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meegzreads's review
3.0
*3 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in this series, and as such we have some familiar main characters. Mainly Rico, Paul and Evelyn. the story is told in such a way, that there are multiple things unfolding at once, and you're left trying to work out how/where, or if they are connected.
I think the story skips between the different characters a little too much, because at times I had to work to remember who and what was going on. Mostly this was at the start of the book though.
There are quite a few twists and turns in this story, between the lawyer character side, and the mobster side. Things I definitely didn't see coming. Whilst this writing style is probably not entirely for me, there are a lot of things that I think other readers who are more into these kinds of stories will enjoy. I did like that we got to see more of Rico and he seems to be growing more of a conscience. Paul is also an interesting character, and we learnt a bit more about him in this one too.
It would be interesting to see where Duncan takes these characters from here.
Review also on my blog - The Last Straw by Ed Duncan
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ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in this series, and as such we have some familiar main characters. Mainly Rico, Paul and Evelyn. the story is told in such a way, that there are multiple things unfolding at once, and you're left trying to work out how/where, or if they are connected.
I think the story skips between the different characters a little too much, because at times I had to work to remember who and what was going on. Mostly this was at the start of the book though.
There are quite a few twists and turns in this story, between the lawyer character side, and the mobster side. Things I definitely didn't see coming. Whilst this writing style is probably not entirely for me, there are a lot of things that I think other readers who are more into these kinds of stories will enjoy. I did like that we got to see more of Rico and he seems to be growing more of a conscience. Paul is also an interesting character, and we learnt a bit more about him in this one too.
It would be interesting to see where Duncan takes these characters from here.
Review also on my blog - The Last Straw by Ed Duncan
Follow me on:
allthingsbooks20's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
jessbookishlife's review
5.0
I most say, first of all, I haven't read the first book in this series, but that didn't made this book lack. I enjoyed it, and it made me want to check out book one. Crime and mystery are always exciting for me and this one definitely made things interesting from page one.
It was such an unique book with so many elements that made the book realistic and page turning. That was what I did once I finally put my eyes on page one. Honestly, if you think I'm lying, go get the book and see for yourself. The book starts with a carjacking, as you can see from the synopsis, but you will not expecting what happens in the rest of the book.
We follow the characters, meet lost of people and see them interact. Rico, an enforcer, and Paul, a lawyer... Very different characters with different personalities... What could be better than that!? Honestly it was surprising to read about Rico. Because even thought I already know he was a enforcer, I find myself liking him, for some reasons I'm not telling you, because you have to discover and think/feel for yourself.
Rico and Paul form an alliance to try and protect the teenage girl that witness the carjacking. That right there just made things epic. I never read a book like that before, and I just want to read more books. In a way, that was one of the reasons why I didn't review before, I just don't want the all experience to end, but I knew the author and my fellow readers deserved to know my thoughts, and I needed to put them on "paper".
Also... Besides the interactions between the characters and all the suspense, there was something else in this book that made me enjoy it so much. The descriptions!... I'm the kind of girl that loves descriptions and the author made such a vivid picture in my mind that looked like a movie.
It was so much fun, and that's really what I love in a crime and mystery novel. I love when books make things not only intriguing that I'm trying to figure out all the connections and mysteries, or so into the book that it almost look like a movie that I'm watching at the edge of my seat. And this book had that!
I so recommend this book! I'm not even saying more.
It was such an unique book with so many elements that made the book realistic and page turning. That was what I did once I finally put my eyes on page one. Honestly, if you think I'm lying, go get the book and see for yourself. The book starts with a carjacking, as you can see from the synopsis, but you will not expecting what happens in the rest of the book.
We follow the characters, meet lost of people and see them interact. Rico, an enforcer, and Paul, a lawyer... Very different characters with different personalities... What could be better than that!? Honestly it was surprising to read about Rico. Because even thought I already know he was a enforcer, I find myself liking him, for some reasons I'm not telling you, because you have to discover and think/feel for yourself.
Rico and Paul form an alliance to try and protect the teenage girl that witness the carjacking. That right there just made things epic. I never read a book like that before, and I just want to read more books. In a way, that was one of the reasons why I didn't review before, I just don't want the all experience to end, but I knew the author and my fellow readers deserved to know my thoughts, and I needed to put them on "paper".
Also... Besides the interactions between the characters and all the suspense, there was something else in this book that made me enjoy it so much. The descriptions!... I'm the kind of girl that loves descriptions and the author made such a vivid picture in my mind that looked like a movie.
It was so much fun, and that's really what I love in a crime and mystery novel. I love when books make things not only intriguing that I'm trying to figure out all the connections and mysteries, or so into the book that it almost look like a movie that I'm watching at the edge of my seat. And this book had that!
I so recommend this book! I'm not even saying more.
uma_booksbagsburgers's review
4.0
(I received a free copy of this book from the author and publicist in exchange for an honest review.)
BLURB
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. A black lawyer and a white enforcer with an unlikely history forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own.
After they find out that the crime boss is the father of the black teenage carjacker, Paul Elliott - lawyer and close friend of the witness’s family - begins counseling them.
As the long-simmering feud between Rico and John D'Angelo reaches boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession... and old scores will be settled.
REVIEW
One of the things i liked about Pigeon Blood Red and this book is how the author brings together various unrelated characters with the plotline. The story starts off having two different plotlines until you realize they were moving towards each other from the beginning. It was nice to see the familiar characters like Rico and Paul and then there are new characters like Sandra who do a great job in driving the story forward.
I really liked how there are these amazing plot twists and the authors throws them at you all of a sudden like BAM and you're flipping back the pages to see Okay now how did that happen??
Every character is unique. Rico is one of the best anti-heroes ever written. The author doesn't downplay his dark side but the author doesn't hide his good side either; the one where he takes care of his people and wants to protect an innocent man. Paul Elliott lives in a world apart from Rico's and although they crossed paths in the previous book, Paul is in no hurry to visit Rico's part of the world; the one with the guns and hit-men. When Paul is unwittingly pulled back into this world as he tries to protect Sandra, him and Rico meet again.The awkward friendship growing between the two men was interesting to read about.
It was also interesting to see more of how Paul and Evelyn are working with their relationship and how Rico and Jean interact in their relationship. I always like it when stories are driven by the characters and their relationships with other characters.
CONCLUSION
Ed Duncan has written a thrilling mystery with characters the reader would grow to love. You needn't have read book one to understand this story but it definitely would give you a better understanding of the characters.
BLURB
When a teenage girl witnesses a carjacking gone bad, she is marked for death by a crime boss with no apparent motive. A black lawyer and a white enforcer with an unlikely history forge an uneasy alliance to protect the girl from a hit man with an agenda of his own.
After they find out that the crime boss is the father of the black teenage carjacker, Paul Elliott - lawyer and close friend of the witness’s family - begins counseling them.
As the long-simmering feud between Rico and John D'Angelo reaches boiling point, bodies start to pile up in rapid succession... and old scores will be settled.
REVIEW
One of the things i liked about Pigeon Blood Red and this book is how the author brings together various unrelated characters with the plotline. The story starts off having two different plotlines until you realize they were moving towards each other from the beginning. It was nice to see the familiar characters like Rico and Paul and then there are new characters like Sandra who do a great job in driving the story forward.
I really liked how there are these amazing plot twists and the authors throws them at you all of a sudden like BAM and you're flipping back the pages to see Okay now how did that happen??
Every character is unique. Rico is one of the best anti-heroes ever written. The author doesn't downplay his dark side but the author doesn't hide his good side either; the one where he takes care of his people and wants to protect an innocent man. Paul Elliott lives in a world apart from Rico's and although they crossed paths in the previous book, Paul is in no hurry to visit Rico's part of the world; the one with the guns and hit-men. When Paul is unwittingly pulled back into this world as he tries to protect Sandra, him and Rico meet again.The awkward friendship growing between the two men was interesting to read about.
It was also interesting to see more of how Paul and Evelyn are working with their relationship and how Rico and Jean interact in their relationship. I always like it when stories are driven by the characters and their relationships with other characters.
CONCLUSION
Ed Duncan has written a thrilling mystery with characters the reader would grow to love. You needn't have read book one to understand this story but it definitely would give you a better understanding of the characters.
briarsreviews's review against another edition
5.0
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is absolutely ridiculous! In a good way, of course.
Fear not fellow reader, you don't need to read the first book in this series to understand what's going on in this novel. But if you want to, I totally understand why!
I started this book with low expectations (I started it around exam time and life had been already a ball of stress) and man, did I have no idea what I was in for. This book was far better than I could have expected and was worth every second. I'm almost annoyed with myself for not expecting it to be good, because it was far better than just "good".
This thriller novel is fast paced, easy to read and never has a dull moment. It's not too long, it has a good selection of quality characters to follow and it ends on a good note. The ending makes you feel satisfied if you don't want to continue the series, but it also lets you know another book could be on the way (and my goodness, there better be another book and it better get in my hands ASAP, you feel me?).
Rico, a sweet guy with a "Dexter" like complex, doesn't want to murder a teenager. When another man tries to make the hit and misses (hitting another person instead), the plot gets moving into many twists and turns. Paul and Rico's intertwining story keeps the reader engaged and anxiously waiting to see if the killer will get justice. Along the way, a few side plots keep it interesting too!
Rico and Jean were my favourite duo in the story, but Paul, Beverly, Evelyn and the rest of the crew also have really good material to work with. I really want to read more about the mischievous pair of Rico and Jean in whatever way Ed Duncan can give us, because they are just way more interesting than the regular thriller characters I read about.
If I had to give some negatives about this book, it would be that there is some R rated content. Murders, violence and potential rape are all apart of the pages of this book but they aren't graphic. This might limit the audience though, if the reader has triggers or isn't into the adult book scene.
This book gets two thumbs up from me. I honestly loved this book and I didn't want to put it down. The book helped me get out of a reading slump and actually had me annoyed that it was over so soon! Ed Duncan has a real talent and I hope he continues this series. If anything, I hope more readers find this book because it's excellent quality. I would absolutely read more books like this in the future if I could get my hands on it.
Five out of five stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Fear not fellow reader, you don't need to read the first book in this series to understand what's going on in this novel. But if you want to, I totally understand why!
I started this book with low expectations (I started it around exam time and life had been already a ball of stress) and man, did I have no idea what I was in for. This book was far better than I could have expected and was worth every second. I'm almost annoyed with myself for not expecting it to be good, because it was far better than just "good".
This thriller novel is fast paced, easy to read and never has a dull moment. It's not too long, it has a good selection of quality characters to follow and it ends on a good note. The ending makes you feel satisfied if you don't want to continue the series, but it also lets you know another book could be on the way (and my goodness, there better be another book and it better get in my hands ASAP, you feel me?).
Rico, a sweet guy with a "Dexter" like complex, doesn't want to murder a teenager. When another man tries to make the hit and misses (hitting another person instead), the plot gets moving into many twists and turns. Paul and Rico's intertwining story keeps the reader engaged and anxiously waiting to see if the killer will get justice. Along the way, a few side plots keep it interesting too!
Rico and Jean were my favourite duo in the story, but Paul, Beverly, Evelyn and the rest of the crew also have really good material to work with. I really want to read more about the mischievous pair of Rico and Jean in whatever way Ed Duncan can give us, because they are just way more interesting than the regular thriller characters I read about.
If I had to give some negatives about this book, it would be that there is some R rated content. Murders, violence and potential rape are all apart of the pages of this book but they aren't graphic. This might limit the audience though, if the reader has triggers or isn't into the adult book scene.
This book gets two thumbs up from me. I honestly loved this book and I didn't want to put it down. The book helped me get out of a reading slump and actually had me annoyed that it was over so soon! Ed Duncan has a real talent and I hope he continues this series. If anything, I hope more readers find this book because it's excellent quality. I would absolutely read more books like this in the future if I could get my hands on it.
Five out of five stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
3.0
The Last Straw by Ed Duncan is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red Series. Even though this is the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone novel. Readers are introduced to the two main characters, Paul Elliot and Rico Sanders. Paul Elliot is an attorney. When his friend’s daughter witnesses a carjacking, she becomes a target. Rico Sanders is the man many people go to when they have a problem, specifically crime bosses. Rico is approached about killing the girl but turns down the job, leaving it to a man named D’Angelo. Rico and Paul must now work together to keep the girl safe.
This book keeps an unstoppable pace. There is constant action. I do enjoy the nonstop action and suspense portrayed. The characters are also very complex. Rico may do bad things but he has a code of honor and stands up for those in trouble. Paul Elliot is a typical good guy but really comes to the aide of the other characters. What I enjoyed the most about this story, is their complex friendship. They are both from different sides but have to work together.
The story does get a little muddled with the constant point of view changes. The point of view switches from each character often and it is always a rough transition. Sometimes it causes a little confusion within the story. However, overall, it is very entertaining! I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Thanks to the author and JKS Communications for a copy of the book!
This book keeps an unstoppable pace. There is constant action. I do enjoy the nonstop action and suspense portrayed. The characters are also very complex. Rico may do bad things but he has a code of honor and stands up for those in trouble. Paul Elliot is a typical good guy but really comes to the aide of the other characters. What I enjoyed the most about this story, is their complex friendship. They are both from different sides but have to work together.
The story does get a little muddled with the constant point of view changes. The point of view switches from each character often and it is always a rough transition. Sometimes it causes a little confusion within the story. However, overall, it is very entertaining! I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Thanks to the author and JKS Communications for a copy of the book!
emma_not_watson_reads's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
samanthapearl's review
3.0
Thank you to the author and Book Publicity Services for a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Last Straw is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red trilogy. While you probably could read this book without the first book, I think you would get more out of it if you read the first book first. Plus the first book is really good and gives a great introduction to the characters.
The characters were pretty good. I like Rico although I find him to be a little soft for someone in his line of work. I enjoyed him as a main character, especially his relationship with Jean. One of the main characters for this book is D'Angelo. I wasn't a fan of him at all, mainly because he was supposed to be a bad ass hitman who failed at literally everything he did. He was written to fail at everything too easily and I think I would have enjoyed the story more if he hadn't of been so easy to beat. I would have loved to of seen him be more of a competition for Rico.
I found The Last Straw to be a bit.. overly wordy. I find scenes to be dragged out a little longer than necessary which can drag the story on. Thankfully the story doesn't get lost and the book is still quite enjoyable.
With that said I still really enjoyed the story. I found myself flying through the pages every time I picked it up. I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens in the third book Rico Stays. I'm hoping to get started on that one very soon.
The Last Straw is the second book in the Pigeon-Blood Red trilogy. While you probably could read this book without the first book, I think you would get more out of it if you read the first book first. Plus the first book is really good and gives a great introduction to the characters.
The characters were pretty good. I like Rico although I find him to be a little soft for someone in his line of work. I enjoyed him as a main character, especially his relationship with Jean. One of the main characters for this book is D'Angelo. I wasn't a fan of him at all, mainly because he was supposed to be a bad ass hitman who failed at literally everything he did. He was written to fail at everything too easily and I think I would have enjoyed the story more if he hadn't of been so easy to beat. I would have loved to of seen him be more of a competition for Rico.
I found The Last Straw to be a bit.. overly wordy. I find scenes to be dragged out a little longer than necessary which can drag the story on. Thankfully the story doesn't get lost and the book is still quite enjoyable.
With that said I still really enjoyed the story. I found myself flying through the pages every time I picked it up. I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens in the third book Rico Stays. I'm hoping to get started on that one very soon.
bookswithtori's review against another edition
4.0
thank you to @bookpublicityservices & @ricostays for sending me the second book in the Rico series!!!
•
This is the second book in the series (Pigeon Blood Red is the first one), and I loved this one!!! I found this one a lot easier to follow, more engaging and a lot more entertaining than the first book in the series. Ed’s mind when he writes these are mind blowing. Crime, mystery, mafia & hit men, how much more can you ask for?
•
This was similar to the first one in regards to it taking me a long time to read. I’m not sure if it’s because there is so much detail in his writing style or because I do want to read every. single. word. ed writes!? Either way this is not a bad thing at all, it’s just different then other books i read!
•
I’m currently reading the third and final book in the series (Rico Stays) and i’m very much enjoying it!!!
•
This is the second book in the series (Pigeon Blood Red is the first one), and I loved this one!!! I found this one a lot easier to follow, more engaging and a lot more entertaining than the first book in the series. Ed’s mind when he writes these are mind blowing. Crime, mystery, mafia & hit men, how much more can you ask for?
•
This was similar to the first one in regards to it taking me a long time to read. I’m not sure if it’s because there is so much detail in his writing style or because I do want to read every. single. word. ed writes!? Either way this is not a bad thing at all, it’s just different then other books i read!
•
I’m currently reading the third and final book in the series (Rico Stays) and i’m very much enjoying it!!!