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rhidee's review against another edition
3.0
Good story, but could have been executed better. Some of the twists and turns were visible from a mile off, though I did like the format of the big secret being told to us at the start.
heidi_84's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cookiemonster1234's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
emckeon1002's review against another edition
4.0
After looking quickly through hundreds of crime novels and mysteries at Gene's bookstore (an amazing place) on Sanibel Island, I picked this off the shelf in hopes of discovering another series worth pursuing. It passes the test after reading the plot blurb, and the first two pages. I wasn't disappointed. Max Wolfe is a strong character, with fewer warts and psychological tics than many modern detective personae. Still, he's far from infallible. Parsons draws three-dimensional characters (with the exception of the eventual arch-villain), and the plotting is excellent, with twist all the way to the final chapter. Looking forward to the next in the Mac Wolfe series.
sabrina80's review against another edition
3.0
The storyline was brilliant however, it lacked the true grittiness and gore that a crime novel deserves. It centered too much on DC Wolfe's life as a single father but since the author is renowned for writing novels based on relationship problems I can see this is his comfort zone. It's a shame though as this novel could have been so much better if it had just been about the murder. It was still an enjoyable read though not quite worth 3 stars, more a 2.5 stars.
bumble_budgie's review against another edition
2.0
Really could not get into this book. I'm sick of all these sorts of books being the same. The predictable detective type MAN who happens to be a widow with a young child. I was really hoping to read something a little different.
Would probably have been a good book if it was the first one I'd read like this. It's a shame really.
Would probably have been a good book if it was the first one I'd read like this. It's a shame really.
ldv's review against another edition
3.0
Very dark and disturbing for a detective murder mystery. Certainly not sanitized. But the writing is good and the detective's daughter gives him humanity. Fast paced, not really a plot twister, but reasonable development and plenty of murders. I will probably read the next one.
joanna_m's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book via the GoodReads First Reads programme, and I was very pleasantly surprised by what I found (although I was left with some reservations: really a 3.75/5). In his first novel, Parsons walks an unsteady line between social commentary and entertainment, and doesn't always tread very carefully. His female characters, and his attitude towards them, left something to be desired, though he did invite consideration of some gender issues. Overall, his thriller writing was the strongest weapon in his arsenal, but the attempts to make his novel more than that make Parsons a cut above his competitors.
clairereviews's review against another edition
3.0
Review: The Murder Bag by Tony Parsons Publication date: 8th May 2014
Publisher: Random House UK, Cornerstone
ISBN: 9781448185726
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Twenty years ago seven rich, privileged students became friends at their exclusive private school, Potter’s Field. Now they have started dying in the most violent way imaginable.
Detective Max Wolfe has recently arrived in the Homicide division of London’s West End Central, 27 Savile Row.
Soon he is following the bloody trail from the backstreets and bright lights of the city, to the darkest corners of the internet and all the way to the corridors of power.
As the bodies pile up, Max finds the killer’s reach getting closer to everything - and everyone - he loves.
Soon he is fighting not only for justice, but for his own life....
Review:
Max is a really interesting character. Single father to young Scout, he hopes the recent move will be beneficial to their little family.
His first case as a homicide detective is complex - an unusual and precise MO with a rare weapon - and sees him interacting with numerous colleagues.
Max is likeable, a strong male character with a real vulnerability in his young daughter. He was complex enough to hold my interest, and I really enjoyed the switching between his work and home lives. This gave the character great layers and made him believable.
I found the case interesting, but I didn't find it engrossing enough to warrant a higher rating. I'm interested enough to read the next Max Wolfe, but not excited enough to pre-order. I'm hoping it'll be better than The Murder Bag.
Publisher: Random House UK, Cornerstone
ISBN: 9781448185726
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Twenty years ago seven rich, privileged students became friends at their exclusive private school, Potter’s Field. Now they have started dying in the most violent way imaginable.
Detective Max Wolfe has recently arrived in the Homicide division of London’s West End Central, 27 Savile Row.
Soon he is following the bloody trail from the backstreets and bright lights of the city, to the darkest corners of the internet and all the way to the corridors of power.
As the bodies pile up, Max finds the killer’s reach getting closer to everything - and everyone - he loves.
Soon he is fighting not only for justice, but for his own life....
Review:
Max is a really interesting character. Single father to young Scout, he hopes the recent move will be beneficial to their little family.
His first case as a homicide detective is complex - an unusual and precise MO with a rare weapon - and sees him interacting with numerous colleagues.
Max is likeable, a strong male character with a real vulnerability in his young daughter. He was complex enough to hold my interest, and I really enjoyed the switching between his work and home lives. This gave the character great layers and made him believable.
I found the case interesting, but I didn't find it engrossing enough to warrant a higher rating. I'm interested enough to read the next Max Wolfe, but not excited enough to pre-order. I'm hoping it'll be better than The Murder Bag.
booknookie's review against another edition
3.0
You can read more of my reviews at my blog The Book Chick.
Never read anything by Parsons before and I’m pleasantly surprised. I like the book, unfortunately I didn’t love it. Probably because of the slightly diluted plot and the typical English settings. And I don’t mean typical in a good way. This book has a somewhat tame and watered topic, which I have read over and over again before. Why do you have to have that slanted balance of power in crime thrillers, specially English crime? I’m getting tired of it and quite frankly, is the genre done? Is there nothing more to write about? I feel English crime books are a complete genre by itself since they often are the same specially with the work relationships in the police house. Still I do love English Crime.
This gritty thriller is about a rebel cop (Max Wolfe) who’s only goal in his job, is to do the right thing and find out the truth. Perhaps even save a couple of lives along the way. He is following the questions and evidence no matter where it will lead and even if his bosses are against it or try to stop him. Wolfe is a great character to follow. He is a rebel yes, but he is not that typical kick ass cop you often read about. He feels more human, can get hurt as easily as anyone else, struggles with stuff and I love how real he feels. He is a single dad with a daughter and a dog. This little family is the center of the book and makes it warm and real in the chill of the crimes.
The plot was interesting and the mystery wasn’t that predictable. I do want to try the next book in the series. Book two actually have a higher rating on GoodReads and the first book so I’m kind of curios.
Never read anything by Parsons before and I’m pleasantly surprised. I like the book, unfortunately I didn’t love it. Probably because of the slightly diluted plot and the typical English settings. And I don’t mean typical in a good way. This book has a somewhat tame and watered topic, which I have read over and over again before. Why do you have to have that slanted balance of power in crime thrillers, specially English crime? I’m getting tired of it and quite frankly, is the genre done? Is there nothing more to write about? I feel English crime books are a complete genre by itself since they often are the same specially with the work relationships in the police house. Still I do love English Crime.
This gritty thriller is about a rebel cop (Max Wolfe) who’s only goal in his job, is to do the right thing and find out the truth. Perhaps even save a couple of lives along the way. He is following the questions and evidence no matter where it will lead and even if his bosses are against it or try to stop him. Wolfe is a great character to follow. He is a rebel yes, but he is not that typical kick ass cop you often read about. He feels more human, can get hurt as easily as anyone else, struggles with stuff and I love how real he feels. He is a single dad with a daughter and a dog. This little family is the center of the book and makes it warm and real in the chill of the crimes.
The plot was interesting and the mystery wasn’t that predictable. I do want to try the next book in the series. Book two actually have a higher rating on GoodReads and the first book so I’m kind of curios.