Rating: 
Summary: Weakest in an otherwise good series
Review: After reading over half of this book I was wondering why keep going. I thought this award winning book would get much better. It did not.
Rating: 
Summary: Let Down in Little Rock
Review: After reading over half of this book I was wondering why keep going. I thought this award winning book would get much better. It did not.
Rating: 
Summary: Each novel gets stronger
Review: Butchers Hill is the best of the series. There are many surprising twists. And well-constructed: I quickly got trapped in the dream of the novel, switching focus as the author placed different lenses of perspective on the "facts" presented to Tess. I also like that Tess herself puts together incorrect suppositions. It's real to life -- unlike, say, Mickey Spillane. Though mystery aficionados might find Tess' humanity a nuisance.Nice touch with the convict's dictionary-derived pedantry; I wish it had been carried further (in Charm City Laura did a similar thing with Spike's assistant's forming statements as questions). One caveat for the author: the heroine's family/friend environment is starting to resemble a Tom Clancylike picture of social palatability, albeit with an NPR-approved, nineties urbanite twist. Sigh. I mean, what's next? Kitty becomes a lesbian and finally can enjoy a meaningful relationship? There might be more dimension in revealing the humanity of one who is politically anathema to the author. Readers should check out NYC journalist Sparkle Hayter's wacky mysteries. Though I prefer Baltimore!
Rating:
Summary: Award winning urban tale
Review: Butchers Hill won both the Agatha and Anthony awards for best paperbacks (as well as being nominated for the MacCavity, Edgar and Shamus paperback awards). It's a good book but I suspect some publisher marketing or a weak year for the competition. Butchers Hill is a solid read but hardly earth shattering. First and foremost, this is a very urban tale and not about the pretty side of city life. The book revolves around Tess' first two clients at her new office. What start out as simple cases to locate missing persons quickly grow complicated and intertwined. Tess is thrown into the world of urban foster care issues. The plotting is strong and I found myself thinking about the book between chapters. My jury is still out on this series. The Baltimore setting doesn't do much for me - it's pretty bleak through Tess' eyes. Tess doesn't stand out among her peers in the female P.I. land. Kinsey and V.I. have been doing similar stuff for a long time. Of the new generation, I'd rather read Evanovich's Stephanie Plum who seems genuinely orginal (and funny). Bottom-line: Still not sure what the fuss is about concerning Lippman. A perfectly adequate read but nothing outstanding. Reading of previous books in the series (Baltimore Blues and Charm City) is helpful but not essential.
Rating:
Summary: Award winning urban tale
Review: Butchers Hill won both the Agatha and Anthony awards for best paperbacks (as well as being nominated for the MacCavity, Edgar and Shamus paperback awards). It's a good book but I suspect some publisher marketing or a weak year for the competition. Butchers Hill is a solid read but hardly earth shattering. First and foremost, this is a very urban tale and not about the pretty side of city life. The book revolves around Tess' first two clients at her new office. What start out as simple cases to locate missing persons quickly grow complicated and intertwined. Tess is thrown into the world of urban foster care issues. The plotting is strong and I found myself thinking about the book between chapters. My jury is still out on this series. The Baltimore setting doesn't do much for me - it's pretty bleak through Tess' eyes. Tess doesn't stand out among her peers in the female P.I. land. Kinsey and V.I. have been doing similar stuff for a long time. Of the new generation, I'd rather read Evanovich's Stephanie Plum who seems genuinely orginal (and funny). Bottom-line: Still not sure what the fuss is about concerning Lippman. A perfectly adequate read but nothing outstanding. Reading of previous books in the series (Baltimore Blues and Charm City) is helpful but not essential.
Rating: 
Summary: A Major Talent
Review: I agree with the first reviewer from Washington--why isn't this woman being published in hardcover?!? Avon lucked out with this author. If you feel let down by Sue Grafton or Sara Paretsky's latest efforts, Lippman is the author for you. All three of her titles are excellent, so start with the first if you can.
Rating:
Summary: Another strong outing for Laura and for Tess!
Review: I read a series mystery for character, and a character is not interesting if she doesn't grow. With Butcher's Hill, Lippman takes us, and her character, inside the seedy side of Baltimore and adoption politics, and Lippman is a mistress of both. You always feel Baltimore when you read her books. More important, she takes you along with Tess. I love Tess. Lippman's protagonist is delightfully human. Like your little sister, the one you are frustrated with, hope the best for, love, admire, and wish she'd straighten up and find someone decent to love, Tess bumbles and fumbles her way through a life that's wonderfully rich, complex and authentic. Welcome to Baltimore. Welcome to Tess's world. And welcome another Lippman success. I can't wait for the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Lippman gets better with every book
Review: I've recently felt suckered by continuing series ("N is for Noose" and "The Moor" both disappointed badly), but my faith revived as soon as I read the first paragraph of "Butchers Hill." When is Laura Lippman going to get a hard cover contract?
Rating:
Summary: Great book, great series...
Review: If you like your mysteries to be more than the cozy, sicky sweet variety, this series is for you. I don't understand about the previous reviewer's reference to bias. This book seemed to tell the insider's story of Baltimore, warts and all.
Rating:
Summary: Weakest in an otherwise good series
Review: Is it my imagination, or are my favorite paperback authors writing faster while the books get weaker? Disappointing book in some ways, yet worth the read and I'll read another one by Laura Lippmann.
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