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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I thought this book was ok. Really liked some of the characters, but felt that others really needed to be fleshed out more.
Although classified as a mystery novel by my library, this is a police procedural/thriller that feels like a season of a pretty good cop show set in Portland, ME. I haven't read the first two, but it was easy to drop into the story. This was a page turner despite covering pretty safe ground in terms of characters and plot.
Merged review:
Although classified as a mystery novel by my library, this is a police procedural/thriller that feels like a season of a pretty good cop show set in Portland, ME. I haven't read the first two, but it was easy to drop into the story. This was a page turner despite covering pretty safe ground in terms of characters and plot.
Merged review:
Although classified as a mystery novel by my library, this is a police procedural/thriller that feels like a season of a pretty good cop show set in Portland, ME. I haven't read the first two, but it was easy to drop into the story. This was a page turner despite covering pretty safe ground in terms of characters and plot.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked up "Beyond the Truth" after Bruce Coffin's novel picked up the Silver Falchion for Best Procedural at Killer Nashville. I should have done so a whole lot sooner. A crackling mystery set in Portland, Maine, where Coffin himself served as detective sergeant and chief investigator of homicides and violent crimes, it examines the hard truths of an officer-involved-shooting. As an ex-cop, Coffin knows his stuff. He also knows his stuff as a writer, creating a propulsive story about the shooting of a teen by a cop and how that tragedy impacts the police, the neighborhood and several families of high school kids. The death comes down hard on series hero Detective Sergeant Byron, who is a sharp investigator, funny with the dark worldview you acquire working his beat. He feels the impact of the first death and the crimes that come after, making the character all the more rounded. This is a procedural with soul and pain and guts. Book 3 in the series, it's not to be missed!
Wow! This book literally began with a bang and continued to blow me away until the end. I could not put it down! The pacing was fantastic and reinforced the mounting tension all the way to the very end. Don't start this one if you have anything else that needs to get done because it will be incredibly difficult to disconnect once the pages start turning. Or if you're like me and read after the kids go to bed, who needs sleep anyway right?!?!
Despite being the third book in the series, I never felt as though I was missing anything. There was just enough information presented to understand past events while also garnering intrigue to actually go back and read the previous books to fill in the gaps. I can't wait to read more because if this book was any indication of the author's previous works, I've got a few more sleepless nights ahead of me!
This was a great example of what a compelling police procedural should be! It was so immersive and relevant with a plot that not only grabbed your attention, but held it throughout as well. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author used his experience with law enforcement to craft a convincing case that spotlighted characters from all facets of the investigative and criminal sides, including political and media motivations as well. These multiple points of view captured the perfect balance between the power dynamics at play where crime is involved. There are so many shades of gray behind any given action or motive and the author was able to masterfully capture this realism that only someone with so much insight in the field would be able to express. His deft writing conveyed the methodology of an investigation so that any layman could understand the process and any reader would be able to enjoy it. The dialogue flowed naturally and the clues and evidence were introduced seamlessly, while also quite surprisingly so as to add a twist and turn that kept you guessing right along with the characters.
Overall, high expectations have been set for this series and I'm so eager for more!
Despite being the third book in the series, I never felt as though I was missing anything. There was just enough information presented to understand past events while also garnering intrigue to actually go back and read the previous books to fill in the gaps. I can't wait to read more because if this book was any indication of the author's previous works, I've got a few more sleepless nights ahead of me!
This was a great example of what a compelling police procedural should be! It was so immersive and relevant with a plot that not only grabbed your attention, but held it throughout as well. I thoroughly enjoyed how the author used his experience with law enforcement to craft a convincing case that spotlighted characters from all facets of the investigative and criminal sides, including political and media motivations as well. These multiple points of view captured the perfect balance between the power dynamics at play where crime is involved. There are so many shades of gray behind any given action or motive and the author was able to masterfully capture this realism that only someone with so much insight in the field would be able to express. His deft writing conveyed the methodology of an investigation so that any layman could understand the process and any reader would be able to enjoy it. The dialogue flowed naturally and the clues and evidence were introduced seamlessly, while also quite surprisingly so as to add a twist and turn that kept you guessing right along with the characters.
Overall, high expectations have been set for this series and I'm so eager for more!
This gripping crime saga kept me up way too late two nights in a row. This timely story resonates with real characters, exposing both their flaws as well as their strengths. I found myself rooting for Detective Sergent Byron to not only solve the mysteries behind two tragic shootings but also prevail in his internal battles. Looking forward to spending more time in Portland with the PPD.