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A review by nglofile
IQ by Joe Ide
3.0
2.5 stars.
I didn't love the plot of this intro, but I am impressed with the invention of a Sherlock-inspired protagonist minus the privilege. Isaiah Quintabe's world of South Central L.A. is an intriguing backdrop for an investigator with a gift for observation and inductive reasoning but who also carries the rough experiences of his neighborhood and his past. He is a character shown to take care of those in need - partly as penance - but who also needs to accept more lucrative cases in order to support the others. The fact that one involves a hitman using a dog as the weapon offers just the spark of unusual to make IQ grudgingly accept.
At some point I'll revisit the series, as I suspect I'd have a stronger appreciation of the main character's style and abilities outside of what is a flashback-heavy origin story. It's interesting to learn how this man becomes the formidable figure he is reputed to be, but this installment has less illustration of his intellectual prowess than I'd expect - though what is here is thoroughly enjoyable.
audiobook note: Sullivan Jones is a solid narrator able to juggle multiple characters effectively, though his laconic pacing isn't entirely to my taste. Two comments of caution if experiencing via audio: 1) the web of flashbacks and current events isn't easy to discern without visual cues and 2) the liberal use of cursing, including repeated use of the n-word is even more intense when listening.
I didn't love the plot of this intro, but I am impressed with the invention of a Sherlock-inspired protagonist minus the privilege. Isaiah Quintabe's world of South Central L.A. is an intriguing backdrop for an investigator with a gift for observation and inductive reasoning but who also carries the rough experiences of his neighborhood and his past. He is a character shown to take care of those in need - partly as penance - but who also needs to accept more lucrative cases in order to support the others. The fact that one involves a hitman using a dog as the weapon offers just the spark of unusual to make IQ grudgingly accept.
At some point I'll revisit the series, as I suspect I'd have a stronger appreciation of the main character's style and abilities outside of what is a flashback-heavy origin story. It's interesting to learn how this man becomes the formidable figure he is reputed to be, but this installment has less illustration of his intellectual prowess than I'd expect - though what is here is thoroughly enjoyable.
audiobook note: Sullivan Jones is a solid narrator able to juggle multiple characters effectively, though his laconic pacing isn't entirely to my taste. Two comments of caution if experiencing via audio: 1) the web of flashbacks and current events isn't easy to discern without visual cues and 2) the liberal use of cursing, including repeated use of the n-word is even more intense when listening.