 |
|
|
|
|
Reviews of Stormy
Weather |
|
Stormy
Weather was named one of the Best Books of 2001 by the
Los Angeles Times and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
"I can't think of another writer who so clearly delineates
the inner workings of the police department and its often
devious ways of carrying out its mission "To Protect
and to Serve." ...Woods is equally on point in crafting
an intriguing mystery involving the death of an elderly
African American filmmaker." – Dick Lochte, Los Angeles
Times
"Film (and music) buffs will be intrigued, black film
(and music) buffs will be enchanted by the chitchat of Justice
family reunions and by the way in which Woods uses films
and songs as metaphors. ...Woods, who writes an enticing
story, sneaks in...issues more discreetly than she reels
off movies, but they document the time and place. For the
better." – Eugen Weber, Los Angeles Times
"While Charlotte Justice makes for an admirably complex
heroine, always serious and ambitious in her approach to
her law-enforcement career, what really lies at the heart
of Woods's books (and gives them their complexity) is the
relationship between Charlotte and the large, embracing
clan to which she belongs." – Otto Penzler, Amazon.com's
"Penzler's Picks for March 0101"
"...Woods offers us thought-provoking insight into black
Hollywood. ...this is a solid and satisfyingly complex police
procedural and Woods has clearly done her homework." (4
Stars) Lev Raphael, Detroit Free Press
"The fast-paced "Stormy Weather" has Detective Justice looking
into the demise of a pioneer African-American filmmaker
and community activist. ...The family banter and office
politics balance nicely with the sleuthing and social commentary
in this charming but pointed police procedural." – Tom Nolan,
The Wall Street Journal
"powerful follow-up to Paula L. Woods' award-winning debut,
"Inner City Blues." ...In the aftermath of the
Rodney King trial, when everyone in L.A. is edgy, Justice
investigates the death of a legendary black film director.
Along the way, Justice's wry voice leads us through various
strata of African-American urban culture and on a skillful
crash course in black film history." – Adam Woog, The
Seattle Times
"The suspicious death of respected black film director Maynard
Duncan, a pioneer in his field, stirs up passions throughout
the minority community's upper-middle-class enclaves in
Woods's intriguing take on Old Hollywood from the African
American perspective. ...Woods explores the discrimination
and exploitation of an earlier time and how they have evolved,
as well as their long-lasting influences into the present
in this savvy glimpse behind the celluloid curtain through
the eyes of one very determined young woman." – Publishers
Weekly
"Following the celebrated "Inner City Blues" (1999), Woods
delivers another gripping adventure in the conflicted life
of black LAPD detective Charlotte Justice. In the first
novel, Woods drew on recent Los Angeles history, setting
her story during the Rodney King riots; here she moves to
a more distant L.A., as Justice investigates the death of
a trailblazing African American movie director. Justice
has her own family ties to the movie industry, which makes
her all the more committed to solving the murder of director
Maynard Duncan, whose closet is full of secrets, both professional
and personal. Complicating matters is Justice's conflict
with her supervisor, who expects sexual favors from his
female detectives. Woods masterfully juggles all her plot
elements, seamlessly incorporating the riveting historical
material on blacks in Hollywood with an all-too-contemporary
story of wrongdoing within the LAPD. There are lots of fine
procedurals on the market today, but this one has the added
attraction of pitting a black female, committed to being
a good cop, against a department infamous for its poor treatment
of minorities." – Booklist
"Black Hollywood, from its early days to the present, with
glitter and tarnish, prejudice and networking, and a heroine
with guarded heart and smash-mouth nerve." – Kirkus Reviews
"Los Angeles is an extremely segregated city. Woods does
an excellent job of showing this, as well as bringing to
life some very interesting characters. Color and ethnicity
just add another layer to the story. ...I'll be watching
for the next one..." – Barbara Franchi, About.com
"LAPD homicide detective Charlotte Justice is the kind
of courageous, intelligent character you'd love to know
in real life. In "Stormy Weather," her sharp observations
bring the reader a new awareness of Los Angeles and its
history. You'll soon add Paula Woods name to the list
of mystery writers whose future works you eagerly await."
– Jan Burke, Edgar-winning author of BONES and FLIGHT
"W is for Woods, and Paula Woods gives Sue Grafton
a run for her money with this terrific mystery. Stormy Weather
keeps it exciting, and keeps it real."– James Patterson,
author of the Alex Cross series and 1ST TO DIE
"Paula Woods is writing some of the best crime fiction
in the business. She writes about forgotten people,
and forgotten history, and a side of L.A. that most of us
never see. Above all, she tells a great story and
keeps you hooked until the very end." – Steve Hamilton,
author of the Edgar-wiining A COLD DAY IN PARADISE and THE
HUNTING WIND
"With Stormy Weather, Paula L. Woods gives us a worthy
follow-up to "Inner City Blues." "Stormy Weather"
is both a great crime novel and a fascinating peek at the
myriad roles African Americans played in old Hollywood.
The idealistic, yet very human, Charlotte Justice and her
loving family are rich characters you won't forget."
– Sujata Massey, author of THE SALARYMAN'S WIFE and ZEN
ATTITUDE
"Stormy Weather, the second novel in Paula Woods's
excellent series, offers up a heady mix of LAPD politics
and detection and a finely-paced plot that just zips along.
Detective Charlotte Justice gets better with each outing,
and the supporting characters—from the loathsome Steve Firestone
to the victim's family—are sharply drawn. This book should
win the author many new fans." – Peter Robinson, author
of COLD IS THE GRAVE and IN A DRY SEASON
"In Stormy Weather, Paula Woods has written a first
rate mystery, a terrific, engrossing, fast paced novel which
at its heart tackles subjects seldom written about in that
tumultuous melting pot that is Los Angeles (old, black Hollywood,
police corruption, racial tensions between Latinos and blacks,
etc.). Paula Woods is a smart, savvy writer who has delivered
a definite page turner, a worthy sequel. A word of caution
to prospective readers who expect a full night's sleep:
don't begin reading this book at bedtime, for you won't
put it down until you've finished!" – Carolina Garcia
Aguilera, author of HAVANA HEAT and BITTER SUGAR |
|
|
|