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achoward's review
4.0
Rigged is part of the Jake Longly series, and my first introduction to both the series and to DP Lyle.
The book opens with Jake in a courtroom, and Pancake (Tommy) in a bakery. The former wins his case, and the latter misses Emily, a woman he's known since 6th grade and who he crushes on just as he did when they were young.
Emily is in the midst of a divorce, and her lawyer, Walter Horton, is the very same man who defended Jake at the opening of the book. Longly Investigations is hired to look into Emily's husband's finances.
Emily fails to show for a meeting and also does not show up for her job, which is unusual. Pancake heads out to look for Emily, only to find her and her boyfriend Jason dead, shot execution style.
We then get moving with the book, as Longly is pulled in to investigate (alongside the police investigation) who killed Emily. Her soon to be ex Sean has an iron tight alibi: he was on an offshore rig, working. Did he find a way to be in two places at one time? Or were the couple murdered by an unknown third party? The team consists of Pancake, Ray (owner of the Longly Investigations business) Jake (Ray's son, Pancake's friend), and Nicole, a stunning to all, perfect woman who doesn't wear makeup because she doesn't "need to" (and Mr Lyle, please run these things by a woman first).
The plot is decent, and the book is perfectly readable as a standalone, so the question of whether you have to have read the previous books is a no. The books switches back and forth between first an third person, and I found that to be irritating. Also equally irritating is Pancake's supposed "love" for this woman since they were in sixth grade - this is mentioned over and over again, and I do not understand why writers do this. You told us once. Twice is fine. But past that? Enough. I was also left wondering way Pancake, so in love with this woman, made no attempt to contact her at all in the decades after sixth grade. There are some sex scenes between characters, and when they're not having sex, but investigating Emily's murder, we get sex-related dialogue. We get it. We do.
On the plus side, there is a lot of dialogue, much of it pretty snappy, and the book moves along at a quick but steady pace. It seems to me that the dialogue propels the book forward more than the main plot/investigation. The characters are well-drawn, and I imagine if I read the previous books they would be even more well developed for me. There's enough humor in the book to keep it from being completely macabre. It was entertaining and light enough to be read at the beach or on a plane.
Three point five stars out of five for the teenage-like sex talk banter, four stars for everything else. I went back and forth, deciding between three stars and four.
Ultimately: four stars out of five.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy.
The book opens with Jake in a courtroom, and Pancake (Tommy) in a bakery. The former wins his case, and the latter misses Emily, a woman he's known since 6th grade and who he crushes on just as he did when they were young.
Emily is in the midst of a divorce, and her lawyer, Walter Horton, is the very same man who defended Jake at the opening of the book. Longly Investigations is hired to look into Emily's husband's finances.
Emily fails to show for a meeting and also does not show up for her job, which is unusual. Pancake heads out to look for Emily, only to find her and her boyfriend Jason dead, shot execution style.
We then get moving with the book, as Longly is pulled in to investigate (alongside the police investigation) who killed Emily. Her soon to be ex Sean has an iron tight alibi: he was on an offshore rig, working. Did he find a way to be in two places at one time? Or were the couple murdered by an unknown third party? The team consists of Pancake, Ray (owner of the Longly Investigations business) Jake (Ray's son, Pancake's friend), and Nicole, a stunning to all, perfect woman who doesn't wear makeup because she doesn't "need to" (and Mr Lyle, please run these things by a woman first).
The plot is decent, and the book is perfectly readable as a standalone, so the question of whether you have to have read the previous books is a no. The books switches back and forth between first an third person, and I found that to be irritating. Also equally irritating is Pancake's supposed "love" for this woman since they were in sixth grade - this is mentioned over and over again, and I do not understand why writers do this. You told us once. Twice is fine. But past that? Enough. I was also left wondering way Pancake, so in love with this woman, made no attempt to contact her at all in the decades after sixth grade. There are some sex scenes between characters, and when they're not having sex, but investigating Emily's murder, we get sex-related dialogue. We get it. We do.
On the plus side, there is a lot of dialogue, much of it pretty snappy, and the book moves along at a quick but steady pace. It seems to me that the dialogue propels the book forward more than the main plot/investigation. The characters are well-drawn, and I imagine if I read the previous books they would be even more well developed for me. There's enough humor in the book to keep it from being completely macabre. It was entertaining and light enough to be read at the beach or on a plane.
Three point five stars out of five for the teenage-like sex talk banter, four stars for everything else. I went back and forth, deciding between three stars and four.
Ultimately: four stars out of five.
Thanks to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy.
3no7's review
5.0
“Rigged” by D. P. Lyle is part of the “The Jake Longly” series, but every reader will quickly fall into the rhythm of the narrative, and be captivated by the characters. The greatness of a story hinges on superb characters, plot, and setting, and “Rigged” has all three. The Gulf Coast draws readers in with its splendor, and the specific localities can easily be seen on Google Maps. The plot is not just another case, but it is a personal journey from the start.
Despite the geography and the plot, there would not be a story without Lyle’s characters. “Rigged” is not about the end, it is about the trip and this specific trip with these people. They do not have cases, they have situations. They might be someone’s best friend or worst nightmare. The book is just a reason for readers to spend time with them. Jake Longly is an ex-major league baseball stud, restauranteur, defender of frivolous lawsuits, and a world-class avoider of work. Too much real thinking gives him a headache. Nicole Jamison is a screen writer and assistant PI. She knows Krav Maga, loves fast cars, and is excellent at multitasking. She is smart, good with people, and able to keep Jake on a short leash. Tommy Jeffers, aka Pancake, is a best friend, has crazy computer skills, and baby sits Jake and Nicole, well just Jake; Nicole can take care of herself.
The story unfolds in Jake’s first person narrative, not really a narrative in the formal since, just a good old boy telling a story. It is conversation driven with short crisp sentences filled with focus, meaning, and a friendly but probing attitude.
“Rigged” is a thrill ride through the Alabama Gulf Coast in a criminal sort of way. There are unlikely victims, lots of questions, and diverse plot elements. People do not have to be smart to commit a murder, but need brains to get away with it. Jake, Nicole, and Pancake have the brainpower to catch them. I received a review copy of” Rigged” from D. P. Lyle, Oceanview Publishing, and Independent Publishers Group. I loved every word.
Despite the geography and the plot, there would not be a story without Lyle’s characters. “Rigged” is not about the end, it is about the trip and this specific trip with these people. They do not have cases, they have situations. They might be someone’s best friend or worst nightmare. The book is just a reason for readers to spend time with them. Jake Longly is an ex-major league baseball stud, restauranteur, defender of frivolous lawsuits, and a world-class avoider of work. Too much real thinking gives him a headache. Nicole Jamison is a screen writer and assistant PI. She knows Krav Maga, loves fast cars, and is excellent at multitasking. She is smart, good with people, and able to keep Jake on a short leash. Tommy Jeffers, aka Pancake, is a best friend, has crazy computer skills, and baby sits Jake and Nicole, well just Jake; Nicole can take care of herself.
The story unfolds in Jake’s first person narrative, not really a narrative in the formal since, just a good old boy telling a story. It is conversation driven with short crisp sentences filled with focus, meaning, and a friendly but probing attitude.
“Rigged” is a thrill ride through the Alabama Gulf Coast in a criminal sort of way. There are unlikely victims, lots of questions, and diverse plot elements. People do not have to be smart to commit a murder, but need brains to get away with it. Jake, Nicole, and Pancake have the brainpower to catch them. I received a review copy of” Rigged” from D. P. Lyle, Oceanview Publishing, and Independent Publishers Group. I loved every word.
annarella's review
5.0
It's an engrossing and entertaining story that kept me hooked.
I loved the well thought cast of characters, the setting, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Even if it's part of a series I had no issues with the plot or the characters and want to read the other instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the well thought cast of characters, the setting, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Even if it's part of a series I had no issues with the plot or the characters and want to read the other instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
literarybelleoftheball's review
5.0
Wow! This is such a great book! I had a great time delving into the mystery and trying to solve the case. Lyle is a fantastic writer. This is the only book I've read from this series, but I am so excited to go back and read the others. If you like mysteries, you'll definitely like this one!
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