Rated of 5
by Kristen An entertaining yarn
One does not expect great literature in picking up a mystery novel. Rather, it is the expectation of interesting characters, suspense, grit, crime, and unexpected turns of events peppered with surprising glimpses of humor. Green Monster is not great literature, but as a mystery/intrigue novel, it is most satisfying. The characters were interesting and well drawn, the events seemed both possible and mostly unpredictable. And for those who, like me, have powerful feelings associated with baseball, the Red Sox, and specifically the 2004 team, it is a way to enter for a moment into a world we could only dream of. Good fun. A good read. I would enjoy reading others by the same author.
Rated of 5
by Caryl Green Monster
Unfortunately, Green Monster is a standard mystery with different players. It is advertised as being about the Red Sox. Not quite. The extortion note and signed Babe Ruth (no less) is about owner of the Red Sox and the fact he thinks that not only the Red Sox, but all of baseball will be crushed forever if this gets out (some how this sounds familiar).
The note proclaims that the 2004 World Series (that the Red Sox won) was fixed. Sam, the private eye, is trying to find the real author of the note and whether the game was actually fixed, He says he doesn't know who to trust, then meets the every big-shot mobster he can find.
There are many parts of the book which simply do not ring true. I will not say more in case someone actually wants to read this. I cannot, in good conscience recommend this, even for the beach.
Rated of 5
by Tracy What You See is What You Get
This is a moderately entertaining story. It is no more or less than described: a straight forward mystery novel. For me to become fully engaged in the mystery the characters needed more depth, the plot needed more sizzle and I needed to find a reason to care about the outcome. Anyone who enjoys a mystery that plows straight ahead, who likes sports - especially the Boston Red Sox and who doesn't want too work to hard will enjoy this book.
Rated of 5
by Barbara The Green Monster
Although this was a quick read, I found the mystery to be too predictable and the characters too shallow. The beautiful blond, who is intelligent, in a high-powered job, sexually promiscuous, and every man's dream is such a shop-worn cliché. I saw the twist to the plot and the ending coming three-quarters of the way through. An enjoyable enough beach read for someone interested in the Red Sox, but a real disappointment for anyone interested in a smart and well-written mystery.
Rated of 5
by Ray Curse Of the Bambino - Revisited!
For sports fans, particularly baseball fans, the idea that the Red Sox's 2004 World Series victory of the Cardinals may have been tainted is intriguing. Could it be that the Red Sox were part of the biggest ruse in sports history? Does this mean the Curse of the Bambino still lives?
Author/Sportswriter Rick Shefchik explores this fictional concept in his novel, "Green Monster". It is a blend of sports fiction with gumshoe detective novel. The idea and premise are interesting - especially for fans of the Red Sox - but the combination of actual facts/dates with the use of fictional names for all the players involved proved to be distracting and took away from the "reality" of this fictional concept.
Overall, an interesting read - but nothing special.
Rated of 5
by Norma Green Monster
I asked to review Green Monster by Rick Shefchik because I am a baseball fan and a mystery book fan. Sam Skarda, a private investigator is asked to investigate a blackmail case involving the Boston Red Sox and the 2004 World Series. The action moves between Minneapolis, Boston, LA and Caracas Venezuela. There is a lot of focus on the history of the Boston Red Sox and the curse of the Bambino. The book moves quickly and is an entertaining read. Some of the plot twists seem a bit unbelievable but the ending of the book provides a nice surprise.
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