Book Review: Harry's Last Tax Cut

Harry's Last Tax Cut

by Jim Weikart

I came across this book when I ran a report for items in my library that have never circulated. We use them for a special Lonely Hearts Book Club segment on the library radio show, The All the Books Show. We take a look at the books and try to figure out why they haven't circulated. You can find the full episode about this here. 

This one has a goofy 90s cover that looks like a Biblical tract and is about a tax specialist who is also an amateur detective. I started reading samples and it just cracked me up. I was hooked. So I decided to sit down and read it cover to cover. 

It is the second, and last, of the the Jay Jensen mysteries, a sequel to Casualty Loss. I haven't read that but was able to keep up. The premise is that Jay Jensen and his bisexual business partner, Carol, get caught up in a tax related prostitution and murder scandal. Jay is the guardian of his nephew and niece whom he "inherited" after his brother's death. (Now, I think 'inherited' is a weird term to use, but it only adds to the charm.)

Jay makes dumb mistakes and falls in love while stumbling through an open murder investigation of an almost-business partner named Harry Sage. Harry had a mistress and his wife is in a cult, but don't worry about it. Meanwhile, Carol has fallen for the same woman as Jay (this happens instantaneously and irrevocably for both characters) adding hurt feelings and awkward conversations to a situation that is already beyond the job description of your typical enrolled-agent. (I don't know what that means either.) Jay Jensen makes his way through this twisty mystery meeting colorful characters such as the Johnsons, Judy, Jackie, Jennifer, Julia and Judith (different from Judy). Also, there's a Cheryl to go with the aforementioned Carol, but I'm getting bogged down. I think Jay sums it up best, "I seem to attract more than my share of trouble - tax trouble, that is."

Was this a mess? You betcha. Were mistakes made? Most certainly. Did it result in an intriguing mystery that kept me guessing the whole time? The answer is yes. Will I be reading book one? You know that I will. I think you should too. 

Also, at one point an embittered prostitute spits a human finger in someones face and that person then clumsily tosses it into a river. 

You're welcome.

Book Review: Dear Justice League

Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop
Junior Level Graphic Novel
**
I was excited to get a preview copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I'd heard about it at the ALA conference and thought the idea sounded fun.  Basically, kids text questions to their favorite superheroes and actually get answers.
The concept is clever and I really enjoyed the look of the book.  The character designs stayed true to the source material but still felt modern and fun. Unfortunately, I don't think the formula for the stories really worked. I found the book to be a little repetitive and dull.
The individual sections don't really work as stories because they are always working towards answering a pretty weak question.  This is where I feel it really misses the mark.  I assumed when I heard the format that this would be something that was fun and helpful for kids.  Why not ask real questions that kids are concerned with: how to fit in, how to deal with bad news, etc.  Instead we get things like does Aquaman smell like fish. That might have worked as a funny one thrown in, but unfortunately it isn't funny.  Ultimately, I think this struggles to find a tone.  I know what reading level it is, but I have no ideas on what audience it's for.