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Keeping Watch
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Customer Reviews
Rating:  - King's best since Beekeeper's Apprentice
I'd read all King's Holmes series and most of her other series, but I'd gotten increasingly dissatisfied with the Holmes ones; they got too weird and unrealistic until I had dropped King from my list of authors that I watch for new books.
But I saw this one on my "Recommendations" list soon after buying a Kindle, and the reviews led me to give it a try.
I do agree that perhaps the pacing fell off a bit in places (or it got a little too long in the middle, as someone said of Joseph Conrad's "Lord Jim").
It wasn't what I'd call a "page turner" and I didn't read it all in one day, but I really did love this book. It provided a satisfying, solid entertainment over 3 days and restored my faith that King can deliver the goods. It reminded me in many ways of my favorite Robert B. Parker novel, "Love and Glory", another story of a veteran who hits bottom and works out his redemption.
Rating:  - Good but not great
I am a new fan of Laurie R. King but this book didn't fully work for me. I understand she included the huge chunk of back-story when he was in Vietnam, as that shaped his character, but I found it dragged and bothered me because I don't care to read about war stories. So, I skimmed that part. I enjoyed the rest of the novel very much, especially how Allen is unsure if Jamie is salvageable or not. That part of the story held me throughout. So, my rating is not a slam--just be aware she does spend a lot of time with his Vietnam experiences and if you are not prepared for that it can really throw you out. But the rest of the novel is riveting.
Rating:  - Blown away - another great book
I just finished this book and can't wait to read it again. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it - all of it, especially the Vietnam war parts. It's amazing how she wrote two different plot lines that (to me at least) seemed to seamlessly fit together. I found this book very different from the Kate Martinelli or Mary Russell stories - which also fascinated me.
Vietnam happened long before I could remember, and I don't really know a whole lot about it. The scenes are so realistic though, I feel a whole new understanding for the Vietnam vets (many still homeless among us).
And although I could see the plot twist coming, I couldn't figure out which way it was going to go.
I greatly recommend this book!
Rating: - In the Green?
I enjoyed this book and the thought that a damaged vet can find his way by helping others makes a good read. I am of the Vietnam era and normally stay away from war stories. But vietnan revisited through Allen's memories was an eye opener.
Rating: - A Masterpiece . . .
I'm not going to review this novel - others have already done so. Some folks thought it was too long, others didn't care for the Vietnam introduction. But I was there - Vietnam in 1970/71 - and can attest from personal experience that Ms. King captures the heat, the sensations, the fear...and the Green to perfection. And the intro is vital to understanding the demons that drive Allen Carmichael.
So, even if you think you don't like 'war stories', stick with it...please! You'll be rewarded with a fascinating character study and a complex psychological thriller.
You may also come to understand why so many of those who fought in Vietnam took years to put the pieces of their life together (and why some never could) and how Abu Ghraib and other Iraqi 'incidents' occur 30 years later.
Ms. King continues to amaze and challenge. . .
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