Helpful Score: 4
I have mixed emotions about this book. First off, it's well written and easy to read. There are insights and emotions that come with reading it.
Second, however, is the story itself--the plot. The main character is mostly a good guy, an actual cop, but he lets a situation get out of hand and helps to cover up a murder. The situation goes from bad to worse and beyond, and we have to decide how we feel about such goings on. It's hard for me to approve of what this guy does.
It is thought-provoking, however, and useful to read for that purpose. The story moves along through logical progressions of events that arise from the first killing, and you definitely want to know what's going to happen next.
Some of the cover copy says or at least intimates that this is a funny book. Excuse me; there isn't a funny word in this story. (I tell you that so you won't expect any humor. I love funny stuff and will try any mystery author whose books are described as funny or humorous. It would not be a good idea to try this one for that reason!)
I'm not sad that I read it, but I may take a while before I read more from this author.
Second, however, is the story itself--the plot. The main character is mostly a good guy, an actual cop, but he lets a situation get out of hand and helps to cover up a murder. The situation goes from bad to worse and beyond, and we have to decide how we feel about such goings on. It's hard for me to approve of what this guy does.
It is thought-provoking, however, and useful to read for that purpose. The story moves along through logical progressions of events that arise from the first killing, and you definitely want to know what's going to happen next.
Some of the cover copy says or at least intimates that this is a funny book. Excuse me; there isn't a funny word in this story. (I tell you that so you won't expect any humor. I love funny stuff and will try any mystery author whose books are described as funny or humorous. It would not be a good idea to try this one for that reason!)
I'm not sad that I read it, but I may take a while before I read more from this author.
Helpful Score: 2
Great story about a decent, but down and out, cop trying to cleanup a nasty murder scene that puts him in the middle of a bunch of well drawn (but equally nasty) characters. This is in whatever genre Victor Gischler and Charlie Huston write (dark, seedy, kind of humorous, crime fiction) and fans of these authors as well as fans of Guy Ritchie or Terrentino will love this fast paced book that simply can't be put down.
Unlike the previous review, I found The Cleanup to be filled with dark humor. Mind you, this is not a comedy and it wont leave you laughing out loud, but it is full of irony from slight observations to the banter between two dirty cops, and even the darkly ironic disposal of the body and the violence that stems from this.
If you are looking for a great way to kill an afternoon, or simply waiting for someone to finally post Gischler or Huson on PBS give The Cleanup a try.
Unlike the previous review, I found The Cleanup to be filled with dark humor. Mind you, this is not a comedy and it wont leave you laughing out loud, but it is full of irony from slight observations to the banter between two dirty cops, and even the darkly ironic disposal of the body and the violence that stems from this.
If you are looking for a great way to kill an afternoon, or simply waiting for someone to finally post Gischler or Huson on PBS give The Cleanup a try.
Personally, I had a very hard time with this book. The story description sounded good. I was looking forward to it. I sat down and started to read and 30 pages into it, I was totally confused. I did not think it was well written or easy to read. The writer kept jumping around with different story arcs and did not develop the characters to give the reader a sense of who they are. I read to about page 75 and decided that life is too short to waste on poorly written books. Now, that's not to say that you shouldn't give it a whirl because you my enjoy Mr. Doolittle's writing style. But if you like straightforward books that tell a story â A-B-C, then this book is probably not for you.
Sean Doolittle is a great mystery author. This is one of his best. The hero is a copy who has been dumped on and thrown out but struggles to do what's right. Mix in a little romance and you have a story that will hold you from the beginning right through to the end. I couldn't put this down.
Fast paced, well plotted story with interesting characters. Read it in one evening. Certainly worthwhile.
Excellent read, well paced and keeps you going to the end. Nice detail but not overworked text. One of his best so far.
