tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post87314290099069730..comments2024-03-28T08:40:52.180-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: The Hunter: Richard StarkTracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-90526713875617121532017-07-27T19:46:04.342-07:002017-07-27T19:46:04.342-07:00Yes, it is. I enjoyed it.Yes, it is. I enjoyed it.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-67307635259051121222017-07-27T15:02:00.380-07:002017-07-27T15:02:00.380-07:00Very good movie.Very good movie.Daniel at banksinasia.comhttp://www.banksinasia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-22814517269173023862017-06-20T12:53:59.616-07:002017-06-20T12:53:59.616-07:00Thanks for the comments, Thomas. I will check out ...Thanks for the comments, Thomas. I will check out site and information about your business. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-13172566637689686312017-06-15T11:27:03.415-07:002017-06-15T11:27:03.415-07:00Good for you! We at Ambler House consider Richard ...Good for you! We at Ambler House consider Richard Stark something of a hero and the Parker novels among the best crime novels ever. Some of our books show his influence, including our latest, BUTCHERTOWN, a 1920s gangster novel set in Northern California and also inspired by Dashiell Hammett's RED HARVEST.<br /><br />You can find out more if you like at http://amblerhouse.blogspot.com/2016/11/award-winning-author-burchfield.html.<br /><br />Apologies for the clumsy approach, but we couldn't find an e-mail through which we could reach you for a possible review.<br /><br />Thank you and good luck with the rest of the Parker series. Some are better than others, but none of them are really bad.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Thomas Burchfield<br />Ambler House Publishing (Owner and reviewer at THE STRAND MAGAZINE).<br />AMBLER HOUSE PUBLISHINGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03883247222174257446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-63817098860564075972017-06-05T12:37:26.234-07:002017-06-05T12:37:26.234-07:00I know what you mean, Yvette. My tastes in mysteri...I know what you mean, Yvette. My tastes in mysteries and all kinds of reading has changed over time. Based on what I have read, the character in this series stays about the same, but I still want to see what happens in the series. And the writing is good.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-59731025459952239242017-06-05T08:40:29.764-07:002017-06-05T08:40:29.764-07:00I am not a fan of books with an unsympathetic or l...I am not a fan of books with an unsympathetic or likable main protagonists though I have, occasionally, read a few. (i.e. Jonathan Ross's detective superintendent Rogers in today's post, for one.) But I try to stay away from these types of guys (or gals) if I can help it. Still, I enjoyed reading your review because - who knows? Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-37103150979391746822017-06-04T09:21:16.548-07:002017-06-04T09:21:16.548-07:00I am just trying to figure out all the Parker film...I am just trying to figure out all the Parker films that are available, Moira. I read a lot of books by Westlake at some point in my life and I remember reading some noirish ones, but I don't think I was even aware of the Richard Stark books until the last few years. Now I want to catch up on his books (there are a lot) and try the various types of stories that he wrote. Just not enough time to read everything I want to.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-61416356143106244532017-06-04T06:07:22.611-07:002017-06-04T06:07:22.611-07:00This was very interesting: I am unlikely to read t...This was very interesting: I am unlikely to read this book/series, but I hadn't realized the connections between author names, films etc, and I like to be informed. Definitely a book for Col rather than me!Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-78315121401980055462017-06-03T16:45:22.726-07:002017-06-03T16:45:22.726-07:00Usually the reason I will read stories that otherw...Usually the reason I will read stories that otherwise don't appeal is for the writing style, and that may be it here, Mathew. It is always hard for me to define what I like about a reading experience, and much easier to say what I don't like. Types of novels I don't usually read are: ghost stories, stories where I feel dread about what is going to happen to the characters, and serial killer novels. But there are always exceptions.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-16892249069293245782017-06-03T13:21:59.261-07:002017-06-03T13:21:59.261-07:00I've seen Point Blank several times, mainly fo...I've seen <i>Point Blank</i> several times, mainly for Lee Marvin--compelling in everything I've seen him in, including the musical <i>Paint Your Wagon</i>. Had no idea it was adapted from a Westlake novel. I see the Parker character as a personification of the typical corporate ethos. Despite my enjoying the film (I haven't seen payback) I agree with Rick Robinson, Tracy, stopping short of questioning why you would want to read these books. As for me, <i>The Ax</i> was as close as I want to come to the Parker outlook.Mathew Pausthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157135006791553019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-68516043662658996352017-06-03T12:54:28.062-07:002017-06-03T12:54:28.062-07:00So it looks like I will be getting the fourth book...So it looks like I will be getting the fourth book, too, Sergio. I will be reading book 2 as soon as I finish the one I am in the middle of. Although I love older paperback editions, so far I am getting the U. of Chicago Press editions.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-85699982593351027572017-06-03T00:25:13.145-07:002017-06-03T00:25:13.145-07:00The series reboots itself with the second volume, ...The series reboots itself with the second volume, and then settles outstanding plot threads in the third, THE OUTFIT, before really taking off so well worth getting through the initial trio and then picking up one more (see what i did there? You get them early and ...) :)Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)http://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-56060517049762402282017-06-02T12:45:53.879-07:002017-06-02T12:45:53.879-07:00Rick, I want to give the series some more time and...Rick, I want to give the series some more time and see how I like it. So, at least the next two books, maybe more. However, I can definitely see your point. I recently finished a book (that was much closer to the cozy type of mystery) and I disliked almost all the characters. (The Big Killing by Annette Meyers) For different reasons, I guess. After reading 250 pages of the book, I had to finish the last 100, but it did not get better.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-38889908295623151822017-06-02T12:41:59.579-07:002017-06-02T12:41:59.579-07:00I did see that post, Sergio, but it had slipped my...I did see that post, Sergio, but it had slipped my mind. Going back and reading your post, the director's cut sounds disturbing, but I still would like to see it for comparison. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-53908980458876757112017-06-02T10:16:22.476-07:002017-06-02T10:16:22.476-07:00I got through maybe a third of this one and dumped...I got through maybe a third of this one and dumped it. I've never been a Westlake fan, but thought I might like the Parker books, and I was wrong. I had an immediate dislike for the character, and what's the point of reading a book when you dislike the main character?<br /><br />I know these are well liked by many, but not by me.Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-37576396500078494792017-06-02T00:11:54.218-07:002017-06-02T00:11:54.218-07:00I'm a big fan of these but was really introgue...I'm a big fan of these but was really introgues by your description of Parker as narcissitic - I'd genuinely never thought of him that way, but certainly will from now on! By the way, which version of PAYBACK did you watch? If it's the one with Kris Kristofferspn then you shoud watch the director's cut - it is tougher but much better in my view. I compared the various version way back on Fedora: https://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/payback-straight-up-the-directors-cut-2006/Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)https://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-47588566060191962312017-06-01T20:24:07.356-07:002017-06-01T20:24:07.356-07:00This is most definitely your kind of book, Col. It...This is most definitely your kind of book, Col. It was a very different reading experience for me.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-28826430726706956772017-06-01T20:14:50.658-07:002017-06-01T20:14:50.658-07:00It is strange, Nancy, but I actually prefer this c...It is strange, Nancy, but I actually prefer this character to some in the book I am reading now, set on Wall Street. Not much humor in this book, the character is very focused on what he wants. I am looking forward to reading the next book. Very soon.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-27996633122488001652017-06-01T20:08:12.622-07:002017-06-01T20:08:12.622-07:00Yes, Margot, I do think it Westlake's writing ...Yes, Margot, I do think it Westlake's writing that kept me going.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-41777947694796014162017-06-01T20:05:41.238-07:002017-06-01T20:05:41.238-07:00I do understand, Shalet Jimmy. I can usually handl...I do understand, Shalet Jimmy. I can usually handle violence better on film than in a book, also. I have not read a book by Gerritsen in a long time; I agree those are good books, but if the autopsies bother you, that would be a problem.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-34895609449893628952017-06-01T19:04:25.951-07:002017-06-01T19:04:25.951-07:00My kind of book!My kind of book!col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-59856645054548865142017-06-01T09:42:11.587-07:002017-06-01T09:42:11.587-07:00I agree with Margot (...she's the expert in my...I agree with Margot (...she's the expert in my book!) <br />not every character has to be 'likeable'.<br />I'm trying to keep up with CF writing....but question:<br />If character was a great 'dinner partner'....was he amusing in any way? Were any of his actions or words funny? I will be looking forward to the next Richard Stark review!n@ncyhttps://nancyelin.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/great-lists-tracy-brona-and-cleo-20booksofsummer/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-25696549155661742522017-06-01T08:11:17.034-07:002017-06-01T08:11:17.034-07:00You make such interesting comments, Tracy, about a...You make such interesting comments, Tracy, about a character who doesn't have to be sympathetic to be compelling. And there are fictional characters like that. I actually think Westlake is skilled at drawing readers into a story, even if the characters aren't the sort you'd want to have visit for dinner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-42380663423442992202017-05-31T20:51:37.830-07:002017-05-31T20:51:37.830-07:00I think I will go for the movies. I don't know...I think I will go for the movies. I don't know if I can handle a book with lots of violence it. There was a time I quit reading TeSs Gerritsen just because I tried miserably to handle the meticulous details she narrated. For instance, when an autopsy is conducted. I was so sad that I loved her books...<br /><br />Thanks<br />Shalet Jimmy<br />Shalet Jimmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550350381109665805noreply@blogger.com