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A review by maggierachael
Low Action by Andrew Cartmel
5.0
The fact that the newest Vinyl Detective novel came at such a perfect time that it’s the book that finished off my reading goal for the year is maybe the best thing that’s happened to me in weeks.
I’ve always loved this series, and I always will. It’s high energy, it’s hilarious, and it’s extremely well written, and Low Action is no exception. I’ve been looking forward to this installment in the VD franchise since I found out it was going to center around punk music, and it certainly didn’t let me down. I mean, come on — I knew it was going to be good when it name checked Poly Styrene within the first thirty pages. And like all the VD books before it, the ending came out of absolutely nowhere, but fit rather well with the buildup surrounding it. I love when a book can surprise in that Agatha Christie kind of way.
And the characters in this book are just spectacular. Nevada and Agatha are two of my favorite female characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading (and I maintain that Gail Ann Dorsey should play the latter if this ever gets adapted for the screen), and every book brings around a new cast of characters that are wildly interesting. The Blue Tits reminded me so much of The Slits, and to center the story around a female punk band just makes my little feminist heart sing. I loved the clear send-up of the Pistols on the Bill Grundy show in the 70s, and the phrase “Goat Aid” is not one I was expecting to read, but I’m hilariously amused that I did. Five stars all around, as per usual.
And as someone who used to live in Roehampton and travel via public transit, all the shade about the Hammersmith Bridge being closed is deeply, deeply appreciated.
I’ve always loved this series, and I always will. It’s high energy, it’s hilarious, and it’s extremely well written, and Low Action is no exception. I’ve been looking forward to this installment in the VD franchise since I found out it was going to center around punk music, and it certainly didn’t let me down. I mean, come on — I knew it was going to be good when it name checked Poly Styrene within the first thirty pages. And like all the VD books before it, the ending came out of absolutely nowhere, but fit rather well with the buildup surrounding it. I love when a book can surprise in that Agatha Christie kind of way.
And the characters in this book are just spectacular. Nevada and Agatha are two of my favorite female characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading (and I maintain that Gail Ann Dorsey should play the latter if this ever gets adapted for the screen), and every book brings around a new cast of characters that are wildly interesting. The Blue Tits reminded me so much of The Slits, and to center the story around a female punk band just makes my little feminist heart sing. I loved the clear send-up of the Pistols on the Bill Grundy show in the 70s, and the phrase “Goat Aid” is not one I was expecting to read, but I’m hilariously amused that I did. Five stars all around, as per usual.
And as someone who used to live in Roehampton and travel via public transit, all the shade about the Hammersmith Bridge being closed is deeply, deeply appreciated.