Slow Burn (Leo Waterman, #4) by G.M. Ford

Slow Burn (Leo Waterman, #4) Reviews

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  Marty

  The story has far too many characters, all similar and engaged in similar businesses and shenanigans. After they were interviewed the first time, I could no longer keep track of who was who. Finally I just went along for the ride and enjoyed the story. It is an enjoyable story.
• 
  Jon

  This one from fairly early in the series is an homage to Rex Stout. The dedication is to him as the creator of...and then it lists 32 characters starting with Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. I recognized about the first half. The detective here is a lot like Archie, and he has a client who is very reminiscent of Wolfe. There may be other resemblances too subtle for me. But there is a cast of thousands, and several large crowd scenes. Keeping things straight under those conditions is not something G.M. Ford is especially good at. But the humor is still there, and lots of snappy dialogue. And it's a pretty good mystery. At one point the detective walks into a crowded gay bar looking for a guy who he sees far in the back. "As I strolled the length of the room, I tried to ignore the feeling that I was in Atlantic City walking down the Miss America runway without my swimsuit. I told myself to lighten up. These guys had no interest in me. They were gay, not blind."
• 
  Rob Kitchin

  Slow Burn by title and slow burn in terms of storytelling. Slow Burn is told in an easy going, relaxed style with an undercurrent of gentle humour. The story features a set of larger than life characters and has a good set up. The narrative is workmanlike, with a good flow between scenes. What the story lacks, however, is tension. The story does build towards a climax, but it is without a real sense of urgency. Whilst there is a nice twist with regards to the identity of the killers, the rest of the ending is fairly predictable. Overall, an enjoyable, gently humorous read that lacked a bit of bite.
• 
  Kevin

  Another off the wall Leo Waterman PI investigation with his band of homeless people. This one involving a couple of restaurant people and a bull named Bunky. His wit throughout the novel makes it another enjoyable read!
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  Cynthia Larson

  if you love gritty Seattle, this is a fun read!
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  MisterLiberry Head

  Le Cuisine Internationale, staging a prestigious global restaurant convention in Seattle, hires unconventional homeboy PI Leo Waterman to handle security and prevent feuding steakhouse magnates from causing the group massive mortification in the media. Waterman finds himself falling into a “Looney Tunes universe” (p243) of eccentric gastronomes. At the same time, he’s finally moving in with the not-amused woman he’s “been dating for nineteen years” (p63). As fans know, Leo’s platoon of street operative are mostly scruffy, homeless drunks who dine from Dumpsters. Nothing could go wrong, n’est-ce pas??
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  M. Sprouse

  Wow, a very humorous and exciting read. The scope of this novel is far greater than the first 3 in the series. At times it was a bit difficult to stay up with and keep straight. Probably the reason for many of the three and four star ratings. However, G.M. Ford was thinking big and though not perfect in the big scenes, it's still pretty darn impressive. Why? Because this book has all the great components that have made this series successful: action, wit, extraordinary quirkiness and suspense. It's strengths really obliviate it's puny weaknesses.
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  Chad

  I love the Leo Waterman series, but of all the books, so far, this one has to be the most ho hum of scenarios. And its interesting come from the previous books, that usually have 2 cases going at once which is also really fun. Otherwise a great book and read, and the ending was not what I saw coming, that is for sure.
• 
  Sarah

  I finally gave up at 148 pages. I’ll never get that time back. Plot is convoluted and stupid. Characters are stupid. The author seems more interested in crafting what he thinks is witty repartee than a coherent story. It’s rare that I quit on a book but this wasn’t worth another second of my time.
• 
  Janice

  This is my second time reading the Leo Waterman series. Love the main character and his crew of homeless people that he uses for surveillance. This story deals with the 2 owners of competing steakhouse chains and who is sabotaging one of them and how he tries to prevent it.
• 
  Mike Tumy

  I like mystery novels to have interesting plots, unique characters and to have a dash of humor thrown in. G. M. Ford's novels deliver the goods! The audible version of "Slow Burn" made a long road trip fly by. I enjoyed it - read it!
• 
  James

  3.5
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  Ryan

  Same old jokes, but new ones too! 3.5 stars
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  Karen Roth

  I am So fed up with GoodReads search engine! This book Slow Burn should easily be found yet all kinds of US comes up even when you press title! I am fed up!!!!
  
• 
  Steve

  April 2022. My second Leo Waterman in Seattle. I gave it 3 * because the culprits weren't laid out more specifically at the end. I was missing Agatha C.'s descriptors.