Hello! Today I am reviewing Mystery Girl by David Gordon for TLC Book Tours. As always, I was provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book: Sam Kornberg is a failed novelist living in Los Angeles with a collapsing marriage. Desperate for work, he becomes the assistant to a portly, housebound detective named Solar Lonsky. His assignment to track a mysterious woman is the trigger for a tense, smart and often screamingly funny story involving sexy dopplegangers, insane asylums, south-of-the-border shootouts, mistaken identities, video-store geekery, and the death of the novel. It’s as if Tarantino had remade Vertigo after binging on Nero Wolfe novels.
Mystery Girl is both an entertaining thriller and a cunning inquiry into art, style and deception.
My review: Wow. I loved this book. David Gordon is an incredibly stylish writer. His words, his sense of style, his homage to Hitchcock and film noir and Raymond Chandler, and his sense of the absurd combine to create a story that is written beautifully in an evocative style that harkens back to the best of detective fiction, yet has its feet firmly planted in the 21st century.
Sometimes I am lucky enough to encounter a new author whose writing skill simply dazzles me. That’s the case with this new-to-me author. The characters are fascinating, especially the protagonist Sam Kornberg. Self-deprecating, funny, honest and romantic, Kornberg is a richly written, fully realized character; a failed writer, lover of Proust and the cinema, who is smart, funny and slightly geeky – you cannot help but be charmed by him. The supporting cast of characters is wonderfully colorful; many of them outsiders, geeks, who march to a different drummer.
Gordon includes many references to cinema and literature, which I loved. Having spent time in Los Angeles, I found his descriptions of L.A.to be richly drawn – almost a love letter to that sprawling city that is like no other, as well as to the film industry that is at its core.
I was simply dazzled by Gordon’s writing. There’s a bit of raw language here, so if you are offended by that sort of thing, I’m giving you a heads up. Since none of it is used gratuitously, I have no problem with it – it’s true to the style of the book and to the characters that live in its pages.
I never reveal plot details, as you know. I will simply say that I recommend this book highly. David Gordon has a new fan.
About the author: David Gordon was born in New York City. He attended Sarah Lawrence College and holds an M.A. in English and Comparative Literature and an MFA in Writing, both from Columbia University. His first novel, The Serialist, won the VCU/Cabell First Novel Award and was a finalist for the Edgar Award. His work has also appeared in The Paris Review, Purple and Fence, among other publications.
Good news! One of you will win a copy of this book. Simply leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner on Sunday evening. Good luck!
Happy Wednesday.
Wow, this sounds like my kind of book. But to more important matters. I’ve had strong words withe Creator and told him/her that if my cats and dogs are not in Heaven waiting for me, then I’m not going! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that animals don’t have souls.. Their souls are purer that those of any humans.Blessings
Sounds like a fun book! Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
I love to read, but once I pick up a book my nose is embedded in it till the end. I wish I has some free time to read. I love historical, Christian fiction.
Hi, Claudia, this book sounds like my type of book! Hope your time in Hartford is enjoyable. xxoo, Martha
This sounds like the beginning of a great new series. I love series. I guess that way I don’t have to really say good-bye to the characters.
I would love a copy of this book.
Love your honest reviews and would love to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds great! I’ll take your enthusiasm as a sign that this is a good read! The first thing I noticed was the cover of the book looked very much like the covers of the old Hitchcock monthly series of short stories. Remember those?
XO,
Jane
Pick me!
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the opportunity! ;)
Hi Claudia, I am always ready for a good read! Doris
I’ll try again but feel embarrassed after winning the last one. But being an avid, AVID reader it would be a joy to win two of them, sweetpea. :-)
xoxo,
Connie
Wow, sounds like a really fun read and a great story! I love a good detective story.
Thanks for the reveiw.
Lee Anna
Sounds like a great book!
Sounds intriguing. Pick me!
Sounds like a really good book Claudia. Thanks for the chance!
This sounds delicious! I would love to have it. Thanks for the chance.
After your review I would love to win the book. Mysteries
are my favorite read.
Sounds like a winner Claudia!
The book seemed to come alive for you, Claudia. I love when that happens as I read a good book.
You get to know all the people and places, and the book pulls you in with the rest of all of
the characters, and you feel like you are right there with them. Only, it is sad when you come to the last page, and have to say good-bye to all of the friends you made. (grin) crossing my fingers that I win. Bonnie in Sunny,Hot WI.
Love your reviews. They tell me just enough to intrigue me without giving it away. Thanks. I agree there is nothing like finding a new author that you like! I hate when I have read all of a favorite authors titles.
I always enjoy your book reviews and this one sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win this book!
Linda
You had me at ‘homage to Hitchcock’…….
Sounds thrilling!!
Lori
Sounds like my kind of book. I would love to have a copy, please
Your review makes me want to read this book. It would be great to win a copy. Otherwise it’s off to the bookstore or library for me.
I love it when a book blows me away like this one did to you!
Thanks for being on the tour.