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cdeane61's review against another edition
4.0
Kinda like an Encyclopedia Brown for adults, complete with drugs, armed robbery, vicious dogs and sociopathic hit men.
Add some gang related violence and a bit of rap music, and the action is non-stop.
Good set up for a series, with a bit of "origin story" done in flashbacks.
May be worth pursuing the next installment.
Add some gang related violence and a bit of rap music, and the action is non-stop.
Good set up for a series, with a bit of "origin story" done in flashbacks.
May be worth pursuing the next installment.
steve_sanders's review against another edition
3.0
In Isiah and Dodson, Ide crafts a lively and original variation of the Holmes/Watson archetype. The duo explore corners of Los Angeles, that most well-trod turf of the detective novel, that are seldom seen in the genre. In doing so, Ide demonstrates an ability to traverse the socioeconomic spectrum that is reminiscent of Richard Price and David Simon. As an origin story of an ongoing series, IQ shows a lot of promise.
The problem is that as a novel unto itself it offers an unsatisfying mystery that’s predictable to any reader with experience in the genre (I identified the hitman’s employer less than halfway through the book). In addition, Ide deploys less-than-fair means to keep his secrets by arbitrarily withholding crucial information (not identifying who a certain character is talking to in a critical phone conversation, for instance).
That said, Ide demonstrates considerable skill at character and world building, enough so that I imagine I’ll give the series another chance.
The problem is that as a novel unto itself it offers an unsatisfying mystery that’s predictable to any reader with experience in the genre (I identified the hitman’s employer less than halfway through the book). In addition, Ide deploys less-than-fair means to keep his secrets by arbitrarily withholding crucial information (not identifying who a certain character is talking to in a critical phone conversation, for instance).
That said, Ide demonstrates considerable skill at character and world building, enough so that I imagine I’ll give the series another chance.
abookolive's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eshatto's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
crystal_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I found this book to be low quality writing. I won't be reading any more books by this author.
cmitchell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
portraitofareader's review against another edition
5.0
If Sherlock Holmes was a 26 year old black man who lives in the bad parts of LA and worked with famous rappers instead of kings and queens.
carterkalchik's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A savagely smart and well-constructed take on a modern day Sherlock Holmes. Writing this capsule review in October, I'm kicking myself for not continuing this series.
myrdyr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I enjoyed the original characters and location. I look forward to seeing how the series develops.