Greasing The Pinata
As a voracious reader of mystery stories, I was intrigued by the characters, a male PI and his female side kick, an Asian Martial Arts protector. The setting occurred in the US as well as Mexico and the theme naturally involved drugs. I found the author has a knack for very unconventional characters and this was somewhat off putting to me. I enjoy unconventional characters but not every character needs a strange trait.
The storyline was certainly current with a tie into the environment but much of the important parts of the story were developed through conversation as oppose to action. I guess I like my characters to do it the old fashion way, the gum shoe way.
The book was well written and very readable. The thesis was a new twist on the drug cartels but this book did not make my all time ten best list.
Rated of 5
by Henrietta (Kernersville NC)
'Greasing the Pinate
Maleeny gives us a "slice of life" in Mob circles in this fictional account of revenge, torture, and murder. Balancing the violence and plethora of four-letter words, detective Cape Weathers brings wit and intelligence in brief reprieves. This story is a quick read, a fast-paced thriller with well drawn characters and vivid descriptions. Cape and Sally, his Chinese ally, make an intriguing couple.
I would not recommend this book to either of my book clubs, however, because graphic torture scenes and bad language are not generally appreciated.
Rated of 5
by Brenda (boise ID)
Fun but forgettable
I found this book to be a bit lacking. The story line is fun, but really needs to be tightened up. I feel that the author was trying to pack too many ideas into one story. There are a lot of characters and it became confusing trying to keep them all straight, I don't think they were developed enough as characters to care about them, with the exception of the main two. There were some really great "one-liners" in the book and that kept it fun. But... the short chapters, instead of keeping the book moving, I felt slowed it down for me. It skipped around too much, I would have to look backwards to try to figure out who we were talking about now, especially if I was picking it up a day or so after the last time I read from it.
I think there is real potential for a good fun read, but I don't think it was achieved.
Rated of 5
by Helen (Petaluma CA)
Just unnecessary
There is violence and then there is violence. I stopped reading after 63 pages as I could not justify the graphic detail. I have read many, many mysteries but in a good mystery the journey is fun. Fun to learn about the characters, see the plot develop. This particular use of violence distracted, did not enhance. It was just messy. Sadly, I do not want to know more about Cape Weathers.
Rated of 5
by Anna (Oak Ridge TN)
Disappointed
Sad to say, this book didn't appeal to me at all. There was too much violence, unrealistic "high tech gadgets" and and so many characters it was hard to keep track of them. It didn't hold my interest and I found myself thinking, "okay, I need to finish this book so I can go on to something enjoyable."
I am the discussion leader for a large book group, 25 people, and I won't recommend the book to my group.
If you want a good mystery try reading some by Jefferson Bass. Recently I read "Flesh and Bone" my this author and couldn't put it down.
Rated of 5
by Barbara (Riverside CA)
Greasing the Pinata
This book appears to have an identity crisis. Perhaps if I had read the first two about the characters it would be more clear. However, it has elements of "male cozy' with broad humor about stereotypical car salesmen and mafia, scary fish in the toilet, etc. combined with very dark violence, Chinese triads, and drug lords. I would prefer better developed characters that I really cared about.
Rated of 5
by Sue (Saratoga CA)
Disappointed
Maleeny's writing style is bright and fresh, pulling the reader into the story from page 1. It reminded me of Lee Child's thrillers. Things quickly take a downturn as murders and torture are described in sickening detail. One eye-gouging sequence keeps returning to my mind, and I only want to forget it. Gave up half-way through the book after repeated gross-outs. Yeech.
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of 5
by Patricia (Norman OK)
of 5
by Helen (Petaluma CA)
