Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great.
Review: Manhattan is my beat is one of the early novels by Jeffery Deaver, and at times you can see the reflection of the brillance that you find in his latest novels. However at times the book is a wee bit slow for my taste and in particular for a Deaver novel. Rune, the heroine in this novel is actually a great character and you will find her to be quite enjoyable. The main premise of a crime solved via an old movie is interesting and could have been better developed, but I feel Deaver just did an adequate job. I do recommend that you read this novel because it is an enjoyable read and it contains the trademark Deaver twists, but you shuld be forewarned that this book will not enthrall you like Bone Collector, Coffin Dancer, Empty Chair, Maiden's Grave, or Devil's Teardrop. It is good but not great.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes, I'm convinced it's Deaver
Review: Sometimes when an out-of-print book by one of my favorite authors is rereleased, I am not always convinced that the publisher hasn't just tacked on a best-selling name to an old book by someone else. Usually, I am disappointed. But I am positive that this was written by Jeffery Deaver. Rune is a video store employer who becomes attached to an older man who keeps renting "Manhatten Is My Beat." When he is found dead, Rune is so upset that she decides to investigate. The police seem so apathetic about the crime. As she watches the video, she is convinced that an old bank robbery is the key. I liked her free-spirit, her way of life (living in a building under reconstruction - undetected), and how Deaver cleverly led you to believe certain things were happening, when they actually were otherwise. Surprises abound as you read this book. I anxiously await the other older Deaver novels that will soon be in print. I'm getting ready to begin "Mistress of Justice," another oldie, but I'm sure a goodie. And, yes, I feel that this was novice Deaver and not a knockoff.
Rating:
Summary: Deaver Delivers Danger
Review: Suppose you were a 20 year old sparkplug of a gal, living in a loft in NYC, writing poetry, working in a video store, and one of your eccentric customers was murdered--would you just say what a shame? Or jump right in to solve a terrifyling twist of a tale based on an old black & white film? In, "Manhattan Is My Beat", Deaver delivers a fast paced dangerous thriller. We meet Rune, she is as lively as a cocked pistol. She does work in a video store to support one of her passions; movies. She does find the dead body of Mr. Kelly, an elderly man who keeps renting the same movie--over & over. And she does hit the Manhattan mean streets to connect all the pieces of this diabolical puzzle plot. I thouroughly enjoyed this crime novel. Rune, as a female sleuth is perky, weird, sassy and bright. Not as graphic or gripping as other Deaver classics, yet a good one. other reading suggestions: "Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich and "The Devils Teardrop" by Jeffrey Deaver Thanks for your interest & comments--CDS
Rating:
Summary: An odd & enjoyable novel
Review: The great thing about this book, an early entry from twistmaster Deaver, is its heroine. Rune is not the usual highly educated, all knowing experts that Deaver has made his name with, but instead a punkish, homeless girl who lives in her own fantasy version of Manhattan. She is the last person who should investigate a murder, but that is exactly what she does when an old man she has befriended is brutally murdered in what appears to be a professional hit. Armed with only her spunk and knowledge gleamed from her favourite Nior films, Rune sets out to bring the killers to justice, only to learn that in the real world, there are no ture happy endings. Highly entertaining tale is probably a little too whimsical for many hard-core thriller readers (fans of Deaver's clinical, cynical heroes will be shocked,) but the novel has atmosphere to burn, and the mystery keeps you hooked to the last page. An offbeat treat.
Rating:
Summary: An odd & enjoyable novel
Review: The great thing about this book, an early entry from twistmaster Deaver, is its heroine. Rune is not the usual highly educated, all knowing experts that Deaver has made his name with, but instead a punkish, homeless girl who lives in her own fantasy version of Manhattan. She is the last person who should investigate a murder, but that is exactly what she does when an old man she has befriended is brutally murdered in what appears to be a professional hit. Armed with only her spunk and knowledge gleamed from her favourite Nior films, Rune sets out to bring the killers to justice, only to learn that in the real world, there are no ture happy endings. Highly entertaining tale is probably a little too whimsical for many hard-core thriller readers (fans of Deaver's clinical, cynical heroes will be shocked,) but the novel has atmosphere to burn, and the mystery keeps you hooked to the last page. An offbeat treat.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable tale
Review: The main character in this book was a breath of fresh air. Rune's youth and optimism, in spite of the roadblocks that are placed in front of her, keep her moving towards the solution to her mystery. If you like the Jeffery Deaver type of stories that require the digging up of facts and clues, then you will enjoy this tale. You will also want to read Death of a Blue Movie Star, as you watch Rune develop her investigative skills.
Rating:
Summary: Not at all bad
Review: this being an early Deaver, it is natural to suspect taht it wouldnt be as good as some of his later ones. In general, its right. THis is not as good as some later books, but its still pretty good. The plot is nicely simple. Not too much complicated stuff to get your head round. The characters are good, and he leaves space for them to be further dweveloped. Presumably, this will come in the next two books (as it would in any good series). Rune is a nice lead character, nicely contemporary. Some people've said she's annoying, but personally, i didn't think so. On the surface she comes across as naive, but gradually you see that she isnt as so as you first thought. she might have got her head in the clouds, but her feet are still firmly on the ground... as always with a deaver novel, there are twists a-plenty. and ill admit, here they werent quite as complex as some of his later novels twists, but they are just as viable. and still i didnt guess them. (I gave up trying long ago!) The writing is good, the plot is good, the characters are good. What more could you want? As, presumably, this was his first novel, it's a very worthy effort. I look forward to the next Rune novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Deaver's first is a fine read!
Review: This being the first book Jeffery Deaver ever had published, I went into it thinking I was going to get a simple novel. Boy was I wrong! This book is the first of 3 starring Rune, a 5' 2" female dynamo who is thrust into a situation and becomes an amateur detective, of sorts. Along the way we meet some colorful characters with witty dialogue. The plot involves a couple of Mafiaoso hits, one that goes wrong and a million dollars that may or may not be real as a treasure. Deaver throws in some twists at the end that are great. It's not like his last 7 books or so...more straight forward and slim. But still really good stuff and with the other 2 in the Rune series getting released soon, I look forward to any/all of Deaver's wonderful books.
Rating:
Summary: Deaver is brilliant
Review: This book is back in print for a good reason! This book is great. This book is like Deaver's books I have read in the past (Bone Collector, Coffin Dancer and The Empty Chair);Deaver is the master of trickery. Once you think the book is headed in one direction think again. Deaver turns the story in to the unexpected. Surprize after surprize. I highly recommend this book and all of Deaver's works.
Rating:
Summary: Early Deaver Enthralls
Review: This early book by Jeffrey Deaver shows why his books are so popular today. He captures the flavor of Manhattan in the late 80s--particularly the downtown scene. Rune, the main character, is a wonderful portrayal of a twenty year old child/woman on a quest to find the killer of her friend, the elderly Mr. Kelly. This book is well paced and shows that Deaver was already a master in 1988. An excellent read.
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