Scan barcode
miss_red's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicjohnston's review
3.0
A book that lacked in likeable characters but the plot was promising. Unfortunately at the c.60% mark was a reveal which was unsavoury, didn’t fit with the story, was unnecessary and was a similar (and I think misjudged) plot twist from a previous book by the same author. 3* is relatively generous.
saazhar's review
5.0
Whenever it comes to Brookmyre, I generally wait about 10 days to write a review, but this time I couldn't wait.
I debated for a while if this was a four star or a five star, and the reason for my confusion was, as others have pointed, primarily due to the slow start. But on reflection the start wasn't necessarily slow, but rather it was because Brookmyre tried something quite different in these books. First, there are a lot of characters that he chose to develop, unlike other books of his where it is primarily the "detective" (Angelique or Parlabane), the victim and the killer. Instead, we have a host of characters of all ages and Brookmyre devotes sufficient time to developing all of them so that they don't seem to be two-dimensional. Second, unlike many of his books, there are quite a few crimes to solve, and there are quite a few contenders for the titular Fallen Angel. And finally, Brookmyre paces the resolutions quite well - although there is a watershed moment at the end where many of the mysteries are resolved, some do find resolution throughout.
Like other Brookmyre books, the mysteries are well-developed and leaves one guessing till the end. And the ending is rollicking and absorbing - I found myself trying to finish the book with one hand while playing football with my toddler.
Brookmyre remains one of my favorite authors of all time - and if you liked his other books and want to try something a little different, you should definitely give this one a read.
I debated for a while if this was a four star or a five star, and the reason for my confusion was, as others have pointed, primarily due to the slow start. But on reflection the start wasn't necessarily slow, but rather it was because Brookmyre tried something quite different in these books. First, there are a lot of characters that he chose to develop, unlike other books of his where it is primarily the "detective" (Angelique or Parlabane), the victim and the killer. Instead, we have a host of characters of all ages and Brookmyre devotes sufficient time to developing all of them so that they don't seem to be two-dimensional. Second, unlike many of his books, there are quite a few crimes to solve, and there are quite a few contenders for the titular Fallen Angel. And finally, Brookmyre paces the resolutions quite well - although there is a watershed moment at the end where many of the mysteries are resolved, some do find resolution throughout.
Like other Brookmyre books, the mysteries are well-developed and leaves one guessing till the end. And the ending is rollicking and absorbing - I found myself trying to finish the book with one hand while playing football with my toddler.
Brookmyre remains one of my favorite authors of all time - and if you liked his other books and want to try something a little different, you should definitely give this one a read.
bookedandwatched's review
5.0
To new nanny Amanda, the Temple family seem to have it all: the former actress; the famous professor; their three successful grown-up children. But like any family, beneath the smiles and hugs there lurks far darker emotions.
Sixteen years earlier, little Niamh Temple died while they were on holiday in Portugal. Now, as Amanda joins the family for a reunion at their seaside villa, she begins to suspect one of them might be hiding something terrible...
And suspicion is a dangerous thing...
Its been a while since I've read a Chris Brookmyre book and I used to devour them as soon as they were released. I thought it was about time I gave him another go.
Whilst this book is a slight deviation from his usual settings and style it works. It starts with a gripping first scene that grabs your attention and draws you in from the get go.
This is a book that slowly builds tension and everything has a reason for being there. Every detail is thought through. It is a true "nothing is quite as it seems" tale. The reward of you finding out if the bits you guessed are right or not is so sweet with this book.
Makes me want to read more Brookmyre again... Think I have The Cut on my TBR pile...
Sixteen years earlier, little Niamh Temple died while they were on holiday in Portugal. Now, as Amanda joins the family for a reunion at their seaside villa, she begins to suspect one of them might be hiding something terrible...
And suspicion is a dangerous thing...
Its been a while since I've read a Chris Brookmyre book and I used to devour them as soon as they were released. I thought it was about time I gave him another go.
Whilst this book is a slight deviation from his usual settings and style it works. It starts with a gripping first scene that grabs your attention and draws you in from the get go.
This is a book that slowly builds tension and everything has a reason for being there. Every detail is thought through. It is a true "nothing is quite as it seems" tale. The reward of you finding out if the bits you guessed are right or not is so sweet with this book.
Makes me want to read more Brookmyre again... Think I have The Cut on my TBR pile...
sallywindle's review
4.0
Multiple moments in this book made me audibly gasp - great story and really well written, very entertaining
mpr2000's review
4.0
This had been a slow paced psychological thriller; with multiple characters on it and a twisted and emotional story to be told which will surprise any reader.
It was a little difficult in the beginning getting centered on the story, between the characters thoughts and travelling between the past and the present I wasn’t sure what was the story about. Something terrible happened in a paradisiac villa in Portugal, the family was broken and now, many years after, the family has been reunited again to say the last goodbye to the famous Max Temple, the patriarc of the family. But don’t be flashed with this family status, they have some dark hidden secrets that will frighten any decent reader; they always say that even in the best families there are secrets, don’t they?
While we discover the Temple’s family, we will meet their neighbours too, they were there that horrible day, but now their fate will be sealed for what they saw. And the only one that will be objective enough to try to discover the truth will be Amanda, the nanny they have hired to take care of their new son…
I don’t want to share my opinions with all the characters because it will spoil the read and I will possibly make some spoilers without being aware of them, let’s just say that not all of them are nice people. And there were so many “tabu” themes on this book that I was totally surprised reading them, but it is always interesting to read a book that doesn’t have fear to make the reader think about what they have read and want to talk about. That’s for me one of the most interesting things of reading a good book, wanting to talk about and recommend it!
I would praise you to take a chance on “Fallen Angels”, the story is full of layers and complexity, even if I saw the full story since the beginning, I am sure the twists are not easy to discover and will delight any reader!
Ready?
It was a little difficult in the beginning getting centered on the story, between the characters thoughts and travelling between the past and the present I wasn’t sure what was the story about. Something terrible happened in a paradisiac villa in Portugal, the family was broken and now, many years after, the family has been reunited again to say the last goodbye to the famous Max Temple, the patriarc of the family. But don’t be flashed with this family status, they have some dark hidden secrets that will frighten any decent reader; they always say that even in the best families there are secrets, don’t they?
While we discover the Temple’s family, we will meet their neighbours too, they were there that horrible day, but now their fate will be sealed for what they saw. And the only one that will be objective enough to try to discover the truth will be Amanda, the nanny they have hired to take care of their new son…
I don’t want to share my opinions with all the characters because it will spoil the read and I will possibly make some spoilers without being aware of them, let’s just say that not all of them are nice people. And there were so many “tabu” themes on this book that I was totally surprised reading them, but it is always interesting to read a book that doesn’t have fear to make the reader think about what they have read and want to talk about. That’s for me one of the most interesting things of reading a good book, wanting to talk about and recommend it!
I would praise you to take a chance on “Fallen Angels”, the story is full of layers and complexity, even if I saw the full story since the beginning, I am sure the twists are not easy to discover and will delight any reader!
Ready?
sophieblinston's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
i think i’d give it 3.25-3.5 if i could. i liked the book but it took me 100 pages to get into it really. the plot twist half way through was really 😱 but then the ending plot twist was more 😮 in my opinion. i enjoyed and it was a good read, but somewhat predictable at the end if ygm. i still enjoyed it though
rumaho76's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is Chris Brookmyre's #metoo book. Although it's a good read, I don't think it reaches the brilliance of some of his other works.
emmadobson_2812's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Homophobia