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" Ross MacDonald's favorite among his works and certainly among my favorites from among his works! "
- Brian, 1/27/2014
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" Some pretty good noir-voice moments but unfortunately a bit racist in points. Not offensive in 1965? "
- Beth, 1/22/2014
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" Macdonald writes a many-layered plot better than anyone since Wodehouse, and his detective, Lew Archer, is the perfect combination of tough guy and philosopher. "
- Ak-75, 1/17/2014
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" Ok mystery, but kind of generic and boring. I prefer books with a bit more spice. "
- Teddy, 1/14/2014
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" I gave this 3 stars because the surprise ending just sort of dropped off. I thought he could have tied things up much better. "
- Mark, 12/12/2013
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" This is the best Ross Macdonald book I've read so far. He's a stronger writer than Hammett, as strong a writer as Chandler, but less literary. Somewhere between the grace of Chandler and the pulp brutish force of Spillane. Very dark depiction of filial relations. Highly recommended. "
- Daniel, 12/3/2013
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" Solid and highly entertaining detective fiction, on the noir side. "
- Stacey, 12/1/2013
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" Another great Lew Archer story. In typical Ross Macdonald style, the plot is clever and complex, so you will never figure out "whodunit" until it is revealed at the end. "
- Valerie, 11/25/2013
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" Well plotted, but not one of my faves. "
- David, 10/17/2013
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" Ross Macdonald -- maybe my favorite noir guy out there. This is my fifth Lew Archer novel and I'm absolutely loving it. "
- Kurt, 8/21/2013
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" First rate crime fiction. Or fiction, period. "
- Paul, 5/15/2013
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" Part of my quick but thorough immersion in the hard-boiled detective genre. Hammett, Chandler, Ross Macdonald . . . read nine books by them and EC Bentley in nine days. This is one of the best (well, almost all Ross Macdonald's Lew Archer books are the best. "
- David, 3/18/2013
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" Crime noir? Or crime snore? "
- Kathy, 3/27/2012
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" dreams of social mobility / transcendence in USA of 1950's "
- thegift, 10/27/2011
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" Good. A bit not PC in places but good solid vintage detective. "
- Ruth, 5/16/2011
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" Fantastic noir re-imagining of the Great Gatsby, updated with 60s-era hedonism and cultural fatigue.
"
- Jessica, 4/7/2011
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" Well plotted, but not one of my faves.
"
- David, 3/25/2011
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" Crime noir? Or crime snore?
"
- Kathy, 7/28/2010
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" Ross MacDonald's favorite among his works and certainly among my favorites from among his works!
"
- Brian, 6/25/2010
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" dreams of social mobility / transcendence in USA of 1950's
"
- thegift, 6/11/2010
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" Ross Macdonald -- maybe my favorite noir guy out there. This is my fifth Lew Archer novel and I'm absolutely loving it.
"
- Kurt, 12/16/2009
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" My first and Ross MacDonald novel. He has few rivals for the use of the
language.
"
- Armando, 8/15/2009
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" A Strict private detective procedural.
No personal problems for the detective.
But great stories of wounded people.
Particularly of daughters who disdain their parents and run off with the worst kind of trash.
"
- Jackpl, 2/19/2009
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" Overall my favorite Macdonald book. A great inspiration to me.
"
- Mark, 1/20/2008
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