Reader Review of "Flipping Out" by Marshall Karp
This review is one of the closest to my heart that I’ve ever done. The level of trust, encouragement, and publicity from all parties means the world to me. I’ll thank all those people at the end, but I wanted to start off with that. Now, onto the review of Flipping Out by Marshall Karp, the latest Lomax & Biggs mystery.
People find many things in life sacred. Love, trust, loyalty, etc. But the most sacred to people is family. So when LA Detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs are called to investigate the murder of a fellow cop’s wife, they know the pressure that will follow the case. But what starts out as a “simple” homicide quickly turns into public hysteria after the murder of two more women. One victim was another cop’s wife. The second victim was that same cop’s mother-in-law, who just happened to be one of the worlds most popular and beloved mystery writers.
Nora Bannister had a great thing going with her House To Die For series of novels. She would buy rundown homes in LA, and while her partners (all cop wives, one being the wife of Terry Biggs himself) fixed the place up into a winner, she made it the main setting in her latest book. The minute the book goes on sale, so does the house, and Nora and her partners make a mint. But now she, as well as two of her partners are dead, and it’s up to Lomax and Biggs to sort through the mess. Is someone targeting the families of police men and women? Do the murders have anything to do with the house flipping partnership? Or is someone killing for much more sinister reasons?
The plot stands out as both fresh and one that keeps you guessing. There are so many twists and turns to the story, one may feel a little car sick. All of Marshall Karp’s books are like that though. His plots are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. When you read one book, parts of it may remind you of another book you read in the past. Not with any of Marshall’s. His stories keep me wondering where he can come up with such intriguing storylines.
The pace is quick, the humor sharp and refreshing, and the ending left me in a state of both shock and stunned silence. For those who know me, neither of those things happen often. I strongly suggest Flipping Out, and all works by Marshall Karp. Friends, family, strangers, animals. Pretty much anything with eyes and a sense of humor. Hell, James Patterson approves of him, so you know he’s doing something right. He’s given reviews on Marshall’s books, and even promoted this one in a recent newsletter, as well as here on the Community. So if it’s JP approved, it’s GOTTA be good. You can check out more on Marshall, his life, and his other projects at lomaxandbiggs.com.
Before I do my “thank you” spiel, I’d like to make this review a little…interesting. Because of my deep connections (Mafia tied, of course), I’ve been able to scrounge together ONE SIGNED copy of Flipping Out for ONE lucky Community member. Here’s how it works. Simply comment my blog. That’s it, just leave a comment. Whoever comments me gets a chance to win. The comment must come with a valid email address on this post by 8:00 pm Eastern time (5:00 pm Pacific) ONE WEEK FROM THE TIME OF THIS POST (which will be April 8th, 2009).
There are so many I’d like to thank now that the end of this blog review has come to pass. I want to thank Marshall Karp first and foremost. Thanks for wanting me to do the reviews of your books, specifically this one. Thanks for sending all of your books, signing them with nice things, and for being an all around great guy. I owe you quite a big one. Also thanks to Beth Hoffman for guiding me through the whole “blog tour” thing.
As always thanks to James Patterson and Lindsay Boxerette. I’d never be where I am today without the world you two helped create through the Community. And thanks to the Community members who read this to the end.
And one last, big special thanks to the love of my life. Kim, thanks for taking a chance on a goober like me. You keep me ticking babe. I Love You forever
People find many things in life sacred. Love, trust, loyalty, etc. But the most sacred to people is family. So when LA Detectives Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs are called to investigate the murder of a fellow cop’s wife, they know the pressure that will follow the case. But what starts out as a “simple” homicide quickly turns into public hysteria after the murder of two more women. One victim was another cop’s wife. The second victim was that same cop’s mother-in-law, who just happened to be one of the worlds most popular and beloved mystery writers.
Nora Bannister had a great thing going with her House To Die For series of novels. She would buy rundown homes in LA, and while her partners (all cop wives, one being the wife of Terry Biggs himself) fixed the place up into a winner, she made it the main setting in her latest book. The minute the book goes on sale, so does the house, and Nora and her partners make a mint. But now she, as well as two of her partners are dead, and it’s up to Lomax and Biggs to sort through the mess. Is someone targeting the families of police men and women? Do the murders have anything to do with the house flipping partnership? Or is someone killing for much more sinister reasons?
The plot stands out as both fresh and one that keeps you guessing. There are so many twists and turns to the story, one may feel a little car sick. All of Marshall Karp’s books are like that though. His plots are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. When you read one book, parts of it may remind you of another book you read in the past. Not with any of Marshall’s. His stories keep me wondering where he can come up with such intriguing storylines.
The pace is quick, the humor sharp and refreshing, and the ending left me in a state of both shock and stunned silence. For those who know me, neither of those things happen often. I strongly suggest Flipping Out, and all works by Marshall Karp. Friends, family, strangers, animals. Pretty much anything with eyes and a sense of humor. Hell, James Patterson approves of him, so you know he’s doing something right. He’s given reviews on Marshall’s books, and even promoted this one in a recent newsletter, as well as here on the Community. So if it’s JP approved, it’s GOTTA be good. You can check out more on Marshall, his life, and his other projects at lomaxandbiggs.com.
Before I do my “thank you” spiel, I’d like to make this review a little…interesting. Because of my deep connections (Mafia tied, of course), I’ve been able to scrounge together ONE SIGNED copy of Flipping Out for ONE lucky Community member. Here’s how it works. Simply comment my blog. That’s it, just leave a comment. Whoever comments me gets a chance to win. The comment must come with a valid email address on this post by 8:00 pm Eastern time (5:00 pm Pacific) ONE WEEK FROM THE TIME OF THIS POST (which will be April 8th, 2009).
There are so many I’d like to thank now that the end of this blog review has come to pass. I want to thank Marshall Karp first and foremost. Thanks for wanting me to do the reviews of your books, specifically this one. Thanks for sending all of your books, signing them with nice things, and for being an all around great guy. I owe you quite a big one. Also thanks to Beth Hoffman for guiding me through the whole “blog tour” thing.
As always thanks to James Patterson and Lindsay Boxerette. I’d never be where I am today without the world you two helped create through the Community. And thanks to the Community members who read this to the end.
And one last, big special thanks to the love of my life. Kim, thanks for taking a chance on a goober like me. You keep me ticking babe. I Love You forever
8 Comments
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Comment by Sarah Thomas on April 1, 2009 at 8:32pm - I'm always looking for new authors and with a review like that I think I just found one. I will be at the book store by the end of the week to purchase this book. Great work on the review by the way, you really know how intrique a person. Keep up the good work.
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Comment by Kelly Cummings on April 2, 2009 at 12:51pm - Great review & having read all of Marshall's books this review couldn't have been any better!!!! His books make you laugh, make you cry (with laughter, of course)-SUPERB!!!
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Comment by Michele Renee Arnold on April 2, 2009 at 5:22pm - This is the first time that I have EVER left a comment anywhere, but I have to tell you that your review on this book was even more intriguing than Pattersons! Way to go!! I definitely can't wait to read it.
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Comment by bob schweers on April 2, 2009 at 8:27pm
- With a review like this who couldn't want to read the book. I've never heard of this writer, but I'm going out to buy the book. I have a feeling I've missed out on some great reading. I'm sure glad that I joined the JP community.
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Comment by Lisa H on April 4, 2009 at 8:51am - I picked up Flipping Out at the library yesterday after seeing the review by the man himself, James Patterson. I figured he probably knows what he's talking about and he was right! I couldn't put the book down. It was just like he promised, suspenseful and funny. I love the characters Biggs and Lomax. And as crazy as it sounds, I want to read more about Big Jim! I'm heading out to look for the two previous books, The Rabbit Factory and Bloodthirsty. I'm not sure how far before this book they are (time-wise). Hopefully it won't be too weird to read about some of the characters when I already know their fate from reading Flipping Out. :-)
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Comment by Elizabeth White on April 4, 2009 at 12:30pm
- Very nice review. I've been reading MK since the Rabbit Factory and it's nice to have another convert on board to help spread the Lomax & Biggs gospel! :-)
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Comment by Mrs. Doyle on April 8, 2009 at 6:41pm -
Hi JOhn -
I am trying - again to leave a comment and valid email address - let's see if this works!!!
Mrs. Doyle
vdoyle@franklin.k12.nh.us
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and, as always, great review. i am jealous of your ability to write the way you do. seriously, you should really consider writing books, hell, with your work here, getting support shouldn't be a problem for you!
GennyRee
p.s. i got a new im name, gobabigurl. it's the same on aol, yahoo, and msn.