Big Apple continues an engaging serieis
594201
I've been enjoying this series. Having traveled the "Big Apple" I could relate with the main character's feelings towards that huge city. The author has found a balance between a satisfying romance story and the protagonist's ability to be an independent woman. I found myself wanting to purchase the next book when I read the last page.
1407045
"The Gods of Gotham," Lindsay Faye
Four Stars  The Bad luck of the Irish

It may be that American colonial diversity engendered the violence that the new nation knew in its first century of existence.  Lindsay Faye's new novel, "The Gods of Gotham," if nothing else, is a demonstration of the social and racial hatred and resultant cruelty toward their fellow residents of New York City in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Although the protagonists are primarily white protestants, the battles include Negroes, Catholics, clergy men of both denominations and Parlor House Madams of undeclared religious preferences. Primary characters are two brothers, Valentine and Timothy Wilde, their girlfriends, priests, ministers and members of New York's newly created Sixth and Eighth Ward police forces.

In a complicated plot of crime and punishment and some slight justice, "The Gods of Gotham" details the beginnings of the "thin blue line," and the corruption of most city workers. We see also in the linking of these various sharers of the city streets, the enormous tentacles of crime, alleged serial murders as well as life in a city always just a gunshot away from riot if not revolution.

Author Faye shows us these battles between warring factions, the "hands on" practice of bribery and black mail as well as the interaction of church and state and institutions including prostitution with participating children. "The Gods of Gotham" is a story of violence which you will follow from the first to the last page of this can't-put-it-down tale. I believe the major strength of this work is its plot which is intricate and full of dumbfounding surprises at every twist and turn.

Of special interest,too, is the author's scholarship with a then new colloquial dialogue called  "Flash." Of course we know of many such temporary dialects born in American sub cultures (e.g., currently the language of "rap" music); the use of "flash" thus helps to authenticate the period and place, i.e., 1845 Manhattan. The author's writerly style, especially in the use of figurative language is refreshing, although the text is somewhat wordy and could use trimming.

Again it is the intriguing plot that saves the day, with clever hooks and real, likeable characters who keep this page-turner engrossing. Another laudable extra of  "The Gods of Gotham" is the denouement, as the fate of the protagonists and their conflicts are resolved in sometimes surprising but satisfying ways, but which never sound "deus ex machine" or contrived. This book belongs on your shelf for a good new novel that entertains while extending your  knowledge of mid-nineteenth century Manhattan.
379663
Much tighter and more linear than Court of the Air, thus easier to keep track of , and enjoy, what's happening.  Two main storylines, both engaging, instead of the myriad threads that convoluted the first book.  It also provides some context to some of the obfuscated elements in Court of the Air; I have a much better grip on the relationships between the various political factions.  The storyline with "Furnace-breath Nick" is particularly engrossing, because the character is a beguiling mix of The Shadow, Batman, and the Scarlet Pimpernel ("sink me") with a supernatural edge, and his interactions with Abraham Quest, the central financier whose motivations are nebulous, are full of nuance, tension, and intrigue - well-written shadow boxing and verbal chess.  This reads like a sophisticated and erudite pulp serial where each chapter has some astounding plot twist ending in a cliffhanger...great imaginative fun.  A wonderful adult comic book written with very elegant prose.
1618734
The Fortune Teller, Mr. Cowan's third book, again brings to life the characters and neighborhoods of New York in the 1960's .
This book is a highly enjoyable read that continues to follow the exploits of the familiar characters  of his first two books. He again has left the reader highly satisfied and wanting to read more.  Please keep them coming!
Pat Bellino
3283152
I enjoyed this new episode of New York Red. It took up where the last book left off, especially with the personal relationships between Kylie, Cheryl and Zach. There were enough new cases going on to keep things hopping. I have never read a book by James Patterson that I did not like!
3592752
Basing this novel on an all-too-recurrent modern scandal within the American branch of the Roman Catholic Church could well have been a minefield of cliches, but author John Mackie (NYPD, retired) manages to make EAST SIDE, his third Thornton Savage novel, a gripping read. Although all the elements are there for predictability, the surprise of Mackie's writing talent is such that EAST SIDE manages to remain raptly engaging to the end.

A serial killer, "The Soldier" is bent on killing priests. The killings at first appear to be random. When Sergeant Savage enters the picture, his investigation is flummoxed by the historically close relationship between the Mayor's Office, the Irish-Catholic-dominated NYPD, and powerful elements in the New York Archdiocese, all of whom want the killer caught without a whiff of scandal. And with the Pope's visit to New York imminent, Savage is also racing the clock.

Mackie never lets us us forget the old adage that the clergy is like manure, fine when spread around the countryside doing its work, but stinking to high heaven when gathered together in one place. Something is definitely rotten in the neighborhood near the Danish Mission to the U.N.

Mackie writes with a sure hand, an impeccable sense of timing, and an appreciation for plot that is unusually well-developed for a relatively new writer. His returning characters are all quintessential New Yorkers, each of whom is slowly evolving as this series continues. He knows New York's pulse beat as well as anybody.

Hopefully, Mackie will not remain relatively unknown for long. Along with MANHATTAN SOUTH and MANHATTAN NORTH, EAST SIDE has definite potential to make the jump into the visual media.

As an addicted reader, an historical novelist (yes, it's available on Amazon.com), and a New York City native, I recommend this series very highly.
1669838
A truly fun novel that is layered with great detail, scintillating descriptions of food and cuisines, and a great depiction of New York City. The novels  epistolary thread is a technique I found especially well-used by Reichl, and it keeps the pages flying. There isn't much of a mystery or puzzle for Billie (the protagonist) to solve, but that hardly matters because the book is as enjoyable as your most imaginative and favorite dessert. It isn't a perfect novel, but its very entertaining. Recommended.
1537470
Price describes the city and its diverse inhabitants beautifully. A true New York City classic. As always, he has a perfect ear for dialogue. Elmore Leonard has a worthy successor.
3010559
Travis Luedke's series moves to Las Vegas in the sequel to `The Nightlife: New York'.

If you thought the first book was fast-paced, this one is out of the traps like a greyhound on ecstasy.

The writing feels more assured and smoother than `New York', and the action comes thick and fast (and rather sticky in places). Our favourite vampires, Aaron and Michelle, romp through the pages leaving chaos in their wake and attracting trouble galore: drug cartels, gambling, threesomes, you name it, you got it.

Go grab a copy before this much fun is declared illegal.
1210023
I am madly in love with the city of New York. There is something so fascinating about the citys energy that makes insiders stay and lures outsiders in. Like many outsiders, I dream of someday living in New York City. I have read N.Y.C. travel guides, watched all episodes of Gossip Girl, and even attempted (but failed) to make the perfect New York pizza. And every time I visit the city, the vibrant atmosphere always makes me want to stay.

In 2010, New York magazine published a feature story in which thirty prominent New Yorkers shared their first New York experience. My First New York: Early Adventures in the Big City is an extended version of that magazine feature. The book is a collection of short stories from various people--from actors, artists, authors, politicians, and even porn stars. In the book, they recollect their first times, some happier than others, but all are representations of the city from an individuals perspective in a specific time in history.

The book is chronologically arranged featuring N.Y.C. newcomers who arrived in 1933 to 2009. The book starts with David Dinkins who was the citys former mayor, ends with actress Jenny Joslin, and includes stories from James Franco, Nora Ephron, Danny DeVito, Naomi Campbell, Amy Sedaris, and Maggie Gyllenhaal among others.

I like how the various authors stories represent the diversity of the city and the assortment of personalities who call it home. The stories vary from funny to inspiring to sad. Some of the authors had an easy time settling in while others, not so much.

Lorne Michaels had a job waiting for him in New York City when he moved from California while Jenny Joslin spent half her time auditioning for acting jobs and the other half applying for server positions. Michaels instantly got invited for drinks and dinner. He became friends with hotshot television writers like Anne Beatts and Herb Sargent, while Joslin had her first New York mental breakdown within the first week.

I find it interesting that some of these people, who are now famous in their own fields, started out like you and me. They all experienced anxiety and uncertainty. They also had roommate problems, experienced identity crisis, felt left out, and homesick. And I like how this book made them relatable to us. Hey, they're humans too!

My First New York gets four stars from me. The editors of New York magazine did a wonderful job carefully curating stories that genuinely epitomize New York City. The books chronological format made the book clear. The presentation of history through the authors recollections made me see New York City in a different light. It made me connect more to the buildings and streets knowing there is a story behind all of them. However, the book would have been better if the introduction and conclusion was longer. I would have loved to read more of what the editors have to say about New York City.

Overall, the book was a great read. It made me love N.Y.C. a lot more. From the buildings, to the people, to the interactions that happen every single day, whether insignificant or extraordinary, New York City is a place I would love to spend every hour of the day in. It does not matter if Im thriving or unemployed, becoming a New Yorker is victory in itself.

If you like this book or love the city of New York, you might also like New York Diaries: 1609 to 2009 by Teresa Carpenter and The Colossus of New York by Colson Whitehead.
4299586
With Homefront, Martin Kleinman has written one of the new essential books about the Big Apple, something that should take its place on your bookshelf next to glorious grit of Luc Sante, Pete Hamill, Henry Miller, Breslin, et al. It's the many faces and colors of New York, slices of harmonious but hard life, and near death, rendered by a true New Yorker who's observed it for decades - not some lit grad bumpkin who just stepped off Jet Blue from the Iowa fiction factory. Kleinman's descriptions and dialogue put you right on the scene, with a wisdom of words and meanings that's equal parts old skool crime reporter and Borscht Belt comic. From the bombed out South Bronx of the 70s to today's uber status conscious stivers of Brownstone Brooklyn, he covers it all. A genius of both tiny side-splitting asides and observations and bold grand statements about the many kinds and classes who share this small time in space, this is simply the best and most consistently pleasing collection of short stories I've read in years.  When's the next one??
2566823
If you have an interest in early 1900's New York City immigration, or you have been to the Lower East Side Tennement Museum in NY, you will enjoy this book.  The story is fast moving and the characters are well developed.  The story follows one italian family, how they came to the US and also shows hoe the Mafia gained power in New York.
3051532
A fun, entertaining take on the everyday happenings in NYC that don't always get told! Arielle has a great sense of humor and reading this book is such a treat!!
147566
If you hanker for a break from Key West than I suggest a trip straight up Interstate 95 and the perfect place to stop is New York. The big apple, with larger than life characters. Where the movers and shakers of high finance roam the skyscraper jungle, searching for the next big deal. A timely fascinating look into this world is brought to you by "Money Talks".  As a bonus we get a look behind the scenes of how those big celebrity names really write their books and make their deals. It's a mystery, a reveal all, a love story, ....a very good read.
3966498
A witty and engaging first-person narrative of New York in 1954. In addition to the brilliant and mysterious Lillian Dawes, whose first noncameo appearance doesn't occur until a third of the book is behind you, you'll meet the brothers Gabriel and Spencer Gibbs, who are temporarily rooming together (for reasons explained in the opening chapter), and their delightful aunt Lavinia, who brings her own silverware, and her dog, to restaurants.
The story is written in the first person, by Gabriel at some point in his future, and it joins the ever-growing list of "New York" novels, and quite near the top, too. Comparisons with "Catcher in the Rye" as well as Henry James and Edith Wharton are inevitable. There's also more than a touch of "Breakfast at Tiffanys."
New Yorkers with long memories, or their children and grandchildren, will delight in the references to the politics of the time (Joe McCarthy, the Rosenbergs, President Eisenhower) as well as to artifacts of the "Populuxe" era--transistor radios, hula hoops--and long-gone New York eating places, like Schraffts.
Tidily done.
2428742
Interesting characters with lively interactions. African and Boston locales - how do they connect? That is what presents the fun.
2985837
The characters are real and the settings are fantastical. What else could you ask for? Magic and love and New York City!