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A review by mhinnen
Camino Island by John Grisham
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Went along for the ride for my book group's selection this month. It was an easy read to pick up from time to time, read a chapter before bed, and move through it over a couple of weeks - or just sit and read it on a beach somewhere.
It didn't really feel like a mystery - you pretty much see all of the players for who they are. The eccentric writers of Camino Island were fun. And any avid reader would love to have the life of Bruce Cable (though hopefully with a stronger moral compass).
The characters are all fairly unsympathetic. From the book thieves to those who engage in moving stolen books to Princeton and the insurance company. I liked Mercer but didn't understand some of her decisions . . . and just because someone is a likable person doesn't mean they are a good person when you know they are part of dealing in stolen property.
And some of the plot turns regarding Bruce at the end didn't make sense to me.
If you see this book on a shelf in a beach house, it'll pass the time on a vacation day. But I don't really think it's worth going out of your way to seek it out.
It didn't really feel like a mystery - you pretty much see all of the players for who they are. The eccentric writers of Camino Island were fun. And any avid reader would love to have the life of Bruce Cable (though hopefully with a stronger moral compass).
The characters are all fairly unsympathetic. From the book thieves to those who engage in moving stolen books to Princeton and the insurance company. I liked Mercer but didn't understand some of her decisions . . . and just because someone is a likable person doesn't mean they are a good person when you know they are part of dealing in stolen property.
And some of the plot turns regarding Bruce at the end didn't make sense to me.
If you see this book on a shelf in a beach house, it'll pass the time on a vacation day. But I don't really think it's worth going out of your way to seek it out.