RaveThe Washington PostShowcases [Herron\'s] unique perspective on spycraft and skill in creating complicated, empathetic characters ... Showcases the series’ best qualities ... The dialogue between its inhabitants is still biting ... The novel’s cast of characters is wide, but written with a surety that renders each unique ... Herron’s prose remains memorably unique among his peers, despite his occasional tendency toward overindulgence ... But more often than not, the writing sparkles ... It’s a quirk and a gift that the author can tell such somber, unsettling stories so sprightly.
PositiveThe Washington PostAn irresistible setup, and Jackson...is talented enough to keep readers invested beyond the premise. The novel’s biggest draw is the voice of its complicated, dying protagonist ... At times, Jet’s attitude strains credulity ... Readers may find Jet’s nihilism exasperating, and the constant dad-joke-level quips about her impending death...don’t help ... Jet is such a powerful figure, and Jackson imbues her with such a forceful personality, that she yanks attention away from other characters ... Some readers may be drawn to Jet’s individualism and even find it empowering. And, to Jackson’s credit, as Jet’s health worsens, her resolution and determination are credibly shaken ... Even those readers who don’t find themselves won over by Jet during these last days of her life will be caught up in the mystery ... Jackson has written more than a singular character study or a captivating pitch ... A harsh but ultimately successful story.
Walter Mosley
PositiveThe Washington PostAs always with Mosley, the prose is succinct, nearly mathematical in its precise balance, with sudden moments of restless beauty ... But within that studied, memorable prose, there’s an underlying loneliness. Rawlins has his companions, but much of his torment is designed to be dealt with alone. As Farewell, Amethystine winds to its conclusion, that solitude is devastating.
Abir Mukherjee
RaveThe Washington PostA welcome alternative to the typical cops-and-robbers tale ... Plot twists are largely presented without the strain of incredulity, the suspense is always weighted with emotion, surprising revelations are carefully constructed — and the ending is unexpected, daring and truly beautiful.
