... by far [Maleeny's] smartest and best novel to date ... Maleeny provides a bit of a San Francisco travelogue, as well as some fascinating information about octopuses. Actually, you’ll never look at an octopus the same way again after reading this book…or, for that matter, deep fryers, Russian nesting dolls or any number of things. It’s a fabulous read, one that goes from fun to engrossing to enthralling over the course of a complex but well-explained mystery with a satisfying though bittersweet ending ... a great mystery novel, but it is also terrific literature. One cannot read it without appreciating how sharp a writer Maleeny is, from his similes and metaphors to the manner in which he keeps the narrative moving from the end of one chapter to the beginning of the next, connecting seemingly disparate themes and subjects in a way that demands you keep reading. Welcome back, Tim. And please don’t make us wait so long for the next one.
Serious mysteries written with a light touch, the Cape Weathers novels have a Carl Hiaasen feel to them, despite being set on the other side of the country from Hiaasen’s Florida.
... zany ... Maleeny provides some fast-paced, cheeky fun, along with a splash of social consciousness. Readers will hope they won’t have to wait 11 years for the next installment.
