Joe Ide wrote a wonderful detective story in the vernacular he knows. The author grew up in the same streets that his book is set in and portrays the setting and the manner of speech exquisitely. East Long Beach is so bad that the cops can't keep up. "IQ" takes it upon himself to help the people of his neighborhood to solve crimes the cops won't touch by becoming a private detective charging his clients only what they can afford. However, he also has to take on clients who can pay to keep his bills paid.His latest client is a rap mogul whose life is threatened. The case opens up all kinds of unsavory challenges for IQ.
This is a very inventive, imaginative and enjoyable debut novel.

I thought that this book was good but just wasn't for me.

Honestly, I had a very hard time maintaining interest in this novel. IQ is a compelling character and sleuth but everyone he surrounds himself with people who feel like huge caricatures. Also, the mystery itself just wasn't compelling to me. The novel starts off with a bang. IQ notices a man who turns out to be a sexual predator and manages to foil his plan to kidnap and sexually assault a young girl. This scenario showcases IQ's intelligence. However, as IQ begins to investigate the actual case that is the mystery of the novel, I completely lost interest. Another feature that dragged the novel for me was the switch between past and present in different chapters. I know the chapters dealing IQ's past are supposed to fill in his life story but I wish that his past story was interwoven into the novel more seamlessly.

Isaiah Quintabe is a genius living in south central LA with his brother, Marcus. When Marcus is killed by a hit-and-run driver, IQ goes off the rails and begins a life of crime. However, because he is brilliant, his crimes are carefully planned and meticulously executed, except his buddy, Dodson, decides to go off script. Now, IQ has been hired to find out who is stalking and trying to kill Calvin Wright, better known as the rapper, Black the Knife. When he uncovers the plot, his own life is going to go down the tubes. Excellent character development; great place setting descriptions and an adrenaline ride of a plot. Looking forward to more IQ adventures.

I just finished reading this and Wow, I'm still kind of stunned. And wondering how in the world I'm going to rate it and explain it. I'm pretty sure, it's kind of different from anything I have read recently and I have mixed feelings about it. One thing I can say for sure was that I totally loved the main character, Isaiah Quintabe a.k.a. IQ. He is the hero and sometimes the anti-hero until he gets his act together. The Chapters are set up a bit differently with flashbacks to different years and then the present year of 2013 of the story. That did take a little getting used to and at least once or twice I had to get my balance back in the story, that made me a little dizzy. Another main person in the story is IQ's friend Dodson. Hmm, did I say friend? I say that very lightly because he is a people user and looking out for his own main chance, which of course causes so many problems all on its own. He also takes it personally that IQ has such a high IQ and is often busy trying to trip him up. Of course it's all ego on Dodson's part. I can honestly say I didn't like Dodson so much, but he did add flavor to the story. IQ has his own code even when he gets into some things he shouldn't. I'm not going to give that part away but that was a surprise. If you are looking for a story that has intense moments, twists and turns and mysteries solves, yes this book has it.
The story does end so I don't consider it as having a cliffhanger but there is another door left open for another adventure. When I read that part, it was so subtle I almost missed it and when I got it I went, "Oh." My mouth just might have dropped open a bit.

Enjoyable read with plenty of action. The dashes of humor had me laughing out loud. Solid and well written book.

This is a fascinating first book from an author who has given a wonderful insight into the world of Isiah Quintabe (IQ). After finishing the book, it came as no surprise to read that Joe lde was an avid reader of the Sherlock Holmes stories. However, the setting for this intriguing world as IQ is not Victorian London, but the modern world of the "gangsta" . I can't wait to see the next instalment of what must surely be a series of books.

IQ by Joe Ide
Loved the story, loved IQ, no matter what he was involved with he had a "goodness" about him. I was not a fan of the language but the story pulled me past that. IQ is a young black man in a tough area with a Sherlock Holmes ability to solve crimes. There are some unusual characters in this book, very unique and worth the read. Looking forward to the next book!

While I am a huge fan of this genre, I found this book to be a little hard to follow at times and did not hold my attention as most books of this type does. I would still recommend it to readers since it falls in an area that some of my patrons enjoy.

I was given the opportunity to read an electronic copy of IQ via NetGalley and Mulholland Books. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Isaiah Quintabe is the person in his neighborhood that people go to when they need a problem solved. The LAPD have their hands full in East Long Beach, so IQ has all of the business he can handle. Charging only what people can afford has left him temporarily cash strapped, so IQ is forced to take on a rap mogul whose life is in danger. Between handling responsibilities from his past and trying to earn a big payday without getting seriously hurt, can IQ solve the case without compromising his principles?

IQ definitely does not read like a debut novel, as it has a well developed character and story that reads like it was written by a seasoned author. Isaiah is the type of main character that has possibilities for many future books. He uses his intelligence and draws upon his past experiences to help those around him. In IQ's quest to atone for past transgressions, he has become a real asset to the downtrodden and harassed members of his local community. Main characters with flaws are usually the most dynamic and Isaiah Quintabe is no exception. I would recommend this book to readers who like thrillers and I eagerly anticipate more books by author Joe Ide in the future.

Sorry, but I cannot give a review. I read about 10 or 15 pages, and this is just not a book I care to read. This book is so outside my realm of reality that it is impossible for me to comprehend the characters. In addition, I believe there was sexual innuendo, and while I am not a prude, I needed to have an urban dictionary just to understand.