BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Blood & Mascara, by Colin Krainin, from pulplit /NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

It took everything I had in me to make it to *p58* of this book before I oh-so-happily quit reading it.

Why I thought I would enjoy a noir mystery at this late stage of the game is completely beyond me. Even rereading the Description, now, I’m baffled as to why I downloaded this one. Maybe because of the time period and the setting? Who knows.

Sigh.

OK, didn’t like any of the characters, didn’t like the Oh, Please, Watch Me Be So Erudite style of writing, didn’t like what seemed to me to be a slightly “off” focus on sexuality/the human animal. Couldn’t empathize with anybody’s particular angst.

But, in the category of one person’s trash is another one’s treasure, seems like most of those things were what a certain Chris C liked about the book. Here’s a link to her review, which I’m including because it’s essentially the antithesis of mine: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

*PS*
I long ago gave up trying to finish every book I read. Instead, I follow my friend F’s rule of thumb to give a book at least to the page number of your age before you quit. Sometimes, if I’m really on the fence, I’ll go a quarter- or half-again as long as that. Not this time, obviously!

DESCRIPTION
Iris is watching Bronze.

Bronze is following Carolyn.

Carolyn is sleeping with Billy.

Now Billy is dead and a killer is coming for them all.

Washington, DC, 1997:

A city stumbling toward recovery after a decade of violence, drugs, AIDS, and exodus. Bronze Goldberg—a soft-boiled private detective in a hard-boiled world—scrapes out a living stalking the steps of cheating spouses while bearing the trauma of the past like an open wound. But his latest assignment, surveilling the indiscretions of a stunning femme fatale, has entangled him in the murder of an up-and-coming congressman and made him the target of an unstoppable assassin. Meanwhile, the spiraling chaos of Bronze’s dangerous adventures has attracted the obsessive attention of his landlord, Iris Margaryan, a brilliant romance novelist who may hold the missing piece in the puzzle of Bronze’s fatal past. Can Bronze survive long enough to reach the ultimate truth?

A gripping noir mystery—both intensely provocative and darkly thrilling—Blood and Mascara descends into the depths of the human soul before exploding in an ending too shocking to ever forget.

I found this a bit all over the place and couldn't really get fully into it because of how it the story was setup.

2.5/5 rounded up to 3 stars. This book is incredibly well written but at its core very boring. The whole time I was reading, I kept asking myself "Why?". Why are we supposed to care about this mystery that Bronze has gotten involved in? That never got resolved or answered for me because even at the book's end, it didn't really feel /that/ important, even in the context of Bronze's character development.
I would be interested to read a more contemporary fiction style book or even a character study-esque type story from this author. It's clear that he has a great grasp on building complex characters who have their own unique stories, backgrounds, and thought processes but I don't think this book was the best avenue to flex that grasp.

Wow, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time! It is a well crafted plot with great character development topped off with great writing. I could really feel the tension or the emotion of the moment and reveled in the descriptive language.

It is undoubtedly a novel suited for fans of the noir genre - it has many vibes typical of classic noir films, which on the one hand makes the story intriguing and on the other hand, requires a considerable level of attention from the reader - who wants a novel that can keep them glued to the pages, offering plenty of points for reflection, issues to explore, and a fair dose of philosophical thought (but I will discuss this last point further below).
The Characters: The Joy and Pain of a Story
When I started this story, I was immediately struck by the fascinating characters, carefully described and created. I quickly imagined I had found an author capable of not only making their protagonists unique but also skillfully moving them within a structure like that of a noir book, which leaves very little room for errors and missteps.
Many scenes stick in the reader's mind due to the emotional strength and human energy the protagonists exude, which is why I found myself loving each of the characters deeply. I find that it is in the most raw scenes that these protagonists come to life and demonstrate the extraordinary ability of their creator to render them as truly living beings capable of acting according to a moral code.
At the same time, however, I found some annoying traits related to the characters. The first is the frequent reflections they engage in (which I discuss in more detail below), and the second is the fact that Iris - who is perhaps the most interesting character of the entire group - despite being the hook to open a classic noir mystery story with infiltrations of other genres to create a unique work, plays an almost marginal role. Of all the characters described here, Iris is given very little space, which would have made the text even more compelling for a reader. I had the feeling that she was an unfinished character because there were so many things that needed to be told about her, so many pages that could have been filled by keeping Iris at the center and thus satisfying the reader's desire to follow her as much as possible.
Philosophical Reflections: A Burden That Slows Things Down
My literature professor always used to say that every novel contains an element that, no matter how insignificant, has the power to either elevate the entire story to the realm of masterpieces or render it disliked by its readers.
In this case, Blood and Mascara's poor element is the philosophical digressions that the characters - especially some, like Bronze - love to indulge in at the least opportune moments. Often, just as the pace picks up and the situation is about to reach its peak… Bronze starts to reflect, bringing his past to the forefront by recounting some event that the conversation or course of events has reminded him of. This delaying effect in the narrative causes the reader to eventually tire of almost always finding the story paused and entering a whirlwind of complex, sometimes very lengthy thoughts that bring in philosophical questions of all kinds.
It's frustrating to find yourself in a situation where a potentially well-crafted novel, with a rather well-thought-out structure and an engaging plot, ends up being sabotaged by its protagonists. There were moments when I skipped parts of the text just to get out of the philosophical reflection and focus on the real flow of events.
Reflections are always interesting in a noir, but it's necessary to manage them most properly so that the story doesn't get stuck in an unmanageable situation. Delaying the impact of a bombshell is as fantastic as it is risky; it's a device that needs to be managed, anticipated, and handled with care and still shouldn't happen systematically. As interesting as it may be, this technique easily ends up tiring the readers.
Lastly, a minor annoyance is the way the story begins: the first portion of the text is almost soporific. The story unfolds slowly, with disarming calmness. Personally, this beginning wasn't overly bothersome, but I certainly would have preferred a bit more energy in the early pages. A quicker start would have certainly helped me dive into the reading more voraciously, although I realize that at least in part this slowness helped to set the atmosphere well and create that minimum suspense at the start necessary for the continuation of the story.
Blood and Mascara: Not the Best Noir
Overall, I'd call it an engaging noir, but in the broader scope of the genre, it has too many flaws to stand out. Do I recommend it? Yes, probably. After all, it's a well-written book that, once you get past the initial hurdle of the first few pages, and if you enjoy digressions and philosophical musings sprinkled throughout the text - along with a generous dose of memories - undoubtedly keeps you company.
The plot and characters certainly work in this story's favor, but that's not enough to captivate a reader or elevate it to the best noir.

"Blood and Mascara" by Colin Krainin is an electrifying plunge into a gritty noir world that absolutely nails the vibe of '90s Washington, DC. Bronze Goldberg is the kind of flawed, complex detective you can't help but root for, even as he spirals deeper into a mess of murder and betrayal. Krainin's writing is as sharp as a razor, with every twist hitting like a punch to the gut. The mix of sleaze, suspense, and the relentless search for truth makes this book impossible to put down. Plus, the added layers of Iris's obsession and Bronze's haunted past elevate the story from a simple whodunit to a dark exploration of human frailty and resilience. This is noir done right—gritty, provocative, and utterly unforgettable. 🔍🖤📖

I was attracted to Blood and Mascara by Colin Krainin by the book cover art and the fact that it was a mystery. I overlooked that it was very classic noir movie type, which I am not a fan of! My mother always said read the first 100 pages of a book before you decide if it is not for you! I would have stopped reading it, but I really wanted to know the outcome, which made this a worthwhile read. I found the book a tad dry, the pacing off but the characters were so interesting.

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am struggling with the review of this book because on one hand, there were parts that were page turning. For instance, tracking down the hired assassin and who would want to end several lives and why, were what kept me reading. And also, the incredibly flawed main character Bronze who was so traumatized by a previous investigation while on the Washington DC police force, he was scarred both physically and mentally. This lead him to seeking comfort at the bottom of a bottle and ultimately ending his police career. This aspect of Bronze would have been enough. But the author also gave his character a fixation on women and so much of the book was a regurgitation how this fixation has affected his life, his choices and how he couldn't find a way to become committed to any relationship. The long drawn out introspection got so tiresome and took away from the main storyline which I think is why I struggled to want to finish reading the book.
The cover art is really appealing and attracted my attention right away!

This was not the book for me. I picked it up because the premise was interesting, however I didn't connect with any of the characters and felt largely dissatisfied with the pacing of the story. I felt the ending was too rushed and too convenient to wrap up the main plot line.

This book gives off those old school noir mysteries and does it flawlessly. I was hooked from the very first chapter.

I found the pacing of the story to be great, and really helped build the suspense up until the very end.

I think the author did an excellent job creating a cast of eccentric character that you really feel like you get to know.

The story was incredible, and enjoyable journey. Would absolutely recommend.

I really wanted to love this book. The premise was intriguing. I am a fan of hard-boiled woman-in-peril stories, and the author is very skilled. It had many of my favorite literary conceits: a damaged and baggage-laden private eye, political corruption, murder, shifting timelines, a highly competent assassin, and a noir sensibility. However, something didn’t quite click for me. Perhaps it was the verbosity..

The book was a little slow getting going, and it took some time to get oriented. That, I don’t mind so much. If I had the option of giving 3 1/2 stars, I would. I’m rounding down because this just wasn’t a four star book to me. That being said, I would not be against trying something by this author in the future as he grows into his talent.

I am grateful to Pulp Lit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Rounding up from 3.5. Bronze Goldberg, former Baltimore investigative reporter for the Washington Post, now private detective, is looking into the murder of a congressman. Bronze is complex, self-destructive, and living with haunting past trauma yet he is appealing and I found myself rooting for him. He has the right instinct for solving complicated problems and works with his friend Mark Roth in the Police Department. The investigation leads him to many places including Washington power brokers, and, ultimately, into the crosshairs of a very adept assassin. As the story unfolds, it reveals Bronze’s history including his experience with a serial killer, relationships with the people, particularly the women in his life, and his addiction to alcohol. It is told, in part, by Bronze’s landlord, Iris.

The story takes place in the 90’s and is written in a noir style, offering up some great lines like, “For some reason he was fixated on her mascara. She hadn’t been ready for the day when he’d come to her door. But she already had heavy mascara on. There was something to it beyond mere makeup. She wore it like a badge or perhaps a battle scar.” The writing though could be distracting and interrupted the pacing, due to frequent philosophical diversions. Having said that, it was a good story with interesting characters and a good payoff. I appreciate getting an advance copy from NetGalley.

This book doesn’t succumb to what you expect in a stereotypical mystery/thriller. Such as unbelievable twists and turns or a plodding pace or stupid people making stupid decisions or lack of character development - these characters and the events taking place leap fervently off the pages and I kept wishing they were real. Ok maybe not the scary stuff but the other ones.

An interesting story, written like an old time noir. Lots of characters, to keep you on your toes, and lots going on. Danger, mystery, and darkness round out this tale from a new to me author

Thank you for the advanced copy. Blood and Mascara is an intriguing story that becomes a page turner.

Oh my gosh! This is a wonderfully written intense story that will capture you on the very first page! I fell in love with the character Bronze and hope to hear more about him in a future book! Filled with lots of twists and turns, murder and mayhem, this detailed woven story kept me on the edge of my seat and there were times I could not catch my breath! Politics, espionage, murder, secrets, this book has it all! This is a real page turner and a must must read!

Okay, so I will be honest I thought this was about vampires at first. Don't hate me, I just really love vampires.

HOWEVER!

It was a really great detective thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. The intrigue, the characters, the situation. Just. Perfect. I love the intermix of political intrigue within the story, and just how the you can't always predict how the story is headed. So, despite there being no vampires (which honestly, there could have been?), I still am really glad I got an ARC of this book. Going on the re-read pile.

Thank you NetGalley and Pulp Lit for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The blurb hooked me in, it sounded great and very interesting. Turned out to be a disappointment. Chatty to the point I skipped paragraphs and didn't miss any of the plot. The internal dialog went on forever and there was a ton of it. I never connected with the characters and that's not good.

#BloodandMascara #NetGalley #ColinKrainin #PulpLit #crime #1997

This is a slow paced story with plenty of violence. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. It’s an emotional and dark story. I tried to like it, but I just couldn’t get into it.

The first description that came to my mind when writing this review is original. Original plot, original characters and an original treatment of a story set in current times. BLOOD AND MASCARA has a noir feeling as the PI gets drawn into situations that were not planned and definitely not wanted. The characters pull the story in many directions, dropping clues along the way that don't add up until the end. It will be interesting to see where we meet these characters next.