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chrissieml's review against another edition
3.0
Lovejoy has not aged well since the TV series of 1986. Hitting a woman? I can't remember if they let him do that on screen. If he was remade for the 2020s I suspect he'd be paired up with Tinker...
Other than that, cracking story, good pace.
Other than that, cracking story, good pace.
tfitoby's review against another edition
3.0
Lovejoy, he'll forever live in my mind as the mulleted Ian McShane, the soft lovable rogue prior to finding stardom in The Americas as a total hardass. Bizarrely his later incarnation is more suited to the woman beating mysogynist of the novels than the cozy BBC version of yore.
He's an antique dealer employed to investigate the existence of some legendary guns. Along the way people die amid wisecracks and witty sermons on the antique business. It seemed like something I might enjoy and for a while I did but then I found myself becoming disinterested as the plot gave all appearance of the author feeling the same way.
I highly enjoyed the fact that the protagonist is an arsehole and I found myself liking being educated about the antiques to the point that I bumped up reviving my Art Deco desk on my to do list. But the second half of the novel is less fun and as such I have deemed the series as not one I will waste my time on despite the exciting cinematic quality of the final showdown in The Judas Pair.
He's an antique dealer employed to investigate the existence of some legendary guns. Along the way people die amid wisecracks and witty sermons on the antique business. It seemed like something I might enjoy and for a while I did but then I found myself becoming disinterested as the plot gave all appearance of the author feeling the same way.
I highly enjoyed the fact that the protagonist is an arsehole and I found myself liking being educated about the antiques to the point that I bumped up reviving my Art Deco desk on my to do list. But the second half of the novel is less fun and as such I have deemed the series as not one I will waste my time on despite the exciting cinematic quality of the final showdown in The Judas Pair.
old_crockern's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Lovejoy, an antique dealer of dubious moral fiber, is hired by an aspiring collector to track down The Judas Pair, a masterwork set of duelling pistols that his brother was killed for. But the Judas Pair are only a legend, right? Lovejoy's trail of the non-existent weapons leads him through a web of crooked dealers and gun enthusiasts. Only one of them wants the Judas Pair and will pay any price to get them...
I love a good scoundrel and Lovejoy is definitely that. He's a coward, a mysogynist, and an arrogant ass, but knows his antiques, making him a great protagonist. The mystery of the Judas Pair is well done and the ending is superb. I was expecting something akin to a cozy British mystery and got much much more.
I love a good scoundrel and Lovejoy is definitely that. He's a coward, a mysogynist, and an arrogant ass, but knows his antiques, making him a great protagonist. The mystery of the Judas Pair is well done and the ending is superb. I was expecting something akin to a cozy British mystery and got much much more.
skullsnbats's review against another edition
1.0
Lovejoy belts a woman for interrupting him on the phone within chapter one and is too awful for words. Not interested in any of that.
jonathanrobert's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
simonl's review against another edition
2.0
I read this as an avid fan of the television series, but the book has not aged well; it feels seriously dated.
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
4.0
Author [a:Jonathan Gash|157772|Jonathan Gash|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1285346617p2/157772.jpg] frequently allows Lovejoy to divulge his thoughts and intent by breaking The Fourth Wall, addressing the reader directly as if the reader was invisibly present. A very effective and often comic device. I could picture him looking right at me with a single raised eyebrow, thumb pointing toward the back of him, saying:
"Do you be-LIEV-e this guy?"
This is one that I'm ashamed to admit to liking. Feminist would be appalled were they to read about the escapades of the rascal Lovejoy. He is immorally self-indulgent and carnal. He flouts convention. He is the BAD BOY that both men and women love.