Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs, I admit, was the first book I read by Thomas Perry. I have since read and enjoyed, to varying degrees, all his other works. I always come back to Sleeping Dogs though. It is definitely my favorite book, and when ever I read it, it's as if I've come home again. I realize it's almost scary to have a person sympathize with the Butcher's Boy as much as I do, but I constantly admire, appreciate, and understand his ruthless and logical approach to solving problems. I also felt that the "villains" in the book were incredibly fun, and provided a good balance. it's difficult to pick favorites, but Fratelli, the one who is infuriated more and more while trying to escape the Butcher's Boy, and shake off the clingy paranoid bank manager, as well As Bala himself with his unbelievable losing streak against his Gin partner in prison are definite stand outs to me. Also Jack Hamp, I felt, was a wonderful addition as the flip side of the coin to the Butcher's Boy. And of course, I fell in love with the Honourable Meg as well. Overall, I just feel this book is exciting, amusing, ironic, and just thoroughly enjoyable. The only fault I can find is that Perry's Mafia structure doesn't quite jive with reality, but it really doesn't matter. I keep trying to figure out if certain people are from New York, or if they're Chicago, but in Perry's world it seems like Mafia is Mafia, with no real seperation. And that doesn't ultimately matter. To sum up, I feel this book is flawless, and will probably continue to read it once a month until my eyes go.

"Sleeping Dogs" and "Butcher's Boy" are the best novels written by Thomas Perry. His other novels are interesting and well written but the characters don't have the appeal of the assassin. "Butcher Boy" takes top rating from critics and most readers but I felt "Sleeping Dogs" was a tad better than the first novel. Perry writing is a level above contemporay fiction writers. Apparently, he learned how to get the point across in a miniumn amount of words.Hopefully, Perry will decide to write a sequel to "Sleeping Dogs".

The specialist (from "The Butcher's Boy") is back. He's been laying low in England for the past ten years, when he is rudely thrust back into his old life. What follows is all based on one wrong assumption he makes. I was reminded of the time in the movie theater when the man in front of me got so caught up in the movie, he actually shouted at the screen, "Hey! You've got it all wrong. Wake up!". I was about to shout that that at this book, but I didn't want to startle the dog sleeping at my feet. I found the main character appealing even though he is an assassin. He is, after all, taking out the bad guys. There is lots of action and it's fun to see how he gets out of one scrape after another. I like the way Thomas Perry writes. As with his Jane Whitefield stories (she is a specialist too. She helps people disappear) he is clever, witty, sometimes even humorous, and he doesn't waste my time with unnecessary dialogue or endless descriptions. The ending was spectacular. You really got me with this one Mr. Perry.

If I found myself on a desert island . . . with only "Sleeping Dogs" to read - I'd be perfectly happy! I love Perry's Jane Whitfied series - but "Sleeping Dogs" is my all-time favorite. It's a masterfully written mystery (taut, suspenseful, fast-paced) and at the same time a wickedly "laugh until your teeth ache" dark comedy.

I have now read "Sleeping Dogs" four times, and it gets better each time. It is so well-paced and compactly written that there isn't a wasted word. Everything else Perry has written pales in comparison. His "Butcher's Boy", which this is the sequel to, was very good as well. I only hope that a third installment is coming. In the hands of the right director this book could make a great movie.