Scan barcode
murph2244's review against another edition
4.0
An exciting little story that takes a deeper dive into a lot of the characters as their storylines separate, so pretty cool for fans of the IQ series. It also offers some pretty poignant stuff on how upbringing and experiences can shape a person, for better or worse, and gives some depth and sympathy even to characters doing bad things in the story.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
4.0
IQ has left SoCal to tend his wounds and try and protect his loved ones. For that reason, this story focuses mainly on Dodson. So much so that I forgot about Isaiah and was startled when the story flipped back to him. Dodson and his mother in law provide some well needed levity as she tries to prepare him for a real job in the real world. (Btw, the only person I know who curls is Black. And really good at it!) Meanwhile, through no fault of his own, even while hidden away in a small town in the foothills, IQ is earlobe deep in a troubling situation. With every word, the reader can feel IQ's weariness as he is drawn into helping track down a couple of serial killers. This man needs a break! Sadly for him, and lucky for us, it doesn't sound like he is going to get one any time soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
erin_boyington's review against another edition
5.0
If I had a fraction of the writing talent that Joe Ide has, I'd be a very happy person. As I was reading this I was marveling at how fun, engaging, and profound his best characters are. In this story we jump from viewpoint to viewpoint, and every single person has their own secret desires (and humiliations) that propel their actions.
For Isaiah, it's his struggle against PTSD. He's left L.A., and it had occurred to me in the previous book how much his superpowers are enhanced by his connection to his neighborhood. Knowing everyone gives him his edge, beyond his big brain. Away from his home, he still has all his usual skills but now no backup to help him accomplish his goals.
The truth of that is even more obvious when you follow Deronda, Grace, and Dodson back in L.A. Deronda is a successful businesswoman, and a stranger rises up to steal his cut. Dodson gets an ultimatum from his wife that leads to an internship at an advertising firm. Grace is being stalked by a man wearing a dog collar. Each handles their problem by relying on their network of friends and allies, as well as by using their own smarts.
I didn't put this down, even when I should have, and I look forward to rereading this entire series someday.
Received a review copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
For Isaiah, it's his struggle against PTSD. He's left L.A., and it had occurred to me in the previous book how much his superpowers are enhanced by his connection to his neighborhood. Knowing everyone gives him his edge, beyond his big brain. Away from his home, he still has all his usual skills but now no backup to help him accomplish his goals.
The truth of that is even more obvious when you follow Deronda, Grace, and Dodson back in L.A. Deronda is a successful businesswoman, and a stranger rises up to steal his cut. Dodson gets an ultimatum from his wife that leads to an internship at an advertising firm. Grace is being stalked by a man wearing a dog collar. Each handles their problem by relying on their network of friends and allies, as well as by using their own smarts.
I didn't put this down, even when I should have, and I look forward to rereading this entire series someday.
Received a review copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
bjerz's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.75
The 5th in the IQ series about a brilliant but very troubled young Black man, trying to escape the horrors of East Long Beach while simultaneously trying to help catch a serial killer. Dark and scary, but also fantastically written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, and Racism
frances_ab's review against another edition
4.0
I do love this series and all the characters, and am enjoying watching them develop over the course of the books. This one was much more of a police procedural than a particular mystery, although it was enjoyable watching Isaiah figure things out. This one was a little too graphic for me, and I did skip the particularly violent sections, but the developments in secondary characters Deronda and Dodson were a bonus. There was a small cliffhanger at the end, which I don't particularly like-I would have read the next book anyway! Do read the series in order.
c713914's review against another edition
4.0
So so good!! This is such a great series - I didn’t love the last book, but this one bounced back and was excellent. I think I say this each time I finish one, but how has this not been made into a tv show yet?? I loved the elevation of some secondary characters in this one - they always play a pivotal role, but this book felt like much more of an ensemble piece instead of a leading man show. And the cliffhanger ending - when is the next book coming out??
craniac's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of a guilty pleasure for fans of the series, because you already know and love the characters, so you sort of forgive all of the many plot points that jarringly intersect. I like the fact that IQ actually experiences PTSD after all the violence he has been through and isn't just a cartoon character. It may be fussiness on my part, but the depictions of the serial killers felt like a very cartoonish, violent version of Home Alone. That said, I stayed up late to finish this, as I have with other books in the series.
ahoxie3's review against another edition
5.0
This book focuses a little more on the interesting side characters that have made the previous books so good. I liked getting to know them a bit better. The cliff hanger at the end killed me! Can’t wait for the next one