Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Don Winslow


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Cover art for THE KINGS OF COOL
FICTION
Released: June 19, 2012

"The only blemish in the blood bath is the pretense, late on in the proceedings, that Chon and O are learning something important about their fathers. Sorry, gang, but you're in the wrong pew."
Winslow offers a prequel for his drug-war epic Savages (2010). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GENTLEMEN'S HOUR
FICTION
Released: Aug. 2, 2011

The Southern California kingpin of the surf-and-drugs thriller should extend his popular domain with this novel. Read full book review >
Cover art for SATORI
FICTION
Released: March 3, 2011

"Perfect for Shibumi fans and anyone else who likes their espionage over the top."
In this homage to Trevanian's cult classic Shibumi (1979), Winslow (Savages, 2010, etc.) fills in some of Trevanian's main character's back story. Read full book review >
Cover art for SAVAGES
FICTION
Released: July 1, 2010

"Graphic proof, if you needed it, that "you can't make peace with savages.""
Winslow (The Dawn Patrol, 2008, etc.) turns a drug war into staccato serio-comedy that restricts the police to supporting roles. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WINTER OF FRANKIE MACHINE
FICTION
Released: Oct. 4, 2006

"A sprawling, anecdotal saga in which the whole, as usual with Winslow (The Power of the Dog, 2005, etc.), is less than the sum of its parts."
Violent scenes from the life of a West Coast wiseguy who's spent his whole life yearning for the simple things. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE POWER OF THE DOG
FICTION
Released: May 1, 2005

"Winslow's most ambitious yet, though its irony and pathos work better in individual episodes than across the whole broad historical canvas."
A sprawling, old-fashioned saga focuses 25 years of Mexico's violent drug history through the interlocking loyalties, obsessions and vendettas of a DEA agent, a drug lord, a courtesan and a killer-for-hire. Read full book review >
Cover art for CALIFORNIA FIRE AND LIFE
FICTION
Released: July 8, 1999

"The whole story reads like a house afire—a real barn-burner. (First printing of 60,000)"
Whether you're new to arson-fraud fiction or an old fan, this burn-by-burn account—think Double Indemnity in flames—could be the only novel on the subject you'll ever need. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DEATH AND LIFE OF BOBBY Z
FICTION
Released: May 6, 1997

"Fast and funny—natural fodder for a summer movie—even if Tim's beautifully choreographed escapes involve miracles of good luck and repetition. (First printing of 100,000; film rights to Warner Brothers; author tour; radio satellite tour)"
 A deal that a lifer cuts to impersonate a legendary drug dealer as his ticket out of prison turns him into a clay pigeon for the dealer's connections, the DEA, the Hell's Angels, and assorted freelancers. Read full book review >
Cover art for A LONG WALK UP THE WATER SLIDE
FICTION
Released: Nov. 18, 1994

"It's great to see Neal taking a break from his M.A. thesis on that stinker Smollett without getting all hung up for a change."
 A change of pace for Neal Carey, who's been petulantly hunting down people for the Friends of the Family (Way Down on the High Lonely, 1993, etc.). Read full book review >