Some of the reviewers I know read new books as soon as they come in, especially if they're by favorite authors. I usually don't do that, though. I'm perpetually behind in my reading, so I often can't get to a particular book for a while. I also like to save books I expect to be good for ideal spots in my reading schedule.
Over the past couple of months I received books by three of my favorite authors: Michael Connelly, Robert Crais and George Pelecanos. But I didn't read them right away. I put them in a nice little stack and saved them for just the right time.
Finally, about ten days ago, I was ready. I read all three in a row: Connelly's The Brass Verdict, Crais' Chasing Darkness and Pelecanos' The Turnaround. And I'm delighted to report that all three are excellent -- no disappointments here.
The Connelly book is the best of them -- a twisty legal thriller featuring Mickey Haller from The Lincoln Lawyer -- but the other two are also very good. It's books like these that made me want to be a mystery critic in the first place (and also remind me of why I keep doing it).
I know these won't be published for a while yet. But keep your eyes out for when they are. You won't be disappointed.
Excellent! I liked THE LINCOLN LAWYER quite a lot. Glad he went back to that.
Posted by: I.J.Parker | June 17, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Thanks David....go ahead and rub it in while the rest of us sit here waiting and marking the days on the calendar until we can get our hands on them.....lol
Posted by: Doug Riddle | June 17, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Really looking forward to the Connelly and the Crais, I think over here (UK) we will have to wait even longer than Doug will.
By the way, have you tried Meg Gardiner's Dirty Secrets Club -- just out in the USA I think, she is currently touring over there.
Posted by: Maxine | June 17, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I did try Dirty Secrets Club. I read about 50 pages, then tossed it. My immediate reaction was: "Oh, so this is why she hasn't been published in the U.S. before now."
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | June 17, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Agree all are very good to excellent, though THE TURNAROUND's my favorite of the three. And CHASING DARKNESS strikes me as being almost retro-Elvis - very much in keeping with the style of the early books but also clearly forward-thinking.
Posted by: Sarah | June 17, 2008 at 08:04 PM
The Turnaround was my favorite, though I'm a little disappointed with it.
Posted by: Cameron Hughes | June 17, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I'm jealous, David!
Posted by: Elaine Flinn | June 20, 2008 at 05:29 PM
I haven't read the other two, but I agree with your assessment of THE BRASS VERDICT. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Posted by: Cheryl | June 21, 2008 at 05:58 PM
I hope they will arrive soon in Italy :-(
Posted by: Thriller Cafè | June 23, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Looking forward to reading THE LINCOLN LAWYER. Just finished THE OVERLOOK, and liked it a lot although I figured out the "twist" almost from day 1.
Posted by: Froggie | June 25, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I am looking forward to the Pelecanos book.
Posted by: Cory | June 29, 2008 at 09:38 PM