Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
What dedicated crime fiction lover can resist a murder in a library? I certainly couldn't, but as I read this book, I found a collection of mixed blessings.
The descriptions of the library are absolutely delicious. They made me want to hop a plane and go there immediately. Another thing I savored was Lehane's skill with characterization; the interactions between characters and the observations they make about each other are excellent. In particular the budding relationship between Ambler's fellow amateur sleuth Adele and Johnny, a young boy she at first believes to be homeless, is touching and makes these two come to life.
I wish I could say I had the same warm fuzzies about the main character, Raymond Ambler, but I'm afraid he put me off when he felt it was only fair to withhold evidence from Cosgrove, his friend in the police force, because Cosgrove didn't give him each and every detail of the murder investigation. To be honest, it made me wonder what the name of Ambler's home planet was.
The pace of Murder at the 42nd Street Library was slow at times, and at others, it bounced around so much that I felt as though I was inside a pinball machine. Another thing I didn't care for was the deus ex machina concerning a child's parentage provided at the end by Lehane.
You could almost call this book a cozy, but it's meatier than that, and although I loved Lehane's powers of description and characterization, Ambler didn't quite win me over. But that doesn't mean he won't be able to charm you.
The descriptions of the library are absolutely delicious. They made me want to hop a plane and go there immediately. Another thing I savored was Lehane's skill with characterization; the interactions between characters and the observations they make about each other are excellent. In particular the budding relationship between Ambler's fellow amateur sleuth Adele and Johnny, a young boy she at first believes to be homeless, is touching and makes these two come to life.
I wish I could say I had the same warm fuzzies about the main character, Raymond Ambler, but I'm afraid he put me off when he felt it was only fair to withhold evidence from Cosgrove, his friend in the police force, because Cosgrove didn't give him each and every detail of the murder investigation. To be honest, it made me wonder what the name of Ambler's home planet was.
The pace of Murder at the 42nd Street Library was slow at times, and at others, it bounced around so much that I felt as though I was inside a pinball machine. Another thing I didn't care for was the deus ex machina concerning a child's parentage provided at the end by Lehane.
You could almost call this book a cozy, but it's meatier than that, and although I loved Lehane's powers of description and characterization, Ambler didn't quite win me over. But that doesn't mean he won't be able to charm you.
Kristina A. reviewed Murder at the 42nd Street Library (Raymond Ambler, Bk 1) on + 1528 more book reviews
Murder at the 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane is a new mystery novel. Raymond Ambler is the curator of the crime fiction collection in the 42nd Street Library in New York that is devoted to research. Ray arrives at work one day to find out that James Donnelly was shot while visiting Harry Larkin, supervisor at the library. Why did someone kill James and shoot at Harry? Ray cannot help but look into the matter. Ray has read so many crime novels, that he would like to try his hand at solving real crimes. James was asking Harry about the Nelson Yates collection the library recently acquired. The library was able to purchase the collection thanks to an anonymous donor. There is something fishy about this collection. Is it somehow connected to the murder? Ray works with Mike Cosgrove, NYPD Homicide Detective to solve the crime.
I had a difficult time reading Murder at the 42nd Street Library. I was originally not going to request the book, but then someone said it was such a wonderful novel. I thought that maybe I was wrong with my initial impression, and I requested it. I should have listened to my inner voice. The novel is oddly (awkwardly) written. It is an extremely convoluted novel. There is really too much going on and the writer seemed to delight in using big words when they were not needed. Big words can be fun (do not judge), but they should not be used to just to show off (which is what it felt like in this book). You are never quite sure who is talking sometimes and the way the book is written just leads to confusion. I have to admit that after a while I just started speed reading towards the end. Some sections you have to read, and then reread trying to figure out (you should only have to do that with math and science textbooks). I loved the idea of a mystery set at a big research library, but the execution was severely lacking. The novel needs a severe rewrite in order to be enjoyable (actually, just keep the premise and start over with everything else including the characters). The writer tried to make a very complex mystery, but did not succeed. A reader can easily figure out the who committed the crime. I give Murder at the 42nd Street Library 2 out of 5 stars (I have to admit that I am being generous).
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
I had a difficult time reading Murder at the 42nd Street Library. I was originally not going to request the book, but then someone said it was such a wonderful novel. I thought that maybe I was wrong with my initial impression, and I requested it. I should have listened to my inner voice. The novel is oddly (awkwardly) written. It is an extremely convoluted novel. There is really too much going on and the writer seemed to delight in using big words when they were not needed. Big words can be fun (do not judge), but they should not be used to just to show off (which is what it felt like in this book). You are never quite sure who is talking sometimes and the way the book is written just leads to confusion. I have to admit that after a while I just started speed reading towards the end. Some sections you have to read, and then reread trying to figure out (you should only have to do that with math and science textbooks). I loved the idea of a mystery set at a big research library, but the execution was severely lacking. The novel needs a severe rewrite in order to be enjoyable (actually, just keep the premise and start over with everything else including the characters). The writer tried to make a very complex mystery, but did not succeed. A reader can easily figure out the who committed the crime. I give Murder at the 42nd Street Library 2 out of 5 stars (I have to admit that I am being generous).
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review of the novel.
