Review: Plugged
Daniel McEvoy is a bouncer at a “hostess” club when one of the “hostesses” is murdered and he becomes the prime suspect. Daniel is friends with Zeb Kronski, a doctor wannabe who doesn’t let the fact that he doesn’t have a degree keep him from treating patients – as a matter of fact, he’s just transplanted some hair plugs for Daniel.
Daniel thinks he knows who’s responsible for the murder and decides to try to solve it himself. In the meantime, Zeb has gone missing and Daniel needs to find him so he can finish his hair plugs. Things get crazy and Daniel finds himself pursued by the cops and the mob.
I had high hopes for Plugged, by Eoin Colfer, but it was just okay for me. The plot seemed to get crazier and crazier as the book went along and after a while, it became a little too far-fetched for me. The twists and turns in this book were just a little too wild for me and I had trouble suspending disbelief after a while. I found it a little silly at times and never really connected with Daniel.
I did appreciate the double meaning of the title and found some humorous moments in the book. I listened to the audio version which is narrated by John Keating. His Irish brogue is fabulous and it was probably the highlight of the book for me. The audio version is on seven CDs and lasts about eight and a half hours. There is some language and violence in this book that may offend some people. As an aside, the synopsis on the back of the audio box uses the wrong name for the protagonist. Others have liked this more than I have, so this may be for you if you like mysteries with a comedic bent. Here’s a taste of what the audio’s like:
Hmmmm. I’m sorry you were disappointed. I’m not sure it would be for me either.
I loved his middle reader series about Artemis Fowl so I had high hopes for this. I might just skip this though. The audio sample is not grabbing my interest — but LOVE the accent. LOL.
I love listening to books read with accents. I think an Irish accent can make anything more fun!
I don’t like escalating weirdness for the sake of weirdness, and so I probably wouldn’t enjoy this one all that much. From the description, it seems like it would fit me well, but after reading your reactions to it, I am sure that I most likely would have had issues with it. Great review, Kathy!
I had the same reaction to this book. I read it because I love his Artemis Fowl series, but I didn’t enjoy it. It seemed like it had three endings, but when it didn’t end at one of them, then weirdness upped more. I think I should just stick with his fantasy series.
I find that there are a number of these books with crazier and crazier plots…sometimes they work, but other times they don’t.
Lol, now I just want it cos of the accent
I know you should not judge a book by its cover but this one is sort of off setting…thank you always for your honest and lovely reviews.
Maybe he better stay with middle school audience!!
Hmmmm, I was planning to listen to this one soon. Maybe I’ll like it better than you did!
Great, honest review! The brogue is charming.
Don’t think this one is for me, though I did chuckle when I first read hair plugs.
Probably a pass for me too…
It doesn’t sound like it would be my cup of tea, but I do like the title!
What the heck is a “hostess” club? I guess I’m out of it!
This might have a few too many twists and turns for me but I’m sure the right kind of reader would enjoy it!
I tried this one, and gave up after only a few chapters. It just wasn’t for me.
I don’t like it if they are too far-fetched. But the hair plugs plotline made me laugh!
The synopsis lists the wrong name for the protagonist?! Alarms bells are going off already.
It’s funny that the reader’s brogue was a highlight of the book for you – I’m listening to a book now that I’m struggling to get past the reader’s “reedy” voice. The audio reader/narrator can really make or break the experience.
I like the premise of the story. Too bad it didn’t follow through.