Claire DeWitt was a little hard to like. She's awfully distant, often in a drug/alcohol induced haze, and she's sarcastic and a little mean. At times you will question whether of not she's a reliable narrator. However, if you let her, she'll win you over. She's the world's best detective (so she says anyway, but I tend to believe her) who follows the unconventional methods of detection set out in the book Detection written by an "enigmatic French detective." Basically, nothing is off the table: prophetic dreams, buying illegal guns from kids, hard drugs, soft drugs, gut feelings and the belief that nothing is a coincidence.
The mystery is really well plotted and I loved how the author tied in bits of Claire's history and made it relevant to the story. There are a lot of bits and pieces going on here and as we learn more about Claire we start to understand her motivations and her complexities. It really is a bit of a roller coaster ride and I loved it start to finish.
This is the first in a series and I can't wait for the next title. I imagine it is only going to get better.
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Book Source = Library Copy
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4 comments:
I'm reading a potential Alex nominee (insert shock here)- Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I have to say my expectations were very very high and I'm kind of disappointed, but I'm also not finished. I'll let you know how it goes.
I've got a hold on it, but it hasn't come yet. I'll be interested to hear what you say. I've been waiting FOREVER for Bossypants by Tina Fey too. APL's bought about a gazillion copies and the request list is still several miles long.
I'm reading The Night Circus by [someone i can't remember] and so far really liking it.
I'm working on a post about it right now. It should be up tomorrow - so don't cheat and read it in the edits!
"Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead" is a remarkable book. I suspect you will either love it or wonder whether I was indulging in one of Claire's vices.
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