The book opens with a fairly odd man... making a list... plotting some murders... and then watches him attempt to carry one out. The victim ends up dead, and the man proceeds to write his plans out in detail... and deliver them to a Literary Crime Journal in Ann Arbor called Gray Streets. The journal is edited by David Loogan.
The book contains three points of view, but Loogan is the only one that is first person. He was also central in Bad Things Happen, and his role as editor of this journal was also central there. This manuscript however, is not just a manuscript. Loogan knows it because the events in the beginning have already happened. It is a murder plan, and he is intent on stopping the other two...erm... one... or trying anyway...
He takes the manuscript to Elizabeth, another recurring character with whom, since the last book, he has gotten more intimate—she is a detective with the local police department.
And so begins an uncovering... the victim list is made up of the perpetrators of a very long ago bank robbery... and the story meanders through politics, tabloid journalism and stuff I can't even reveal because it's too bendy!
 |
| Look at that impish grin! |
Well the book definitely gets the full five SQUEEs. But a little on the WHY...
WRITER JOKES! This time in the form of our killer suffering from Synesthesia—a disorder where one kind of sensory input is perceived with a DIFFERENT type of perception—in this case, words have colors... and ADVERBS MOVE... evil adverbs... he doesn't use a one of them... *snicker* There is also some play at the expense of vampire novels and tabloid journalism.
Loogan—In the first book Loogan's PoV was limited—he was central to the mystery, and we couldn't be let too deep. This time around, we get to know him better, and I like him better now that I get him better.
Twisty Bendy Weavy Plot that all comes together in the end. Dolan is brilliant at layering the pieces that each might be something, but in the end matter in some totally different way. It is a delight to be so surprised when I actually have been given all the facts.
I definitely give it a strong recommendation.
14 comments:
Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the rec :o)
Great sneak review, thanks for sharing.
Yay for 5ive NAKED squees!!! A fab review!! Thank you! Take care
x
I'm not familiar with a lot of mystery thrillers but this sounds fabulous- so lucky you got an advanced copy! Thanks for introducing us to Harry's book!
Great review! I'm looking forward to reading this one...I love twisty, bendy stuff. :)
Bad men and the women who squee at them!
*giggle* Alex, you made me snort. Thanks so much for dropping in everyone!
Impish? Ha!
Oh yes! This gets a definite 'I wanna read that!' What a great concept.
Already on my summer reading list (from your previous rec) can't wait to actually pick it up and dive in.
Great, positive review. Thanks, Hart :)
Do you squee in real life? I picture many squees.
*snort* Michael, in real life I am more one to shout WOO HOO! (I don't literally snort, either, but for some reason my online persona is a snorty laugher... sometimes i SAY snort. People look at me strangely...
I DO say teeheeheeheehee a lot. And I have a wide collection of insane laughter (because it embarrasses my children)
Your review convinces me. As if that title weren't enough to pull me in.
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