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scottnap's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cwebb's review
4.0
Eine nette kleine Unterhaltung. Ein Baseballspieler wird in einen Mord verwickelt, hinter dem dann einige seltsame Dinge stecken. Baseball-Fan muss man keiner sein, das spielt eher eine Nebenrolle aber es werden viele Details erwähnt, um die Story aufzulockern.
Einen Thriller vom besten Format darf man sich nicht erwarten, aber es ist lustig genug und es gibt einem witzige Anekdoten und Details aus dem Leben eines Baseballspielers um 1918 rum.
Einen Thriller vom besten Format darf man sich nicht erwarten, aber es ist lustig genug und es gibt einem witzige Anekdoten und Details aus dem Leben eines Baseballspielers um 1918 rum.
jakewritesbooks's review
4.0
(3.5) I enjoy Soos' Mickey Rawlings series because its a great combination of old time baseball, urban atmosphere, generational politics (the Landfors character is obviously a surrogate for the writer) and mystery. The mysteries themselves aren't usually that compelling or well-written, neither is the dialogue. But everything else is great and informative. Can't stress enough: if you're expecting an Agatha Christie-level technical expertise, don't read this. But if you like the things I like, give this one and the series itself a shot.
odogg's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
komet2020's review
5.0
In "MURDER AT WRIGLEY FIELD" we are reacquainted with Mickey Rawlings the utility ballplayer. He's now playing full-time with the Chicago Cubs as a second baseman.
It is the summer of 1918. America, now fully engaged in the First World War, is caught up in anti-German, hyperpatriotic fervor. Anything remotely German was widely regarded as anathema. Rawlings is rooming with his teammate Willie Kaiser, who had been called up by the Cubs after the previous season to play shortstop. In that position, Kaiser soon proves to be especially adept, as well as a hot batter behind the plate. Indeed, Rawlings shares with the reader that "[a] year ago, Willie was working in a meatpacking house and playing amateur ball for the Union Stockyards. Now in his first full season with the Cubs, he had a .322 batting average and the best glove since Honus Wagner. He should have been the sports pages' biggest story. But the papers chose to avoid putting his hated name [Kaiser] in print and rarely mentioned Willie in their coverage of the games. The box scores, which couldn't omit him entirely, abbreviated him as 'WKsr.' "
Kaiser is a soft-spoken man with whom Rawlings has established a strong rapport on the playing field. But there has been considerable ferment at the stadium in recent weeks that has created disruptions in the game, causing drops in attendance. Then during an Independence Day pre-game event at Cubs Park (the Cubs were set to play against the Cincinnati Reds), while the team is assembled on one side of the field opposite the Reds players, a shot rings out, striking Kaiser in the chest, who is next to Rawlings. He dies. Intrigue both on and off the field abounds. Rawlings sets himself on a perilous path, determined to find out who murdered his teammate.
Again Troy Soos has crafted a very engaging novel that seamlessly blends the drama and intensity of a major league baseball team caught up in a hard fought pennant race with the shadowy elements of a gripping mystery story. "MURDER AT WRIGLEY FIELD" was a delight to read, capturing so much of the atmosphere of a country at war.
It is the summer of 1918. America, now fully engaged in the First World War, is caught up in anti-German, hyperpatriotic fervor. Anything remotely German was widely regarded as anathema. Rawlings is rooming with his teammate Willie Kaiser, who had been called up by the Cubs after the previous season to play shortstop. In that position, Kaiser soon proves to be especially adept, as well as a hot batter behind the plate. Indeed, Rawlings shares with the reader that "[a] year ago, Willie was working in a meatpacking house and playing amateur ball for the Union Stockyards. Now in his first full season with the Cubs, he had a .322 batting average and the best glove since Honus Wagner. He should have been the sports pages' biggest story. But the papers chose to avoid putting his hated name [Kaiser] in print and rarely mentioned Willie in their coverage of the games. The box scores, which couldn't omit him entirely, abbreviated him as 'WKsr.' "
Kaiser is a soft-spoken man with whom Rawlings has established a strong rapport on the playing field. But there has been considerable ferment at the stadium in recent weeks that has created disruptions in the game, causing drops in attendance. Then during an Independence Day pre-game event at Cubs Park (the Cubs were set to play against the Cincinnati Reds), while the team is assembled on one side of the field opposite the Reds players, a shot rings out, striking Kaiser in the chest, who is next to Rawlings. He dies. Intrigue both on and off the field abounds. Rawlings sets himself on a perilous path, determined to find out who murdered his teammate.
Again Troy Soos has crafted a very engaging novel that seamlessly blends the drama and intensity of a major league baseball team caught up in a hard fought pennant race with the shadowy elements of a gripping mystery story. "MURDER AT WRIGLEY FIELD" was a delight to read, capturing so much of the atmosphere of a country at war.
giovannnaz's review
3.0
Seemed like the right book to read on the flight to Chicago, seeing as I was going to a Cubs game the next day. It turned out to be all the more timely, taking place during WWI at the height of anti-German hysteria. You know, lots of ignorant people reacting ignorantly to real problems and making things worse. Very familiar...
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