Catching Water in a Net [NOOK Book]

Taking the best from the best and adding a little more

Catching Water In A Net by J.L. Abramo deservedly won the St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writers of America Award for Best First Private Eye Novel. Abramo echoed themes from some of the greatest crime writers of the past and present, while adding a great deal of his own. Part of what Abramo achieved was to combine the best elements of Dashiell Hammett and Andrew Vachss, possibly the premier writers ever to work in this field. The hard-boiled aspects, the friendly adversary relationship between Jake and the police, the loyal female sidekick and the rotten lowdown dames are all reminiscent of The Maltese Falcon. The friends and friendly acquaintances growing together into a strong extended family, non-biological but no weaker for that, has always been the best thing in Andrew Vachss for me. And Abramo is way funnier than Kinky Friedman. What you have here is a warm-hearted book about a man growing up a bit late while trying to solve the murder of his mentor and avoiding a wide array of perils from no-goodniks and police alike, all handled with aplomb and wit by Abramo. Abramo also slips in a Charles Dickens subtext, pretty brainy stuff for the genre. St. Martin's Press promises a series. I, for one, can't wait.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

engaging story line

Jake Diamond owns Diamond Investigations, a San Francisco based private investigative firm. In fact, Jake works as the company¿s only investigator with an office assistant keeping the case records (as few as they are) and his tie clean. Based on the recommendation of a friend who once hired Jake, Evelyn Harding wants to retain the sleuth to look for her missing husband Harry, vanished for four days. <P>Not interested beyond making a quick buck, his interest soon peaks when he learns that Harry was a partner of Jimmy Pigeon, Jake¿s mentor and teacher in the private investigative business. Jake learns that LAPD believes Harry Killed Jimmy with the motive being an argument over whether to sell their million dollar net-based business. Because of the identity of the victim, Jake drives to LA allegedly to find Harry, but in reality to insure Jimmy's killer receives justice. <P> With this debut novel, JL Abramo became the winner of the St. Martin¿s Press PWA Award for Best First Private Eye Novel. Sub-genre fans, who read CATCHING WATER IN A NET, will agree with that assessment as the engaging story line is amusing yet somewhat coarse mostly due to the antics of the lead protagonist. Jake is a wonderful lead character who the audience will find enticing and demand more of his adventures. Using the homicide of his revered guru as the impetus for Jake¿s involvement cleverly allows readers to learn more about the hero while the plot flows forward. This novel lives up to the award it already won. <P>Harriet Klausner

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Detective Genre goes Digital

Friends of Jake Diamond, hold onto your tablets because here comes the digital version of your favorite detective. Sure we know all about the nefarious use of digital realms, Jake solved that mystery for us in Catching Water in a Net. Now we can read all about it again using our portable digital readers from a host of providers. Jake goes multi-channel, who would have ever guessed that scenario. Whether you're back again for the foodie aspects, or the deepening plot lines that require a trilogy of capers to solve, having Jake along with you at beach or on your commute while using your favorite tablet, smart phone, netbook or even the stationary MAC or PC will beat any other summer book read you can find. Forgeddaboutit, if you aren't hip enough to be digital, if you snooze you lose in Jake Diamond's world.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Excellent read

Excellent read - bring more like it

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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