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aberdeenwaters's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first Ross Thomas, and it won't be my last. A small town crime mixed with some higher level corruption is just what the doctor ordered. The ending packs a punch, and there's a wry sense of humor laced throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
mcf's review against another edition
5.0
About 15 years ago, give or take, I read virtually everything by Ross Thomas, seeking out used books because most of his stuff was then out of print. Because my brain is a sieve, however, what I mostly remember from those months is that Thomas is a genius of epic proportions, even as I recall almost nothing of the stories themselves. So, I've decided this reread of Briarpatch (happily now back in print, along with a ton of his stuff) is a great way to kick off another run through Thomas' novels, esp now that I'm trapped inside and everything.
ANYWAY. I started this reread because Briarpatch is the source material for a series currently (4/2020) running on USA, which is basically the best show on TV right now (fight me). It's been fascinating the track the ways in which the book is used as a virtual stencil (some dialogue is right from Thomas, for example), and those in which it's confidently diverged from or discarded entirely (Ben Dill becomes Allegra Dill, the family is not white, and boy is Dill's relationship with the senator different from the one in the book). Happily, the series keeps its roots firmly in Thomas' world, even as it updates and changes it; the result is an extraordinary work that is in every way equal to the novel.
So yeah, this is kind of not just about the book, but the book is fantastic and deserves to be read, esp if you're looking for smart, creative distraction from the real world.
ANYWAY. I started this reread because Briarpatch is the source material for a series currently (4/2020) running on USA, which is basically the best show on TV right now (fight me). It's been fascinating the track the ways in which the book is used as a virtual stencil (some dialogue is right from Thomas, for example), and those in which it's confidently diverged from or discarded entirely (Ben Dill becomes Allegra Dill, the family is not white, and boy is Dill's relationship with the senator different from the one in the book). Happily, the series keeps its roots firmly in Thomas' world, even as it updates and changes it; the result is an extraordinary work that is in every way equal to the novel.
So yeah, this is kind of not just about the book, but the book is fantastic and deserves to be read, esp if you're looking for smart, creative distraction from the real world.
pierceinverarity's review against another edition
3.0
This was recommended by Nancy Pearl on KUOW,who praised it for its smart, intricate plot structure. It certainly has that, as well as a nice blending of crime thriller with political conspiracy. Written in 1985, however, the plot probably packed much more topical punch in the era of Iran-Contra scandals.
rtpodzemny's review against another edition
4.0
A tight Chandler-flavored mystery that is very nearly set in Oklahoma city. Good times.
boleary30's review against another edition
3.0
Good characters, a bit muddled in some of the writing in that the conversations between characters don't always roll with ease. The ending is the kind I like the least, you do not find out who was really responsible and it is just left with different possibilities, like it should be the start of a series, yet it is not. So it just ends without the reader knowing what really happened.
_b_t_h_'s review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
tinabaich's review against another edition
3.0
Briarpatch opens with the death of Detective Felicity Dill. Her brother, Ben Dill, journeys home for the funeral and to find out why his sister died. A twisted web of politics, policing and crime quickly surround Dill. He is employed by a Senator who happens to have business in Dill’s home town and is the childhood friend of the criminal who is the subject of that business. While he navigates this dicey terrain, Dill teams up with his sister’s friend and lawyer to manipulate events towards a remarkable conclusion, trusting no one else to find his sister’s killer.
Though written in 1984, there is very little to date this novel. The same story could easily occur today. The only thing that took me out of the story was wondering why it was called Briarpatch, but that eventually comes out though late in the book. In researching the author after the fact, I found that Thomas is known for thrillers with a political twist. He is clearly a master at unmasking the world of professional politics as well as weaving believable and suspenseful crime stories. Ross Thomas wrote 20 standalone crime thrillers and an additional five series novels using the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck. His first novel, The Cold War Swap, won the 1967 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
I would definitely recommend Briarpatch to readers of crime fiction, especially if you enjoy a splash of politics in your crime.
http://iubookgirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-briarpatch.html
Though written in 1984, there is very little to date this novel. The same story could easily occur today. The only thing that took me out of the story was wondering why it was called Briarpatch, but that eventually comes out though late in the book. In researching the author after the fact, I found that Thomas is known for thrillers with a political twist. He is clearly a master at unmasking the world of professional politics as well as weaving believable and suspenseful crime stories. Ross Thomas wrote 20 standalone crime thrillers and an additional five series novels using the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck. His first novel, The Cold War Swap, won the 1967 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
I would definitely recommend Briarpatch to readers of crime fiction, especially if you enjoy a splash of politics in your crime.
http://iubookgirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/review-briarpatch.html
danbydame's review against another edition
2.0
I can not figure out why this book ended up on my to-read list, or on my real live shelf. I must have seen a positive recommendation somewhere. I suppose it's an ok book. But a little flat, formulaic, and "guy" for me.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
(4.5) About a third of the way through this book, I began to worry. It was such a good read and yet I was concerned it wouldn’t have the velocity to keep up til the end. Fortunately, I was wrong. This is a banger.
I’m a latecomer to Ross Thomas’ work and I have only myself to blame. He really does for the political novel* what Leonard did for noir. The dialogue reminds me of how I thought grownups talked when I was a kid: wry, direct and mature with a light wit. The mystery itself kept me guessing and while I docked it a half star because I wasn’t a huge fan of the book’s central relationship, all the characters, male and female, are 3D.
I will read more Ross Thomas. Maybe his entire oeuvre. But I’m not sure it gets better than this.
*aided greatly by Thomas being nonpartisan
I’m a latecomer to Ross Thomas’ work and I have only myself to blame. He really does for the political novel* what Leonard did for noir. The dialogue reminds me of how I thought grownups talked when I was a kid: wry, direct and mature with a light wit. The mystery itself kept me guessing and while I docked it a half star because I wasn’t a huge fan of the book’s central relationship, all the characters, male and female, are 3D.
I will read more Ross Thomas. Maybe his entire oeuvre. But I’m not sure it gets better than this.
*aided greatly by Thomas being nonpartisan