Skin and Blond

Story in itself was good enough, but Ivy the PD is not a likable character and a bit stupid. Gets herself into situations through her loose tongue which only shows what a ridiculous character she is. Too much the victim, and can't fight her way out of a paper bag! Got very irritated with her naivety.

Still MEH, even though a relatively interesting and objectively well written female private detective mystery (ostensibly "noir"), with the unusual angle of the PI being a nymphomaniac in addition to having the ubiquitous addiction of alcoholism. The book lacks the humor of the early Stephanie Plum series or, more apt, the Whiskey Rebellion series, and it lacks the oomph and memorable nature of the Cal Corwin female PI series. In the genre of noir itself, I'd rather read Raymond Chandler, Walter Mosely, or authors of modern Scottish or Scanda noir. In sum, entertaining enough for a quick read, with some humor, only really the statements that sex did or did not happen, and a profound sadness at the pathos of the detective's life.

A free novel I downloaded but left right to the end of my pile as I didn't think it would be to my taste. Was I wrong! Gritty & salacious, as shocking as a punch to the throat, this novel was like watching a car crash with it's host of dysfunctional characters; it made your gut churn but you couldn't stop watching. A psychiatrist would have a field day with the people described. It was a real page turner & held my attention to the very end with a host of "WTF's???". Definitely one for noir fans.