Razorblade Tears - S. A. Cosby ---------------------- 3.5 Stars

While not on my radar, and not something I had previously come across, I was happy to take some time to read the recently released Razorblade Tears. A fairly violent read, this book had a great pace and felt like an almost new genre coming across the page.

So, to provide a bit more clarity to the last sentence, I found this book to be unique. A little background - the story is about two dads in southern Virginia whose sons are murdered. Unexpectedly, the sons of the boys are gay and different races (one black; one white). The book then brings together these fathers, both struggling to accept the identities of their sons, to team up to find the people responsible for their murders. 

The book certainly was action packed and easy to read. As I was reading the book, it reminded me of a movie playing out (after finishing, I researched and found out that there are plans to make this into a major motion picture). Besides the story being accessible and interesting, the author has a great way or building excitement and break down action packed scenes with wonderful details to make it read clearer.

What I think will also resonate with people was the diversity of the characters. Unlike so many typical action stories (especially one's from the past century), having the variety of characters was so much more interesting. Besides the race and sexual orientation elements that were through lines throughout the book, characters also include a transgender person and someone adopted. And, the identifies of these people, while noteworthy, were secondary storylines for their characters.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I am not sure it's for everyone. Again, the more modern storylines stood out but what was most noteworthy were the really specific, and on occasion, excessive details of violence. Kidnapping, torture, murder, arson, etc. were commonplace throughout the novel. 

Again, I really had not read a book like this before. While it's both a thriller and crime novel, the Southern element is distinct, along with the diversity or characters. I really enjoyed the social commentary throughout the book and the emotional journey that bother fathers go in, is something memorable. I also am looking forward to seeing it turn into a movie. As it was a richly detailed book, I can already see in my mind who I think would work well in the main roles. 

Eye of the Needle - Ken Follett ----------------- 4 Stars

I've read and reviewed three Ken Follett books (reviews here), including the incomparable Pillars of the Earth, which was one of the few books to earn a five star review. Hoping to enjoy another great story, I learned of a fairly well reviewed Eye of the Needle. While released over 40 years ago, I wasn't aware of the book and was excited to pick it up. For the most part, I was happy I did.

Unlike Pillars of the Earth, this book is set during World War 2 and covers a Germany spy living in England. A fascinating character with an interesting history, the German spy was really the centerpiece of the novel. Beginning with a murder early that sets the tone for much of the novel, the story turns in a spy thriller as it moves into the final quarter of the novel. And, a strong ending helps it along.

While nowhere near as interesting and well detailed as Pillars of the Earth, it's certainly a much shorter book that feels more like a deliberate page turner to keep the reader engaged. And, while I'm not complaining about the pace of the story, I do wish there was more depth created for certain characters and historical pieces. For example, we get a few fictional scenes with Hitler, that simply move the story along, rather than add any profundity.

What may have actually helped my review as I watched a feature film based on this novel just after I finished the book. Filmed in 1981 and starting Donald Sutherland, the movie helped to provide some visual accompaniment to the story that existed in my head but really did not do the novel justice. While I appreciated a greater amount of screen time was given to the relationship between the spy and the other main character - a civilian woman and eventual adversary - the movie too quickly ran through parts and didn't hold my attention.

Perhaps my biggest problem with the book was Follett's introduction in which he prides himself on having a female protagonist be the hero of the story. And, while this woman does end up being a hero, the author's creation of her character is very one-sided and flat. Besides depicting her as unhappily married, he also shows her as sex crazed on multiple occasions. This deliberate focus on her sexual interest ended up being her defining characteristic, which I really found minimized her character significantly.

Overall, the book was an exciting and engaging read that did a great job holding my attention. While it had some character development holes, and ran too fast in some places, it was a fun book to keep my attention and had plenty of chapters ending with a question that made you want to read on.  I would recommend the novel but I would skip the movie.