Grimm: The Chopping Block

The Grimm stories are so good. If I could, I’d remove a half star for disturbing story line and gore. If you don’t like that sort of thing then SKIP THIS BOOK. It was a real page turner with a lot of action.

You can tell John Passarella did his research on Grimm before writing this tie-in novel. The story fits smoothly into the world established by the show. Set between "The Waking Dead" and "Goodnight, Sweet Grimm", I actually felt like I was reading an episode, that's how good it was.Hank and Nick are well-written and in line with what we expect from watching the show. While we didn't get much Rosalee in this book, what there was of her was consistent with the character. The insight into Juliette was nice too, as was the stuff with Monroe. I felt like the arc with the old friend showed just how difficult Monroe's choice to be Wieder Blutbad truly is.A much better story and characterizations than in the previous attempt, Grimm - The Icy Touch, written by a different author. In all honesty, I'd love it if John Passarella wrote any other tie-ins for this series. That's how good a job he did with this one.The main storyline (plot A) centers around piles of completely stripped bones turning up in shallow graves around Portland. Initially, Nick isn't sure of a Wesen connection, but he's keeping an open mind. The second storyline (plot B) centers around Monroe running into an old friend from his former lifestyle. The third storyline (plot C) is mainly there for the purpose of giving some insight into Juliette as she deals with her newfound knowledge of Wesen.All in all, everything ties together quite nicely and the ending, while a bit unexpected, is interesting and sets up potential repercussions down the road.

The second book in the Grimm series was amazing! Read it in one day. On to book three of the Grimm series!

Passarella must have done his research. A serious imporvement from The Icy Touch...Still has its faults, but an enjoyable read for a Grimm fan or a fan of mystery. As readers of Pasarella's first attempt at a Grimm novel will remember, The Icy Touch was literally full of inaccuracies within the Grimm universe. Particularily, the character deviations and each's role in the series was injustly portrayed. Key factors and terms in the universe were either ignored or changed for no particular reason. However, I am happy to report that as a Grimm fan, I had no objections as far as tie-ins to the series go. The characters were written accurately, their functions in the story remained intact, and the plot did not stretch their personalities too far. Unfortunately, keeping in line with canon is not a characterisitc that should be congratulated. It should be a given.That being said, the story was told reasonably well. Pieces of the puzzle were introduced gradually and subtly that intrigued me as a reader so that I could make my own guesses about the mystery, while still keep me suspensed. The beginning was a little slow, but I encourage readers to push through the case as Nick does. While collecting evidence (randomly stubling accross it) it seems that the Portland PD detectives have no leads, which discourages the reader as it feels like we are reading useless words that will come to nothing. Sometimes, this is true: the first suspect in Nick's bare bones murder case is just a violent Wesen. However, slowly but surely the reason behind these strange events in Portland begin to unfold. In this book, Monroe's side story also plays a part in the larger plot involving the police detectives. Highlighting Monroe's remarkeable reformation is again highly fulfilling and interesting to explore. Rosalee's role was disappointing, as she was only present to serve as a listener to Monroe and Juliette's problems. (Her customer was part of the main story, but that was never addressed!! Why not?) She is an influential character who could have been more useful in a story involving Wesen traditions and diets. Also, Juliette's role and side story was conpletely and utterly irrelevent. She's a vet. She saved a dog. By thinking outside the box. Whooppee? Not necessary at all. Not even mentioned in the final chapters. Hearing part of the story from her narrative was seriously uninteresting and meaningless.On that note, let me explain my number one conplaint about this story. The point of view and narrative. It was constantly changing. It was as if the writer had first written this as a screenplay and then just turned it into a book. Newsflash! This is a different medium. You cannot have a mystery novel set in a supernatural Wesen world and switch perspectives on a dime and expect readers to follow you, much less keep their attention. In a television show, sometimes it is prudent in crime dramas to show the cictims perspective before being attacked. However, you do not do that for every victim, especially in this story where the victims are random and many. The author uses too many perpectives to tell his story. The reader should generally learn about the case as the protagonist, Nick, the Grimm, does, but Pasarella takes us in too many unfamiliar directions. Who is this person? Why am I suddenly following his train of thought? Why does he/she matter? This person has never been introduced before. Why should I care about his life? Why is this relevent?....oh, this person died, guess it doesn't matter anymore...so why have that point of view in the first place?!Switching narrative voices, especially in the middle of chapters is not a good idea in a novel, especially so many times. Once, maybe twice, to receal the villain or a twist is fine. But Pasarella was excessive, as if he was picturing this being turned into a visual story on screen. The beginning where two civilians discover bare bones buried is okay because it is an interesting pull and first exposure to the story. However, be prepared to be a bit confused if you read this novel.As far as the plot, very fascinating progressions, exploring the very nature of Wesen and this world. Old traditions in this modern era exist, but are not overly analyzed ans discussed as they were in the previous book. The secret society that Nick uncovers is horrific and creates a nice atmosphere of urgency and fear. This part was admitedly enjoyable.One last criticism: did the timing of this case really have to be in the middle of the Cratcher Mortel- zombie storyline? Isn't that enough for the Portland PD to handle at one time?Fascinating story with likeable and familiar characters. Some parts are irrelevent and lead you in a confusing direction, but the twists and the action at the end may be worth the ride.

Speedy delivery enjoyed the book

Any fan of the television series Grimm will want to buy this book, the second in a series of three. The author tells a very compelling story with numerous twists and turns which compliment the TV series. The Chopping Block takes place in sync with the Zombie storyline which was featured at the end of the second series and the beginning of the third. Totally independent of the storyline, however, this pits Nick and Hank up against the Chef and the barbaric Butcher. As victims are kept in a holding cell awaiting their fate at the hands of the Butcher, in preparation for a feast from a menu, the author fails to hold back on the gruesomeness the selected victim faces on the table. It was really quite unnerving reading how the victim was tugged along the floor and then hauled up on hooks awaiting to be bled and then hacked with knives. And one of our heroes finds himself on the menu, to be feasted upon alive!A great read and very thought provoking.

This is fairly solid novel that keeps faith reasonably well with the style and format of the television show. It clearly states that it is supposed to take place between two episodes towards the end of the second series and actually feels like it does fit into this position as it captures the tone of that period quite successfully. There are also enough references to what is happening in the programme at that time to make it smoothly fit in with the overall narrative direction of the second season.Unlike the previous Grimm novel, ‘The Icy Touch’, the characterisation in this is actually very close. The behaviour and attitudes of the regulars is much more in line with their television counterparts. Obviously, this being set only in season two Wu doesn’t have a complex a role as he adopts in later seasons and, thus, in this novel he is more often relegated to merely being the guy in ‘uniform’ that assists Nick and Hank. The portrayal of Rosalee seems fine but her role is very limited and she doesn’t appear much, harking back to her early episodes.Juliette, on the other hand, is quite prominent. But although there is plenty of character content for her and an insight into her life and job not really covered by the programme, her whole role in this novel really has nothing at all to do with the general storyline. Thus, the sequences focussing upon her feel a tad divorced from everything else happening. They become a bit of a pointless subplot; although there is some focus upon her coming to terms with Nick being a Grimm. They also have a tendency to be full of unnecessary, irrelevant scientific/medical terms at times.Monroe’s friendship/association with Decker provides further insight into his motivations for adopting his ‘vegetarian’ life choices as well as into Blutbad reformation and integration into society. It is angled slightly more at being for comic affect, however, and it isn’t taken too seriously. This gives it a nice contrast with the main plotline for the earlier stages of the novelIt’s a bit difficult to say much about the general story without giving it away. It isn’t that complex anyway and is a little predicable. However, it works well in being quite entertaining and in possessing the ‘flavour’ of the show. It is somewhat more gruesome and macabre than the programme, slipping a bit more into the horror side of things than fairy tale.A novel that will satisfy fans of the television show.

Now the TV series is coming to a close (Boo hoo) upon searching I found three paperbacks (I am two thirds way through this one and it is a stonking read looking out for more

Having watched the whole fabulous TV series, it's great to have it in book form

I completely enjoyed this book and thought it done the tv series justice (unlike The Icy Touch) Was gripped by it and couldn't put it down. Hope the author writes another Grimm tie in book, as I would certainly buy it