15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Another Disappointment, Nov 14 2009
By Alice N. Jones - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Widow's Revenge (Hardcover)
Once again Mr. Doss "stands on the sidelines" and reports this story rather than telling it in a way that allows the reader to "live" it. I find this a distracting way of writing as it makes the reader too aware of the author. Much of the time, I felt Mr. Doss' observations and comments were more an attempt to be cute or clever, rather than legitimately entertaining his readers with a narrative that emphasized the story and brought it to life. Mr Doss is capable of turning out wonderful mysteries that have his readers on the edge of their seats and biting their nails. This is not one of them.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back in the saddle!, Nov 27 2009
By Christian J. Ingebretsen - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Widow's Revenge (Hardcover)
I was wary that Doss was ready to retire after "Snake Dreams", but in "Widow's Revenge", Charlie Moon once again strapped on his trusty side arm and stepped up and did the job that needed to be done. There was a passage in this book involving our hero, a mountain lion, and a banjo that was so classic Charlie Moon that it almost brought a tear to my eye. I'll leave everyone with a warning...Doss still has a bag full of tricks, and he dropped many into this book. It was a pleasure to read!
15 of 20 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Why Does He Keep Doing This?????, Nov 17 2009
By S. Graham "Detective Fiction Lover" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Widow's Revenge (Hardcover)
Why has James Doss abandoned what was a great writing style for this insipid, cutesy style that is so very annoying? I loved his earlier works, but am now completely fed up with this silly story telling style that he has used for at least the last 3 novels. I guess his books are selling well, but I now find them totally annoying, and I used to look so forward to the next installment. With Hillermann gone, and Doss driving me insane such that I can't stomach his stuff anymore, I've no one to lean on for great detective novels set amongst the backdrop of Native Americans.