Having stepped away from the Lacey Flint series for her past two novels, Sharon Bolton continues to show that she is not defined by a single character. Her unrepentant style of writing has long since made me a fan and will keep me reading for years to come. While it does not reach the heights of her last novel, which was her best work in my opinion, it is a worthy follow up.
Plot Summary
Hamish Wolfe is a serial killer convicted of the murder of three woman and suspected in the death of a fourth. Maggie Rose is successful true crime author and notorious Defence attorney. Through traditional narration, excerpts from Maggie's writing and evidence from police files, we follow the story of Hamish's quest to appeal his conviction, his attempts to have Maggie take on his case and the demons that haunt their respective pasts. Is Hamish a notorious murderer or is he a charming man serving time for someone else's crime.
My Take
Part of Bolton's unrepentant style, is her willingness to embrace the absurd. In almost every review, I point out elements that I feel are simply ridiculous or unrealistic, but in nearly every case, I come to embrace these elements. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and Sharon Bolton suggests that fiction can be equally strange. Surprisingly, this novel contains less of the absurd than previous novels. From the first pages, you have the sense that not everything is as it seems. I found that I was simply unable to accept anything I was reading as I was suspicious of most every character. The story suggests that you are in for a final twist, keeps you looking left and right and does not disappoint in the end.
As I am a practicing lawyer in a country based on English Common Law, at times I felt elements of the police investigation seemed unlikely and the handling and characterization of evidence was wrong. Chances are that you won't care or won't know the difference. There is also an equal chance that I am wrong as the veracity of much of the narration was constantly in question. This leads me to major issue with format. I partook of this story in the audiobook format. As the narration included excerpts from written texts, I believe elements of the story would be better understood if read. While the narration was good, I believe the story would be best in the written format.
Sharon Bolton is never afraid to tackle social issues in her writing. This time around, issue of female body image and the societal view of fat women is explored. In all honesty, I was unsure of what the take away on the issue was meant to be. In some ways the final outcome will not place the story in the good graces of Feminist Weekly but at the same time, tells some hard truths concerning the psychological effects of body image.
Final Thoughts
Overall, another excellent addition to the Sharon Bolton canon. There are great characters, a interesting mystery, a multilayered plot and a twisty ending. Plenty of material for a mystery fan to enjoy....more
While Tana French's previous installment, The Secret Place was a bit of a miss bPosted to The Literary Lawyer
Amongst Her Best Work - 5 Stars
While Tana French's previous installment, The Secret Place was a bit of a miss by her high standards, Tana French has a sound "hit" with her latest installment. The Trespasser is a return to the magnificent character novel for which she is best known.
The Plot
The story follows Antoinette Conway and Stephan Moran subsequent to their investigation from the previous novel. In what has become a trend, Antoinette and Stephan are given a seemingly mindless and straightforward murder case. To make matters worse, Breslin, a senior detective, is put on their team. Breslin seems to be part babysitter and part "backseat" detective as he tries to steer the investigation toward conclusion. As is usual in a Tana French novel, nothing is as trivial as it initially appears and the detectives are left to question how their moves in the investigation will protect or undermine their future.
My Take
After Faithful Place , I was on a Tana French high. Each novel had improved and she started fusing her magnificent character building and with an excellent plot. Her subsequent novels did not reach the same heights and her last installment was a rare miss. I started this novel with a bit of trepidation. Thankfully, this latest installment brings the series back on track and she once again combines spectacular character development with an excellent plot.
In The Trespasser , we may have the most unlikeable protagonist to date paired with the hard to dislike Stephan Moran. Faced with a rather toxic work environment, Antoinette is wracked with self doubt a general mistrust of her co-workers. Initially, this made for a difficult read. As a reader, it was difficult to connect with her and difficult to understand her motivation. This is where the mastery of Tana French came into play. Whether or not you were able to connect with Antoinette, you came to understand her. For my money, this is the greatest feat a writer can accomplish.
In most of French's novels, the plot is generally a weak point. As far as my personal taste is concerned, if I am reading a masterful character novel, the plot becomes a non-issue. I have noted that Tana has sought to improve the plot within her stories. While she did so in her previous novel, the balance between plot and character was not quite right. In The Trespasser , she found the proper combination. While this is still a character novel by all accounts, the plot plays a far more prominent role.
Final Thoughts
The noted growth in the author's writing marks this as one of her best to date. I will leave you to make the determination if it is better than the rest. Regardless, everything you love about Tana French is in The Trespasser and it was well worth the wait....more
I'm not sure how I ended up with this book, but suffice to say, I enjoyPosted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
Not Your Regular Crime Fiction - 4.5 Stars
I'm not sure how I ended up with this book, but suffice to say, I enjoyed it immensely. If you read a lot of crime fiction, you may eventually get bored with the never ending stream of murders and the surprisingly common serial killer. Black Fridays offers the reader a surprising and interesting look at white collar crime.
Plot Summary
Jason Stafford is a former Wall Street manager/trader. He lived a fast paced life with plenty of money. Pressures on the market and on his job led him to engage in creative accounting. His creativity was eventually discovered and did not receive due appreciation. After spending some time in jail, Jason has been released and is trying to pick up the pieces of his life. Soon after his release, a young wall street trader drowns in a boating accident and the SEC comes snooping around his place of business with an interest in his trading history. Given his dishonorable past, Jason is hired by the company to look into the records of the dead man's trades to see if there is going to be a problem. What he finds put his own life in the line of fire.
My Take
The author write a story with a balance between interesting plot and excellent character development. The author clearly has a background in the trade and write with knowledge. If you are like me, and have no knowledge of world of bonds, stocks and securities, don't be scared off by this one. The author writes in such a way that the uninitiated can understand. Personally, I enjoy reading of crime other than murder and it was change to read about criminals in $3000 suits.
I also enjoyed the setup of the novel. I thought that Jason was an engaging and well meaning (ex)criminal. He personal code was not one of strict integrity and it allowed him to investigate with a little more freedom and to work out some more interesting solutions.
There was also an element of story that was not expected. Running parallel to the main plot was a rather intense family drama. The focus of this was Jason and his autistic son. I thought this element made Jason a more interesting and complete character. I also thought this portion ran a bit long and began to take away from the novel as whole. Some readers will not enjoy this parallel storyline.
Final Thoughts
If you are interested in white collar crime, finances or simply mysteries that don't rely on a sadistic killer, I think you will enjoy this one. It is well written, well plotted and has a steady supply of interesting characters....more
At the time of writing this review, I have the benefit of having read all of the Bauer's My Number 8 read for 2015
A Triumph for Bauer - 5 Stars
At the time of writing this review, I have the benefit of having read all of the Bauer's work up to her most recent, The Shut Eye. It may be that this second volume of the Exmoor Trilogy is her best work. It had psychological thrills, drama, excellent characters and a unique and exciting finish. While the first book in the Trilogy was decent, I can advise that it is worth reading the series to the end.
Plot Summary
This story takes place approximately 6 years after the events in Blacklands. The story shifts from the perspective of the young boy Steven to that of the Jonas, the local police officer. Jonas was on track for promotion and good placing with in the police force but when his wife was diagnosed with MS, he took a posting in a tiny community so that he could be available to care for his wife. Jonas and his community are shaken when a elderly woman is killed in home while lying in her bed. This killing sparks a series of murders that all target disabled and infirmed persons. Jonas must protect his community while he fears his own wife could be a target of the killer. The matter is complicated when he is put under the command of the abrasive, arrogant and ignorant Detective, John Marvel. Can Jonas find the killer and can he protect those he loves.
My Take
This is truly a compelling read. Bauer hits all the right notes to make Darkside a brooding psychological thriller with highs and lows that play like a symphony to fans of the genre.
As in most her novels, the best and clearest notes come from her characters. The majority of the story is told from the perspective of Jonas. He is a compelling character who follows a compelling arc. We watching fight for his future while he confronts the pains from his past. On the other end of the spectrum, we are confronted with the acerbic personality of John Marvel. He is one part brilliant, 2 parts jackass and 1 part broken. These two characters play off each other in a brilliant manner and eventually collide in a manner that falls outside of the norm for novels of this type.
While the characters are the best aspect of the story, the plot and the setting provide perfect harmony for the characters. The plots twist and turns while you keep guessing giving you reason to suspect every person that crosses the page. The gothic setting is dark but picturesque, freeing in the day but claustrophobic at night. Bauer is one of the best at combining great characters and lively, detailed settings with crime and mystery.
Final Thoughts
With the exception of Tana French, I have read few authors that who can develop a character as well as Belinda Bauer does over the course of a single novel. It may be that Belinda Bauer has taken over as my favorite author. Her novels have superb characters, great plots and engrossing settings. She is a true triple threat. If you haven't read a Belinda Bauer novel, you are doing yourself a disservice. ...more
During the last several years, the best thrillers have been stories with mPosted to The Literary Lawyer
Twists, Turns and a Compelling Thriller
During the last several years, the best thrillers have been stories with multiple perspectives, blatantly withheld information with a final big twist. The Good Girl does it better than some and not as well as other. While I took issue with some aspects of the story, on the whole, it was a worthy read.
Plot Summary
The story follows events leading up to, during and after the kidnapping of the main character, Mia. The majority of the story is told from the perspective of 3 major players in the plot - Mia's mother, the investigating officer and the kidnapper. Within the first few paragraphs we are aware that this is not a normal kidnapping. Mia is protecting and seemingly in love with her captor. This is explained through two stories lines. In the "Before" we follow Mia during her time as a kidnap victim and in the "After" we follow Mia returned to her family but suffering from amnesia. Each of these stories unfold to reveal a complex story and an emotional journey.
My Take
I have come to enjoy this recently popular plot device. The multiple perspectives on the same incident present differing views on the same event and compelling and occasional contradicting clues and explanations. It is different from its predecessors as the plot doesn't rely on an unreliable narrator. Instead, each narrator has a their perspective tainted by their own emotions and issues. Mia's mother is fighting regret as she faces this ordeal. The investigating officer becomes emotionally involved in the case and fights feelings of loss for a family he never had. The most interesting of the bunch is the kidnapper. His mindset is...absurd. It is very difficult to understand how he views the world but it in intriguing to be inside his mind. Regardless, it makes him the most interesting and confounding character in the story.
Some readers will find elements of the story to be disturbing. There is some violence and I found the reactions of some of the characters to be very disturbing. The characters are emotional to the point that it borders on melodrama. Personally, this did not bother me as the story was focused on the characters and the emotion seemed to fit with each character's personality. The element of the story that was the weakest was the big "twist". It was clear as the story progressed that there was an element of the plot that was being withheld. This may be my personal opinion but when a story contains a big twist at the end, it should be such that it changes your view of most of what you have read. The twist shed some light on the behavior of some characters but it did very little to alter my view of the events. Additionally, I felt as if the author telegraphed the ending. There was very little surprise at the end. In my opinion, the story was excellent without the attempt to surprise the reader.
Final Thoughts
An excellent read. While not equal to Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train it held its own and was a compelling thriller. A good entrant into the recent string of similar mystery thrillers.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 1.5
There were a couple of "adult" situations but nothing graphic.
At the time of writing this review, Children of War is the most recent book in the series. If you note the short time between my review of this book and the first in the series, it will reveal that this has become on of my favorite crime series. Martin Walker has the ability to write characters that are multi-dimensional, likeable, charming and realistic. His most recent installment also proves to be one of his best and shows continued growth in the series.
Plot Summary
This time around Bruno is drawn into a web of intrigue that covers Islamic Terrorism, the French treatment of the Jews during the Holocaust, the limits of criminal responsibility and the effects of war and conflict on the young. Early in the book, Bruno is contacted by a former colleague and is advised that a young man has been found in Afghanistan claiming that he is originally from St. Denis, the hometown of Bruno. It is revealed he is the adopted son of a local Muslim family. The young man is autistic and was supposed to be in a specialized school run out of one of the biggest Mosques in France. At his return, many claims are made about this young man that do not fit the character that the town has come to know. His return results in danger to many individuals in St. Denis as it appears that some Islamic Extremists are hunting the young man. The relatively simple matters turns into a matter of national importance as Bruno once again finds himself seconded into the service of the Brigadier.
Lots to Love
The plots in each of the books in this series are complex. They cover multiple storylines and varying topics. In my opinion, this book contains the best and most complex plot yet. It wonderfully explores the damage war inflicts on those who live through it. All of the novels have explored, in part, how war effected the main character Bruno. Much of his life has been filtered through his experience. Beyond this we see how the young man, Sami, is changed by jihadism and Islamic terrorism, a modern war. This is contrasted nicely with a parallel storyline that reveals the details of two Jewish children who were hidden and protected during the Holocaust.
If you are reading this review and you haven't yet started this series, I strongly recommend you grab the first one and get reading. For every dark element in the book, Martin Walker provides a corresponding elements of light. This results in a serious storyline and serious crime but it is seen through the eyes of characters that have not let this darkness overshadow their lives. The characters are fleshed out and interesting. While there are a few reoccurring elements (the appearance of the Brigadier) most of the growth of characters are relationship rise and fall in an organic manner. The characters seem real and their situations plausible.
This will, without a doubt, be one of, if not the best, series that I discovered in 2015. If you want crime and mystery but don't want to hand in your soul to get it, I suggest you visit Bruno, Chief of Police....more
The Crowded Grave is the 4th book in the wonderful series, Bruno, Chief of Police. This is a mystery, a thriller and a walk through the French CountryThe Crowded Grave is the 4th book in the wonderful series, Bruno, Chief of Police. This is a mystery, a thriller and a walk through the French Countryside all wrapped up in one. This is one of the best in the series. The books stay fresh with the continued introduction of new and interesting characters and the continual presence of old ones.
There is something in the way that Martin Walker writes his characters that makes this series stand out from the rest. No one feels like a caricature and although there are reoccurring issues (the flame he keeps burning for an older lover and the questions about his current relationship) these never feel like trampled ground. Characters come and go in an organic way and this makes the characters feel more real.
Again, in The Crowded Grave, Martin Walker packs in a wide variety of issues and intrigue. The issues range for archeology to home grown and international terrorism. These books are beautifully layer. Half the time you feel like you would like to sit down with Bruno, have a glass of wine and try one of Truffle Omelettes and the rest of the time you are drawn into the intrigue of the crime.
If you like this series, be warned, this one has the most exciting ending! ...more
I have decided that I will no longer provide in-depth reviews of the middle books of a series UNLESS they make a special impact on me or it is the firI have decided that I will no longer provide in-depth reviews of the middle books of a series UNLESS they make a special impact on me or it is the first or most current book of the series.
This second book in the Bruno, Chief of Police Series, is as enchanting as the first. The book delves into French Wine Trade, French Inheritance Law, French Politics and GMO's while leaving behind a few dead bodies and an intriguing mystery.
This series provides adult characters, mature writing, crime while making the characters enjoyable, relatable and persons with whom you would like to sit down to dinner. This series has been a magnificent find and I am looking forward to reading all the way through!
A side note, as it relates to the audiobook version, the narrator did the single worst impression of a French Canadian accent that I have ever heard. While he was quite good through the book, the single French Canadian character was laughable terrible. It makes me think that he has never heard a Quebecer and made it up in his head....more
This is easily amongst the best debut novels I have ever read. The story was taunt, the characters deeps and developed and the mystery and suspense had me guessing from start to finish. Regardless of the fact that it was an incredibly polished first novel, this book would have received 5 stars if it was the 1st or 15th book by this author. While this is one of the best books I have read this year, it will not be for everyone. It does bear similarities to several other "buzzy" books over the past couple of years. Gone Girl and Before I Go to Sleep are the first two that come to mind. Since I haven't yet posted those reviews, I can tell you that I loved Gone Girl and hated Before I Go to Sleep. If you liked one of the two aforementioned novels, you will probably enjoy this one.
The Plot
The story is told from the perspective of three different characters. Rachel, the girl on the train, Anna, the wife of the Divorcee and Megan, the missing wife. The story opens with Rachel on the train and her daily commute into the city. Deeply unhappy as a result of a broken relationship and struggling with addiction, she finds herself creating an idealized narrative based on her observations of a husband and wife she sees daily outside the window of her train car. Her fantasy narrative is shattered when she notices changes at the home and the women, through whom she was living vicariously, goes missing. Rachael realizes that On the night the Megan goes missing, she had been in that neighbourhood, drunk and disoriented and left with vague memories. Are these memories keys to solving Meagan's disappearance. The plot intricately weaves the complex narratives of these three women and the three men in their lives. One of these six has committed a crime but their narratives are so closely entwined that you will believe each one of them is the guilty party.
My Take
This book has received plenty of buzz and has continually been referred to as the "next Gone Girl . In some ways this is a fair comparison. Both books have generally unlikable characters, intense human drama, crime, passion, neurosis, unreliable narrators, multiple perspectives of the same events and provide and intense study of the characters. I think it is fair to suggest that if you did not like Gone Girl you are unlikely to enjoy this novel. That said, this is not is not the little sister to Gone Girl and while each character is unlikeable in some way, some of elements of their personality leave room for sympathy. While the former may have attributed to the success of the latter, it tells a far more complex tale and provide a more compelling mystery.
While there is little to like about each of the 6 major characters - Rachel, Megan, Anna, Scott, Tom and Kamal - they do retain some positive qualities despite the fact that each of them can serve as poster children for one or more of each of the Seven Deadly Sins. Often times, unlikable characters will drag a story down if it is not mitigated. In my opinion, the mitigating factor in this book is the intense character study of each of the three women. Their perspectives of the events were intensely clouded by their own failings, shortcomings and addictions but each character was so expertly crafted that you began to understand their motivations even if you didn't agree with them. In my opinion, insight into a character is far more important than liking the character. Personally, I find the best and most compelling novels that focus on the characters and their development. This is one of the best examples of this in recent memory. While the actions and attitudes of the characters are distasteful, immoral and selfish, their motivations are explored but never excused. The book doesn't ask you to like the characters or approve of their actions. It doesn't ask you to share their perspective or accept their actions but does provide you the opportunity to understand the minds that propel the characters. Within a single page you will find yourself both intrigued and repelled, fascinated and disgusted, confused and accepting.
Given the clouded perspectives, the narration tends to be unreliable. Rachel is unable to rely on her own memory at the best of times. Add in memories shrouded by a blackout and the reader is often unsure of what to believe. While this could have resulted in much frustration, the author provided a vein of reliable narration from Megan which serves to stabilize the whole novel.
Final Thoughts
The Girl on the Train is a wonderful example of compelling mystery and complex character development. Chances are that you will not say "Aha! I knew it was "_________" all along" but rather, "I though it could have been them". While in Gone Girl the mystery played second fiddle to the characters, Girl on the Train uses the mystery as a vital element in the development of each character. Truly one of the best books I have read this year.
Audiobook Notes
I listened to audiobook version of the novel. Each of the women had their own narrator and each narrator did a wonderful job. The narrator that voiced Rachel was especially good at infusing emotion into her voice. This book is tailor made for an audiobook and I highly recommend the format....more
After being quite disappointed with the second installment of the series, Top of the Heap provides A Great Installment to Hard Case Crime - 4 Stars
After being quite disappointed with the second installment of the series, Top of the Heap provides a large helping of the pulp crime fiction that drew me to the series. Written by Erle Stanley Gardner near the end of the Pulp era, Top of the Heap is a true hard boiled crime novel. With this installment, you will get plenty of hard-boiled and less vivacious curves then in other installments.
Plot Summary
Donald Lam PI, is a partner in the Firm of Cool and Lam. We are immediately introduced to him and his partner as they work together to vet a potential client. They soon have a cash retainer in hand and the potential of more if there is success. The client seems quite interested in confirming an alibi for the night that a prominent moll went missing. Lam smells a rat and feels like he is being used to cover up a crime. His partner doesn't care as she only sees the cold hard cash. Lam lets his curiosity get the best of him and he finds himself uncovering complicated web of deceit and crime that no only leads him in directions he did not expect but also puts himself in danger.
My Thoughts
I was actually a bit surprised by this novel. When I pick up a book in this series, I expect a short and easy read to clean my palate before another book. What surprised me about this installment was the depth of the plot. The plot was rather intelligent and involved. Given the fact it was only 222 pages, I was impressed with how the author managed to squeeze so much plot into such a small space.
That did cause a few issues thought. The biggest was the ultimate resolution. The big plot and the short page count resulted is and big info dump conclusion. Much of the resolutions was worked out by the coolheaded PI and some elements were not developed for the reader to figure out. While this was a bit disappointing, I didn't feel like it was detrimental to the book overall.
I eluded earlier to the fact I found the plot to be rather intelligent. I meant it in the sense that involved some good old fashioned blue collar crime and a healthy dose of white collar crime. There is a line of the investigation that involves stocks and some sly financial dealings. I found this vein to be interesting and a bit more complex than the normal run of the mill crime.
Can this be read as a Standalone Novel Yes. The books in the Hard Case Crime Series can generally be read in any order you wish. This book is actually part of separate series written by the author and coopted in the Hard Case Crime series. I was not aware of this fact until after I read the novel. It was a non issue and I did not feel like I missed anything.
Final Thoughts
Another great installment in the Hard Case Crime Series written by a true Hard Boiled Crime author. For a quick read and an interesting story, I recommend you pick up this volume.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations. When reviewing language, mild obscenities are words like, shit, hell or damn. Religious exclamations are words such as Christ or Jesus when used as profanity.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 1.5
Unlike the first couple in the series, this one did not included much in the way of buxom beauties and sultry broads. There were a couple of instances where sex was implied
There are several murders and bit of roughing up in the book. The murders are not seen first hand and form the backstory. The descriptions are not graphic....more
The Skull Mantra was the Winner of the 2000 Edgar Award for best New Author. I cannot take issue with the choice A Great First Effort - 3.5 Stars
The Skull Mantra was the Winner of the 2000 Edgar Award for best New Author. I cannot take issue with the choice as it an expertly written first effort. Had some of the content been presented in a manner that recognized the reader may be unaware of the concepts dealt with, my rating would have been higher.
Plot Outline
Shan Tao Yun was an investigator in Beijing but when he ran afoul of his superiors, he found himself sentenced to a work camp in Tibet. His fellow prisoners were largely Tibetan Buddhist monks sentenced to hard labor in an effort to remove them from the populace and "cure" Tibet of the "unwanted, backward religious thinking". Religion crashes head on with the governing powers when a dead body is found at the worksite and all signs lead to a murder by a demonic deity. The monks wish to perform religious rites at the site of the crime but it is not allowed. The tensions boil over and the monks threaten to stop working which will result in unnecessary bloodshed. Shan is given temporary leave and tasked to find a natural resolution to the crime and cut the feet from the Buddhist protests. Shan finds his own desire for the truth and his Taoist beliefs conflict with the unwanted assignment and he tries to resolve the matter justly while saving himself.
My Thoughts
If anything, this book is incredibly detailed. If you enjoy explorations of religion, you are in for a treat in this novel. The author appears to be quite knowledgeable when in comes to the History of Tibet and the Buddhist religion. That said, it is both a pro and a con.
Detail, Detail, Detail
The author has an incredible eye for detail. The aspects of the religion, the explanations of the conditions and the surroundings were excellent. The reader feels as if they are transported to an exotic and, for most readers, and strange environment. The author creates an excellent sense of culture within the novel and this provides an excellent basis for understanding the often strange (to me) behaviors of some of the characters. Many of the decision and actions would have seemed out of place had this taken place in Anytown, USA but seem reasonable in the struggling culture of Tibet.
Additionally, the characters were well developed and without a doubt, Shan is one of the most intriguing leads I have read in a long time. The setup of a prisoner investigating a crime and torn by two competing cultures makes for an original and entertaining read.
Slow Down a Minute!
At times, the detail became overwhelming. My knowledge of Buddhism is minimal. There was much effort put into the minutia of the religion and I often found myself completely lost. While the author seemed to be quite knowledgeable of the religion, I assume the majority of North American readers are not. Given that I believe I was the intended audience, the author should have done a better job of making this more accessible to me. Given that the religion played a central role, this issue lead to a significant drop in my rating.
Can this one stand alone Yes. It is the first book of the series.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed this well written novel. While I was often lost in the details of the religious aspects, the rest of the story and the mystery was well plotted and well written. I plan on continuing with this new found author.
Sex - 1
There was no sexual content.
Language
Mild Obscenities - 67 F-Words - 5 Religion Exclamations - 4 (I generally only look exclamations as it relates to Christian terms. There may be some related to Buddhism in the book as well)
The use of adult language is incredibly low and suitable for all ages.
Violence - 2.5
There is a murder at the outset but the body is only found. Parts of the body are missing but there is not graphic detail. A person is shot in the head and there is an underlying threat of violence throughout. ...more
Plotting and Pacing Hurt a Good Character - 3 Stars
I enjoy mystery novels that revolve around journalists. Brad Parks and Bruce DeSilva are two Plotting and Pacing Hurt a Good Character - 3 Stars
I enjoy mystery novels that revolve around journalists. Brad Parks and Bruce DeSilva are two personal favorites. I went into this novel with an expectation that there would be a similar style. By that I mean, the mystery and crimes are uncovered though investigative journalism and the crimes are substantive. In some ways this occurred in The Other Woman but overall the story lacked focus and leave the reader feeling a bit disoriented.
Plot Summary
Jane Ryland's career as a TV Journalist was on the rise but her journalistic ethics cost her that job. After breaking a big story on a well known figure, Jane is sued for libel and her source refuses to come forward. Jane stand's behind her promise of confidentiality and the television station is on the hook for a million dollar judgment. After losing her job, she is quickly back on her feet with a job for a local newspaper. Her new job finds her in the middle of a tight Senate race and Jane is not content with the puff pieces her editor has saddled her with and questions about a candidate have her trying to dig up some damning information. At the same time, Jane's former lover, a Detective by the name of Jake Brogan, is investigating a series of murder that leaves the city speculating whether there is a mass killer on the loose.
My Take
The majority of the novel focuses on Jane, Jake and the possibility of a taboo relationship, i.e. a Journalist and a Police Officer or a potential source. On the balance, the story driving the novel was interesting. The problem was grasping what exactly was happening in the story. Many great mysteries and thrillers have parallel story lines that eventual converge. The problem in this case is that the multiple story lines (there are more than two) did not flow together in a smooth manner. The transition from storyline to storyline was often jarring and confusing. The issue was worsened by the large number of characters and the purposeful obfuscation of the identities of several of them. I felt as if I was sitting and watching three theatre productions happening at the same time. I never knew what I supposed to be watching. This severely limited my enjoyment of the novel.
Additionally, I found the character development to be below average. While on the whole I did like the characters of Jane and Jake, they were not well developed. While I felt I understood some of the motivation and actions of Jake, I often found myself confused with the behavior and motivation of Jane. On a personal note, I found some of Jane's legal statements to be questionable. Admittedly, my own legal experience is with Canadian law so I cannot be too judgmental on that point.
Having read other books in this subgenre, I have come to expect similarities in the way that the reporters deal with the paper, the editor, sources etc. This novel did not follow some of the conventions of other novels. This is not a bad thing by any means but the fact that conventions and similarities occurs, it lends itself to a belief that they are real conventions in the newspaper business. Maybe these conventions don't exist or it may be that the writer comes from a television background and not a newspaper background. Or maybe it that I have come to believe that television journalist are not real journalists. Just putting my prejudice out there :)
Final Thoughts
The series has some potential. While it doesn't have the same punch and novels that focus on more intensive investigative journalism, it does offer some lighter fair in the genre. At some point in the future, I will pick up book two and give it another chance. It is my hope that the author does a better job of juggling the perspectives and provides an experience with less confusion.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2
One of the storylines deals with potential sexual affairs. There is never any explicit sexual content. There is some sexual tension between characters.
Paddy Meehan is one of the most entertaining characters I have encountered in a long time. On one hand, she is a lit Paddy Keeps Rolling! - 4 Stars
Paddy Meehan is one of the most entertaining characters I have encountered in a long time. On one hand, she is a little overweight and is self conscious while on the other she is spunky, quick witted and quick tempered. She is the only unbeliever in a staunchly catholic home and she is convinced her unbelief will drag her whole family to hell with her. The entertainment provided by Paddy is worth the read.
Plot summary
Paddy is faced with a moral dilemma. She attends at a police call in progress where there is an apparent domestic situation occurring. After the police have spoken with the parties and have failed to make any arrests, she seeks a comment from the parties. Inside, she sees a young woman who is clearly hurt and with blood running down her face. The man at the door gives her fifty pounds and asks her to keep it out of the papers. The next day, Paddy learns that the woman in the house was found dead. Should she turn in the 50 pound note and risk losing her job or should she keep it to help her down on the luck family. It is after another body is pulled out of the river that Paddy believes there is a bigger story going on and the police seem to be obscuring the facts. Will she get the story of her career or will the bribe come to obscure her credibility.
The Good
Improvements!
The story formatting was my biggest complaint with the first book. While the various "chapters" and "parts" remain, it is much easier to follow in this installment. As in the first, there is a parallel storyline, but it is in the present and is coherent. Instead of detracting from the book, the parallel storyline adds to overall feel.
Setting, Characters and more Setting
As in the first installment, Denise Mina expertly develops characters and places them in a believable near historical setting. I did not visit Scotland in the mid 80's but I feel as if I was there. The depressed economy and the rise of an urban drug culture play prominently in the story and well developed.
The Bad
A Few Stumbles
While the formatting is much improved, it suffers with some pacing issues. I enjoyed the writing and the character of Paddy Meehan so much, that I felt as if it could have been a favorite book but jarring pacing ultimately (although mildly) reduce my opinion.
Can this Book Stand Alone If you really want it to. While this story is self contained, it is part of a trilogy. This second book does not borrow heavily from the first and you would not be lost if you picked up this one first.
Final Thoughts
This and first in the trilogy has left me wanting to read more by Denise Mina. She has a sharp eye for setting and character and I look forward to finish the trilogy. That said, I am quite disappointed there are only three book as Paddy is such a great and relatable character.
Audiobook Notes
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations. When reviewing language, mild obscenities are words like, shit, hell or damn. Religious exclamations are words such as Christ or Jesus when used as profanity.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3
There is a bit more sex in this installment than the last. There is a moderately graphic sex scene in the book and several less graphic ones. As Paddy is aging, the content is become a bit more "adult".
Language - 1
There are about 45 mild obscenities, 70 uses of the f-word and 3 religious exclamations.
Violence - 3
There is also more violence in the background of this novel. There are several mildly graphic descriptions of death and several scenes where characters are beaten. The author tends to avoid the gory description....more
An Excellent Character novel with Format Issues 3.5 Stars
This novel is an exercise is what could have been. It is a great story with an incredibly engaging protagonist. Unfortunately, questionable story formatting and unnecessary side stories lead to confusion and frustration in the first half of the book. This had the potential to be a 5 star read but was ultimately weighed down by these issues.
Plot summary
Patricia "Paddy" Meehan is a 20/21 year old "copyboy" at her local Glasgow newspaper. She comes from a conservative Catholic family, has a fiancée, career aspirations, image issues and a healthy temper. These elements of her life conflict on a regular basis. She is not content to work a low level position at the paper and fancies a future as a journalist. The city is buzzing after a three year boy is brutally murdered and two preteen boys are arrested for the crime. When Paddy learns of the identity of the boys, he life is thrown into disarray as one of the children is related to her fiancée. This leads her to question their guilt and follow the leads down some dangerous paths. As the mystery unfolds, she learns about family, herself and what it means to be an adult.
The Good
Amazing Characters
Paddy Meehan is so delicately crafted that she would not be out of place in a Tana French novel. Her character and her flaws are enjoyable, interesting and compelling. Even the secondary characters are drawn with care and developed beyond the average crime novel. It is the characters that make the novel. I was drawn into Paddy's life and despite the issues with the story formatting, I was reading to see what choices Paddy would make and how her issues would resolve. In terms of characterization alone, Paddy is one of the best characters I have read in many years.
The Story is not Bad Either
Set against the background of these wonderful characters is a main plot that is quite engaging. The investigation is at times a series of blunders as an inexperienced character feels her way through clues, suppositions and gut feelings. This is entertaining as it is at the same time a coming of age story for Paddy. The story is set in 1981 and does an excellent job of conveying the sensibilities of a conservative family at this time and the prejudices and assumptions of Paddy's society.
The Bad
You Need a Map
The author clearly makes an attempt to make multiple parallels to another person with same name as our protagonist. Paddy Meehan was also the name of the name of a famous low level crook who was framed for a crime that he did not commit. In order to tell us this parallel story, the author uses a confusing mesh of chapter and "parts" to tell us of Paddy's conviction as well as his backstory. In my opinion, this element of the story was handled very poorly and I may be the first time in my life I was longing for the author to just give us an info dump instead of another storyline. While I understand the parallels the author was making, I am still fuzzy on what exactly the elder Paddy was meant to have done and the reasons for his setup. These element were finally abandoned 3/4 of the way into the book and it did not look back after that. This is the major reason the story lost 1 1/2 stars from me.
Can this Book Stand Alone
Yes. This is the first in the series.
Final Thoughts
Don't let my star rating scare you away from what is really a very good book. I will most certainly read the second in the series as the author's skill in character creation and development is evident. It is rather unfortunate that story is weighted down by some poor story formatting and by some poor editing choices. Maybe my complaints won't be a concern for you. Regardless, I recommend this for fans of Tana French and readers that prefer their mysteries to be character driven.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading. *Disclaimer* I do not take note or count the occurrences of adult language as I read. I am simply giving approximations.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 3
Paddy deals head on with staunch and conservative approach to sex. There are some clumsy attempts at sexual behavior. There is a moderately graphic but short sex scene. There is discussion of a sexual assault and a character that threatens sexual assault in a graphic manner.
Language - 3.5
There is moderate use of mild obscenities and moderate use of the f-word. Overall, the usage is little higher than average. There are also of variety of insults that are Scottish slang.
Violence - 2.5
There is a murder of a child at the beginning of the book but it is not graphic. A couple of characters are attacked but it is not graphic. There is another murder and it is moderately graphic and seen from the victims perspective. We are told of a sexual assault but it is not described in detail. ...more
Liam Mulligan Puts the Competition on Notice - 5 Stars
There is something refreshing about a mystery based around a journalist. The authors, often former journalists, realize that there is excitement, intrigue and excitement in a plot that does not revolve around murder alone. Bruce DeSilva has upped his game with this installment and has written his most mature, detailed and entertaining novel to date.
The Plot
Determined Journalist, Liam Mulligan, continues to ply his trade in the dying days of the newspaper business. Economics of the trade have left Mulligan sitting in the office, rewriting press releases and in his free time, chasing down real news stories. His long time friend, and now governor of Rhode Island, has laid the groundwork to introduce a bill to legalize sports gambling in the state. This has attracted the interest of multiple parties. The Casinos approve but want to control the action, the Major Sports Leagues and organized crime want to stop it in its tracks, the local government wants to hold the purse strings. Mulligan finds himself in the middle of the action with a large target on his back.
My Take
In this installment of the series, DeSilva finds the perfect balance between humor and substance. From time to time I had to look at the book cover to see if I was reading a Brad Parks novel. I don't mean that as a slight but both author write about wise cracking journalists, working thankless jobs in corrupt town while plying their trade at dying newspapers and both are superb writers.
This book is a prime example of DeSilva's ability to flesh out a character. While characters reoccur, they tend to be less formulaic and more realistic. There are multiple reoccurring characters which could easily become caricatures. DeSilva does a great job of not only maturing the title character but also developing the supporting cast while new characters appear in the novel in an organic way.
I have to give an extra shout out to the author. He shows some real confidence in his story arc development. There were several questions that I asked myself during the first few novels that left me wondering how he would sustain this series long term. DeSilva makes some seemingly bold choices that can take this series into some new and interesting territory.
That said, I do have a minor gripe. DeSilva wears his politics on his sleeve in this installment. A couple of the current presidential hopefuls receive a thrashing at the hands of Mulligan and the other characters. DeSilva stays away of proselytizing for any one party so the ideological references should not deter most readers.
Final Thoughts
Bruce DeSilva is an author that does not get the recognition he deserves. Maybe people just want to read about bloody murders and deranged serial killers. Maybe readers have not given DeSilva a chance. While I have enjoyed all of his novels, this one stand above the rest. This installment presents us with a more mature and well rounded Liam Mulligan and showcases DeSilva's every improving skill.
Content Advisories
It is difficult to find commentary on the sex/violence/language content of book if you are interested. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading.
Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest
Sex - 2.5
A couple of instances of sex. Generally playful to start and cuts away before the action. One characters uses "colorful" language to discuss another's sex life.
I have been following Brad Parks since his first multi-award winning book, Faces of the Gone. I was immediately drawn to the funny and somewhat irreverent Carter Ross. After the previous novel, I felt the series had turned a corner. The characters and relationships began to mature and the stories began to break away from the formula of the first four novels. This installment runs with the new found maturity in the characters and writing. In my humble opinion, The Fraud is the most polished, entertaining and skillful story yet. Carter Ross is here for the long haul.
Plot Summary
Carter Ross is forced to ask himself if he is willing to die for what he loves. The question is answered as Carter Ross investigates a series of murders that occurred following carjacking's. After the carjacking and death of a wealthy white man, Carter is put on the story and he ultimately finds his future is threatened as he follows the clues into directions that he did not anticipate. Despite his years and experience, he learns that the direction of the evidence and the clues are influenced by your perspective.
My Take
While I enjoyed the other novels in this series, I didn't take this series too seriously. While the writing was excellent, the stories and character interactions tended to follow a predictable pattern. This always becomes tiresome and ultimately leads me to abandoning a series. While some minor patterns persist, the series has developed a maturity and The Fraud puts Carter Ross in the same league as the other big players in the genre. I would not be surprised if Brad Parks find one or two new awards decorating his shelf.
In the past couple of years, most of the novels I have read have been in the Crime and Mystery genre. If you are like me, you have started to feel burned out reading of dark crime with broken, fragile and damaged protagonists. While some elements of the this series and this novel can be dark, these elements are always balanced with the humour and wit infused in the story. Another draw of this novel is the focus on a mystery that is more than a murder mystery. As Carter Ross is an investigative journalist, we are absorbed in mysteries and crimes that we would not find in crime other novels. In The Fraud, we are provided some insight in the carjacking culture in New Jersey. Brad Parks takes an less than compelling crime and spins an exciting mystery. The story is about more than the dead bodies.
Final Thoughts
For my money, The Fraud cements Brad Parks as of the best and most entertaining crime and mystery writers in the business. If you want to read his best, go out and buy The Fraud. It just hit the bookstores on July 7, 2015 so there should be plenty of copies to be found. If you want to know how Carter Ross made it book 6, go out and buy Faces of the Gone. I don't think you will be disappointed and I am willing to bet you that you will want to read all the way to book 6.
A special shout out to Brad Parks and St. Martin Press that put an early release copy into my hands. While I rarely mention that a book is an advance copy (for fear that someone will think I inflated my rating to appease the author or publisher), St. Martin Press helped me get a copy of this when it could not be found from the regular pre-release sites. ...more
Belinda Bauer Solidifies Herself as the Queen of the Mildly Strange - 4 Stars
I am an unabashed fan of Belinda Bauer. Since I first read Rubbernecker (my personal favourite) I have been captivated by her quirky, curious and mildly strange character perspectives. Don’t misunderstand me, she does not write bizarro fiction but she tells stories from interesting, sometimes skewed perspectives. Until this book, each story of hers (that I have read) was told from the perspective of a child or young person. Bauer ups her game in this novel and tells portions of the story from at least 5 points of view. While this serve as both a pro and a con, it works on the whole
Plot Summary
Several months before the opening of the story, the young son of Anna and James Buck goes missing after his father forgets to close the door and young Daniel wanders away. Three months later, James is afraid to go to his own home and Anna is certifiable crazy. The stress has not only damaged Anna’s mind but has left their marriage is shambles. In a effort to find her son, Anna attends a church where a minister claims psychic powers and the ability to connect with the dead. During this trip we are connected with the other set of characters and the parallel storyline. Homicide Detective John Marvel care about two things. Advancing his career and solving the a missing child case that has dogged him and threatened to derail his career. A young girl had gone missing. Her bike was found broken and abandoned. The trail had run cold and left him taking extraordinary methods to drum up new leads. Through a strange series of events, the cases of these two children collide and we are left to wonder if a trail of new evidence has a natural explanation or if there are unseen powers at work.
Many Eyes Through Which to See
Bauer never fails to provide unique perspectives. We see through the eyes of the self centred, angry and driven police detective. Through the eyes of a broken father hoping to salvage a life. Through the eyes of a mother who has suffered a break with reality. We see through the eyes of young girl who has been abducted and we watch her try and understand her situation. The various perspectives provide an interesting and varied experience for the reader. Each point of view is so unique but in many ways driven by similar desires.
While on the whole, these varied perspective work well, it becomes a bit overwhelming at times. On several occasions there are multiple perspective changes within one chapter and the reader is left to juggle and organize the different views. This also results a story that is more disjointed than her previous novels. While it is very well written with an engaging plot, it didn’t have the easy atmospheric flow of her previous novels. Bauer’s amazing sense of place and her ability to create atmosphere has been a trademark. It was lacking in this book. While not detrimental, it is not what I have come to expect.
Final Thoughts
Bauer has taken a plot that could have easily become gimmicky (psychics and unexplained visions) and created a story that takes your focus away from what could become distracting. While I did not enjoy it as much as her previous two books, Belinda Bauer has produced another winner that will keep you reading late into the night.
I should also note that this book is a prequel to her earlier novels in her Exmoor Trilogy. It isn't stated as such, but a rereading of Darkside will clarify the issue and will provide some minor spoilers of this novel....more
Tim The Enchanter
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