This was a blast. My first foray into this author and the retired FBI agent Gregor Demarkian. Full of wit, sly references to American icons and myth, for example: I grew up knowing Howard Johnson's as HoJo's the place you went to eat back then that the whole family could afford. Never really thought about anyone acutally staying there. And thus all the internal and vocal comments Gregor makes about HoJo's are wonderful. This was a very good read, and difficult to put down. AT first I thought I would not buy into some of the characters, but was quickly pulled in and wondering what the heck was going on! On the sub plot about old George was sweet and very much an insight into Gregor's personality.Overall it was a story about how ordiary people screw up and try to cover up and just end up screwing up some more, just like any of us might do.There are tons more of these stories to read, and I am always happy to discover a new (for me) author with lots of books already written to look forward to!Makes up for discovering authors like Dorothy Dunnet and George RR Martin and Robert Jordan on their first books in their series and having to wait years between each new installment!And in Robert JOrdan's case being thankful that he had a son who decided to make sure the end of the series got written and published after his Dad passed away. It's been a while since I read one in this series; I enjoyed this, though I would suggest starting this series from the beginning. The mystery here involves a 12-year disappearance, the discovery of two suspicious deaths-one body hanging from a billboard, and one set bones of an infant.I do like the way the author fleshes out her characters. There are always 2 stories in her Demarkian books: the primary mystery itself, and the goings-on in Gregor Demarkian's (largely Armenian) Cavanaugh Street neighborhood. As you read through the series, the Cavanaugh Street residents are like family--you begin to know what they will be doing at any given time (where Fr. Tibor will go to breakfast and when, for instance). This 'family' does change over time-people get married, move away, etc. I feel as if I need to start this series over again to re-aquaint myself with everyone.The mystery here is interesting to watch unfold. You have the mother of the missing individual, who seems certifiably nuts, the (less than refined) residents of a trailer park, a family business or two, and young love! The mystery is solved (and explained). This series is actually very 'clean' for an American author--it reads more like a British mystery,people tend to keep their clothes on, and the language is appropriate to the characters (it can be crass at times, but only if it makes sense for the character; them main characters have a good vocabulary that usually does not require a lot of '4-letter words'). If you like British mysteries and haven't tried Jane Haddam's Demarkian series, I would suggest giving it a try.
What do You think about Flowering Judas (2011)?
The story sounded interesting, but the writing style/characters never quite captured me.
—124
Hard to follow all the characters, but somewhat compelling story.
—Susan
ugh. could never get through it. it went on and on and on.
—pookie
