Solomon Jones

I didn't love this as much as I loved Pipe Dream. Partly it was too descriptive of the chases.. maybe that is b'c I live in Philly and know the area.. but mostly b'c it was too much description and not enough chase.

But Solomon Jones does an excellent job of describing living in the parts of the city that are never talked about. The towers and crack houses that are only mentioned in passing on the news. I love that he doesn't shy away from telling the stories no one tells.

A mobster lies dying in a hospital bed and his only visitor is a Catholic priest to take his last confession. However this is no ordinary priest and he has his own story to tell. An enjoyable but very short read.

I have now read two short stories and one novel by Ethan Jones. He has kept me captivated at all times. He does not write contrite stories - they are thought provoking, entertaining, and just plain good plots. His characters are engaging and drag the reader onto the page. I am really looking forward to his next offering in the spring.

Started out as a quick light read, a mystery without a lot of gore (highly unusual) and it had the added hook of being centered on part of the life of Edgar Allen Poe and the Raven. Than came the ending, which I felt was not only rushed but ludicrous as well. Well I enjoyed most of it, but couldn't overcome that ending.