Gold Comes In Bricks by A.A. Fair
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After finishing this entry in the Cool & Lam series, i wish Gardner had done more stories with just Cool.

This is a hugely convoluted tale that goes beyond reason. Gardner is trying so hard to be clever that he pulls apart the aspects of a good story along the way – again. Overall, the basic plot and solution are worthy. How Gardener get there is just ridiculous. Trying to throw the reader off with a secondary plot element that is overly written and so obviously a MaGuffin, is a disappointing act of Gardner’s.

Gardner also writes the novel as if the police force has shut down and taken a vacation. Law enforcement had lots of cause for pulling people in for questioning through out the book, but are not to be found until the end of the book. I hate it when a writer of this caliper writes like the readers are fools.

The characters lack definition and a few are so similar, at one point, I got them mixed up. Settings are simply detailed.

The highlight of the book is a trip to an old mining area, where Gardner shows energy with a well written setting, characters and a very good simple telling of the history of prospecting gold out west.

However, that shiny moment doesn’t save the book for me.

Bottom line: I don’t recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.

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