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lollylauren1's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredible book, I have been craving something to fill the hole since finishing this book.
Nothing has been as fast paced and laugh out loud funny.
It is also a beautiful conversation between father and son.
I am hoping for another book.
Nothing has been as fast paced and laugh out loud funny.
It is also a beautiful conversation between father and son.
I am hoping for another book.
maudegarrett's review against another edition
5.0
Paul Verhoevan realized his parents' career in the police force would make a great story. But the way Paul uses humor, bonding with his parents, vulnerability, storytelling and drama really makes this a fantastic read!
Paul, a storyteller first and foremost, injects himself and his thinking into the gruesome, dark and revealing nature of the Australian police force in Sydney's Northern Suburbs as told by his parents. The way he fleshes out the stories with nuance, atmostphere and dialogue is akin to Dr Frankenstein; the uncanny ability to bring things to life.
Paul is a dear friend and I'm so incredibly proud of what he's accomplished in this book.
Paul, a storyteller first and foremost, injects himself and his thinking into the gruesome, dark and revealing nature of the Australian police force in Sydney's Northern Suburbs as told by his parents. The way he fleshes out the stories with nuance, atmostphere and dialogue is akin to Dr Frankenstein; the uncanny ability to bring things to life.
Paul is a dear friend and I'm so incredibly proud of what he's accomplished in this book.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
Electric Blue by Paul Verhoeven defies simple description. This isn’t a straightforward biography, or true crime book, it’s a conversation between a son and his father, (and occasionally a son and his mother who was also once a police officer), about work and family, trauma and ADHD, and the past and present.
While Paul Verhoeven’s first book, Loose Units, focused on his father’s career as a NSW general duties police officer, Electric Blue addresses the time his father later spent with the Scientific Unit as a forensics officer. Prompted by Paul’s questions, John recounts his experiences, a mix of the ordinary, unusual, unpleasant and bizarre, under the supervision of an eccentric mentor. The cases are fascinating, told with occasionally disturbing detail, and a sardonic sense of humour.
Paul is often wide-eyed at John’s adventures, his father being so different to himself that he can barely conceive of the choices his dad makes. Paul has ADHD and as such is incapable of his dad’s ability to focus and act decisively, and struggles with the idea that John is not outwardly traumatised by his experiences. Though the two men are quite close emotionally, both Loose Units and Electric Blue stem, in part, from Paul’s desire to bridge the gap of understanding between them.
To that end Paul turns one of the cases his father relates into a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style story, to demonstrate how his own scattered thought process would work in the same situation, and includes it in Electric Blue, complete with a handful of illustrations. It’s an unexpected and unique addition to the book, though it won’t appeal to everyone.
I found Electric Blue to be a fascinating and entertaining, if unconventional, read. I’ve every intention of reading Loose Units too, and I’ve subscribed to the Loose Units podcast.
While Paul Verhoeven’s first book, Loose Units, focused on his father’s career as a NSW general duties police officer, Electric Blue addresses the time his father later spent with the Scientific Unit as a forensics officer. Prompted by Paul’s questions, John recounts his experiences, a mix of the ordinary, unusual, unpleasant and bizarre, under the supervision of an eccentric mentor. The cases are fascinating, told with occasionally disturbing detail, and a sardonic sense of humour.
Paul is often wide-eyed at John’s adventures, his father being so different to himself that he can barely conceive of the choices his dad makes. Paul has ADHD and as such is incapable of his dad’s ability to focus and act decisively, and struggles with the idea that John is not outwardly traumatised by his experiences. Though the two men are quite close emotionally, both Loose Units and Electric Blue stem, in part, from Paul’s desire to bridge the gap of understanding between them.
To that end Paul turns one of the cases his father relates into a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style story, to demonstrate how his own scattered thought process would work in the same situation, and includes it in Electric Blue, complete with a handful of illustrations. It’s an unexpected and unique addition to the book, though it won’t appeal to everyone.
I found Electric Blue to be a fascinating and entertaining, if unconventional, read. I’ve every intention of reading Loose Units too, and I’ve subscribed to the Loose Units podcast.
gaysandmurder's review against another edition
3.0
3.75
The stories are interesting and well-told but as always the prime pull of this series is the father/son relationship. This definitely feels more critical of the police than the first one. I wanted some more information with some of the stories. Still highly reccomend.
The stories are interesting and well-told but as always the prime pull of this series is the father/son relationship. This definitely feels more critical of the police than the first one. I wanted some more information with some of the stories. Still highly reccomend.
cmoo053's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
ellreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Non-fiction is a genre that struggles to entertain me, but my faith has been restored after finishing Electric Blue. With Paul’s parents being ex-police officers of the New South Wales police force in the 1980’s, they sure do have some stories to tell. As the book jumps between current-day Paul and his dad during the interview for the book, Paul tells his dad’s story in a way that reads as fiction, and this is what I found so captivating. We delve deep not only into the world of law enforcement, but also the relationship between John and Paul as they try to understand each other - being so different, it’s hard for them to try and put themselves in each other’s shoes. The real-life recounts from Paul’s dad, John, are almost too gruesome and terrible to believe, yet they’re believable for his former line of work. I initially bought this book when I was applying for the Tasmanian Police Force. I wanted to read real stories from an officer, the good and the bad - and let me tell you, some of these stories will blow your mind.. I could talk about this for days, so please read it and message me about it so I can talk to someone about the ending!! A fantastic and captivating story that I think should be read by all, I highly recommend you get your hands on this one.
bookpics_andchill's review against another edition
4.0
Praise for Electric Blue: “Thrilling! Hilarious!... there was a third thing but I forgot what it was”- Matt Lucas (fat Little Britain bloke). Don’t worry Matt, I know what the third thing is- gross, it’s gross... in a good way.
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