I pronounced the Private Eye novel dead back in the 1990s. Yet vestiges of the genre still stagger around like zombies here in the 21st Century. Don Winslow’s The Dawn Patrol features Boone Daniels, legendary surfer, who sometimes works as a private investigator to earn the money that allows him to surf almost all the time off the coast of San Diego. Boone finds himself investigating the murder of a stripper. The murder leads to subplots involving arson and human trafficking from Mexico. At times while reading The Dawn Patrol I felt like I was reading a Doc Savage clone. Doc Savage had the “Fabulous Five” helping him out, Boone has his talented buddies in “The Dawn Patrol” helping out in his investigations. Winslow is a little too facile with the storyline, but the result is satisfying. GRADE: B
It worked well for me but I have never read Doc Savage so it seemed fresh. And loved the setting.
The surfer setting was different, Patti. A change of pace from the usual P. I. novels.
I haven’t read it yet but I’ve like Winslow’s writing in the past.
So what was the verdict on THE LION KING, George?
I enjoyed the costumes and spectacle of THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL, Jeff. It’s worth seeing…once.
I liked it. But then I think more highly of the P.I. sub-genre and was one of those who argued with your pronouncement (back in MDM, I believe, or was it DAPA?). I’d like to get my hands on the next in the series, but have been waiting for the library to come up with it.
You’ll see my review of the sequel to THE DAWN PATROL in tomorrow’s post, Rick.
We all had a good laugh over your pronouncement, George.
The burden of almost always being right is one I shoulder with humility, Bob.