Rating: 
Summary: He pulled it off!
Review: Vincent is an unforgettable character. Who could forget a tough talking, wisecracking, disguised as a human, private investigating, dinosaur. I'm looking forward to his next case.
Rating: 
Summary: A Dino-noir classic...
Review: Vincent Rubio is a down on his luck Los Angeles detetctive. Creditors are knocking on his door, he's mourning the death of his beloved partner and fighting an addiction to basil...Vincent Rubio is a velociraptor disguised as a human. I have to admit when I saw this book in my local bookstore I was both intrigued and skeptical. A secret society of dinosaurs living among humans?!? C'mon. But Eric Garcia pulls this unique concept off convincingly with wit, charm and sly humor, at the same time giving us a highly original, geniune detective story that you won't be able to put down!!
Rating:
Summary: Hurry up already, Eric!
Review: Weekly, I check in to see when I can have some Casual Rex delivered to my doorstep. I'll gladly come cook dinner, wash dishes, walk the dog...what ever it takes to get Eric to write faster!Laughed out loud at the premise; loved the entire concept of the dinos in cheap human suits. If you devour detective/crime stories, yet still have a brain that appreciates the absurd, you'll chomp this book up. The end seemed to pop up a little fast; not uncommon in the genre. If you enjoy Christopher Moore or Bradley Denton, you might want to take a peek at this. Also, mystery fans that enjoy slightly twisted & humorous detectives, like those found in Janet Evanovich's fine series might try this dino sleuth on for size.
Rating:
Summary: Phillip Marlow as a Dino...Very Funny and Engaging Mystery
Review: What can you say about a book that has a dinosaur for a hero/narrator? And the dinosaur lives in present day Los Angeles, disguised as a human, trying to earn his living as a private detective? And, further more, he is part of a whole dinosaur sub-culture that exists side-by-side with the unknowing human culture? Well, I call it very, very clever and funny! Our hero is dinosaur Vincent Rubio (VelociRaptor,get it?) a private eye whose partner has died (shades of Miles Archer), and whose business is headed straight for the toilet with various bill collectors knocking at the door. The insurance company Vincent works for from time to time gives him an arson case to investigate that, naturally, ends up being tied to the mysterious death of his partner. The story moves from Los Angeles to New York City to back again, all the while giving the reader typical detective story action, and untypical insight into Garcia's alternative world where the dinosaurs did not die out millions of years before the appearance of man on the scene. The reptiles have their own culture and society, have made their own accomodation to the present by going about in elaborate disguises (some of the funniest moments of the book occur when Vincent's current disguise goes haywire and threatens to expose him in more ways than one!), and keep strictly apart from the dominate human culture, which they view with contempt. The book is written in a style that will remind you in a vague way of the noir mysteries of the 1940s and 50s. Vincent Rubio is an appealing character: I finished this book wanting to read the sequel, and was delighted to find out that a new hardcover ("Hot and Sweaty Rex: A Dinosaur Mafia Mystery") had just been released. My only real criticism of the book is that there is not enough "background material" on how the dinosaurs "survived" and evolved into creatures that could develop technology. Not all readers need a backstory; those who do will be spending some of their time filling in the blanks from the information that Garcia gives us in bits and pieces. If you are willing to suspend your disbelief, the dinosaur mystery books will be a real treat for you.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest book since "Pest Control" - Laugh out loud
Review: When I explained the plot to my son he said - "oh, Men in Black, but dinosaurs" - they are among us and Garcia makes it work! Don't try to read this book on public transportation, you will be laughing so hard that everyone will want to know what you are reading and the concept is so hard to believe that you may be shunned.
Rating:
Summary: Sexy Rex
Review: Wow. From the first line to the last, this book simply oozes charm and skill. Crazy concept, brilliantly executed, with enough twists and turns to put a snake in traction. I eagerly await Casual Rex, his novel in progress. Here's hoping it stays as fresh as the first. If you haven't read this (then why would you be reading this?), go buy it. Buy it now, find a few free hours, and read it.
| 
