|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
When I bought this book -- which I did with some trepidation since it appeared to be yet another (yawn) serial killer tale, I didn't notice it was part of an ongoing series. When I began to read it and did notice, I almost put it aside. I'm glad I didn't. The pacing and story-telling quality caught me from the start and didn't release me until the end. This writer is worth your time and effort. Get her back list and, as I plan to do, follow the lead character from the beginning. THE LAST PLACE allows the reader to explore topics far beyond the overdone serial killer scenario. Tess Monaghan, the PI hero, has anger issues she's forced to confront. A nicely done subplot, this also serves to distract the reader from the hunt for the killer, giving the armchair sleuth more of a run for her money than I expected. Overall I give this book high marks. Lippman took what would be an ordinary, overworked plot and crafted it into a marvelously engaging story. Yes, there are problems‹red herring characters who can't possibly be the "one" are dragged across our path, for instance -- but while in the process of reading, I didn't notice any warts or glitches to the extent I was thrown out of the story. I would have been better equipped had I read the earlier books, but that wasn't necessary for the enjoyment of THE LAST PLACE. The secondary and tertiary characters are three dimensional and ring true. The sense of place is strong and consistent. I believed the world of the story as well as the motivations of Tess. I wasn't as convinced by the bad guy, nor was I happy with the internal monologue he delivers throughout the book. But those were minor annoyances and forgivable given the complete package THE LAST PLACE presents. Well worth the money and time.
Reviewed by Sharon Brondos, January 2004
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
