Thursday, December 31, 2009

TICKET TO RIDE


Charlie Stella, Cullen Gallagher and James Reasoner have said much of what I want to say about Ed Gorman's latest book over the last few weeks. And said it well.

This is the first Sam McCain book I have read and what a pleasure it was. All of Ed Gorman's novels are a treat to read. You enter a world that is mostly filled with benevolent, well-drawn non-stereotypical characters.
And then Ed throws in the monkey wrenches that set that peaceful Iowa world on its ear. There is murder and mayhem but you are never offended. We have a gentleman here.
And then he sets things right in a humane and compelling way.

Especially fun for me were the sixties touchstones-and I really admired the way he caught it on the cusp of a new era-and captured it without overplaying its markers. Sam McCain feels young, vibrant and on the edge of adulthood himself.

What I liked most about Ed's books is his obvious admiration and enjoyment of women. This is unusual in the books I read. His women are rarely shrews or nags or harpies. All of them seem like a romance or an adventure is just within their grasp--young and old.

My very favorite Gorman book is SLEEPING DOGS, but this is right up there. They all are.

11 comments:

George said...

I have TICKET TO RIDE near the top of my Read Real Soon stack. All of Ed Gorman's work is top-notch.

YA Sleuth said...

Thanks for the recommendation--it goes on the list.

MP said...

I'm one of those weird people who insists on reading series novels in order, and since I've only read the first three in the McCain series it'll be a while before I get to this one, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm not a big fan of westerns in general, but my favorite Gorman books so far are the Leo Guild series. You've mentioned that you've wanted to try some westerns, and these would be a great place to start.

Richard Robinson said...

I just picked up THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED but it's on the TBR shelf with a lot of other things. I already had SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME but wanted to start the series at the beginning. With your comments and others I'll move this into "next mystery" position, as soon as I finish Don Winslow's DAWN PATROL.

Richard Robinson said...

I thought SLEEPING DOG was by Dick Lochte.

Oh and have a great N.Y.E. tonight!

Charles Gramlich said...

I've read several others in this series and really liked them. this reminds me to look for this one.

Charlieopera said...

Any visit back to the 60's is always welcomed here. The series is loaded with great Americana.

And it is fun ... and that is always good.

Ed Gorman said...

Thank you for those charitable words, Patti. I believe you're the first person who has ever referred to me or one of my characters as a gentleman. :)

Richard Robinson said...

Oops! SLEEPING DOGS plural. Not that book titles are specific to any one author or volume.

Happy New Year.

Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin said...

I love it, yeah, yeah, yeah

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed all the Ed Gorman books I've read, but my favorites among his writing remains the short stories, which are superb.

I highly recommend them all - MOONCHASERS, DARK WHISPERS, THE DARK FANTASTIC, PRISONERS, GUNSLINGER, FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT.

Jeff M.