Dave Barry

Advantages: thrilling, riveting, unpredictable
Disadvantages: none

...is a good comparison to Dave’s marriage – the weakness of his wife leads to a betrayal. * Overall * So to the awarding of the stars. You may be able to guess that I rather liked this, so of course it will be a very large 5 stars, top banana, glittery gold award for this book! I read a lot of crime stories and most are sadly predictable. This one isn’t. Its poignancy will leave you feeling sad, perhaps annoyed. The ending is necessary but unnecessary. To find out what I mean, read this book! * Extra info * Dennis Lehane was born and raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He has written seven novels, A Drink Before The War, Darkness, Take My Hand, Sacred, Gone Baby Gone, Prayers For Rain, Mystic River, and Shutter Island. Mystic River was a finalist for the PEN/Winship Award and won both the Anthony Award and the Barry Award... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Funny breadth of characters
Disadvantages: Lack of depth

...The work of Dave Barry was recommended to me by a fellow review writer after I wrote a review about Native Tongue a book by Carl Hiaasen. Indeed Hiaasen gets a mention in the forward of this book and certainly the pair share both a similar background and a funny writing style with the emphasis on using subject matter which focuses on corruption and big business. There are other similarities in their style however a comparison is not the purpose of this review and indeed the book Big Trouble deserves to be reviewed on its own merits. Based in Miami the story unfolds through the eyes of a number of disparate characters with no one main hero or villain instead what you have are a mixed bunch of individuals whose lives become entwined through the corruption and negligence that surrounds Penultimate Inc a corrupt company who specialises... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Funny, warped, compelling
Disadvantages: Should have gone for 108 Daves

...Are YOU Dave Gorman? If so, chances are you've heard of this book, in fact you may be in it. For the rest of you it may need some explaining. Stand-up comedian, Dave Gorman and his flat-mate, journalist Danny Wallace are the authors. It's their story of trying to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman. Now, why would someone want to find one person with their own name let alone 54? Three reasons: male stupidity, a bet and, most importantly, tequila. During a late night session in their local, Dave and Danny have an argument over the fact that there must be loads of other people with the name Dave Gorman. The words, "wanna bet," are uttered and they wake to find themselves on a train to Scotland. Dave had heard of a namesake who was assistant manager at East Fife FC; fortunately they were at home. Following a dismal match... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful