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tarana's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book. Short, good pace, interesting private eye. Story is set in Boston about mid-70s. Cuddy is hired to find a missing 14 year old.
polywogg's review against another edition
4.0
PLOT OR PREMISE:
John Cuddy is asked by a grandmother to investigate the disappearance of her grandson, a prominent judge's son…even though the judge doesn't seem to want people looking for the boy. Cuddy goes looking anyway, even when a corrupt Sheriff tries to direct him away rather forcefully.
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WHAT I LIKED:
A huge cast of characters, with a couple of the series regulars just beginning to be fleshed out a little.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
A few of the characters were one-dimensional, fifth business to the storyline - only there to pass along a vital clue, and it was usually pretty obvious that the author was trying to slip it by, since Cuddy himself doesn't catch it.
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BOTTOM-LINE:
A great story
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DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I was not personal friends with the author, but I did follow him on social media.
John Cuddy is asked by a grandmother to investigate the disappearance of her grandson, a prominent judge's son…even though the judge doesn't seem to want people looking for the boy. Cuddy goes looking anyway, even when a corrupt Sheriff tries to direct him away rather forcefully.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
A huge cast of characters, with a couple of the series regulars just beginning to be fleshed out a little.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
A few of the characters were one-dimensional, fifth business to the storyline - only there to pass along a vital clue, and it was usually pretty obvious that the author was trying to slip it by, since Cuddy himself doesn't catch it.
.
BOTTOM-LINE:
A great story
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I was not personal friends with the author, but I did follow him on social media.
judythereader's review against another edition
3.0
John Francis Cuddy has started a small private investigation service when he's hired to find the missing son of a powerful Massachusetts judge. Of course he's not hired by the judge, who doesn't seem to be working too hard to find the boy. He's hired by the boy's grandmother.
Cuddy is Viet Nam vet still mourning the loss of his wife and soul mate. He's a good guy willing to do what it takes to get things done.
This book follows in the footsteps of Spenser, which was the book generally credited with creating the new hard-boiled detective for the sensitive 70s. Cuddy's cut from the same cloth. He's an interesting character. There's a great meta moment when Cuddy is reading Spenser.
This book has several interesting characters - particularly the judge's family. The judge and his bailiff were truly menacing. It was very tense in their first meeting.
The story itself was easy to read and moved quickly. The twist at the end was truly surprising. Everyone in my book club said the same.
It was a little rough as many first books are, but I think I might read more.
Cuddy is Viet Nam vet still mourning the loss of his wife and soul mate. He's a good guy willing to do what it takes to get things done.
This book follows in the footsteps of Spenser, which was the book generally credited with creating the new hard-boiled detective for the sensitive 70s. Cuddy's cut from the same cloth. He's an interesting character. There's a great meta moment when Cuddy is reading Spenser.
This book has several interesting characters - particularly the judge's family. The judge and his bailiff were truly menacing. It was very tense in their first meeting.
The story itself was easy to read and moved quickly. The twist at the end was truly surprising. Everyone in my book club said the same.
It was a little rough as many first books are, but I think I might read more.
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