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A review by danrosan
Paper Son by S.J. Rozan
5.0
The Rozan formula is to take Lydia & Bill (unlikely PI partners), drop them into a strange sub-culture, and let the plot twist and turn in ways which are unexpected but actually make sense, once it’s revealed. More thinking and less violence than a typical hard boiled mystery, and usually you learn something.
Paper Son - a return to PI writing after a string of more conventional novels, some under other names - is probably the strongest expression of this formula to date. The sub-culture is Mississippi Chinese immigrants, the plot twists are incredibly satisfying and inventive, and the inner monologue & dialogue (long a strength) crackles nicely.
If you’ve not seen this series before, no need to start with #1 (although I get some people can’t read series any other way). Pick the narrator you like - Lydia or Bill alternate - and go from there. Besides this one, China Trade and Mandarin Plaid are the most interesting sub cultures. Winter and Night is the best of Bill’s half, but it’s about New Jersey.
Paper Son - a return to PI writing after a string of more conventional novels, some under other names - is probably the strongest expression of this formula to date. The sub-culture is Mississippi Chinese immigrants, the plot twists are incredibly satisfying and inventive, and the inner monologue & dialogue (long a strength) crackles nicely.
If you’ve not seen this series before, no need to start with #1 (although I get some people can’t read series any other way). Pick the narrator you like - Lydia or Bill alternate - and go from there. Besides this one, China Trade and Mandarin Plaid are the most interesting sub cultures. Winter and Night is the best of Bill’s half, but it’s about New Jersey.