Forgive me for not having begun the book by the time others were already chatting.
I enjoyed the book. It delivered, even if I don't think it was the best in the Garret series. I was caught a few times by what I thought was repetitive phrasing, clunky writing if you will; and I was surprised by the crude language. I don't mind it, and often use it far more than my wife would like. I have everything Cook has written, like many on this listing so correct me if I err, but I don't recall there being a lot of F-bombs, etc. especially in Garret.
I was melancholy at the end of the book: I can't help but think that Cook was/is drawing Garret to a close.
There was considerably more reminiscing than usual by Garret, Morley, Singe, and Dean, with references to just about every major character and not a few past adventures from past novels. The references to aging and time having passed also leads me to that conclusion. 12 books and there hasn't been any of that. Just Garret and co. running around, cavorting, playing, solving problems, etc.
I'm reminded of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series where for many novels through the years he continually aged and grew the character through time. But the last several novels he stopped aging the character because clearly Spenser couldn't be a Korean War veteran who had fought Jersey Joe Walcott and still be kicking ass. He had to be ageless, timeless.
Why else age Garret? Why else have him resolve the perennial sexual angst with Tinnie? Why else fall in love - with the prospect of kids? Dean makes it clear that he expects Garret to move in with Fearless and be popping out puppies within a year. Think of any PI character in literature or film: they're not happy, sedentary, family men.
I'd be interested in your thoughts,
Jerry Kalayjian
