Jan

I usually enjoy P&C but between the extremely far-fetched plot lines and characters about whom I was hard put to care one whit, it just did not satisfy. Brick did his normal excellent job of narration; the story itself was far too predictable and just didn't engage.

Did not care for the flashback device of a grand jury hearing on which to hang the narrative. I found it to be intrusive and artificially strained.

No, just not good enough for the "recommend to friends" category. Last book that fit that category was "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter."

Get another book

Firth's narration was fine; as this is a first person narrative with limited characters it was not exceedingly challenging. Greene I would try again as his reputation is excellent. This book, however, fell short of enjoyable and/or enlightening. The story and mores inherent seem dated and far from relevant for me. I really tried to like it and had looked forward to it but in the end, meech.

As an exercise in maintaining one's "well-rounded" cultural literacy, perhaps. It helped fill the time without being too distracting as I worked, painting a Habitat for Humanity home. There were no "back it up, I have to hear that again" moments, nor any stop you in your tracks, either. In all, a rather flat story excellently told..

While occasionally funny and moderately entertaining, it would not make my list of recommendations to friends. I put it in the category of potato chip books???OK enough to read but you wouldn't want a steady diet and not terribly memorable.