1st to Die by James Patterson

It's probably not fair to even rate this book, seeing as how I didn't make it more than 30 pages in. But OH MY GOD what a terrible book. I'm ashamed of the entire book-buying public. This is beyond even Dan Brown levels of bad. The characters are ridiculous charicatures, the plot is absurd, and the dialogue is as clunky as any I've ever read. I was hoping to find a new series to read now that I've nearly finished the complete Block oeuvre, but this is so not my cuppa.

The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart by Lawrence Block

I think it was Lawrence Block's website that made me realize my perception of Bernie has been off from the beginning. Block describes him as a young guy - perpetually young, unlike the aging Scudder. I'd pictured him as older. But now that I've shaved 15 years off my mental picture, I like him so much more. Still, I'm surprised at how often in these stories I am able to figure out what's happening before any of the other characters. I wonder if that happens to the other readers too, or if it's just a coincidence that my knowledge of a few esoteric topics just happens to be relevant each time. For example, on this one I knew what "CAPHOB" meant from the very beginning, though the meaning ended up being largely irrelevant in the end. I've only seen a couple of Bogart films in my time, but enough to be amused at the gradual Bogartization of Bernie's worldview as he gets more immersed in the two-Bogart-a-day film festival.

The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams by Lawrence Block

I realize it's weird - and possibly irritating as hell - to read all the books in a series and complain in each post about how disappointing they all are. I realize that I should just STOP READING a series I don't particuarly enjoy. But I am a lazy reader. I spend a lot of time zoning out on planes, and Bernie's an unchallenging companion on these trips. I keep swearing off him, but then the next time I find myself on a jetway I can't help picking up the next one. Damn you, Kindle, in your enabling ways.

Away by Amy Bloom

Three stars is probably generous here. The book earns big points on characterization and setting, but loses them all on a muddled plot that wanders everywhere and nowhere. The ending still gives me a big "Bwuh? Really?" moment even well after the book's been shelved. I could tell by the 2/3 mark that there wasn't nearly enough story left to give a satisfying resolution, but even so this one reaches new levels of WTF.