Bazell's first novel, "Beat the Reaper," was a joy to read -- fast-paced, smart and smart-alecky, with a plot that showed the author constantly trying to top himself. His main character, a Mafia hitman gone straight who's now a doctor trying to hide from people trying to kill him, had a great voice, and even his penchant for snarky footnotes only added to, instead of detracted from, the book. The climax was one of the wildest scenes I've ever read, totally over the top. I loved it.I wish I could say the same for the sequel, "Wild Thing." It starts off strong but quickly runs out of steam, as if even the author got tired of his plot but kept going because he had some ideological points to score.About halfway through, Bazell introduces a real-life character from American politics, apparently just to mock this person repeatedly and put stupid words in the politician's mouth. It's very jarring and adds nothing to the book.He also switches voices among some of the chapters, usually to highlight someone who then turns out to be a minor character who's never mentioned again.This book was a great disappointment. I do hope Bazell, if he writes a third book, returns to the verve and nerve of his original. I don't usually read crime fiction. In fact, I only stumbled upon Beat the Reaper because I was writing my own Reaper book... set in Hell.But I bought the audiobook and loved it enough to then buy the hard copy as well and force it on friends and family.So when I saw Wild Thing available as an audiobook on the Library's website, I couldn't wait to listen to it.And I loved it as well. I love the way the book ties everything together at the end. It even ties in the first book in some ways. I definitely see character growth in Peter. He's such a wonderful wounded hero. I'm afraid to say much more for fear of giving away the plot, but just let me add that you won't be sorry you read or listened to it. I hope they start making movies of the books. I'd go see 'em!
Do You like book A Tuo Rischio E Pericolo (2011)?
Loved Beat the Reaper. Wild Thing, not so much :(
—janporalan
Im Vergleich zu dem ersten Buch viel schwächer!
—1234
It was good but the ending was a little flat.
—jesticals
