April 2024 Leftovers

Happy April, y’all!

X = : Poems****
This is why library book bingos are necessary.

I only checked this one out because I needed to read a book of poems and I wanted to check the nettlesome
“X” off the A-Z reading list. A convoluted reason to begin with and this wasn’t even the book I thought I was getting! I thought I’d get a different X by a different author.

I’m glad I got this one. Some of these really spoke to me, including the ones on death and charity. Some were a bit too adrift, too self-indulgent, reminding me why I don’t often read poetry. But this was a delightful surprise. I feel full in a way I don’t often feel when finishing poetry.

Charcoal Joe****

As the Easy Rawlins series moves on, we’re seeing books that are more “Easy and Friends Save the Day.” Which I like. Mosley has given his Marlowe some much needed maturity and focus. Thus, the family/friend elements are often more interesting than the mystery, though that’s fine too.

A Game of Lies****
I loved the first one in the series and this one didn’t disappoint either. Might even be better. Focusing less on Ffion’s backstory, it still features her trying to unpack the secrets of a show where secrets are currency. I don’t care for reality tv and I was still hooked into how Clare Mackintosh baked it into the plot. Really good stuff. Can’t wait for book three.

The Hurricane Blonde****
Another nifty little Hollywood noir from Halley Sutton, who is probably the best contemporary writer at covering the horrors of Hollywood. A tribute to the city’s famous Dead Girls (Elizabeth Short, Dorothy Stratten, among others), it has depth and range. An engaging read.

Vineland***
So glad to be done with this one. I’m more of an admirer of Pynchon than a fan. His books are just too much for me, as much as I appreciate his talent. This one is no exception. I read it in advance of next year’s Paul Thomas Anderson film of which it is supposed to be based on. I’ve had my fill of Pynchon’s Revenge of the Government Baddies work; it played out well enough in Inherent Vice but is too familiar here. It’s probably good if you’re more knowledgable about California history and culture than I, in the same way that Bleeding Edge is my favorite of his because of its New Yorkness.

L.A. Requiem***
This has been billed as Crais’ best work and I guess it is. But it’s really proof that this series isn’t for me. It’s nothing against Crais, who has writing talent and by many accounts seems to be a decent human being. I hate repeatedly ragging on an author unless they’re either dead or an egoist; Crais is neither as far as I know. But I just left the Tough Guy Wisecracking PI book in my past a long time ago. True I am getting into the Parker books but those are over quick and I’m only reading the ones written by the supremely talented Ace Atkins. It’s not a genre for me and it annoys me how much it dominated the mystery/hardboiled landscape for decades. So I need to move on.

Watch it Burn****
This one clears the 4-star bar by the thinnest of margins. Talking a cat’s whisker here. I love the way Kristen Bird starts the story, lays out the characters, builds the setting. All good. But then, she begins telegraphing every move, to the point where large chunks of it were predictable. On top of that, she doesn’t do enough to flesh out Jenny and Nichole’s relationship. We know they’re friends but they exist too much in their own spheres to have chemistry. There were some interesting twists and turns at the end, enough so that made it work for me overall, as opposed to me holding a saggy middle accountable against a good beginning. I feel like it should have been better but I guess it worked well enough. If you’re curious, it’s worth checking out.

Sleep With Strangers****

A nifty work of South California hardboiled PI goodness, in the vein of Ross Macdonald’s Archer novels. The plot is intricate and sad. I wish Dolores Hitchens had written more of these.

The Fixer: Moguls, Mobsters, Movie Stars and Marilyn***

I think James Ellroy accurately had this guy pegged as a window-peeping fabulist. This book recounts Otash’s rise and greatest hits but is also sympathetic to a man who spied on people for a living and threatened their livelihoods with what he learned. Is his account of Marilyn Monroe’s death accurate? Maybe. But just let her rest, y’all. Anyway, it was neat to learn these stories but the writing is just ok. Read if you’re curious in the subject and/or era.

One of Us Is Wrong***

Read this mostly in one sitting. It’s fun but not too silly, a balance only a great like Donald Westlake can strike so well. Plot was a bit much and that’s why I docked a star. But I liked it and would read another in the series.

The Fade Out****

These two rarely disappoint and this is no exception. A familiar but fun LA noir with an ending that I appreciated. Love their work.

The Second Murderer****

Denise Mina writing a queer Marlowe tale? Denise Mina writing a queer Marlowe tale! I’m not a Mina diehard but the stuff I like I REALLY like and she’s on her game here. Wouldn’t mind seeing her try her hand at another one of these and also wouldn’t mind seeing it become a movie.

Blackmailer****

A fun, enjoyable HCC read from a screenwriter who knew what he was doing. This tale is familiar but when it comes to the hard boiled tradition, familiar is often fun.

The Darkest Glare: A True Story of Murder, Blackmail and Real Estate Greed in 1979 Los Angeles****

A rollicking true crime read, told in a style that is at times insufferable and smug but mostly fun. The people are real folks but they feel like fictionalized ancillaries for a Southern California version of the Coen brothers movie Fargo. Should be a more popular book.

Ripley’s Game****

This was good but could’ve been so much better if Jonathan’s character was more fleshed out. It’s like Patricia Highsmith did the old dril candles tweet by spending thousands on plot (which was good and fun) and like ten bucks on developing Jonathan and giving him real motivation.