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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
The book jacket promises: A gripping, rich psychological thriller set in post-Katrina New Orleans that introduces an intense and spellbinding protagonist.
Allowing for the usual hyperbole, this isn’t too far off the mark. Nola Cespedes is a reporter at the Times-Picayune, trying hard to get off the “lifestyle” page and onto the city desk. Finally, she gets the chance – when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans many formerly registered sex offenders were evacuated and no one kept track of their locations. Sure, some have re-registered, but many have “gone off the grid.” As she begins to research the story, the city’s attention is captured by a new disappearance – a young tourist has been kidnapped in broad daylight from a popular French Quarter eatery.
There were several things I liked about this thriller. I liked that Nola is a pretty strong female lead; she tackles her work (mostly) like a responsible adult, and she has a good network of girlfriends to hang with. I liked also that she maintained contact with her mother, though she seemed to resent their weekly church-going, and that she was trying to be a good “big sister” to Marisol. I liked the pace that Castro set for this novel, although some of the sidebars giving background information on politics, or the Cajuns, or environmental issues did slow the action. Still these elements also enhanced the sense of place. (I definitely felt the torpidity of a New Orleans’ hot humid day; I think my hair even frizzed just reading about the weather!)
I wasn’t so happy with Nola’s bad behavior and risk-taking. Although I do appreciate that Castro was showing us her underlying psychological issues rather than simply telling us about them. Still, there were sections where Nola seemed far too damaged to be able to hold it together at all. I wondered why the three girlfriends all had to be from upper-middle class families, with no financial worries. Then again, hanging with these girls may be another way for Nola to hide her own background.
There were several loose threads at the end, leaving me wondering but hopeful. I’d certainly be willing to give another book a try.
Allowing for the usual hyperbole, this isn’t too far off the mark. Nola Cespedes is a reporter at the Times-Picayune, trying hard to get off the “lifestyle” page and onto the city desk. Finally, she gets the chance – when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans many formerly registered sex offenders were evacuated and no one kept track of their locations. Sure, some have re-registered, but many have “gone off the grid.” As she begins to research the story, the city’s attention is captured by a new disappearance – a young tourist has been kidnapped in broad daylight from a popular French Quarter eatery.
There were several things I liked about this thriller. I liked that Nola is a pretty strong female lead; she tackles her work (mostly) like a responsible adult, and she has a good network of girlfriends to hang with. I liked also that she maintained contact with her mother, though she seemed to resent their weekly church-going, and that she was trying to be a good “big sister” to Marisol. I liked the pace that Castro set for this novel, although some of the sidebars giving background information on politics, or the Cajuns, or environmental issues did slow the action. Still these elements also enhanced the sense of place. (I definitely felt the torpidity of a New Orleans’ hot humid day; I think my hair even frizzed just reading about the weather!)
I wasn’t so happy with Nola’s bad behavior and risk-taking. Although I do appreciate that Castro was showing us her underlying psychological issues rather than simply telling us about them. Still, there were sections where Nola seemed far too damaged to be able to hold it together at all. I wondered why the three girlfriends all had to be from upper-middle class families, with no financial worries. Then again, hanging with these girls may be another way for Nola to hide her own background.
There were several loose threads at the end, leaving me wondering but hopeful. I’d certainly be willing to give another book a try.
beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
So the second time is not the charm with this book. In fact, I was more turned off by this book this time then I was the first time. The first time just like this time I was not intrigued by the characters or the storyline. Yet, this time I actually was comprehending what was happening in the story so I was able to focus on the words being said. All of the language with the "f" word I felt was un-needed. Which I am not a prude about language but only when it is required as part of the story. Ok, in a way it was as it showed how some of the inmates in prison felt about child molesters. However I still felt the story was going no where with just a lot of talking as a filler. After trying again with this book and only getting to chapter 8 I was not interested in figuring out who Nola Cespesdes is.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Sex offenders, New Orleans after Katrina and an investigation all wrapped up in an interesting novel. Right from the beginning I was sucked into the story and wanted to know how it would unravel, but there are some definite plot points that I was questioning.
Sex offenders, New Orleans after Katrina and an investigation all wrapped up in an interesting novel. Right from the beginning I was sucked into the story and wanted to know how it would unravel, but there are some definite plot points that I was questioning.
bawright1987's review against another edition
4.0
A patron recommended this book to me. I was a bit hesitant because it's not something I typically read, and the first 20-30 pages didn't initially draw me in. I felt I couldn't relate to this randomly reckless character. But, I stuck with it and I'm so glad I did. By my give-it-100-pages trial period I was hooked. I even grew to like Nola and realized that she was fighting some serious demons. Her snappy comebacks had me laughing, even though they hurt the people that were closest to her. I very much enjoyed her relationship with Marisol, and it's something I hope continues to grow over the series. PS, the end of this book was epic, and totally worth the meh, feeling I had at page 10.
julia0000's review against another edition
5.0
A little slow to get moving but once I got farther along it was very catchy and a wonderful narrative style post Katrina book.
nglofile's review against another edition
1.0
First, a quibble with the series note ("Nola Cespedes Mysteries #1"): this is not a mystery -- not even close.
It's also not a suspense/thriller, despite the opening which plops us into a young woman's unexplained disappearance. [By the way, leading with that, and then doing nothing with it, is just poor narrative structure, and portraying it through the perspective of a younger child is transparently manipulative.] Thrillers and suspense novels are all about pacing, and this work has looooong dry passages in which the author just shovels her research to the reader -- and in settings no more imaginative than employing a journalist reflecting on her own data and/or interviewing subjects.
Recently I've experienced quite a few stories set in post-Katrina New Orleans, and this was by far the least engaging. What a tremendous disappointment.
It's also not a suspense/thriller, despite the opening which plops us into a young woman's unexplained disappearance. [By the way, leading with that, and then doing nothing with it, is just poor narrative structure, and portraying it through the perspective of a younger child is transparently manipulative.] Thrillers and suspense novels are all about pacing, and this work has looooong dry passages in which the author just shovels her research to the reader -- and in settings no more imaginative than employing a journalist reflecting on her own data and/or interviewing subjects.
Recently I've experienced quite a few stories set in post-Katrina New Orleans, and this was by far the least engaging. What a tremendous disappointment.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
More atmosphere than plot in this New Orleans thriller, which nevertheless manages to be quite thrilling. The ending was perhaps a little too abrupt, but I really enjoyed spending time with Nola, self-destructive reporter with a huge chip on her shoulder.
bydandii's review against another edition
4.0
engaging, with a wonderful depth of character for both the heroine and the city of New Orleans. an impulse buy I do not regret.