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A review by absentminded_reader
A Brewing Storm by Richard Castle
3.0
This wasn't a bad book. In fact, it was decidedly okay. The trouble was that it was a bit amateur for a tie-in licensed property. Not only did the story take sixty pages to get going, but there was banter that felt cold, flirting that had all the subtlety of a shovel, titillating descriptions for the sake of titillating descriptions, and a plot hole or two with convenient circumstances. When an action novel introducing a new brand begins with the main character fishing, you know that the story is going to be slow. I realize that Storm's death was an established fact in the show, so some explanation was required, but it was still a slow way to begin a new action adventure series.
Fortunately, there were nice touches here and there—small bits of characterization that sparkled—and the plot was interesting. I just wish that there had been better consistency in the character who was this story's Judas. It was obvious from the first time they were introduced that they were involved with the kidnapping of the senator's stepson. It was obvious that Mr. Castle wanted us to suspect this character. Unfortunately, the discrepancies in this character's behavior often came across as bad writing and not intentional slips that the author let us see with a wink. There were too many novice mistakes elsewhere to allow me faith in the author's ability. For instance, one character smirked with an open mouth. Also, a character's skirt had risen up so Storm could see her polka-dotted thong. A thong. The character didn't notice. How short was this skirt for something like this to happen? This was a rich, trust fund girl dating a senator's stepson. Was it "Dress Like a Stripper Day" at the office? Another instance, Storm casually snuck out of the hotel to park a rented van, yet in every other instance in the story he was under heavy surveillance. These are small details, but they stand out in short works.
Overall, however, the story entertained, which is all you can ask for in stories like this. I'll likely read the next one. On a personal note, however, I had one pervading thought as read: I can write better than this, so what is holding me back from getting published? In that regard, I'm glad I read the book. I needed a kick in the pants.
Fortunately, there were nice touches here and there—small bits of characterization that sparkled—and the plot was interesting. I just wish that there had been better consistency in the character who was this story's Judas. It was obvious from the first time they were introduced that they were involved with the kidnapping of the senator's stepson. It was obvious that Mr. Castle wanted us to suspect this character. Unfortunately, the discrepancies in this character's behavior often came across as bad writing and not intentional slips that the author let us see with a wink. There were too many novice mistakes elsewhere to allow me faith in the author's ability. For instance, one character smirked with an open mouth. Also, a character's skirt had risen up so Storm could see her polka-dotted thong. A thong. The character didn't notice. How short was this skirt for something like this to happen? This was a rich, trust fund girl dating a senator's stepson. Was it "Dress Like a Stripper Day" at the office? Another instance, Storm casually snuck out of the hotel to park a rented van, yet in every other instance in the story he was under heavy surveillance. These are small details, but they stand out in short works.
Overall, however, the story entertained, which is all you can ask for in stories like this. I'll likely read the next one. On a personal note, however, I had one pervading thought as read: I can write better than this, so what is holding me back from getting published? In that regard, I'm glad I read the book. I needed a kick in the pants.