Chasing The Devil

Rating:
Summary: Lacking Character
Review: Brant Sets up a very generic storyline for us to follow with some very generic characters. While the characters are likable, they fit very much into stereotypes we have come to recognize and to a lesser extent, expect in a classic 1920s detective novel. The major problem I have with this book is that the setting is not in the 1920s nor was it written then, it takes place and was written today. While Brant's attempt at bringing a classic thriller/detective story to life during this day and age, I found that the characters had little to no development. The story's outcome was rather expected with a tiny plot-twist at the end that unconventional and uninspired.

While it seems that Brant is well informed concerning his sources when it comes to the setting and the overall mood of the book (hence two stars, and not one), it seems to me that Brant spent more time focusing on how good his Russian was rather than how much the characters developed or were even believable. The female roles in particular are souless, generic, and give into their sexual roles as femme fatales too easily. The main character, Harry Dymes, while it would seem at the beginning would have a kind of development does not learn a single thing during the novel and simply solves the case and gets the girl.

While I have to admit I was expecting too much from a simple detective story, Brant has failed to deliver upon a very decent premise and falled into a very generic, while not entirely unenjoyable detective novel. I do not recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for something more meaningful than a slightly enjoyable thriller.