A little too much like the Killer Inside Me. I'm not sure I really have the taste for Thompson's books, if these two are a representative example. They are clever in their depiction of the title character's malevolent manipulation of other people and of events to suit their own purposes - but they are so unremittingly dark without any sort of epiphany or memorable epigrams that you may find yourself wondering why you are spending your time with these characters. Outwardly dumb, inwardly Machiavellian, it is not easy for the reader to empathize with more than a little part of them. After a while, the fascination of watching the train wreck wears off. If you are after nihilism, dive right in. If you're looking for something a little more entertaining but still hardboiled, try Dan Marlowe or John D. McDonald's early non-Travis McGee books. The nearest modern equivalent is Joe Lansdale, who uses the same type of crude humor and unsophisticated story telling, but whose central characters are always sympathetic. ( )

Really good book ( )