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caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Finished this a while ago and forgot to record it!
For people who really like mysteries with a suspenseful vibe and gritty urban realism, I imagine this would at least be a 4 star or maybe a 5 star read. It's very very good at doing what it does, but it's just not really my thing. I guess I like escapist English countryside mysteries better (ha ha, from my sample size of two books). For me personally it's probably more of a 3 star, but I decided to give it 4 stars for the potential I think it has for readers who like this kind of stuff.
Super complex, tight, layered plot, both in terms of Leonid's PI cases and his personal life, which may have felt more complicated for me than it really was as I jumped into the fourth book featuring Leonid McGill (I'm guessing some secondary characters I was meeting for the first time had likely already been introduced in earlier volumes). Some very interesting takes on morality (everything is a grey area), family (non-traditional family structures), and racism and race (some really elegant writing near the end of the book on that from the African-American detective's [and author's] POV). Some really nice writing in parts as well, and a bit of philosophical musings. It was a lot of different things jumbled together that could have ended up disjointed, but somehow it all worked.
Again, this wasn't really my thing but I can see how fantastic and well-done an example of its genre it is. I would not hesitate to suggest this to readers looking for what it delivers!
For people who really like mysteries with a suspenseful vibe and gritty urban realism, I imagine this would at least be a 4 star or maybe a 5 star read. It's very very good at doing what it does, but it's just not really my thing. I guess I like escapist English countryside mysteries better (ha ha, from my sample size of two books). For me personally it's probably more of a 3 star, but I decided to give it 4 stars for the potential I think it has for readers who like this kind of stuff.
Super complex, tight, layered plot, both in terms of Leonid's PI cases and his personal life, which may have felt more complicated for me than it really was as I jumped into the fourth book featuring Leonid McGill (I'm guessing some secondary characters I was meeting for the first time had likely already been introduced in earlier volumes). Some very interesting takes on morality (everything is a grey area), family (non-traditional family structures), and racism and race (some really elegant writing near the end of the book on that from the African-American detective's [and author's] POV). Some really nice writing in parts as well, and a bit of philosophical musings. It was a lot of different things jumbled together that could have ended up disjointed, but somehow it all worked.
Again, this wasn't really my thing but I can see how fantastic and well-done an example of its genre it is. I would not hesitate to suggest this to readers looking for what it delivers!
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I continue to be pleasantly mystified by Walter Mosley's Leonid McGill series. These books are so odd, so transgressive considering what else is out there. He clearly has a gift for this kind of writing. The plot feels wispy in my mind; I finished it a week ago and barely remember it. But I recall certain scenes vividly and that's mostly because I'm fascinated with the character of Leonid himself. He's trying to repent from his past ways but not for any religious or guilt-based reasons. I think he's surprised he's still alive and is just going to do his thing to people who are more on the wrong side of the law this time until his fate is sealed. Hoping to finish the next one before the new one comes out next week.
curtispaulostler's review against another edition
5.0
Walter Mosely's characters are so rich and complex, and the mystery so compelling, I had to give this one five stars. The wonderful reading by narrator Mirron Willis only added to the enjoyment of the read.
I would not recommend this to everyone, simply because Leonid is a character with such an eclectic past and many personality flaws. But if you like your protagonists with some grit rubbed in, definitely try the series.
I would not recommend this to everyone, simply because Leonid is a character with such an eclectic past and many personality flaws. But if you like your protagonists with some grit rubbed in, definitely try the series.
nealalex's review against another edition
4.0
The 'I' of the title was framed by McGill for robbing an insurance company. To salve his conscience, he meets her out of jail to put her back on her feet. Which proves difficult since the real thieves don’t want anyone putting the pieces together. (Sadly, at time of writing, no sign of a fifth book in the series.)
afro75's review against another edition
3.0
I wish Mr. Mosley would move the center in regards to his female characters.
harmless_old_lady's review
3.0
Clever and well-written, but not really my cuppa. Really enjoyed the Socrates Fortlow books, but McGill doesn't do it for me.
canadianbookworm's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2021/10/all-i-did-was-shoot-my-man.html
bob_muller's review
5.0
After a slow start, I really enjoyed this book. The writing is fascinating; every few pages there's a sentence or phrase that you would never find anywhere else and that you read over a few times to enjoy it. No cliches here! As for suspense, I don't think I've ever encountered a book with more plot twists. Just when you think you've understood what's going on, it becomes clear that you didn't. Mostly this is handled deftly, sometimes trickily. All in all, an interesting world view and a book worth reading again.
crazy4reading's review
5.0
Another great win from Library Things Early Reviewers program!! This book started out slow for me but by the 3rd chapter I was interested in learning more about Leonid McGill!
Leonid is the main character in All I did was Shoot my Man. Leonid used to be a career criminal. He was best know for changing evidence in crimes to convict some people that should be convicted and some that were innocent. One of those persons is Zella Grisham. Leonid set her up as having stolen $58 million dollars from this corporation. Now that Leonid (LT) has decided to become honest he gets Zella release from prison for the stolen money. LT is also a private detective.
LT also has a family, a wife and 3 grown children. One boy who works for him, his name is Twill, a daughter known as Shelly and another son called Dimitri. The characters are all very unique and interesting in their interactions with each other as family. This added to my enjoyment of the book
The mystery is finding out who was the master mind behind this money heist and murders. LT and his family actually become targets of the culprits and are attacked in their apartment one night.
The ending was surprising and leaves me wanting to read more about LT McGill!
Leonid is the main character in All I did was Shoot my Man. Leonid used to be a career criminal. He was best know for changing evidence in crimes to convict some people that should be convicted and some that were innocent. One of those persons is Zella Grisham. Leonid set her up as having stolen $58 million dollars from this corporation. Now that Leonid (LT) has decided to become honest he gets Zella release from prison for the stolen money. LT is also a private detective.
LT also has a family, a wife and 3 grown children. One boy who works for him, his name is Twill, a daughter known as Shelly and another son called Dimitri. The characters are all very unique and interesting in their interactions with each other as family. This added to my enjoyment of the book
The mystery is finding out who was the master mind behind this money heist and murders. LT and his family actually become targets of the culprits and are attacked in their apartment one night.
The ending was surprising and leaves me wanting to read more about LT McGill!
braydin's review
mysterious
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
3.5