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Jeff
(07/08/08)
Green Monster
Despite being a Yankee fan who is still smarting from the Red Sox coming back from 3 games down to beat NY and then win the World Series in 2004, I gave "Green Monster" a try and really liked it. Thought the mystery was well plotted with a number of surprises and twists along the way. I found the sports theme to be interesting and will probably look from Shedchik's first novel dealing with the Masters as the backdrop. I'd recommend Green Monster to mystery fans. It's a fast read.
Carol
(07/08/08)
The mystery of the Red Sox
Mysteries are my preferred genre and I enjoy baseball, esp. the Twins. Unfortunately, I can't say I enjoyed Rick Schefchik's Green Monster. I found the characters rather stereotypical and predictable. Don't know that I would have finished the book if it would have been much longer or I hadn't committed to writing the review. I felt the plot moved very slowly at times and was a little disjointed.
The main character, Sam Skarda, could develop into an interesting and likable protaganist, but needs some fleshing out. It would also help if his fellow characters had a little more substance.
Maybe more enjoyed by a true Red Sox fan.
Ann
(07/07/08)
The Green Monster
I requested Green Monster, because I am always looking for books which will entice teenage boys to read - especially those interested in sports. This will fill that niche for baseball fans particularly.
It is not great literature, but I didn't anticipate that it would be. It was a fun read although parts seemed less than plausible and somewhat contrived.
I think some of my teenagers will find it to be a good read.
David
(07/06/08)
No Fear of THIS Green Monster!
I really enjoyed this book. The only downfall is keeping track of all the myriad characters that pop into the plot from Boston to L.A. to Venezuela! Sam Skarda is an accomplished private eye and does a commendable and engaging job of solving the mystery. There are several murders, a kidnapping, and a resurrected son. All of this adds to the excitement of the plot! Being from New England I could identify with many of the MLB players and recognized many familiar places along the way of a fine and suspenseful plot! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a surprise ending to a well written story.
Kristen
(07/04/08)
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.
Caryl
(07/02/08)
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.
Tracy
(07/01/08)
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.
Barbara
(06/26/08)
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.