Novel, P.I., Wicked Bronze Ambition: A Garrett

I have read all of the Garrett books, beginning in the 80's. I often thought it would be a fab TV series. This book had surpassed the other books. I find my thoughts turning back to the events in this book. I even got a little misty eyed toward the end. The way it ended made me wonder if there would be more in the series. I hope so, but it'll be hard to do better than this one.

The book starts out leaning hard on the previous book, which I barely remember because the last few haven't been that great, then there's several pages that are mostly a jumble of characters. You must really think to keep up with who's who (which means there's a serious lack of real character development, sadly). A lot of the time, there are just random statements made but you don't know who's speaking or answering until you get a paragraph or 3 down the page. Then you can backtrack up and see what that conversation was all about. Of course, then you realize if you can't even tell who said what in a banal conversation, it doesn't matter anyway because it doesn't enhance the plot nor the characters.
Throughout the book, Garrett is accused of not paying enough attention, but the reader can't tell that from anything other than characters telling Garrett he's not paying attention. It's sort of weird. I was thinking there had to be a point to this, some sort of a spell? But no. That was eventually let go and there was no conclusion.
The ending.
Sigh.
Ok, what was THAT about? And tell me, why is he suppose to feel bad that he couldn't remember his BROTHER'S dog? And why is this dog even IN the story? Couldn't we have nicely done without and just gone with the blond girl on the rooftops? And I was all set to finally read that the giant was actually her teddy bear that protected her in real life. Kinda disappointed that it was just a giant. Or was it an ogre. Or a half demon? That was never really cleared up either.
And what's with Morley hardly getting a speaking role? Most of the book he's just a wire hanger with a Morely suit on, appearing now and again.

Remember when TunFaire was an exciting mishmash of elf, dwarf and human and everything in between? The Tenderloin was fascination and sleazy. Morley Dotes was dangerous, handsome, funny. Garrett had a personality. That's all gone now. Now it's just this guy who bumbles along, doesn't know why he's doing anything, figures nearly nothing out, and is worn out, tired, empty. This book makes me sad.

Glen Cook cut his writing chops with, among other things, the classic Black Company saga. His Garret, PI series, however, is by far my favorite. Rife with believable characters - human and otherwise - each book sets the tone of a gritty investigative thriller in a fantasy world. This latest installment is a grinding, inexorable trip through clues and enemies to an incredible finish. The women are beautiful, wicked and wonderful, the guys are colorful and deadly, and the truth is never what you want it to be.

I suggest starting with the first novel in the series to color in some of the back story, but as a stand alone book, this novel more than holds it's own. Glen Cook is a master story teller, and this book is more than worth your time.

As all Garrett book, the characters interations and conversations are excelent. The snark remarks and jokes are hilarius. That alone makes the book worth reading. The reasons I'm not giving a 5 stars is due to the ending, that I felt could be greatly improved with a few more paragraphs, and the novel felt more like a Garrett friends case than Garrett himself, everyone seens to know or have a clue of what is happening but Garrett, he just driffet through the story while all his friends keep solving the case for him.. The keep Garrett out of details thing worked on other books, because Garrett surprised everyone by kwnoing in the end more than everyone thougth he should know, even more than everyone else.. On this one he seens clueless to the end..

By far the most concise and well plotted, yet emotionally disturbing Garrett novel yet. This book grabbed me and held me more deeply than any Garrett novel since Sweet Silver Blues (#1). Will I've read, and enjoyed them all, this one was really different.

This book carries on from where Gilded Latten Bones leaves off. The story is curious and a little atypical for classic Garrett. He finds himself acting as the "front" for the Algarda family in a bafflingly complicated situation, surrounded by characters who are trying to manipulate him and at least one who has no choice in the matter. It's an entertaining read. The interesting aspect of the last few books is that Cook has been aging and maturing Garrett. The result is that unlike a Raymond Chandler or Rex Stout character the central figure is changing. The question is, will Garrett settle down - or up - as the case maybe? Is Cook planning to retire him?

This is the latest episode in the Garrett, PI, tales. It's great in that it ties together threads from previous episodes. The ending leaves us hanging so it's virtually assured that there is another episode is the making.

Although not my favorite in the series (that honor goes to Old Tin Sorrows), this was certainly worthy of a 5 star rating. The previous book was my least favorite in the series, and was happy to see the series back on track.

The thing I really enjoy about Mr Cook's works is that they mimic life, characters are always evolving. Stuff happens outside the characters control, they have lives outside of the books (case of the perilous pixies, anyone?).

This one seemed a bit disjointed, more like the writer was just going through the motions (or was trying to meet a deadline).

Lots of interesting places where the plot could have went, but didn't. Just plodded along on a more or less predictable course.

Or maybe I was hoping for too much. I've enjoyed the entire series and will probably continue to read more, but this one didn't quite grab my attention as the earlier books.

I always love the Garrett series, and this one was no exception. Could have used more of the dead man for my taste, and there were some confusing plot points that could have been better explained, but overall this book doesn't disappoint. Long live Garrett PI!

Brings together a lot of storylines to - somewhat - of a conclusion. A good story wrapped around the lives of our protagonists. Certainly, there's room for more stories down the road of time: just don't be surprised if they go untold. Not the best Garrett book, but up among the better ones.

Clearly a time of transition for the Garrett series. Many of the older characters have reached a point that they are no longer fresh and don't have a great deal more to be revealed about them: Winger has a place but more and more trivialized, Saucerhead plays the same roles as always but in smaller ways, Dean is aging to the point that something has to change in his area. Garrett is now in a new environment: The war has ended, TunFaire is changing, the political climate is pulling Garrett into a different kind of work, and he has made several social and business connections that will force Garrett to change his lifestyle. Much as the changes in the Black Company Books of the South, this is not the old order run through its paces one more time, new people take the lead.

Garrett can't continue to be a 30-year old ex-Marine for the rest of his life. As the Dead Man has been saying for some time, Garrett must use his brain more and his brawn less as he ages. He just can't take the punishment that he has in the past. While you can feel the numbing effect of Strafa's death on Garrett in this book, and this gives the narrative a very dark and different tone, you can see the entry of several new characters in the saga. A new base of operations is being established, a new place to work from that will allow for growth. The question that comes to mind is: What do you keep and what do you discard? Are there story arcs that would focus on other characters that are being developed?

There is no question that this book is unsettling, this is probably the intention. It is a good read and has several forward-looking threads to the story. Several places to go from here. As always with Mr. Cook, it is a very dense book that requires your attention to the exposition as well as to the surface of the plot. The one down-side of this book is that much of the assumed background requires that the reader has read at least the previous two or three books. This isn't a standalone book since the story jumps right into the context of the series and charges forward, but then you can't repeat everything that was said in the past.

Here's hoping that Mr. Cook can ground Garrett in the new environment and make the next several books as exciting as the previous ones.

Insulting emotional ploy straight out of D-grade anime - predictable results didn't make it any less offensive. Took the joy out of a story that's all about the characters. Similarly meaningless triviality later on didn't prevent a weaker than usual ending. Save yourself getting yanked around and toss this one in the trash.

Author's apparently learned more of that groovy slang the kids are using these days. "Mad skills?"

This was the first Garrett novel that I didn't genuinely enjoy. Not worth reading for free. A pity.

I love the Garrett, PI series. The world Cook created is so rich and lifelike, while at the same time fantastic and phantasmagorical. The first three books of the series are some of the best novels I have ever read - and to me that places them right up there Pratchett, Niven, and Asimov.

That being said, this latest effort is, to me, a bit of a letdown. The mystery is there, but the motivation behind the mystery is murky, and some of my favorite characters barely make an appearance and serve no purpose in the plot other than to say, "Here I am. Remember me?"

At one point earlier on (during the first visit to Shadowslinger's home), I found myself drowning in names with no clear guide as to who really was who. I felt like to keep everyone straight I needed to keep notes, and that is not an attribute I look for in recreational reading.

Honestly, I feel like the Garrett series has been on a bit of a decline for a while, losing that Raymond Chandleresque hardboiled detective edge, but even in decline it was a great series well worth reading. This last one causes me some dismay for the future of TunFaire and the Karentine empire.

Mr. Cook, you're a great writer, and I wish I had written the books you have done. If I had one wish to ask of you, I would ask for Garrett back.

Wicked Bronze Ambition by Glen Cook is another Garrett, P.I. Novel

There are a lot of private investigator series out there, and some of them take a more noir angle, while others are more interested in the flash of magic and fantasy. This series is more lighthearted than some others, but Cook does add a bit more drama than is normal, which may be a surprise to longtime readers of the series. The bottom line is that if you've liked the previous books, this will be enjoyable.

Readers are returned to the city of Tunfaire, which is one of those settings that is fleshed out well enough that one wants to visit there, but hopefully not find any of the trouble that Garrett deals with on a daily basis.

Garrett is, as the title suggests, a private investigator, as well as a former Royal Marine. Now he's engaged to Strafa Algarda, and all's well, except for the fact that her in-laws want him to do some work for them. It seems that there's a secret tournament that's a bit like Hunger Games, in that the children of sorcerers, are compelled to fight against each other until only one is left alive. The winner of this Tournament of Swords receives all the power of the fallen nobles and then becomes a demigod. Since these games don't ever go according to plan, there are hiccups, and Garrett is encouraged to sort it all out. If he doesn't, Strafa's daughter Kevans may very well be forced to take part in the deadly tournament.

With this plot and the in-laws, there are a whole slew of new characters, as well as the ones from previous books, and it begins to feel a bit like a party that got crashed by a bunch of people who then decided to stick around. The noir influence is also especially thick, and it may be too much for anybody who's not already familiar with the series.

New villains, mystery, and the personal drama of a personal life and what might be a plot thread for future books, that being potentially working for the Prince make up the story, and it's one that has plenty of action. But, at times it feels a bit jumbled, and new fans would be advised to start with an earlier book to avoid being confused or longing for a black and white adaptation to air on television.

(Reviewed for A Book Obsession)

Garrett has slowed down, yet his life has more characters, more intrigue, more surprises. Less murder, more explosions. More magic, fewer vampires.
IMO Glen Cook's writing has improved in that its smoother and more lyrical, yet I would agree with other reviewers that the ending is rushed.
I've read the book at least 3 times now, because indeed the ending is rushed.
At first reading, the evolution of the Garrett ( he's aging after all ) character is unusual, most authors leave that alone, Mr. Cook did a good job with a difficult task. I came to this opinion after being disappointed with his last garret novel ( GIlden Latten Bones ) , hence I reread the entire series. In that context, of the entire series, this book is good.

This book surprised me whoa! twice at least. Shocking! So it was worth a couple of re-reads.

I hope Mr. Cook writes more about Garrett.

Ive enjoyed this series. This one starts as most of them do and then an almost immediate gut punch that kept up through the entire book. The finale of the book (and I assume the series since this is the last book released 4 years ago) was amazingly emotional. What a wonderful way to end it.

Well, I have followed the ex-Marine Garrett and his Files for years, beginning with Sweet Silver Blues. But, this latest adventure has to be the best of a great lot. Glen Cook has created a world of the supernatural and the mundane in a Garrett-'verse that includes monsters, elves, bewitching (literally) females, armies of the dead, assorted sorcerers, and others all seemingly wanting to separate P.I. Garrett from his home and beer. This latest book is longer, much more in- and e-volved than the previous adventures. Garrett's usual friends, enemies and hangers-on are all present, with a plot that includes love, mayhem, and loss, with some new characters that are well-written and believable. I would suggest that a new visitor to Garrett's career start with the first books and read through to this one, but for those too impatient, this book could stand alone as Glen Cook brings much of Garrett's past life into narrative focus, enough to give new readers an idea of Garrett's past. I think Glen Cook has grown from the first years of Sweet Silver Blues. I never cried over his earlier books.

Exceptional Garrett mystery. The clues are there but Garrett is a newcomer to the Hill and hasn't been filled in by his Grandmother-in-law-to-be Constance Algarda. This adventure finds Garrett being his own client as his new extended family takes on the task of being his slueth using sorcerous means.

A full serving of murder, kidnapping, and sorcery that gives this story a sparkle that sets it apart from previous Garrett adventures. Glen Cook keeps the clues flowing while Garrett tries to piece together what has happened to his wife-to-be.

Another great novel by Glen Cook. I waited for another in the series of A. Garrett and wasn't disappointed. I Can't wait for the next one. The series is entertaining and keeps the reader on the edge of what is going to happen next. I very enjoy Mr. Cook's Garrett's series and hopes he will write many more.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Black Company and all of the Garrett PI novels, I started reading them years ago while in the service. I am always happy to find a new one on the shelf, and as this one is longer than some I was thrilled. It is almost comforting to catch up on old friends and I enjoy where Mr. Cook is taking the story in a new direction. A great read, and for the first time in all of his books he caught me a little blind in one of the sub-plots.

Something of a spoiler alert, As a veteran who has lost friends and a very big dog lover this is the first of any of his books that got me pretty choked up at the end, well played Glen, well played.

A thoroughly disappointing mess. Most of the book, Garrett wanders around from place to place for no really compelling reason. The climax is, well, anticlimactic; also perfunctory, a non-event. The villain is incompetent and boring. What is it with my favorite authors lately? First Bujold, now Cook. They just seem to be coasting on past achievements.

After forcing myself to finish this book, I simply lack the energy to critique it thoroughly, so I'll just say that whatever magic there was in the series that attracted me to it all those years ago is long gone. What remains is the author coasting on the goodwill of yesteryear and simply throwing the dozens of characters he's accreted over the years together and hoping something sticks. Nothing does.

Declaring this series DOA