tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591679994751212734.post5542210602789777352..comments2024-03-24T06:32:13.194+13:00Comments on Crime Watch: Crime Fiction Alphabet: T is for TROPIC OF DEATHKiwicraighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11687089028299093360noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591679994751212734.post-3215007299514233182010-03-04T10:02:57.438+13:002010-03-04T10:02:57.438+13:00Yes, I agree with Margot and Bernadette. It is ver...Yes, I agree with Margot and Bernadette. It is very hard to review a mediocre or bad book (I realise these things are subjective). If I'm reading a book for pleasure and it is bad, I don't review it as I don't see any value in slagging off a book publicly. However, if you have agreed to review for a publication and hate the book (as has happened to me a few times), it is tough. When it happens to me I contact the editor to let him/her know in advance my review is likely to be negative, to give them the chance to opt out. Honestly, it is so hard for authors these days and there are so many books, who needs a bad review? On the other hand, you could with justification say that potential readers need to be warned. I suppose there is an element of subjectivity in all of this - I mean, someone must like James Patterson!<br /><br />Anyway, I think what you have done here is fine - it is clear that you have not "got it in for" the author and you have not gone for the jugular, but you've calmly said what you don't like about the book.<br /><br />The only thing I'd say is that if I do have to review a book I didn't like, I keep the review brief, I don't dwell on the agony but basically summarise a bit of the plot and then give one or two key reasons why it was not for me. Then I feel that honour is satisfied on all sides. I also think it helps to acknowledge explicitly in the review, as you do here, that there is a subjective element to all this, and even though you haven't liked the book, someone else might do.Maxine Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06628509319992204770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591679994751212734.post-4740521371557989322010-03-02T16:30:25.064+13:002010-03-02T16:30:25.064+13:00Oh it's the shadowy running man again - Karen ...Oh it's the shadowy running man again - Karen from Euro Crime has done several features about this over-used image on crime fiction covers.<br /><br />As for the book - I haven't read it. I do have another book of his (Ghost or The Ghost I think) in my TBR pile but I admit I am not overly keen to read it as it doesn't sound that great from the reviews I've read.<br /><br />However on the issue of 'negative' reviewing I think you're fine here. You've been constructive and have got solid reasons for your thoughts - it's a critical look at the book from someone who is an 'expert' crime fiction reader.<br /><br />There was a fascinating story on ABC radio's Book Show last week where an author and publisher actually had a go about the sorry state of reviewing and said there weren't enough critical reviews these days. Admitedly they were talkinig about 'literature' versus genre fiction but I think the same applies - a lot of the so-called reviews in the mainstream press these days are little more than plot re-telling or they're highly positive reviews from other authors who, presumably, expect the same in return at some point in the future. None of this helps anyone - readers or authors.Bernadettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641617609801125707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591679994751212734.post-43340665214228786072010-03-02T15:59:27.458+13:002010-03-02T15:59:27.458+13:00Craig - I think you've done a fine job of anal...Craig - I think you've done a fine job of analyzing and reviewing this book. You've made clear what the positive aspects of the novel were, but you've been honest about where you felt the book fell short. I also appreciate that you were quite specific about the weak and strong points, and acknowledged that your view isn't universal.<br /> I'm not a reviewer, so I can't give you that perspective. As an author, though, I can say this. If you reviewed my work in this way, I would certainly have to acknowledge that you were clear, fair and specific. In fact, as disappointed as I'd be - and I would - I would like to think that I could use your comments as I worked on another novel. Your review is as balanced as a review (which is always, to at least some extent, subjective) can be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com