching her and because she was convinced someone was after her, she was therefore paranoid and crazy. How many times have women's fears over their safety or health being dismissed by people (mainly men) and ended up dead? Too many. And pretty much all the scenes with Priya felt a bit yucky as all the characters ever focused on was how beautiful she was and we never really ever got to know who she really was underneath it all.
I'm glad to have this checked off my list to read but I won't be continuing with the series and I don't think I'd recommend.
I've had this lined up on NetGalley for quite a while and I was always excited to read it as I really felt like it was something I would enjoy but unfortunately the writing and storyline fell flat for me due to a myriad of reasons. I think the dystopian aspect of this is good in theory and it actually reminded me a little bit of the cities and QZ zones in The Last of Us so picturing the city split down the middle was actually an easy thing for me but we got the Maelstrom information about why it all happened a little bit in a rush near the end, and it was slightly info-dumping.
I just thought the crime/mystery elements in this story were poor and there was nothing particularly exciting or surprising about the cases and I actually felt like it was all a bit ridiculous. I also really hated how all the women were written in this book and it very much felt like a case of 'women written by men.' Whenn Priya Mistry first arrives on the scene and describes why she believes someone is out to get her, she is immediately dismissed by our main character because she is a beautiful woman and obviously people would be watching her and because she was convinced someone was after her, she was therefore paranoid and crazy. How many times have women's fears over their safety or health being dismissed by people (mainly men) and ended up dead? Too many. And pretty much all the scenes with Priya felt a bit yucky as all the characters ever focused on was how beautiful she was and we never really ever got to know who she really was underneath it all.
I'm glad to have this checked off my list to read but I won't be continuing with the series and I don't think I'd recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Misogyny
Minor: Animal cruelty
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
Lets just start with a little love for how genius the title "The Big Sheep" is for a Phillip K. Dick meets Raymond Chandler hybrid novel. I mean that is what this is - a loving cross between Blade Runner, LA noir and a lot of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang sarcasm. All the ingredients are there. I would think for a great many of you I have already sold you on this novel and that is a great thing. Frankly I admit I am bit jealous of this perfect title for the concept.
This is my second time reading a Robert Kroese novel in 2014 I reviewed "Starship Grifters." "I laughed a lot reading it... This is a bizarro science fiction that does get a lot of it laughs from high concept ideas and clever jokes based on long standing genre clichés. One of my favorites was APPLE (A Planet Perpelxingly Like Earth). Funny concept that turned into a great satire of silly sci-fi stuff."
I liked that book but The Big Sheep is also a big leap for the author in the quality of the work. Once again Kroese uses first person narrative told through the eyes of the hero's sidekick. Our narrator for the story Blake Fowler works for an odd Private eye. They are hired for a case of a missing sheep used in scientific research, and of course this connects to their other case. That of a TV star who is getting notes from her teddy bear. One of my favorite moments comes early. Fowler points out that the TV star Pria is crazy. Keane the private eye replies "She most definitely is. But she is also receiving letters from her teddy bear, and that is worth looking into." What a great way to launch into a LA noir!
I was pretty critical of Starship Grifters even though I enjoyed it but this time I felt Kroese nailed the concept top to bottom. there are alot of story elements, high concept ideas and it is tied together with fan service of the genres being crossed. The B story of Priya Mistry was more interesting that the A story of the sheep and wisely the story flowed that way. The setting of the novel clearly Blade Runner influenced but just a bit darker and slightly more post apocalyptic in moments.
The DZ the ruined parts of LA and how they were created are like interesting bread crumbs leading the path to more stories featuring Keane and Fowler. When need to learn more about Maelstrom and Keane's role.
The mystery unfolds predictably but not in a bad way, we know certain moments are coming but they are done with class. When you pay homage those moments are like slipping into a favorite sweatshirt.This book is worth a pre-order, I hope it finds the audience it deserves. The best thing I can say about this novel is that it like a sci-fi Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The wit- levels are off the chart you''ll be laughing but it more subtle than the authors almost slapstick previous novel. Very well done.
This is my second time reading a Robert Kroese novel in 2014 I reviewed "Starship Grifters." "I laughed a lot reading it... This is a bizarro science fiction that does get a lot of it laughs from high concept ideas and clever jokes based on long standing genre clichés. One of my favorites was APPLE (A Planet Perpelxingly Like Earth). Funny concept that turned into a great satire of silly sci-fi stuff."
I liked that book but The Big Sheep is also a big leap for the author in the quality of the work. Once again Kroese uses first person narrative told through the eyes of the hero's sidekick. Our narrator for the story Blake Fowler works for an odd Private eye. They are hired for a case of a missing sheep used in scientific research, and of course this connects to their other case. That of a TV star who is getting notes from her teddy bear. One of my favorite moments comes early. Fowler points out that the TV star Pria is crazy. Keane the private eye replies "She most definitely is. But she is also receiving letters from her teddy bear, and that is worth looking into." What a great way to launch into a LA noir!
I was pretty critical of Starship Grifters even though I enjoyed it but this time I felt Kroese nailed the concept top to bottom. there are alot of story elements, high concept ideas and it is tied together with fan service of the genres being crossed. The B story of Priya Mistry was more interesting that the A story of the sheep and wisely the story flowed that way. The setting of the novel clearly Blade Runner influenced but just a bit darker and slightly more post apocalyptic in moments.
The DZ the ruined parts of LA and how they were created are like interesting bread crumbs leading the path to more stories featuring Keane and Fowler. When need to learn more about Maelstrom and Keane's role.
The mystery unfolds predictably but not in a bad way, we know certain moments are coming but they are done with class. When you pay homage those moments are like slipping into a favorite sweatshirt.This book is worth a pre-order, I hope it finds the audience it deserves. The best thing I can say about this novel is that it like a sci-fi Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The wit- levels are off the chart you''ll be laughing but it more subtle than the authors almost slapstick previous novel. Very well done.
cpikas's review against another edition
3.0
Weird but not in a quirky fun way or an interesting thought-provoking way just weird. It's kind of a hard boiled detective story and multiple identities and some confusion and doppelgangers and yeah not terribly interesting. Meh. Also the narrator had one voice for anyone who wasn't the main two characters and so they all sounded the same
setteno's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0