Head games book series

Return to Book Page. Preview — Head Games by Mary B. Head Games by Mary B. She didn't sweat it when her rich husband had a down-and-dirty ego-boosting affair. And Mercedes' take-no-prisoners ways are just what her siblings need to take down all those out to game them. Gorgeous Devereaux Crystal has the hottest show on television. Before Devereaux walks down the aisle, Mercedes convinces her to do a background check on Phoenix. The discovery is devastating. Devereaux knows she has to let him go—and she'll need every weapon imaginable not to take him back.

Now, as scandalous fallouts threaten all the Crystal women's futures—from the matriarch on down to the baby girl—their bond will be tested past its limits. Get A Copy. Kindle Edition , pages. Published September 1st by Dafina first published August 28th More Details Other Editions 4. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Head Games , please sign up. Is it a fast easy read? Is it a fast good read? See 2 questions about Head Games….

Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list ». Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 3. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Start your review of Head Games. Oct 16, Linda Howard rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. We voted and decided to read Head Games. We rated this book 2 stars because the book was kind of hard to digest.

We felt she could have gone into a little more detail about the outcomes of the main characters lives and situations. It was annoying and unnecessary to the plot or conclusion. In our opinion, it did not provide any value added benefits. There were a lot of parts in the story that were unexplained or left to the reader to infer. Example: what happened with Francine and her girlfriend? Or what was the point of her character at all.

How did Francine get back from the country she was detained in? How did Dallas and Debbie repair their relationship? Why did his mother claim Hawk as the father? Did he find his birth parents or if his foster parents ever reach out to him?

Unless this is going to be another one of her series books diving further into each of these individual characters, we are left with questions. And as friends, what are the odds of something this tragic happening to each of them to those degrees.

While the book managed to keep our interest, it was by far not one of her best books. It could have been written much differently.

Oh, by the way, she never really revealed the number of women each guy slept with except Trymm and was that not what the book was based on? View all 3 comments. Oct 15, TIffany Mack rated it liked it Shelves: book-challenge. Ok well I finished this book within a 24 hour time frame. I wanted to love this book but I couldn't get there with this one. I liked it because it had all the drama but certain things should've went different ways and certain characters should've done a lot more or more details about their dealings.

I rated this book a three because I know that Mary B. Morrison is an excellent writer and I have never not like any of her books. But hey don't go by my review you have to read it to get a feel for y Ok well I finished this book within a 24 hour time frame. But hey don't go by my review you have to read it to get a feel for yourself. View all 5 comments.

Dec 10, Shaunda rated it really liked it Shelves: favorite , Head Games. In this day and age, who has time for games, well these 4 boys do. I call them boys because real men ain't, yes I said ain't got time for that. Now for a million dollars, I certainly could find something better than that. But what's that saying, oh yeah!!! Revenge is best served COLD!! These boys take dating to a whole other level.

Once you get into the novel, you understand why I said what I said. I thought it was a good plot, with a great lesson. Oh you gone reap, what you sow eventually. We women got that on lock. You best believe. But, I had to laugh at the end. Ok, enough of that. Thanks Mary B Morrison!! Head Games was on point. As for me, I don't get down like that.

But to each, it's own. That's my review, now on to another adventure. What next??? You know your gurl will definitely let you know. That's my time, until my next review. You already know, Happy Reading!!!

Sep 18, pernita shealer rated it liked it. Disappointed This book was all over the place and very hard to follow. The ending I'm like "is that it". I received this book in exchange for an honest review. The storyline didn't captivate me as the author previous works have in the past. There were a lot of things going on in the story and in the end you still didn't know who won or what happened. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book Jan 10, Celeste Thompson rated it did not like it. This book is terrible.

There is so much wrong with this, and to write about it so nonchalantly has me baffled. View 1 comment. Sep 01, Shalea rated it did not like it. Not giving up on Mary B. Oct 24, First Second Books marked it as first-second-publications.

Aging crime novelist Hector Lassiter thought that his adventures were long behind him. Join him as he makes a mad dash across the American southwest.! Originally published as an Edgar-nominated novel, this adaptation is brought to life with beautiful two-color art reminiscent of the classic era of pulp fiction. View 1 comment. Dec 27, Alex rated it liked it Shelves: graphic-novels , crime , noir , caper , period , hardboiled.

The best thing this incarnation of Head Games has going for it is that its George H. Oct 24, Nikki in Niagara rated it really liked it.

Based on the novel, this graphic adaptation is an action-packed thriller. I've not read the original but this has piqued my interest in McDonald's series. It has a noir feeling to it like an old Bogey movie, but this character is an adventurer as he takes a Kerouician road trip to Mexico with a young journalist friend. Mission: bring the missing head of Pancho Villa to the buyer, but others are trailing him to get that skull including a certain Yale fraternity with a penchant for skulls.

As an i Based on the novel, this graphic adaptation is an action-packed thriller. As an introduction to the series this gave me a feel for all the characters and was a tight plot with lots of twists. I'll be looking out for McDonald's work in the future. Sep 30, Edward Sullivan rated it really liked it Shelves: graphic-comic-narrative.

Good noir-ish pulp in this graphic adaptation of the Edgar-nominated novel. Jan 06, Matt Graupman rated it it was ok. Rough and tumble author jeez, writers just love making authors these super-masculine heroes Hector Lassiter is entrusted with the severed skull of Pancho Villa and must orchestrate its sale to help a struggling young - and gorgeous, obviously - single mother.

Pretty nutso, huh? But what should be a whole lot of pulp fiction fun is undermined by convoluted plot threads, distracting shoehorned cameos, and an emphasis on style over substance. This adaptation left me feeling like I missed a step. May 07, Mark Smith-briggs rated it liked it. Kevin Singles stylised black and white artwork captures the era perfectly and is very much a homage to the panelwork of the times. The story, again penned by McDonald, ticks over nicely with a fun cinematic style and is a fun throwback to the age golden comics.

Apr 21, Lauren rated it liked it Shelves: for-blog. Novelist Hector Lassiter thought his adventure days were behind him. At least, he thought that until an old acquaintance lures him into one last run.

Money in the bank, easy as easy can be. At least until others get wind of the skull. So, the Head Novelist Hector Lassiter thought his adventure days were behind him. That threw me for a bit of a loop. The book very much not my usual thing.

The lead character is very much a man losing his place in the world and becoming more aware of it day by day. This might be his last big adventure and he knows it. This is the part where I admit that my problems with the book are probably more due to the nature of it being a graphic novel adaptation of a novel rather than an original comic.

Some connective tissue and character details were probably cut to make it flow better. The art fits really well with the plot. I would probably be willing to read one of them. So, given that, I give it a three out of five. First Second sent me a copy of Head Games for an honest review.

Nov 05, Dan Clark rated it liked it. Head Games is old school pulp in all its guts and glory. Like classic noir you have a story of shady characters doing shady things, but despite their misgivings, you understand their plight and desire to make their final score.

You can see the influence of classic crime stories everywhere, including Touch of Evil that actually shows up with that story. Similar to many of those narratives there is a lack of coherence at times, and the pacing is all over the place. There are many different pieces Head Games is old school pulp in all its guts and glory.

There are many different pieces moving in many different directions so it may not be able to fully grasp everything on a full read. But all the major points that makes an enjoyable crime story are there. This is another example of a recipe you know well being executed correctly. Apr 19, Dakota Morgan rated it liked it. Fast-paced, mostly fun, and pretty weird. A washed-up author trades heads literal human skulls with a Yale secret society, Mexican warlords, and a host of other murderous treasure hunters.

In classic noir fashion, there's a femme fatale and a young sidekick just waiting to be corrupted by the anti-hero's bad habits. It all goes off the rails pretty quickly, and then further off the rails, and then even further.

By the time the rails have receded into the horizon line, the story gets too weird Fast-paced, mostly fun, and pretty weird. By the time the rails have receded into the horizon line, the story gets too weird and outlandish to be particularly fun. But the conclusion - time-jumping forward with the anti-hero and the sidekick - is an interesting and unexpected way to wrap things up. It's an odd, kinda pleasurable denouement that I wouldn't mind seeing repeated.

Mar 11, Jilly rated it liked it Shelves: read , netgalley , graphic-novel. This is a fun take on pulp and the graphic novel works well for that type of story.

I really enjoyed the pure pulp aspects of it. However, the story falls apart in the last fifty pages. That said, I definitely still plan to pick up more novels by Craig McDonald featuring the main character, hoping that the pacing pick ups a bit and the ridiculousness is more toned down.

All opinions are my own. Jan 16, Kokie rated it liked it Shelves: first-read. This graphic novel was like watching an old black and white noir film. It was fun, if a bit hard to follow at times. The quick moving dialogue and panels made it a quick read full of more action than mystery.

The book mentions some Ivy League secret societies that I feel I should know more about, but I don't, and that lack of background knowledge might have messed with some of my understanding and enjoyment of the more nuanced sections of the plot.

Overall I liked the book, but it has a few too This graphic novel was like watching an old black and white noir film. Jun 05, David Roberson rated it it was ok. I found this at a Dollar Tree, and I thought it looked interesting. Maybe that's why it was hard to keep track of this story. Get A Copy. Hardcover , pages. More Details Original Title. Other Editions Friend Reviews.

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Head Games , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list ». Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 3. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Start your review of Head Games. Oct 02, Still rated it really liked it Recommends it for: No Idea.

I'm giving this action thriller 4 stars but I'm inclined to knock it down a star. It's overly long winded with a cast of "celebrities" ranging from Hemingway to Welles to the Bush family. Lots of action, witty repartee, right wing vitriol and attempted Gonzo centered around historical events. I thought I'd never reach the final page. I'm this It was a punishing read. Jan 11, Karl marked it as to-read Shelves: books-bought.

This is number of signed and numbered copies signed and dated by Craig McDonald. You start a book like Head Games , set as it is in the fifties, and you wonder if it has to go so hard on period details like casual homophobia, and so often at that. The first novel written in Craig McDonald's Hector Lassiter series, although the seventh chronologically, starts well.

People die indiscriminately, life is cheap, and women are accommodating without being doormats The argument goes that homophobia was period accurate, but so was sexism You start a book like Head Games , set as it is in the fifties, and you wonder if it has to go so hard on period details like casual homophobia, and so often at that.

The argument goes that homophobia was period accurate, but so was sexism and racism, and Lassiter is actually fairly enlightened on both of those counts. It wouldn't kill him, or McDonald, to not be like this - but that's what we've got Because the thing is Head Games is ultimately a rollicking caper with a hardboiled protagonist in the form of hard drinking pulp novelist, screenwriter, and name dropper extraordinaire Hector Lassiter. Possibly McDonald wasn't planning a series at the time, or he might not have gone so hard on cramming Welles, Dietrich, and Hemingway in so soon, or set the novel so close to the end of Lassiter's life, but that's just the way it is.

Head Games is the sort of novel that you pick up for its name and concept combo: Lassiter goes on the road with a journalist and an actress with the purported skull of Pancho Villa, trying to protect it from falling into the hands of various fraternity members, treasure hunters, and the Bush family that Bush family.

Apart from the glaring flaw in Lassiter's character, he's a good lead and he carries the novel well. Some versions are paired with the short story in which he was introduced, which dovetails with the conclusion of the novel itself - the light contradictions that don't jive with Lassiter character make one question its canonicity, but it's helpful to have to hand. McDonald wrote himself into several corners with Head Games , so one may want to forgive him for any retcons that have to be made along the way.

There is a degree of forgiveness that you have to engage in to be able to stomach Head Games in its entirety, but if you can get past that sticking point it goes down very easily indeed.

Pure pulp. Fun, but ultimately so pulpy that it often borders on the ridiculous. So when it attempts to capture actual human emotion, it is hard to take it seriously. One of my main problems with a lot of the new "pulp" and neo-noir books is that they are trying to be "pulp" and it shows.

Most of the pulp writers of the s, s, and s were not trying to write pulp, they were writing to the limits of their talent within a genre. Often producing great books, more often not. It's almost as Pure pulp. It's almost as if the modern writers are slumming and purposely dumbing down their books, rather than trying for more. As if "pulp" is an excuse for writing without depth. For all the pastiche and homage, are they adding anything to the genre beyond more harsh language and more graphic violence?

However with its era and reference to real historical figures Orson Welles, Prescott Bush, and many more , it sometimes comes off as pulp James Ellroy-light who is pretty pulpy himself. HEAD GAMES hits the ground running and the first half is breakneck, but somewhere in the middle it slows down and tries to be a character piece, ending with what feels like a page epilogue. For all my nitpicking above, this is a strong first novel.

I have another novel by McDonald on my shelf and I'm very much looking forward to reading his two books of interviews with crime writers. View 2 comments. May 18, Barb Radmore rated it it was amazing Shelves: reviewed-for-front-street-reviews. Head, head, who's got the head? Ok, it really is a book about people chasing other people who may or may not have Pancho Villa's head. It really is, no kidding. And with that absurd premise Craig McDonald has written a book that actually works as a boisterous, thrill filled action adventure that is a blast to read.

The legend of Villa's head being stolen by Harvard's Skull and Bones Society has been documented throughout the years. It was brought up during the Presidential campaign because rumor h Head, head, who's got the head? It was brought up during the Presidential campaign because rumor had it that Preston Bush- yup, of those Bushes- was involved at the time.

McDonald uses these myths to form the basis for the aptly titled Head Games. He creates a hard boiled crime writer, his newbie interviewer, a beautiful Mexican girl and throws them into the middle of the fight for possession of Villa's decapitated head now a skull. It is filled with car chases, lots of blood and a little love. Head Games is a novel with a strong plot, characters who are characters and plenty of action. Lines like "But talking about your plans is the surest way to make God laugh " prove McDonald's writing prowess.

This also shows one of the book's strengths- it sense of humor. McDonald never takes his characters seriously, he lets them run amok with just enough leash on them to prevent them from getting totally out of hand. His crime writer, Lassiter, hangs out with the big wigs of the s- Hemingway, Dietrich and Welles are all brought into the scene. The plot thread that has Lassiter not speaking to Hemingway over a past argument adds a fun touch of fictitious realism.

The pile of bodies grows, the number of enemies is ever increasing and the chase seems never ending. And characters from history traipse through the pages, recapturing their forgotten place in our little remembered past.

The other surprising strength of the book is its ending, Book 2. It has its end of the adventure, culminating climax that is expected.

But the continuation of the story through the years to the book's and the story's actual ending is a charming twist. It adds pathos and emotion to the over all appeal and depth to the book. Unexpected yet appreciated. Bleak House has again found an author and his book that is just off the norm into the creative and diverse.

Head Games is a serous bit of black hearted tomfoolery that entertains and diverts. Sep 10, Jane rated it did not like it. Typical effort to make money and win popularity off Bashing Bush.

Sad commentary of the current envoronment where fiction rewrites history for personal gain. When the author lowered himself to base descriptions of the Bush family,esp puerile name calling for the efforts of a war hero, I stopped reading. When will this theme work its way out of its system? Jun 19, Adam rated it liked it Shelves: spy-vs-spy , black-comedy , noir. Perverse way to start a series. The ending pays off. Dec 31, Silver Screen Videos rated it really liked it.