4 thoughts on “In The Spotlight: Howard Engel’s A City Called July”
This sounds good! I like books that fall into that space between cosy and grim, roughly where I think a lot of vintage crime sits. And pre-internet always makes for a more interesting investigation, in my dinosaurish view of the world. A likeable detective is always a bonus!
You make a good point, FictionFan, that a lot of vintage crime fiction is in that space. In that sense, I suppose you could call this a traditional-style novel. I have to admit, I like it, too, when a novel is neither really grim nor too light. And it is interesting to see how Cooperman goes about finding out answers in the days before you could just search Google! He is likeable, too, I think. If you read this one, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
Thanks for this overview for A City Called July. I have read the first three Benny Cooperman books and enjoyed them. You know I always enjoy at Canadian location, and I also like learning about different religious beliefs and observances. I have this book and book 4 in an ebook edition so I should put them on my list to read in 2023.
I’m glad you had the chance to read the first Benny Cooperman novels, Tracy. I like Benny Cooperman’s character, and I like it that the stories aren’t too ‘frothy’ – they’re certainly not what I’d call too light. At the same time, though, they’re not gory or bleak. It’s a solid balance, I think. And I agree about Canadian locations – I like them, too. It is interesting, too, to learn about the way different people observe religion.
Crime Writer Margot Kinberg 
This sounds good! I like books that fall into that space between cosy and grim, roughly where I think a lot of vintage crime sits. And pre-internet always makes for a more interesting investigation, in my dinosaurish view of the world. A likeable detective is always a bonus!
LikeLike
You make a good point, FictionFan, that a lot of vintage crime fiction is in that space. In that sense, I suppose you could call this a traditional-style novel. I have to admit, I like it, too, when a novel is neither really grim nor too light. And it is interesting to see how Cooperman goes about finding out answers in the days before you could just search Google! He is likeable, too, I think. If you read this one, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this overview for A City Called July. I have read the first three Benny Cooperman books and enjoyed them. You know I always enjoy at Canadian location, and I also like learning about different religious beliefs and observances. I have this book and book 4 in an ebook edition so I should put them on my list to read in 2023.
LikeLike
I’m glad you had the chance to read the first Benny Cooperman novels, Tracy. I like Benny Cooperman’s character, and I like it that the stories aren’t too ‘frothy’ – they’re certainly not what I’d call too light. At the same time, though, they’re not gory or bleak. It’s a solid balance, I think. And I agree about Canadian locations – I like them, too. It is interesting, too, to learn about the way different people observe religion.
LikeLike