Cover Image: The Maze

The Maze

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Member Reviews

Nelson Camille has written some of my favorite books and while I've enjoyed his John Corey character in the past, this one just didn't cut it. I could not get into and didn't even want to waste my time finishing it. I think I'm done with this series but may read future books by this author. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a galley of this book for review.

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Thank you for the advance of this title. It’s been a while since I read a john Corey. I was able to put the misogyny aside for the suspense and I found the novel to be a fast read. Although the characters weren’t as likable as I’d remembered ( John and Beth) I was glad to see them together again. Fast paced and a page turned. A bit predictable at times. Love the setting out east and the shout out to some favorite local spots.

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I have always enjoyed this writer's work, and was certainly not disappointed this time. I do have to admit that the intro regarding his new love talking the hero into this adventure was getting a bit tedious, but just as I was ready to quit, the story took off and I was up til 3 AM to finish.

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I was disappointed in the new Nelson DemIlle novel, "The Maze". I found it predictable, almost silly at times and not much different from the last one of his I read. I got through the first third and then skimmed the remainder because I lost interest. Hoping the next one in the series will be better.

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This is the 4th 'John Corey' story that I've read (& the 8th that DeMille has written).......& while it has been a while since I've read in the series.....I don't remember the hero of the story being so caustic. While some of the humor drew a audible chuckle, more of it was not that funny at all. I just didn't feel the 'thriller' aspect of past Nelson DeMille books, which I really enjoyed......this one felt a couple steps down from his usual output....I gave 3 stars, but probably could've gone with 2.......as I actually finished 2 other books while reading this one... I was able to put the book down & opt for another. I think I wanted to like this book more than I actually did, just because of my past history of liking DeMille's works. I'd probably read the next 'John Corey' book, but if it continues in this vein ....I'll probably be done. I guess, all in all, it was ok read....but not up to normal N. DeMille standards.....in my opinion! (I did like the Acknowledgements & Author's Note at the end where he addresses the naming of his characters.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I did receive a free ARC from publisher Scribner via NetGalley, in return for reading & posting my own fair & honest review. These are my own opinions.

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If you like police procedural books, then you will probably like this one. I thought it was a good sequel, but not a great standalone. I do think there were a lot of moments that were definitely not PC, so content warnings are important.

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I haven't read any part of this series, and after reading this book I don't want to read any more of it.

This book was excruciating to get through. John Corey was absolutely horrid, and I could not stand any part of him. I also couldn't stand the repetition of his big plan and how full of himself he was. I get that he's a big bad cop and he's famous for the things he has done but I don't need to hear about it every other word. Nor do I need to read him constantly mentioning himself in the third person.

I have seen mixed reviews from readers who have actually read the previous books in this series and how they can't stomach this one either. That has to say something about where this series is going and I'm neither interested in going back no forward with it.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Unfortunately this is not one that I recommend.

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I’ve read all of Nelson DeMille’s books, and I likedd them, especially the John Corey books. However, in this book it seems like Corey and the other male characters have gone back to a time where sexist and misogynistic language was accepted and considered humorous.

The language really crossed the line unfortunately, and it detracted from the plot. 3 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

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This is the 8th book in the John Corey series and I think people will either love it or hate it. There isn't going to be much in between here. This series started long ago and though times have changed, John Corey has not. I liked that about the book. He is still a self loving, egotistical, arrogant, misogynist, who always get the girl! Some people have complained that the author didn't make the MC change with the times, but I am glad he stayed true to the character. I thought the inner dialogue, though funny, was a little too much with this one. I also thought it started slower than most of DeMille's books. I felt like I was reading for a long time before anything happened. The last half though was great! It was fast paced, racey and full of tense action. I love that he was reunited with Beth, while of course having other temptations pulling his attention. I am a fan of the series and will continue to read them as long as they are written, but beware if this type of character triggers you.

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A n interesting story with a unconventional PI. The characters are little over the top but interesting with lots of twists and surprises.

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This book was a great read. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to seeing the next installment in the series. Some of the book was predicable but I got lost in the world that Nelson DeMille created . This book is crass in some parts so if locker room banter and comments offend you please stay away.

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Yikes! It has been a long time since I have read Nelson Demille, and I was not super happy with this novel. The tone felt off, lots of misogyny undertones, and just way too off beat humor that I didn't think was funny.

Plum Island was a fave of mine years ago, and I was so happy to dive back into this world. I left feeling quite disappointed and this was almost a DNF for me.

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John Corey cannot succeed at retiring. He fails his latest attempt when he is called into service to join a Private Investigation agency that may be doing much more than investigating. Corruption, murders of sex workers, embezzlement - it's all possible, if only Corey can go undercover deeply enough to investigate them and find out the extent of the company's illegal activities. A quick read with Corey's usual wit and "charming" quips will draw DeMille readers in once again for a wild ride.

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The protagonist of this book is someone I would never want to associate with. And, the situations he responds to are a little too unrealistic to stomach. While the writing is good, the story and the characters are not.

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The Maze: A John Corey Novel, Nelson DeMille, Scott Brick, narrator
Although it is based on a true event, a multiple murder mystery with a suspected serial killer who may or may not have worked alone. it is filled with a good deal of humor and light dialogue between characters. However, halfway through, the humor grows tiresome as it is always of the same vulgar variety, the dialogue grows more hackneyed and meaningless, and the facts of the murder remain unchanged since they are well known and based on the Gilgo Beach Murders. In short, the plot never seems to grow from page one, and by the time the reader is a little more than half way through, the only thing that has been entertaining is the same type of narrative which promotes erotic moments and trivial conversation leading nowhere.
Yes, the reader learns that law enforcement is corrupt, made mistakes and lies down with the dogs of crime, therefore stands up covered with their fleas. These facts are already well known as any who have researched the Gilgo Beach Murders will know. In the book, based on the serial killer of that time, John Corey, retired and somewhat semi-disgraced hero who has served in several branches of law enforcement in the private and public sector, continues to be a happy-go-lucky, danger-driven man who seems preoccupied by his couplings with women. The women he is involved with also seem preoccupied with him. After several marriages and one divorce with another pending, he re-engages with a former girlfriend he dumped to marry wife number two, and begins to live in her house on the North fork of Long Island where his Uncle Harry also lives on a waterfront property, and he has kindly lent him his home to use on other occasions. He uses it to chill out from his real life experiences that challenge his very existence.
His former girlfriend, Beth Primrose is in law enforcement, and she manipulates him quite well, drawn as he is to females, until he too is back in the business, working as a PI for a rather questionable organization called Security Solutions, unknowingly at first, searching for a possible serial killer responsible for the deaths of several recently discovered murder victims, all women, all in the field of prostitution or related somehow to them. Security Solutions and the local Sheriff is suspected of being involved with the drug market, sex trafficking and worse, like the murder of these, at first, unknown women whose bodies were badly decomposed. This information is learned early on, and then, for more than 200 pages, nothing further is really learned, although suspicions of wrongdoing are more and more confirmed. The concentration on sexual references and the abundance of raunchy responses simply made the book feel less serious than it should have and impossible for me to continue. It seemed to have lost its purpose. Since it is about an unsolved murder, I knew from the get-go that I would learn little, but I hoped for a more literary book from such a reputable writer. It seems he has joined the woke generation in an attempt to attract attention with too much titillating sex, violence and filthy language.
When I closed the book for the final time, fed up with the sexual banter that no longer seemed funny, I hoped that Beth and he would find happiness, that his estranged wife would re-unite with her lover, and the people at Security Solutions, that represented the murderers, would get their just desserts. Using people as they did, everyone playing someone else, without regard for human dignity or decency should not go unpunished. If everyone has a purchase price, our system is doomed. I hope that soon a book will be written about those who cannot be bought for any price, a book that offers hope for a better world, with better citizens who are not so amoral, but rather are educated and honorable. The murders were reprehensible, and I hope someday they will be solved and those involved will be brought to justice, one way or another, since the FBI is currently investigating new leads that have developed in Alabama.

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Another fun Nelson DeMille. He's lost none of his charm. Back on the island doing his thing. A enjoyable read.
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Nelson DeMille perfection as always. John Corey is his typical cynical self. I love this character. He has me cracking up from start to finish. It truly makes reading a murder mystery full of suspense 100% better, and I love murder, suspense! And reading what’s going on in his head is priceless, he’s so full of himself and I love that too! It doesn’t get any better. A definite must read. Book provided by NetGalley.

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While I've always loved Nelson DeMille and was eager to read this, I was disappointed. John Corey is a great character but this story felt stale and forced.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

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DNF 42%
This is the first book I have read in this series and the first by this author. Unfortunately, this isn't for me. I don't think I am the right audience for to appreciate this main character. I am not connecting with him nor do I particularly like him or his inner thoughts. There are a lot of women in his life that I wasn't interested in learning about..

I appreciate the free copy I received from Netgalley with no obligation to review it.

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Hard boiled detective noir. Many loves and passions of former police detective. Undercover plots and former mean colleagues who now are in the private eye business. One day a week all out party, men only with special ladies and lots of alcohol. Contains many elements of paranoia and distrust. Action scenes and foreigners looking for revenge. All along a romance with a former lady and references to several previous marriages. The title Maze physically comes in toward the end. Although one could describe the plot as a maze. Ok read, not overly taxing.

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