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sianw1992's review against another edition
4.0
I love Mark Billingham. I've read several Tom Thorne books now and return to his world, like slipping into my favourite pair of jeans.
Thorne and his colleagues are funny, interesting and each of them have their own unique points and individualities. Being allowed inside Thorne's head I feel is a privilege and a very exciting and amusing place to be. His thoughts make the story come alive.
The story itself is certainly an interesting one after an infamous London gangster, thought to be dead is discovered to be alive. When Alan Langford starts bumping off informers, it's up to Thorne to track down the gangster and work out the identity of the charred remains they have found.
As always, you're kept guessing, right to the end, and with a short excursion to Spain, it's one of the best Thorne novels to date.
Thorne and his colleagues are funny, interesting and each of them have their own unique points and individualities. Being allowed inside Thorne's head I feel is a privilege and a very exciting and amusing place to be. His thoughts make the story come alive.
The story itself is certainly an interesting one after an infamous London gangster, thought to be dead is discovered to be alive. When Alan Langford starts bumping off informers, it's up to Thorne to track down the gangster and work out the identity of the charred remains they have found.
As always, you're kept guessing, right to the end, and with a short excursion to Spain, it's one of the best Thorne novels to date.
jtr99's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mbfeeney's review against another edition
3.0
I've read a couple of the Thorne books and they are always a fairly easy read. Pretty much what you expect from a detective story set in London.
This one was no different. Billingham sets up the story well in the prologue that makes you wonder what's going on and slowly unravels the plot twists and red herrings.
The way Billingham swaps between Thorne's POV and that of the main "baddy" is very clever as you get to see both sides of the investigation as each side try and find out who's behind the photos and what the other side know.
I've never seen the TV adaptation of these books and I'm glad as they usually ruin the books for me, even though the main character is played by one of my favourite actors - David Morrissey.
The only complaint I have about this instalment is that my favourite character, Phil Hendricks, isn't in this one as much as others. I really enjoy the interaction between him and Tom Thorne.
I will no doubt read more of the series, but they're not up at the top of the list of "must buys".
This one was no different. Billingham sets up the story well in the prologue that makes you wonder what's going on and slowly unravels the plot twists and red herrings.
The way Billingham swaps between Thorne's POV and that of the main "baddy" is very clever as you get to see both sides of the investigation as each side try and find out who's behind the photos and what the other side know.
I've never seen the TV adaptation of these books and I'm glad as they usually ruin the books for me, even though the main character is played by one of my favourite actors - David Morrissey.
The only complaint I have about this instalment is that my favourite character, Phil Hendricks, isn't in this one as much as others. I really enjoy the interaction between him and Tom Thorne.
I will no doubt read more of the series, but they're not up at the top of the list of "must buys".
newson66's review against another edition
1.0
This has to be one of the dullest, most pedestrian crime novels yet to be encountered. It is overly long and seems to plod on and on eventually grinding to a brain achingingly obvious conclusion. This months entry to the Eyre Highway awards.
sfoster2309's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mxinky's review
3.0
3.5 stars. Again, solid, interesting plot, weird treatment of women and also Irish people.
andrew61's review
4.0
I think I say this every time I read another in the Tom Thorne series but the books just keep getting better and better and Thorne is up there as one of my favourite police officers with Rebus and Wallander.
Here a widow convicted 10 years ago of having her husband murdered when she is released from prison receives a photo of him happily smiling away for the camera next to the sea with a beer in hand. Thorne's investigation places him and anyone near him at personal harm leading to a thrilling climax. A cracking read.
Here a widow convicted 10 years ago of having her husband murdered when she is released from prison receives a photo of him happily smiling away for the camera next to the sea with a beer in hand. Thorne's investigation places him and anyone near him at personal harm leading to a thrilling climax. A cracking read.
booked_becki's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sophiewilliams's review
3.0
Not the strongest of this series, but good nonetheless. Thorne gets to go on holiday! Less interaction with the supporting cast.
anetq's review
4.0
A gangster comes back from the dead, just as his ex-wife/widow is about to get released for murdering him...
(I'm on a bit of a Thorne binge, and they are entertaining)
(I'm on a bit of a Thorne binge, and they are entertaining)