Review: Manhattan is My Beat

Manhattan is My Beat Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Jeffery Wilds Deaver
Class/Genre: Mystery Amateur Sleuth Woman Main Character
Series: Rune
Hodder & Stoughton; 1998; £17.99; 294pp
Classification: Adult fiction (thriller)

'Manhattan Is My Beat' is one of Deaver's first novels and has been available in America for a long time, although it has only just been published in the UK, presumably cashing in on Deaver's growing popularity.

Rune is twenty, living in Manhattan and working in a video shop. Her favourite customer is a lonely man called Mr. Kelly who continuously rents the same film. It is based on a bank heist and a missing million dollars. Rune is picking up this tape from Kelly's apartment when she finds him shot to death. She's certain that the key to the mystery is somewhere in the film…

The first thing that has to be said is that Deaver's writing has certainly changed. If you compare this book to the Lincoln Rhyme series, the latter clearly shows stronger writing and a more powerful plot. This is not to say that 'Manhattan Is My Beat' is lacking, but more that you can tell it is one of his earlier novels.

The main character, Rune, is a puzzle and someone with whom I found it quite hard to identify. She lives in a fairytale world, but at the same time, seems vaguely streetwise. You could understand why she would want to see her friend's killer found, but to me, it didn't ring true that she plunge into the case herself.

Deaver includes his customary plot twists, some of which I did not see coming and some of which I did. His other characters are interesting, although the bad guys seemed rather flat to me.

Overall, 'Manhattan Is My Beat' is not a bad novel. However, I feel that the problem is that I am judging it on the strength of Deaver's latest works, which makes this one seem rather inferior. Nevertheless, Deaver fans should have a read of it, but do not expect a fantastic novel.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: Manhattan is My Beat

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.