Scan barcode
unladylike's review
4.0
I could hardly believe, immediately after finishing this book, that it was the debut book from a writer/illustrator in her mid-twenties. I don't usually read mystery thrillers, but this was fantastic. I feel compelled to read it again to more fully understand the hints and conclusion to the story.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
Although I became confused by the plethora of characters, I was impressed by the drawings, which are detailed and gorgeous. I am no expert on art, but I think they are stunning. To match with the noir theme, they look like watercolors in shades of gray with muted, subtle touches of color.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/britten-and-brulightly/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/britten-and-brulightly/
thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
3.0
Imagine a slightly unhinged and downbeat Hercule Poirot winding up in a Hammett plot set in a wet and mundane England. If that sounds good then you'll probably enjoy this slightly old-fashioned feeling noir.
Not sure the device of the talking teabag adds much. It helps with exposition a bit, but feels like an early idea that was neither fully explored nor excised.
This is very atmospheric and enjoyable, and beautiful to boot. Not entirely successful and the plot felt more complex than it actually was, but still a very original and impressive debut.
Not sure the device of the talking teabag adds much. It helps with exposition a bit, but feels like an early idea that was neither fully explored nor excised.
This is very atmospheric and enjoyable, and beautiful to boot. Not entirely successful and the plot felt more complex than it actually was, but still a very original and impressive debut.
nightchough's review against another edition
4.0
This is an almost perfect graphic novel - a noir, creative story, unexpected twists, beautiful artwork in multiple media, pacing, tone ... the only things that keep me from giving this five stars are the tea-bag and the finger. But really - readers of graphic novel and hard-boiled detective stories should take a look; very creative. An astonishing debut.
hellosagar's review
5.0
Loved this. Wonderful art style that reminded me of fresh ink that has had water drop on it and begun to run. It's a classic noir, with all classic characters, and a classic plot, which only goes to show how strong the genre is, a century after its inception. This one is just totally pure in its genre vibes and gave exactly what I wanted. A special shout-out to the protagonist's character design, which is both very distinctive and very evocative of the type of man he is at this stage in his life. Fabulous.
kmrobbins's review against another edition
3.0
Illustrations were gorgeous. Story was ok. The handwritten text was so incredibly difficult to read, which was distracting.
saidtheraina's review
3.0
Love the illustration - although I'd love to see what Berry will do with a broader color palette, even though the minimalist color palette fit the tone of this piece extremely well. Noir investigation with a touch of a sense of humor. Narrative voiced in cursive sounds like a gumshoe - speech bubbles for the rest of the characters. Love the tone of the narrator - cleverly depressed.
"Given though I am to the occasional notion of counter-survival, I didn't enjoy the idea of a stranger assuming the role of my executioner.
It was presumptuous, and I resented it."
"Given though I am to the occasional notion of counter-survival, I didn't enjoy the idea of a stranger assuming the role of my executioner.
It was presumptuous, and I resented it."
flajol's review
3.0
A quirky, dark, and sometimes confusing noir tale of betrayal and despair. Ooh, that sounds deep for a book with a talking teabag as a sidekick, doesn't it? :D Brulightly was probably my favourite part of the book. His lecherous character making observations from the sidelines was a bit reminiscent of Harry Dresden's Bob, and I loved the joke in his name. I also loved how Britten was constantly assumed to be French and how it irked him.
The story itself was quite convoluted, and as it unraveled I found it difficult to keep straight. Good as a one off dip into noir (not my usual fare). I wasn't too keen on the ending, but it wasn't unexpected.
The story itself was quite convoluted, and as it unraveled I found it difficult to keep straight. Good as a one off dip into noir (not my usual fare). I wasn't too keen on the ending, but it wasn't unexpected.
ainsleyiscariot's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
proffy's review against another edition
3.0
Fern Britten is a private researcher (investigator has too many negative connotations) who has been dubbed the Heartbreaker. In his line of work, jealous lovers prevail, and it is his unfortunate duty to reveal the truth...which often is less than pleasant. Britten is determined to stop dealing with paranoid lovers (even if they are rightly paranoid), but when he gets involved in a case of suicide, blackmail, and of course jealous lovers, he may be in way over his head.
I adored the artwork in this graphic novel. It was dark, noirish, and creative, with beautiful perspective shots. I was a bit less taken with the story itself which seemed a bit...contrived. The case Britten receives is, lo and behold, tied to a case he worked on in the past, and the path of clues and connections seem a bit too easy for me. Still, I am very happy I read the book.
I adored the artwork in this graphic novel. It was dark, noirish, and creative, with beautiful perspective shots. I was a bit less taken with the story itself which seemed a bit...contrived. The case Britten receives is, lo and behold, tied to a case he worked on in the past, and the path of clues and connections seem a bit too easy for me. Still, I am very happy I read the book.