Pipsqueak
By Brian M. Wiprud

Paperback - 320 pages
Dell - June 1, 2004

Started: September 23, 2004
Finished: October 2, 2004

This book, for me, was a classic example of false expectations ruining what otherwise would have been a fairly enjoyable novel. The two blubs on the cover (from Harlan Coben and Publisher Weekly) led me to believe that this book would be somewhere along the lines of a Carl Hiassen or Ben Rehder novel. But while the plot is a bit off-the-wall, the characters themselves are pretty normal and the resulting mix is more a standard mystery than anything particularly "demented" or "wild."

And the crux of the matter is, had I not gone into the novel thinking it would be something it wasn't, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Instead, based on the descriptions, I kept waiting for the twist that would make it into something it was never intended to be and thus was distracted from appreciating the story for what it was. I guess as I reader, I should have know better...never judge a book by it's cover.

If you like mysteries with a likeable amatuer detective, supported by a cast of interesting sidekicks, and a plot that is a little out of the ordinary, then you'll probably like this first outing by Wiprud. But if you're expecting something a little more outlandish and biting, then look elsewhere.