Book Synopsis:
The seductive and relentless figure of Raymond Chandler’s detective, Philip Marlowe, is vividly re-imagined in present-day Los Angeles
Los Angeles – a city of scheming Malibu actresses, ruthless gang members, virulent inequality and washed-out police.
Roaming the city streets is Philip Marlowe: a quiet, lonely, remarkably capable private detective, living beneath the shadow of his father – a once-decorated LAPD homicide detective now drinking his life away.
Marlowe’s latest client is tyrannical starlet Kendra James. Kendra’s husband was fatally shot near their Malibu home, but even though that murder remains unresolved, the actress is more interested in tracking down her 17-year-old stepdaughter, who hasn’t been seen for weeks.
But things get complicated after Marlowe lands a second missing person search from British academic Ren Stewart, whose ex-husband has kidnapped their seven-year-old son.
Steeped in the richly detailed ethnic neighborhoods of modern LA, Ide’s The Goodbye Coast is a bold recreation that is viciously funny, ingeniously plotted, and surprisingly tender.
My Review:
The Goodbye Coast is an very entertaining, fast paced read that breathes life into an old classic.
Firstly I loved the main character Marlow and enjoyed following him throughout the book. He’s a very funny, likeable character who is very intelligent but also human as he makes mistakes which often lead to the funnier moments in the book. I liked how the author has managed to keep the essence of the classic detective but also make it his own. He’s the best in a mainly unlikeable bunch which made it very easy to root for him.
The plot was brilliant! I thought it was really fast paced with lots of action that ensured I couldn’t stop reading. It is a bit violent in places which might not be to everyone’s taste but I felt the story wasn’t overpowered with this as there was some lighter moments and even some funny ones which helped even it out. It’s a story full of troubled relationship which were interesting to find out more about and to see how they fitted into the story.
The last reveal was brilliant and surprising which I always love as I’m often able to guess where things are going. The story does slow down a bit in the middle but do keep reading as it soon picks up!
Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to W&N for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Joe Ide grew up in South Central Los Angeles. His favourite books were the Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories. The idea that a person could face the world and vanquish his enemies with just his intelligence fascinated him. Joe went on to earn a graduate degree and had several careers before writing IQ, his debut novel, inspired by his early experiences and love of Sherlock. Joe lives in Santa Monica, California.
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