Skinner

"Skinner" is a very different Charlie Huston novel that has already split readers' evaluations. Certainly much of the Huston "style" is apparent but crucial elements are lacking, for this reader. Yes, it is dark, edgy, and "noirish" in some ways but, overall, it is a departure from what many Huston fans expect.Skinner specializes in "asset protection", a glorified international bodyguard so deadly that his reputation alone protects many of his assets. After having been phased out by his handlers who have grown to fear him themselves, he is called back into service to protect Jae, a beautiful but flawed data analyst and roboticist who has the uncanny ability to "see" the converging themes within mountains of information in a dizzying manner. Together, they race around the world seeking the basis of a cyber terrorist attack on the US while slowly uncovering a massive conspiracy that threatens not only their lives but perhaps world peace."Skinner" combines the worlds of espionage and spies with the ever expanding world of high technology and cyber terrorism. Unfortunately, the pacing is uneven, even ponderous at times, and the plot is labyrinthine filled with red herrings, distractions, and confusing motivations. Paradoxically for this reader was the plain fact that I never felt really invested in any of the major characters; indeed, there was a coldness and remoteness about the lead characters that prevented me from truly caring what happened to them. Some of this might be expected regarding a killer whose scientist parents raised in a Skinner Box for 12 years, but every expressed emotion among the major players seemed more "programmed" than truly felt.I remain a Charlie Huston fan but will look forward to a return to the Joe Pitt, Hank Thompson characters before another Skinner effort.

This is one of those rare stories, one that you can't stop reading, but can't bear to finish. Mr. Huston created an entire world in the first few chapters. The characters were deeply defined and, as the story was rolled out in front of me, I enjoyed it more and more.The story? Dangerous man willing to go to any length to protect the "asset" for which he was hired. This asset is a brilliant, though troubled, woman who can see what others miss when untangling mountains of information. Her mind can't stop moving without the aid of drugs and booze, but she has nearly pulled herself together for one more job.There's intrigue-a-plenty, lots of lying, gamesmanship and heroes galore, including an unlikely ally in his grave.Skinner isn't Joe Pitt, nor should he be. Mr. Huston has created another tough, yet somehow tender, man we can enjoy without having to compare the two.

I've been reading and enjoying Huston's books from the very beginning - when we could meet Henry Thompson for free on Kindle (and I still miss Henry!). And I always thought Huston was a grossly underrated artist - even with the undead but sly Joe Pitt, it was obvious that there was a very busy mind behind these outlandish characters and scenes. In "Skinner" he leaves all his earlier work behind and creates a world and ethic that William Gibson's fans will recognize (but which may piss-off many of Huston's long-time fans). This is evolution and growth, and when I say "Skinner" evokes the best of William Gibson, I mean it - and there ain't much higher praise until Charlie starts channeling Tolstoy, McCarthy, Dickens or Rybakov. And I wouldn't rule that out - Charlie Huston is just getting started. I highly recommend "Skinner." Thanks for reading.

Charlie is most famous for his Joe Pitt series and, while the Joe Pitt Files are a highly entertaining take on vampire noir, it is Charlie's 'realistic' fiction that is his most gripping. The titular Skinner is the best- and the worst. He is the boogeyman that all other operators fear. And he's back; whether he's trying to end the world or save it is a matter of opinion. What follows is a scorched earth campaign that belongs more in a Coppola movie than a LeCarre novel, but it's the most fun you will have with an espionage thriller this year and contains the fantastic dialogue, sympathetic yet frightening characters and frenzied pace that Huston is rightly lauded for. If you enjoy this, check out "Shotgun Rule," also by Huston.

I really enjoy Mr. Huston writing style: I was introduced to him via the 'Caught Stealing' series (absolutely unmissable: if you haven't read it, go for it - way better than Skinner) and very much enjoyed the "Mystic Art" too.Skinner is a different kind of book and I guess a very good one in its genre (international espionage thriller) with enough dose of gritty violence to confirm this is, indeed, a Huston thriller - but perhaps less enjoyable than the others, as this Skinner guy seems a bit of a super-hero with supernatural powers; which may, or may, not appeal the reader.Still, highly recommended and a classic page-turner - but I'd recommend to read it only if you've run out of Huston books to read first.

Charlie Huston mixes in a little William Gibson with his own unique, brutal style. Some of the intrigue in this book reminded me a little of Gibson's Spook Country. Where that book essentially goes nowhere in the end, you know Charlie Huston's characters are in for a grim, rough ride. However, there was actually a much more upbeat tone to many parts of this tale; a little different for Charlie Huston. As with all of Huston's books, you won't be disappointed.

This was a huge disappointment because I am an enormous fan of Charlie Huston and have tracked down and devoured his entire body of work. I was thrilled to stumble on one I had missed but ultimately, I found myself abandoning this book before I could even finish it. The author, who usually writes taut and engaging stories, takes forever to get this story underway and I ultimately lost patience with him.

Charlie Huston ist für mich mit seiner Joe Pitt-Reihe ( Already Dead (Joe Pitt) ), der Hank Thompson-Trilogie ( Caught Stealing: A Novel ) und seinen alleinstehenden Romanen (v.a.  The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death: A Novel ) einer der kreativsten Köpfe unter den aktuellen Action- und Thriller-Autoren. Mit seinem neuesten Roman "Skinner" bleibt er leider weit hinter meinen Erwartungen zurück. Die Geschichte ist nicht spannend. Und obwohl die Hintergründe von zwei der Protagonisten originell sind, bleiben die Charaktere erstaunlich flach. Doch gerade das war immer die Stärke von Huston.In seiner Reise in aktuelle Geheimdienstverschwörungen und globale Verflechtungen von Cyberterroristen begegnet Skinner der "Roboterlady" Jae. Zusammen müssen sie auf der ganzen Welt Angreifern entkommen oder Räder in Bewegung setzen. Dabei werden sie natürlich verfolgt, haben Sex, werden verletzt und töten ihre Verfolger. Das erinnert in vielerlei Hinsicht an Dan Browns " Inferno: (Robert Langdon Book 4) ". Dazu passt auch, dass das Thema des Buchs um das gleiche Motiv kreist: Überbevölkerung. Wie werden westliche Gesellschaften in Zukunft damit umgehen und welche "Lösungsvorschläge" kursieren in mysteriösen Zirkeln wie zum Beispiel bei der Bilderberg-Konferenz?Leider ist die Geschichte vorhersehbar. Leider sind schrecklich viele Rechtschreibfehler (Jae wird mehrmals zu Joe) und Rechercheschwächen (der Imbissverkäufer in Köln fragt allen Ernstes: "Sie okay, fräulein?") zu finden. Was als aussichtsreiche Abrechnung mit der Ignoranz des Westens beginnt und die neuesten technischen Entwicklungen abzubilden scheint, endet als lauwarmer Aufguss von Klischees und einem überhaupt nicht überzeugenden Szenario in den Slums des Subkontinents.Alles in allem scheint Huston hier wenig Zeit gehabt zu haben. Hoffentlich findet er in seinem nächsten Roman zurück zu seinen klasse Dialogen den vielen facettenreichen Charakteren und zu einer Handlung, die zumindest ein paar Wendungen hat. Skinner ist für mich leider eine Enttäuschung. Already Dead (Joe Pitt)Caught Stealing: A NovelThe Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death: A NovelInferno: (Robert Langdon Book 4)

I'm a big fan of Charlie Huston but perhaps more the gory side. This book deals with what could be real life espionage and it's beginning to drag just a little.However, I will finish it. I am struck by how "grown up" Charlie Huston appears to be now! Skinner is very serious and a bit heavy with use of more complicated English than in previous books.Not sure what happens to him at the end, not sure either if I'd carry on reading more about Skinner. Joe Pitt he ain't.