Flashpoint

Rating:
Summary: One of Barnes' Best
Review: I am so glad that I read this book without first reading the negative reviews!

As a devotee of the Carlotta Caryle series, I consider "Flashpoint" to be one of the very best so far. As I mentioned in reviews of Barnes' earlier works in the series, she has attained maturity and depth, both in her characters and her plots, and it all comes together in this book.

As those who follow the series know, PI and part-time cab driver Carlotta is a volleyball fanatic as well, playing at the local Y whenever she can. So when one of her team members, a woman she knows only from the games and casually at that, asks for her professional help, Carlotta accepts. In no time, she is drawn into the cruel murder of Gwen's nursing charge: a seemingly harmless elderly woman. Carlotta being Carlotta, she cannot let the murder go, even though her police pals, notably her mentor Mooney, are on the case. And what she discovers leads into a labyrinth of the art world, the music industry and more.

Tied in with this interesting plot is the ongoing story of Paolina, Carlotta's Little Sister. For those reviewers who cannot understand Paolinia in her present highly obnoxious condition, I say go to the mall and take a look at the typical 14-year-old girl! Not the best age in any circumstances for the average female, and certainly not for one whose mother has suddenly abandoned her completely. Is she a rotten brat throughout the book? YES! Will Carlotta be able to get her through this phase and see her to adulthood? That's every mother's question and fear--and I found it completely believable. What was not so believable was the transformation of the mother, Marta, from a very sick woman disabled by arthritis to a sexy vamp on the prowl for men. This transformation was explained in a sentence or two, and sat badly with me throughout the rest of the book. But it did not ruin the story.

There is very little of the wonderful Gloria in this book, and not enough Mooney or Sam Gianelli (all regulars throughout the series), but there is more than enough of Roz, the impossibly erotic free spirit who inhabits Carlotta's rental roooms.

All in all, a simply great addition to the series. Don't believe everything you read in the negative reviews--try it for yourself! I think you'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: One of Barnes' Best
Review: I am so glad that I read this book without first reading the negative reviews!

As a devotee of the Carlotta Caryle series, I consider "Flashpoint" to be one of the very best so far. As I mentioned in reviews of Barnes' earlier works in the series, she has attained maturity and depth, both in her characters and her plots, and it all comes together in this book.

As those who follow the series know, PI and part-time cab driver Carlotta is a volleyball fanatic as well, playing at the local Y whenever she can. So when one of her team members, a woman she knows only from the games and casually at that, asks for her professional help, Carlotta accepts. In no time, she is drawn into the cruel murder of Gwen's nursing charge: a seemingly harmless elderly woman. Carlotta being Carlotta, she cannot let the murder go, even though her police pals, notably her mentor Mooney, are on the case. And what she discovers leads into a labyrinth of the art world, the music industry and more.

Tied in with this interesting plot is the ongoing story of Paolina, Carlotta's Little Sister. For those reviewers who cannot understand Paolinia in her present highly obnoxious condition, I say go to the mall and take a look at the typical 14-year-old girl! Not the best age in any circumstances for the average female, and certainly not for one whose mother has suddenly abandoned her completely. Is she a rotten brat throughout the book? YES! Will Carlotta be able to get her through this phase and see her to adulthood? That's every mother's question and fear--and I found it completely believable. What was not so believable was the transformation of the mother, Marta, from a very sick woman disabled by arthritis to a sexy vamp on the prowl for men. This transformation was explained in a sentence or two, and sat badly with me throughout the rest of the book. But it did not ruin the story.

There is very little of the wonderful Gloria in this book, and not enough Mooney or Sam Gianelli (all regulars throughout the series), but there is more than enough of Roz, the impossibly erotic free spirit who inhabits Carlotta's rental roooms.

All in all, a simply great addition to the series. Don't believe everything you read in the negative reviews--try it for yourself! I think you'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: Not up to par...
Review: I read some of the other reviewers, and tend to agree with what they say concerning this particular mystery by Barnes. I've read several others of hers, and enjoyed them. This genre is starting to wear a bit thin, I think. There are too many hard-core women sleuths, who have backgrounds as cops, and most of them seem to reside in different urban areas in the United States. That is the major difference between the books, and that is unfortunate. All these women who write books of this type are good at what they do, but they have been doing it for so long their writing skills have deteriorated, as they churn out mystery after mystery. This is in response to the large body of avid mystery readers out there who I assume do not vary their reading much. this is another part of the problem. If readers do not vary their reading into other genres, they cannot know what they are missing when an author gets sloppy in her characterizations or in her plots.

This is not to say this type of book cannot be done well, or that this particular book is not of value. Barnes seems to keep up with current problems in society, one of which is abuse of the elderly and the tendency for property within inner cities to be allowed to deteriorate and then bought up by those predators who will stop at nothing to make a few bucks (with the blessings of many politicians). The premise is good, but not drawn out to a point where the reader cannot tell you what is going to happen next. AS soon as the reader meets the old lady (who is a great curmudgeon), we know she is going to meet her end, and soon!

Unfortunately, this mystery was a bit too easy to solve. And Barnes tried to connect the series by throwing in improbable meetings with previous friends and lovers of the protagonist. At the risk of sounding nitpicking, I felt that the title was not very appropriate either. Just because fires were involved does not explain the use of the word "Flashpoint" (which is the point at which a fire goes out of control, or a situation goes out of control as I understand it). Oh well...when I read a book of a series like this and I can see the author is no longer putting a lot of thought into her books or research effort, then I tend not to look for this particular author anymore. Don't want to waste my time.

Oh yeah, for those who care about such things, the language leaves a little to be desired!
Karen Sadler,
University of Pittsburgh

Rating:
Summary: Takes a Nosedive
Review: I thought this was an okay installment of the series, until I started getting to the end and it all unraveled.

I had trouble keeping up with what was going on and why various things were happening. The story just didn't seem to flow smoothly at all. And I didn't see the purpose of the sub-plot with Paolina and Marta.

On that subject, it's time to dump Paolina. At first she was an okay distraction, playing on something that the author is obviously fond of (Big Sisters). Now she's turned into a surly, smart-mouthed brat who seems to have no respect for Carlotta and all she's done for her over the years. Why Carlotta didn't belt her across the mouth a few times, I couldn't understand. On the same subject, Roz is also getting old after being an interesting distraction. I don't think the author could make her any freakier in upcoming books, and she's lost some of the spark she used to add to the books. Her attitude is also getting annoying -- she's Carlotta's tenant, and if Carlotta doesn't want murals of Big Macs on her walls or picked-up-in-a-bar one-night stands staying in her house, I find it annoying to have Roz mouthing off to her, telling her it's her life and none of Carlotta's business.

I hope Ms. Barnes gets back on track, because Carlotta is one of the few female PIs out there that I actually enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Not at good as her earlier books
Review: I've been eagerly anticipating the release of the newest in the Carlotta Carlyle series. I kept wondering how the characters had fared in the intervening few years since the last book! However, although I did enjoy reading it, I'm somehow a little disapointed. I don't find it up to the quality of the earlier books. Carlotta seems to have lost some of her energy & bright, sassiness. She doesn't seem to be having fun anymore. I don't feel as if I am being invited to become involved in her life anymore. The earlier associated stalwart characters are mentioned only in passing, as if thrown in because Linda Barnes knew she had to at least mention them. I got the feeling that Mrs. Barnes is tired of her heroine & has became disconnected from Carlotta's spirit.

Rating:
Summary: Carlotta continues to evolve
Review: One of PI Carlotta Carlyle's favorite pasttimes is playing volleyball. When her teammate Gwen asks for her help in beefing up the security at an elderly woman's apartment, Carlotta agrees to do what she can. The woman proves to be an interesting character who is full of stories about her wealthy past. Despite Carlotta's best efforts, the old woman dies and the chief suspect turns out to be Gwen. There are lots of twists and turns in the plot and red herrings abound in the form of unscrupulous developers and greedy heirs. In the middle of trying to solve the mystery, Carlotta becomes a surrogate mother to her rebellious Little Sister Paolina, whose mother has decided to run off with a man. Her tenant Roz also contributes to the investigation while she paints art-deco murals all over Carlotta's house and consorts with some interesting men. Carlotta's character continues to grow with each addition to the series, and the plots become more interesting and complex.

Rating:
Summary: First time reader didn't find this series appealing...
Review: This is my first read of this author. I love the female PI series of Grafton, Evanovich and Kijewski so I was psyched to try Barnes.

Unfortunately I found the sidekicks most annoying. Paolina, a surly teen who seems to be heading to a life of prostitution, and Roz, the painter/boarder, focuses on the next sexual partner above all, both of these women I didn't want Carlotta to hang with but she was loyal and true to these two. Perhaps previous books would have given me a since of history and caring for these sidekicks.

Now the mystery didn't catch my interest either. Gwen, the volleyball buddy wasn't a good friend so I didn't care when she was arrested. The client that gets killed also didn't appeal.

Summing it up, I'd try another book by this author but I'd like to find one where annoying characters don't rule Carlotta's life!

Rating:
Summary: Really, really bad
Review: This is my first time dipping into Barnes's Carlotta Carlyle series, and I can't say I was in any way impressed. This novel is both underwritten and clumsy, full of cliches, poorly drawn characters, false tension, silly narrative developments, and ultimately a revelation that makes absolutely no sense. I don't believe in putting spoilers in these reviews, so I won't describe the utterly absurd revelations that come at the end of this novel, but suffice to say that to call it half-baked would be to insult all the half-baked books out there. I am glad Barnes's many fans find enjoyment in her works, and I hope they can continue to do so, but for a reader who is looking for something other than a lifeless installment in a feisty female detective series, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Really, really bad
Review: This is my first time dipping into Barnes's Carlotta Carlyle series, and I can't say I was in any way impressed. This novel is both underwritten and clumsy, full of cliches, poorly drawn characters, false tension, silly narrative developments, and ultimately a revelation that makes absolutely no sense. I don't believe in putting spoilers in these reviews, so I won't describe the utterly absurd revelations that come at the end of this novel, but suffice to say that to call it half-baked would be to insult all the half-baked books out there. I am glad Barnes's many fans find enjoyment in her works, and I hope they can continue to do so, but for a reader who is looking for something other than a lifeless installment in a feisty female detective series, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging characters; good summer reading
Review: This is the first of Linda Barnes' books I have read and I enjoyed it very much. I could not ignore some of the similarities to Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone (single, female private eye, ex-cop, ex-wife, quirky landlord-tenant relationship, broken nose), but the plot was well paced and the mystery kept me guessing. I look forward to reading other Carlotta tales.