Review of For Your Benefit
Posted: 17 Sep 2024, 02:39
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "For Your Benefit" by Patrick Canning.]
Are you looking for a detective story with a humorous and satirical touch? If so, 'For Your Benefit' by Patrick Canning would be a great choice. The book revolves around the Lint brothers, Teddy and Ralph, who operate a detective agency in a Los Angeles strip mall. Teddy, the kind-hearted private investigator, strongly believes in empathy and love, which shine throughout the story. In contrast, Ralph relies on physical strength when confronted with trouble. Together, they complement each other well. Their secretary, Ms. Irma Beauchamp, is known for her meticulous perfectionism and skill in data searching. When the story begins, a mystery man named Mr. Woodbine visits them and claims to be from the CIA. He presents them with a peculiar case and asks for their help in locating a long-lost shipping container containing radioactive Agent Orange. He warns them that someone is planning to commit mass murder using the dangerous chemicals. The brothers take on the case, starting a peculiar investigation. Their search for clues leads them to a bizarre artist collective, a strange government reform group led by women with guns, and a weird and powerful advertising agency. Along the way, they are reconciled with Andie, their long-lost sister. They also discover mysterious propaganda, an invisible government that seems to be ruling the world. This book is full of strange happenings and satirical humor that adds to the interest in reading.
The detective brothers are not your normal detectives. They are quite unique, and their backstory will touch your heart. The character of Teddy seems too good to be true. He has a lot of empathy, which is much needed in today's world. He is always ready to help whenever and wherever he can. I am inspired by his character and hope to learn from his empathy. I also enjoyed the portrayal of Ms. Beauchamp. Her lively character is delightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her scenes. All the characters are well-written and fit well into the story. Many characters such as Dan Karr, Blue Joe, Big Sue, Mario, Ousmane Ba, and Pipp are interesting.
The plot is captivating, and the pacing is good. I absolutely loved the author's whimsical and quirky writing style. His descriptions are exceptional. In some places, the author breaks the fourth wall and interacts with the readers. Most of the story happens in a week, and each chapter represents a day with subchapters inside. Each chapter begins with a quote by Edward Bernays, and the story revolves around the theme of propaganda written by him. The story becomes increasingly strange in many places, but the author's skillful writing makes it an enjoyable read. I'm eager to explore other books by this author. I was captivated by the bizarre first chapter, and it was a wild ride from there. I was drawn to the book cover, and after reading the blurb, I decided to pick up the book. The beginning was a bit slow, but the author laid the groundwork for an engaging second half. The ending left me eager for more, and I'm hoping for a sequel.
I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and fans of detective novels who enjoy strange situations, whimsical characters, and quirky comedy. However, please note that this book contains some profanity and content that may not be suitable for young readers. The editing was well done, but I did come across a few mistakes. Overall, I didn't dislike anything about this book, so I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
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For Your Benefit
View: on Bookshelves
Are you looking for a detective story with a humorous and satirical touch? If so, 'For Your Benefit' by Patrick Canning would be a great choice. The book revolves around the Lint brothers, Teddy and Ralph, who operate a detective agency in a Los Angeles strip mall. Teddy, the kind-hearted private investigator, strongly believes in empathy and love, which shine throughout the story. In contrast, Ralph relies on physical strength when confronted with trouble. Together, they complement each other well. Their secretary, Ms. Irma Beauchamp, is known for her meticulous perfectionism and skill in data searching. When the story begins, a mystery man named Mr. Woodbine visits them and claims to be from the CIA. He presents them with a peculiar case and asks for their help in locating a long-lost shipping container containing radioactive Agent Orange. He warns them that someone is planning to commit mass murder using the dangerous chemicals. The brothers take on the case, starting a peculiar investigation. Their search for clues leads them to a bizarre artist collective, a strange government reform group led by women with guns, and a weird and powerful advertising agency. Along the way, they are reconciled with Andie, their long-lost sister. They also discover mysterious propaganda, an invisible government that seems to be ruling the world. This book is full of strange happenings and satirical humor that adds to the interest in reading.
The detective brothers are not your normal detectives. They are quite unique, and their backstory will touch your heart. The character of Teddy seems too good to be true. He has a lot of empathy, which is much needed in today's world. He is always ready to help whenever and wherever he can. I am inspired by his character and hope to learn from his empathy. I also enjoyed the portrayal of Ms. Beauchamp. Her lively character is delightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her scenes. All the characters are well-written and fit well into the story. Many characters such as Dan Karr, Blue Joe, Big Sue, Mario, Ousmane Ba, and Pipp are interesting.
The plot is captivating, and the pacing is good. I absolutely loved the author's whimsical and quirky writing style. His descriptions are exceptional. In some places, the author breaks the fourth wall and interacts with the readers. Most of the story happens in a week, and each chapter represents a day with subchapters inside. Each chapter begins with a quote by Edward Bernays, and the story revolves around the theme of propaganda written by him. The story becomes increasingly strange in many places, but the author's skillful writing makes it an enjoyable read. I'm eager to explore other books by this author. I was captivated by the bizarre first chapter, and it was a wild ride from there. I was drawn to the book cover, and after reading the blurb, I decided to pick up the book. The beginning was a bit slow, but the author laid the groundwork for an engaging second half. The ending left me eager for more, and I'm hoping for a sequel.
I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and fans of detective novels who enjoy strange situations, whimsical characters, and quirky comedy. However, please note that this book contains some profanity and content that may not be suitable for young readers. The editing was well done, but I did come across a few mistakes. Overall, I didn't dislike anything about this book, so I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
******
For Your Benefit
View: on Bookshelves