Scan barcode
stevewhitaker's review against another edition
3.0
My first foray into Macdonald. Lew Archer is among the prototypes for the hard-boiled detective, and I enjoyed the book.
sean001's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
johnnyb1954's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The introduction to the book says “Like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett before him, Ross MacDonald writes for the general literate public. That mystery fans also like his work is all to the good.”
That slap at mystery fans seems uncalled for. We aren’t all illiterate.
I do like this series for literary references and generally high level of writing.
This is one of the best plots of the books.
Big plus: Archer escapes without a concussion or even any serious fighting.
That slap at mystery fans seems uncalled for. We aren’t all illiterate.
I do like this series for literary references and generally high level of writing.
This is one of the best plots of the books.
Big plus: Archer escapes without a concussion or even any serious fighting.
av0universe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kfrench1008's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent, especially as MacDonald introduces the behavioral aspects of crime in this one. My only qualm is that the psychology seems a bit outdated. Still, a great achievement.
eirenophile's review against another edition
3.0
Quick and easy read, but a fantastic mystery and a marvelous P.I. My husband and I are reading it outloud to each other at night, and I swear suddenly my sweet dorky man starts sounding like Humphrey Bogart. Lovin' it.
zzzrevel's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly decent Private Investigator (Lew Archer)
crime novel.
crime novel.
markfeltskog's review against another edition
"This struck me as a doubtful proposition. Blackwell was a sad and troubled man, hardly competent to play God with anybody's life. But the sadder and more troubled they were, the more they yearned for omnipotence. The really troubled ones believed they had it."
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of the more convoluted Macdonald plots, perhaps packed with one character and several red herrings too many. I'm glad he wrote this in his post-Galton Case phase and you can certainly see the grief he has for his lost daughter written in the subtext of the novel. I was edging towards 3.5 but the last thirty pages salvage it and, like usual, the man sticks the landing. I wouldn't use this as a Lew Archer gateway and it will likely qualify as one of my least favorite in the series but it was worth it.
Re-read (11/12/18):
Ross Macdonald’s Lew Archer series is my personal favorite mystery series. The mysteries themselves are often dense and layered, yet Macdonald’s Archer is able to empathize with his prey, helping to develop a fully formed story beyond just cops-and-killers. After the earliest books, Macdonald would eschew the tough talking Chandler-esque dynamic in his character in favor of one who is aware of his masculinity and mournful enough of the world’s social ills.
Despite often writing about the lives of wealthy and powerful people who do naughty things, Macdonald’s works can never be described as lurid. These aren’t fake, Kardashian-like avatars but real people with real problems that they bring upon themselves, often due to unconsummated desire. The Zebra-Striped Hearse is one of many that fits this description.
This is my first re-read of an Archer novel since I finished the series last year. It is perhaps a curious choice as this one was far from my favorite. I remember the ending being good but the plot was a tad too convoluted. At the time, I was going through some major life changes and the 2016 presidential election was unfolding in the background so I was distracted enough not to have fully engaged with this like I should have. Coupled with the Coens long simmering desire to make a movie out of it and I figured I’d give it another try.
I’m glad I did. The plot is still a bit convoluted. Macdonald inserts one too many characters and plot points than what is necessary. And because I knew the ending, it lost a little steam from full engagement with the plot. But this is still a good novel. I didn’t realize the symbolic importance of the titular vehicle the first time: a reminder that death is just around the corner at any moment. It’s apropos for what unfolds in this one. And it leaves the reader with the typical maudlin feeling as I reflected on my life and my own family dynamics after finishing.
I wouldn’t recommend it as your gateway to the Archer series but it is good. I’m leaving it at 4-stars but in some ways, I appreciated it more this time around.
Re-read (11/12/18):
Ross Macdonald’s Lew Archer series is my personal favorite mystery series. The mysteries themselves are often dense and layered, yet Macdonald’s Archer is able to empathize with his prey, helping to develop a fully formed story beyond just cops-and-killers. After the earliest books, Macdonald would eschew the tough talking Chandler-esque dynamic in his character in favor of one who is aware of his masculinity and mournful enough of the world’s social ills.
Despite often writing about the lives of wealthy and powerful people who do naughty things, Macdonald’s works can never be described as lurid. These aren’t fake, Kardashian-like avatars but real people with real problems that they bring upon themselves, often due to unconsummated desire. The Zebra-Striped Hearse is one of many that fits this description.
This is my first re-read of an Archer novel since I finished the series last year. It is perhaps a curious choice as this one was far from my favorite. I remember the ending being good but the plot was a tad too convoluted. At the time, I was going through some major life changes and the 2016 presidential election was unfolding in the background so I was distracted enough not to have fully engaged with this like I should have. Coupled with the Coens long simmering desire to make a movie out of it and I figured I’d give it another try.
I’m glad I did. The plot is still a bit convoluted. Macdonald inserts one too many characters and plot points than what is necessary. And because I knew the ending, it lost a little steam from full engagement with the plot. But this is still a good novel. I didn’t realize the symbolic importance of the titular vehicle the first time: a reminder that death is just around the corner at any moment. It’s apropos for what unfolds in this one. And it leaves the reader with the typical maudlin feeling as I reflected on my life and my own family dynamics after finishing.
I wouldn’t recommend it as your gateway to the Archer series but it is good. I’m leaving it at 4-stars but in some ways, I appreciated it more this time around.