Who are the Best and Worst Reviewers?

[Keith thomson]

The other day, my fellow Huffington Post blogger took NY Times tv critic Alessandra Stanley to the worldwide woodshed. In so doing, Mr. Levinson recognized that criticizing a critic is almost never done. By the same token, their praise is sung about as often as good umpires. My question to you: Who are the best and the worst reviewers of books in our genre? And Why?

[Jon Loomis]

I don't have a problem with comparisons, especially for debut/new authors--it's a quick way to show readers the kind of book the reviewer thinks he/she is dealing with, and generally a good indicator for the author of the extent to which they're connecting. If you think you're writing noir and a good reviewer compares you to Lilian Jackson Braun, you've got problems.

[I. J. Parker]

I didn't much like being compared to my competition, even though the review favored me. This trade review was posted by Amazon. It just made people angry at me. I garnered two reader reviews immediately that tore my book to shreds.

[Jon Loomis]

That's unfortunate, and seems mean-spirited on the part of those Amazon reviewers. Hasn't happened to me yet, and I've been compared to all kinds of people. Maybe my strategy of making fun of bad reviews here and on my blog is actually working. Kidding again!

[Dana King]

I never read Amazon reviews of fiction. It's not worth the time to identify the likes and dislikes of each reviewer, and too many of them aren't interested in fairness or, dare I say it, any kind of professional approach. They're taking on a responsibility to both the reader and the writer, and too many of them aren't up to it.

I will occasionally read a non-fiction review, if it's a book I'm thinking of getting for research, in the hope I'll find a reviewer who knows a little about the topic.

[I. J. Parker]

Excellent point about non-fiction being more likely to get reviewed by people who know the subject.

[Debbi Mack]

Yeah, and sometimes Amazon reviewers can be really mean. Maybe even worse than the pros.

[Keith thomson]

The relative anonymity gives people license. Professional reviewers have their reputations to consider. And to some extent they are a brand. There's a film critic, Todd McCarthy (at Variety last time I checked) whose taste is practically identical to mine, so his is the review I look to first. Which brings me back to my original question: Who do we like—and not like—in books?

[Dana King]

I don't have any "professional" reviewers I go to for advice. I take my suggestions from people whose opinions I've come to trust and respect from Crimespace, and several blogs. Full-time reviewers don't necessarily share my tastes.

[Beth Groundwater]

For mysteries, I like the following reviewers:

Sarah Weinman
http://www.sarahweinman.com/confessions/

Jen Forbus
http://jensbookthoughts.blogspot.com/

Kevin Tipple
http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/

Lesa Holstein
http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/

Molly Weston
http://mysteryheel.blogspot.com/

Oline Cogdill at the Sun Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/columnists/sfla-features-cogdi...

[Keith thomson]

Thanks, Beth. I knew about the first and last, but the others are real finds. I also like the name Tipple a lot.

[Beth Groundwater]

And Kevin really works at his reviews. They're very thoughtful and thorough. They aren't just plot summaries followed by a one-line positive statement that's designed to be quoted by the author. I really enjoy reading his reviews.

[Toni Osborne]

I write reviews, but as a non-professional...not being paid and usually not recognized I would say I write more my personal thoughts...some may please the author and some may not....."It is the way I see it"

My question to you(authors)... If you appreciated a review would you take the time to leave a note to the reviewer if you were able to do so?

I must admit being thrilled when an author leaves a note or takes my review and post it to their site. I feel honored.....

As for reading reviews, I think as a buyer it is of some importance to see the general feeling.

A comment as a reader.....