Rating: 
Summary: Insurance Against Boredom
Review: I was looking through my library for something to battle the "blahs" and found this gem. Don Winslow's book is excellent with a clever and tightly constructed plot. The story is written from the point of view of an observer who describes what the colorful and believable characters say, do and think. The realistic dialogue reveals the thought processes of the main characters in a way that cleverly allows the reader to anticipate and follow the action.Jack Wade is an ex-cop, arson investigator who is employed as a claims adjuster-arson specialist for a large insurance company, California Fire and Life. He investigates a fire claim submitted by Daziatnik Valeshin,aka Nicky Vale, a Russian KGB military officer in the U.S. to investigate/infiltrate/use the Russian Mafia. He uses his connections to make money and put himself in a position of power. Jack's investigation of Vale's claim uncovers arson and murder. Jack stands up against his insurance co. which wants to pay the claim. Why? It is all inter-related, clever and very, very entertaining. It is funny, easy to relate to and would be a movie hit if done right. Highly Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: No wonder Fortune magazine called it a "premium read"
Review: I'd never heard of Don Winslow before coming across the book review in Fortune magazine. They are right, it's an excellent book. It starts slow, but soon develops into a can't put it down story. His writing style grows on you too.
Rating:
Summary: Fiery Thriller with Great Protagonist
Review: If you're a reader of thrillers, you will like this novel very much. The only real flaw in this book is the author's somewhat annoying habit of using language suitable to a certain character, but doing so when we're not inside that character's head. It sounds like an editorial aside and is a wee bit distracting. Nevertheless, it's an extremely enjoyable book. Read the first chapter, and then see if you can put the book down. I liked it so much I read his first book as soon as I finished this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring!
Review: Jack Wade an arson adjuster for California Fire and Life Mutual, he understands and reads fires like no other person I have ever come across. The first half of the book is exactly an EXTREMELY detailed version of how Jack reads fire and how he became an arson adjustor...unfortunately for me, I really can't endure page after page of detailed descriptions for fires and gas chromatography - and I am a scientist! Finally, after skipping several pages of descriptions about burn marks, patters on the wall and carpet, I finally see a story emerging, but by the time this happens, it is filled with ridiculous characters and plots that I can barely keep my eyes open..at four o'clock in the afternoon! I had to put this book down about 1/2 way through, I really didn't care anymore about 'whodunit' or 'why'... If you have insommnia or you really love fires, then buy this book but otherwise stick to Dennis Lehane, John Sandford or James Patterson for interesting crime/thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Review: Jack Wade knows fire. A former arson investigator, and now claims adjuster for the California Fire and Life Mutual, Jack Wade is the best in the business. Jack Wade also knows when an accidental fire is really arson, as he investigates the house-fire death of Pamela Vale, a wealthy, young mother. CALIFORNIA FIRE AND LIFE is a thinking person's thriller that not only offers up an incredibly exciting story authentic enough to make you feel the scorching heat and smell the smoke of the fires it describes, but is also a fascinating exploration of the science of fire and forensic investigation. This is one book you should not miss!
Rating:
Summary: an extraordinary second novel from Don Winslow.
Review: Like the perfect swell that rises from the horizon of literary mediocrity, Don Winslow's second novel "California Fire and Life" take the reader on one hell of a ride. A energeticly paced thriller that is equally comedic, suspenseful, educational and poetic. I loved this book. What Carl Hiaasen does for Florida, Winslow does for Southern California. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Review: Okay, so maybe my title for this review isn't all that interesting and original, but (and trust me on this one) CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE is. Jack Wade, a down-on-his-luck fire insurance investigator, becomes the novel's unlikely hero in this technically-filled thriller (think Crichton meets Ellroy) that combines the science of fire and arson with a slick writing style that often felt like was being read aloud to me. Never was I let down by any of the surprises, flashbacks or characters while reading CA FIRE & LIFE and found myself nearly begging for more. The dialogue was quick and often very witty. The depth of deceit was very believable and never confusing (despite what other reviewers may say). Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. Just read it. In CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE, Don Winslow has proven himself a great mystery writer. Now, how about bringing Jack back?
Rating:
Summary: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Review: Okay, so maybe my title for this review isn't all that interesting and original, but (and trust me on this one) CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE is. Jack Wade, a down-on-his-luck fire insurance investigator, becomes the novel's unlikely hero in this technically-filled thriller (think Crichton meets Ellroy) that combines the science of fire and arson with a slick writing style that often felt like was being read aloud to me. Never was I let down by any of the surprises, flashbacks or characters while reading CA FIRE & LIFE and found myself nearly begging for more. The dialogue was quick and often very witty. The depth of deceit was very believable and never confusing (despite what other reviewers may say). Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. Just read it. In CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE, Don Winslow has proven himself a great mystery writer. Now, how about bringing Jack back?
Rating:
Summary: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Review: Okay, so maybe my title for this review isn't all that interesting and original, but (and trust me on this one) CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE is. Jack Wade, a down-on-his-luck fire insurance investigator, becomes the novel's unlikely hero in this technically-filled thriller (think Crichton meets Ellroy) that combines the science of fire and arson with a slick writing style that often felt like was being read aloud to me. Never was I let down by any of the surprises, flashbacks or characters while reading CA FIRE & LIFE and found myself nearly begging for more. The dialogue was quick and often very witty. The depth of deceit was very believable and never confusing (despite what other reviewers may say). Honestly, I can't say enough good things about this book. Just read it. In CALIFORNIA FIRE & LIFE, Don Winslow has proven himself a great mystery writer. Now, how about bringing Jack back?
Rating: 
Summary: Into the Hot Zone
Review: Old pro Don Winslow sets up a pace and never lets up. The story grows, expands and explodes like the fires that are that are the bedrock of the tale. Jack Wade, the fire investigator for the titled insurance company, is as terse as his name. He works hard, gives value for the dollar and owes nothing to anyone. He is as unengaged as Lew Archer. There is a lot of fire technology interspersed throughout the book. I was fascinated by all the information and feel it lent credence to the sometimes mystifying plot line. The characters are broadly drawn; this is a plot-event driven tale and has a gruesome factor of +3 out of 5. We aren't looking so much for a particular villain as a conspiracy. Just when the reader thinks he has things narrowed down and is ready for the grand denouement, the clues expand and become more inclusive. Remember "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers"? By the time the movie is half over you suspect your neighbor, wife and sister of being in cahoots with the bad guys. This is true of "California Fire & Life." Everyone and everything begins to look suspect. A good fast read where you learn a few things in spite of yourself!
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