Scan barcode
A review by kaje_harper
Tempesta by Lisa Henry, J.A. Rock
4.0
This book completes the "Playing the Fool" series, giving us closure after the cliff-hanger endings of the first two installments. I really enjoyed watching Henry and Mac banter and argue and finally allow each other some entry into the important parts of their lives, and hearts.
The best part of this series is Henry, with his painful past, and his divided loyalties between his sister Viola, his well-worn persona as Henry the unemotional con man, and his relationship with Mac, the man he's coming to love. Henry covers his emotions with jokes and snark and banter. He tries to play all the angles, even when he knows he's pushing too hard. And he's loyal and loving, although you have to dig deep to get him to admit it. This story has moments of real pain for Henry, as well as moments of warmth.
Mac is a solid, stalwart foil for Henry's erratic brilliance. Mac's family, who play a significant part in the story, are warm and fun, although the niece Cory is a very precocious nine-year-old at times. They offer something to Henry, and to Vi, that they haven't had for a long time - the support of stable, accepting, affectionate parental figures. Of course, the mystery plot, complete with bad guys, invades that warm sanctuary in a dramatic way.
The action towards the end becomes fast and furious, and a bit unbelievable. A couple of bits hit pet peeves of mine, and I personally enjoyed the slower, more emotional moments of introspection better. But there is some fun to be had, a successful wrap-up of the tension and the case, and a workable happy ending. There's a light feel to these books, for all the painful past that Henry is dealing with, and the action sequence fits with that lighter tone. A fun series, and well worth a read, especially if you are a fan of both snark and thriller-mystery action.
The best part of this series is Henry, with his painful past, and his divided loyalties between his sister Viola, his well-worn persona as Henry the unemotional con man, and his relationship with Mac, the man he's coming to love. Henry covers his emotions with jokes and snark and banter. He tries to play all the angles, even when he knows he's pushing too hard. And he's loyal and loving, although you have to dig deep to get him to admit it. This story has moments of real pain for Henry, as well as moments of warmth.
Mac is a solid, stalwart foil for Henry's erratic brilliance. Mac's family, who play a significant part in the story, are warm and fun, although the niece Cory is a very precocious nine-year-old at times. They offer something to Henry, and to Vi, that they haven't had for a long time - the support of stable, accepting, affectionate parental figures. Of course, the mystery plot, complete with bad guys, invades that warm sanctuary in a dramatic way.
The action towards the end becomes fast and furious, and a bit unbelievable. A couple of bits hit pet peeves of mine, and I personally enjoyed the slower, more emotional moments of introspection better. But there is some fun to be had, a successful wrap-up of the tension and the case, and a workable happy ending. There's a light feel to these books, for all the painful past that Henry is dealing with, and the action sequence fits with that lighter tone. A fun series, and well worth a read, especially if you are a fan of both snark and thriller-mystery action.