Review: IQ

IQ by Joe Ide
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a publisher describes a first novel as "a combustible cocktail of Bosch, Hiaasen and Conan Doyle" they are asking for trouble, and not just because of the confusion of characters and authors in the blurb... Unless, of course, the novel is as good as IQ.

In Isaiah Quintabe, Joe Ide has created a likeable protagonist, a 'street' investigator whose deductive reasoning and observational talents do indeed echo Sherlock Holmes. The writing, plot and dialogue, is excellent and merits the comparison with Michael Connelly. From the prologue which introduces IQ and his abilities straight away, through a skilful handling of interwoven timelines Ide proves to be a nimble and entertaining writer. The plot alternates between 2005, Isaiah's coming of age, his 'origin story' as an investigator, and 2013 as he investigates the attempted murder of a rap artist. Along the way we meet Dodson, the likeable rogue sidekick, and a gallery of music business hangers-on all of whom bring depth and humour to the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading the follow up, Righteous, soon.

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