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thebookreader2's review
5.0
https://thebookreaderblogg.com/2019/11/24/the-charlie-bars-thriller-series-3-the-gingerbread-houses-benedict-j-jones/
feedthecrime's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4 here.
So this is the 3rd book in the Charlie Bars series and unfortunately I haven’t actually read the first 2 (is this even a surprise anymore?). While it can absolutely be read as a standalone I did feel at a slight disadvantage without the development of the characters within the first two instalments. Charlie as a character I found to be so relatable with his flaws, he’s an ex-con turned PI which gives this book a subtle edge compared to others in this genre.
You can’t help but feel for him as he has such good intentions and he really doesn’t want to end up back in prison but he keeps finding himself in sticky situations.
Read the rest of my review here: https://feedthecrime.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/reviewing-the-gingerbread-houses-by-benedict-j-jones/
So this is the 3rd book in the Charlie Bars series and unfortunately I haven’t actually read the first 2 (is this even a surprise anymore?). While it can absolutely be read as a standalone I did feel at a slight disadvantage without the development of the characters within the first two instalments. Charlie as a character I found to be so relatable with his flaws, he’s an ex-con turned PI which gives this book a subtle edge compared to others in this genre.
You can’t help but feel for him as he has such good intentions and he really doesn’t want to end up back in prison but he keeps finding himself in sticky situations.
Read the rest of my review here: https://feedthecrime.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/reviewing-the-gingerbread-houses-by-benedict-j-jones/
tessa_talks_books's review
4.0
The Gingerbread Houses is a dark and gritty throwback to a bygone era. If it were made into a movie, it should be a black and white 40’s film starring Humphrey Boggart as Private Dick, Charlie Barrs. I love that about it. Raymond Chandler was the father of the hard-boiled crime mystery and this novel, written 80 years after The Big Sleep, successfully follows his example. Whereas the Big Sleep was a euphemism for death, Gingerbread Houses is a euphemism for the seediest side of the sex trade. It is not for the faint of heart, being full of all things distastefully real – specifically sex and violence. Also, it would be a shock to the system for cozy mystery readers, but it totally fits the bill for hard-boiled crime fiction lovers.
It is sharp, direct, sophisticated in its simplicity, and most importantly a read any hard-boiled fan won’t be able to put down.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is sharp, direct, sophisticated in its simplicity, and most importantly a read any hard-boiled fan won’t be able to put down.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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