Wulf's Book Reviews

The Closers by Michael Connelly My rating: 4 of 5 stars My expectations were naturally high as I ventured back alongside Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch as he re-joins the force in " The Closers ". This novel does bring a different tempo, quite unlike the whirlwind of suspense we often associate with Bosch's live-wire cases. Instead, he delves into a cold case, bringing a slower, perhaps more methodical, feel to this venture. Initially, my excitement ebbed slightly as the urgency I’m familiar with in Bosch novels was subdued due to the nature of a cold case. However, as Bosch's intricate world unfurled, the story's pace began to pick up, rendering my initial reservations (mostly) moot. Detours from urgency can indeed provide new spaces for character exploration and narrative depth. This novel proved that slow-burning embers could have the potential to ignite an inferno. The inclusion, perhaps reintroduction, of Irvin Irving added a nuanced blend ...

The Narrows by Michael Connelly My rating: 4 of 5 stars Having read multiple entries from Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series , I approached "The Narrows" with high expectations, and for the most part, it didn’t disappoint. As one of the later books in the series, the tone is darker, more introspective, and delves into an older Bosch trying to adjust to life after the LAPD, all while being drawn into a chilling case involving a serial killer. The plot kicks off with Bosch investigating the death of a friend’s husband, which also links FBI agent Rachel Walling to the resurgence of a notorious killer. Connelly’s deft plotting shines through, as the story unspools with a quiet, steady tension that kept me flipping pages. There's a masterful blend of investigation and emotional weight, particularly as we see Bosch juggle the demands of the case with his tangled personal life, especially his fractured relationship with his daughter. What elevates The Narrow...

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld My rating: 3 of 5 stars Curtis Sittenfeld 's “ Romantic Comedy ” failed to deliver what I’d hoped, taking far too long to engage, and bombarding the reader with tedious background details about television production. The novel’s focus on the behind-the-scenes mechanics of a sketch show often felt like unnecessary padding, leaving the narrative sluggish at times. » The sets would be built at a warehouse in Brooklyn then transported back to 66, ideally on Friday, to be painted. « Exciting, right? That’s the kind of procedural minutiae that dominates much of the early parts of the novel. While some readers might appreciate this level of intricate detail, I personally found it detracted from both the pacing and the emotional depth I was looking for. When Sittenfeld could have been focusing on the actual romantic and comedic elements, she instead seemed determined to dive into the trivial goings-on of a writers' room. I found this a...

Starter Villain by John Scalzi My rating: 3 of 5 stars " Starter Villain " by John Scalzi is a light, fast-paced read filled with Scalzi’s characteristic wit and humour. I approached the book expecting an entertaining romp, but unfortunately, while it had moments of genuine charm, it often felt too shallow and predictable to leave a lasting impact. It’s a story that adheres closely to a wish-fulfilment fantasy setup — a relatively ordinary protagonist finds himself embroiled in a world of supervillains, talking cats, and evil corporations. However, the execution falls a bit flat. Scalzi’s success with the Old Man’s War series and Redshirts lies in his ability to blend humour with substance, and in comparison, Starter Villain seems to lack the depth and complexity of his earlier works. The novel is full of zany situations, but it all feels rather surface-level, with little emotional heft or character development. Even with its quick pacing, the stakes never felt p...

Lost Light by Michael Connelly My rating: 5 of 5 stars Lost Light , the ninth entry in Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series , carries the familiar grittiness and deep introspection that long-time readers have come to expect. Bosch, now retired, finds himself entangled in another case, this time a cold one that starts just as the reader expects: with a murder shrouded in mystery and Bosch's relentless determination pushing it forward. However, like in Angels Flight , what makes "Lost Light" stand out isn’t just the mystery itself, but Bosch's internal journey as he grapples with his own complex emotions. » I’m a believer in the single-bullet theory… What I do know is that Eleanor Wish had been my bullet. She had pierced me through and through… I was still bleeding and I knew I would always bleed for her. That was just the way it had to be. There is no end of things in the heart. « This passage encapsulates the essence of Bosch's emotional state i...

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez My rating: 4 of 5 stars I actually read this a while ago - at the end of August. Deeply entrenched in executing my father’s last will (which I still am), foregoing Goodreads and pretty much anything for weeks, my life felt like being “on-hold” (which it still does to some extent). I needed something light and fun and, well, it was pretty good… As with her previous works , Abby Jimenez masterfully balances humour with heart, crafting a story that can make you laugh one moment and tug at your emotions the next. While it shares the same warmth and wit as The Friend Zone , I would argue that Life’s Too Short delves deeper into the complexities of living with uncertainty and the importance of embracing life's unpredictability. One of the moments that particularly stood out to me was when a character compared a small, toothless dog to " an angry potato with legs ." The humour in this scene was delightful: » He bit her when sh...