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Kopfgeld (2010)

by Chuck Hogan(Favorite Author)

3.78 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Heyne

review 1: Devils in Exile is the story of an "innocent" veteran who got mixed up into the drug trade by taking out both the buyers and dealers. Take the cash and dump the stuff. As Neal Maven, the veteran and protagonist, goes deeper in to the relationship he has forged with his comrades, questions arouse if the leader, Brad Royce, really has good intentions. The novel was somehow synonymous to an episode in the TV Series, "Person of Interest" (Season 1, Episode 3, "Mission Creep"). What makes it different is that the guys in that episode were really robbing people, innocent ones, but uses military style execution just like Maven and the guys in the novel. Anyway, the ending is like an action movie. I don't want to give out details but it looks like there is a movie in your head. A ... moreliterary action movie as I'd like to call it. The flaws I saw was that there are some deep words that some may not have heard. And, there are some parts that has a good content but it wasn't organized well. On top of all that, I give four stars flat.
review 2: I like Hogan's previous novel, Prince of Thieves (aka The Town) better, I have to admit. I'll peg this novel at three.The premise was rousing -- an Iraq vet working two crappy jobs -- at a convenience store and parking lot attendant in Boston -- is pursued by the slick Brad Royce, a Robin Hood type character who steals massive amounts of cash in phony drug deals and then flushes their product. He recruits Maven to join his crew. Maven gets involved with his girl. The busts go bust and all hell breaks loose.The characters were well drawn in the beginning -- surprisingly so. Rich, specific dialogue distinguished them from one another. Instead of reading the usual vomitting of names/characters in an average thriller, one could actually keep track of who was who. However, after the first third or so the character building dropped off and it became something of an ordeal, action-wise.I think the main character, Maven, might have to be Superman to pull off that many kills. He was half-dead one too many times before rising up to wallop someone else for it to feel like anything other than overkill. Locations were interesting -- the flower exchange, for one. But instead of lingering, it was all a blur. The detective -- Lash -- had little to do. Too little. With a great start and character development, I expected him to play a much bigger role. Unfortunately, he was just sort of there without purpose. However, there were many instances of good, descriptive writing. Gems of Danielle's necklace being a "second smile" around her neck or Maven breathing "high and tight" made me know Hogan can really write. I enjoyed much of that sort of flavor, too bad it was so overshadowed. less

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