I'm a JR fan I suppose, I'll probably read them all (just starting #12). But I thought they improved noticeably at #8. This one being #7, mher! Don't get me wrong, it was worth reading. But watch out for #8. And the bar stays raised in 9 thru 11. Definitely 4-star reads. I underestimated Child's wordsmithery before, his plots have become quite imaginative and his character can be brilliant at times. There are still a few suggestions I could make but I don't want to nitpick. I'd rather enjoy his work for what it is and for the considerable skills he brings to it. No way I could write stuff that entertaining.