I found The Quick Adios (Times Six), Tom Corcorans seventh novel in the Alex Rutledge series, to be a good book. Unfortunately, thats not as much of a compliment as it may sound I have grown to expect excellence in the Alex Rutledge series. In my opinion, this one simply does not measure up to the six previous books.
Corcoran has fleshed out a series of well-rounded and loveable characters, each with enough of a quirk to them to fit in with the outsiders impression of Key West. (I will not pretend to judge for the insider, as my only visit to Key West was approximately 2 weeks before Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida.) Many of those characters are present in this book, as well as some new ones; the authors track record on this front remains solid.
I was disappointed in the plot, however. I thought the pacing did not live up to Corcorans previous works frankly, I thought it dragged. Additionally, and I dont think this is much of a surprise for mystery writers, when two separate plots / crimes are introduced in a whodunit novel, it has become cliché that the two events are actually linked AND that the protagonist is surprised when he/she finally learns about it. Mr. Corcoran has not typically telegraphed his plot twists in previous works, and in fact often keeps a surprise or two up his sleeve until the end not here.
I enjoyed The Quick Adios (Times Six). But I did not love it. I hope that there is an 8th book in this series and that the author takes the time to return to his roots and recapture his previous magic.
RATING: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars where ½ stars are not permitted.
Corcoran has fleshed out a series of well-rounded and loveable characters, each with enough of a quirk to them to fit in with the outsiders impression of Key West. (I will not pretend to judge for the insider, as my only visit to Key West was approximately 2 weeks before Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida.) Many of those characters are present in this book, as well as some new ones; the authors track record on this front remains solid.
I was disappointed in the plot, however. I thought the pacing did not live up to Corcorans previous works frankly, I thought it dragged. Additionally, and I dont think this is much of a surprise for mystery writers, when two separate plots / crimes are introduced in a whodunit novel, it has become cliché that the two events are actually linked AND that the protagonist is surprised when he/she finally learns about it. Mr. Corcoran has not typically telegraphed his plot twists in previous works, and in fact often keeps a surprise or two up his sleeve until the end not here.
I enjoyed The Quick Adios (Times Six). But I did not love it. I hope that there is an 8th book in this series and that the author takes the time to return to his roots and recapture his previous magic.
RATING: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars where ½ stars are not permitted.
