Brown carries on Southern Gothic tradition
933491
William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe, and William Gay solidified the Southern Gothic genre, but Larry Brown is definitely the leader of the pantheon with Joe.
Brown has created an unbelievably realistic character in Joe, whose failings don't hide his truly heroic stature. Joe is the character that many of us (in our secret lives) aspire to be. Adding Gary to the story gives Joe a protg for his hard-drinking, hard-fighting, and hard-loving character.

This is a book that everyone should read.
2272982
What do you do when the town psychiatrist, the one man you and many other of the town's elite, have trusted with you deepest darkest secrets ...suddenly shows signs of going off the deep end? You gather at the funeral of the town's great lady and conspire. You watch as the family of the deceased wait to divide the spoils and you pray that Dr. Jim Jaspers doesn't open his mouth about you. This novella and collection of short stories center on a tight knit community that revolves around the local theatre and university. Almost all may have something to hide. The death of a leading townsperson and the turmoil that ensues is perfect backdrop for the unwinding of Dr. Jasperson's mind. There is enough deceit and truth finding to go around. This is southern storytelling at its best
3319149
I love this really good gothic tale of a tortured soul. Our main character Dertrand has many conflicting ideologies when it comes to handling his fellow Stragoi or vampire. His close family of his kind are a very dysfunctional group. They behave as humans would in family life. But the writing is very elegant and complex so don't be confused, this is a definite throwback to Gothic vampire fiction.
316127
Compared to previous works from Brown, this was not nearly the page turner his other books were. Maybe he should try out some new themes with Langdon at the center.
4826313
I like Dan Brown's writing style,, and it certainly keeps your interest. A quick read, and description of Florence was accurate.
605868
Nice story in the Gothic tradition. Reminded me of old Victoria Holt novels. Beautifully bound, nice art and texture to feel. Lots of twists to the story which held my interest through most of the book, though felt slow at times. Some of the author's language seems a bit trite. But good personification to the house. I almost felt as much empathy as I did the character. Creepy and entertaining.
1879148
Following in the tradition of Poe and Lovecraft before him, Brunicardi's Outside Lands is a series of unfolding contemporary Gothic tales, mysteriously detailing grim afflictions of both body and mind.  From the start you can tell that something is not quite right.  Set in California's Bay Area, which is typically know for its natural beauty, his stories fathom the darker depths of foggy beaches, ghost towns, mountain streams and shade pulled bedrooms.  The style and pace of Brunicardi's writting is tense and driven. This not only propels this collection of short stories, but carries and compels the reader to go down these tormented paths where the morbid lurks. These stories are not for those seeking defined answers or resolution, but rather for those who enjoy the excitement and sublime horror of looking over the edge of the abyss.
3708449
As with Mr. Brown's other novels it can be viewed as a bit too long after the story's climax is reached.  Otherwise a well thought out plot to keep you reading.
2124394
Really enjoyed reading this book--has a Harry Crews kind of vibe with an incredibly strong sense of place and well-drawn characters. An easy recommendation to fans of contemporary southern gothic.
2734387
I enjoyed this latest work by Dan Brown.  As usual he thoroughly researched his topic and wrapped that into a good story. It kept me interested throughout.
657234
"Sister, Sister" is a stylish and gothic-tinged tale of ghosts, lies, murder and revenge set on the bayou.  The film was directed by Bill Condon ("Gods and Monsters") and marked an early writing credit for Joel Cohen.

The beautiful and genteel Bonnard sisters, Lucy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Charlotte (Judith Ivey), own 'The Willows,' one of those grand dame, antebellum mansions in Louisiana, which they have converted into a bed and breakfast inn after the passing of their parents.  The sisters have an outwardly tranquil, if somewhat twisted, symbiotic relationship that has its roots deep in the events of the past.

With the arrival of a new guest, an attractive congressional aide named Matt Routledge (Eric Stoltz), there is an immediate and electric attraction between Matt and Lucy.  Lucy is the younger and more emotionally fragile of the sisters--holding the key to the sisters' secretive past.  Charlotte's overprotective attitude towards Lucy (which borders on the pathological) ensures Lucy's blunted emotional growth and dependency.  As Charlotte tries to insert herself between the lovers, she causes a rift between the sisters that will soon destroy the calm of everyone's lives.

Traditional Zydeco music and a rich film score by Richard Einhorn provides an atmospheric underpinning for the candle lit rooms and beautifully manicured lawns and gazebos.  The swamp surrounding the plantation is a fitting metaphor for the duplicity of  nearly everyone--with its still black water full of unseen dangers lying just below the surface tension.  Nothing in the film is ever quite what it seems to be.

Like the very best ghost stories told around a campfire, "Sister, Sister" relies heavily on atmosphere and mystery--which it has in abundance.  The excessive and colorful characters reminded me of those in a Tennessee Williams' play and the talented actors fleshed out their various roles with interest.  Everywhere you look in this film there is natural and man-made beauty, and the cinematography is nothing short of spectacular.

It has been many years since I visited the South, but this is the Louisiana of my memory:  Beautiful, graceful, secretive and inexorably tied to its past--much like the Bonnard sisters.
4094912
Dennis Brown's glib, conscience-driven PI is back, along with several of the characters readers will remember from "The Stars Have Lost Their Glitter." Danny's nephew, Rex, is now a freshman at the University of Virginia, where the first murder takes place in UVA's packed basketball arena. Once again, Brown's reluctant hero is drawn into a spree killer's deadly scheme - and more willingly into the seductive arms and opulent lifestyle of a billionaire widow, philanthropist, and sometimes exotic dancer at a Charlottesville college dive. From there our love-struck detective and connoisseur of vintage films is jetted to London, Algiers, and finally Paris, but gets no closer to a solution until a chance reunion in the tiny "Rivah" town of Deltaville on the Chesapeake Bay.

Brown's second novel features engaging new characters: a wealthy sommelier who takes on some of Wright's sleuthing, and an overworked police detective who manages to inveigle Wright's unpaid assistance in the case. Crisp, sparkling prose, a fast-paced plot, and a wrenching moral dilemma combine to make "The Wright Choice" the RIGHT choice for mystery lovers.
402221
I struggled at the end between 3 and 4 stars. 3 because I found some of the material to send messages of political correctness such as the underlying platonic gay relationship between a few principals, and the typical oppressive battle between extremists. In the end the truth was a bit anticlimactic. I ended up giving it 4 stars because Brown writes stories that grab you and keep you to the end. The research is first rate and his style is easy to read and follow. Reading from a device allows the reader to capture places and access information and images related to them which is so much fun with Brown. I have read all of Brown's books and this one falls somewhere in the middle. A worthy read just the same!
2244469
No wonder this book won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Novel. I stayed up waaaay too late reading it. I usually figure out the murderer, but this time, I didn't. The storytelling voice is captivating and weaves a southern gothic spell of suspense. The past-and-present timeline (with the "present" being 1956) can be a bit challenging in the beginning, but this story of small town traditions and dramas will keep you riveted. .
3074223
Another solid effort from Dan Brown.  Not quite the page turner that the Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons was, but on a par with The Lost Symbol.  Not quite a must-read, and slow in places, but if you're a fan of his other books, as I am, you will undoubtedly like this one as well.
211471
"To break the curse or not to break the curse? That is the question." I couldn't help but race through the pages to discover how Barrie would solve her problems. This book brings new threats, as well as, old evils to wreak vengeance on Barrie and her friends and family. Although the book de"To break the curse or not to break the curse? That is the question." I couldn't help but race through the pages to discover how Barrie would solve her problems. This book brings new threats, as well as, old evils to wreak vengeance on Barrie and her friends and family. Although the book deals with deep issues---death, rape, manipulation, PTSD, and dark forces---it's not overwhelming but helpful in illuminating the reasons for each character's actions. Miss Boone delivers another exciting and interesting Southern gothic tale. Even though she resolves all of the story lines introduced in this installment, I was screaming to the heavens for the next book to already be in my hands.als with deep issues---death, rape, manipulation, and dark forces---it's not overwhelming but helpful in illuminating the reasons for each character's actions. Miss Boone delivers another exciting and interesting Southern gothic tale. Even though she resolves all of the story lines introduced in this installment, I was screaming to the heavens for the next book to already be in my hands.
1881753
I found this novel quite enjoyable. Whilst the writing most certainly could have been better I did happen to like the inclusion of Dante. I read Brown when I want to simply relax and enjoy some pulp fiction. This fulfilled the purpose.