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kanejim57's review against another edition
4.0
A faster paced story in my opinion. I liked the characters, and it is again a vintage Furst piece.
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Alan Furst isn't a high brow writer in the sense that he is literature, but he certainly writes for a specific reader. The reader needs to be interested in atmosphere and climate. Needs to know history, but be able to play with it to interlace the story at hand. Here the murder is key, but the place and time is more important.
feoh's review against another edition
3.0
I am sad to have to give an Alan Furst book three stars, because I am in general a rather big fan of his writing.
However I just can't get away from the feeling that this novel lacks the depth, finesse, and all around punch that I so relished in his other books like _Dark Star_ or _Night Soldiers_.
The ending is his standard leave'em hanging fare, but unlike the other novels this ending left me very much feeling like I never really *felt* for the protagonist as I did with the others.
Definitely a must read if you're a fan as I am, but perhaps this one isn't an ideal introduction to Furst's work.
However I just can't get away from the feeling that this novel lacks the depth, finesse, and all around punch that I so relished in his other books like _Dark Star_ or _Night Soldiers_.
The ending is his standard leave'em hanging fare, but unlike the other novels this ending left me very much feeling like I never really *felt* for the protagonist as I did with the others.
Definitely a must read if you're a fan as I am, but perhaps this one isn't an ideal introduction to Furst's work.
sara_grace's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written. The ending felt a little anti-climatic, and the plot progressed much slower than you might expect for a political intrigue novel. Certainly worth reading.
Now that a few months have passed I should comment that this book has aged well. I refer to it often and remember it fondly.
Now that a few months have passed I should comment that this book has aged well. I refer to it often and remember it fondly.
msjaquiss's review against another edition
3.0
I learned a lot about the Italian resistance to Mussolini and Hitler in the lead up to WWII but I felt the book raised many questions about the characters and storyline that weren't answered. Perhaps that was the point because Carlo wouldn't have had a tidy resolution in real life but I don't like mysteries that leave the water murkier at the end than the beginning.
booksafterten's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jeremyhornik's review against another edition
3.0
Nice, atmospheric. Ending kind of sappy... felt like a cop out.
davidjeri60's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0