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lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Finally! DS McRae becomes DI McRae... wonder how long this lasts.
There's a version of Idol/Voice/NextBigThing singing competition on, and the top contenders - a mother/daughter team singing in honor of their husband/father who was killed in Iraq - have been kidnapped. Since they're from Aberdeen, of course Grampian's finest get to deal with it. This time, there's national pressure as the nation rallies to raise the ransom money, as well as holding endless rallies and releasing cover versions of the cover version of "Wind Beneath My Wings". Toes are cut off... wrong trees barked up... you know the drill. And then there's a drug bust that goes wrong, very wrong.
The critical moments come twice, once when Logan and Samantha's apartment is set on fire, and Samantha critically injured in escaping and then later when Logan terrifies a man (who turns out not to have set the fire). By the end, he's hallucinating/dreaming about Samantha's recovery and wondering if he really wants to remain on the force.
And curtain.
Can't wait to see what happens. next.
There's a version of Idol/Voice/NextBigThing singing competition on, and the top contenders - a mother/daughter team singing in honor of their husband/father who was killed in Iraq - have been kidnapped. Since they're from Aberdeen, of course Grampian's finest get to deal with it. This time, there's national pressure as the nation rallies to raise the ransom money, as well as holding endless rallies and releasing cover versions of the cover version of "Wind Beneath My Wings". Toes are cut off... wrong trees barked up... you know the drill. And then there's a drug bust that goes wrong, very wrong.
The critical moments come twice, once when Logan and Samantha's apartment is set on fire, and Samantha critically injured in escaping and then later when Logan terrifies a man (who turns out not to have set the fire). By the end, he's hallucinating/dreaming about Samantha's recovery and wondering if he really wants to remain on the force.
And curtain.
Can't wait to see what happens. next.
lorameep's review against another edition
2.0
The book was slow and hard for me to get into. I forced myself however to finish it. The last few chapters were easier to read as it was more action packed. The plot twist was okay.
amber_faith_27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
crystal6's review against another edition
4.0
A kidnapping of a Mother and her child, drug dealings.
The usual gritty humour and unusual characters.
Personal tragedy for McRae, Steel was excellent in this book.
Will definitely continue with this series.
The usual gritty humour and unusual characters.
Personal tragedy for McRae, Steel was excellent in this book.
Will definitely continue with this series.
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
I like this series, but it's starting to get a little old. I've read the 6 previous books, so maybe I just need a break, and your mileage may vary. The humor is good, but it's losing its appeal, and the fact that the protagonist is basically an incompetent clown who somehow manages to solve crimes through persistent but crazy investigation gets to me sometimes. How many times can he try to arrest someone, often the same person, and get beat up and lose the guy through being dumb or inattentive before it gets old? I find myself saying "Not again!" too often.
The crimes are pretty gruesome, so humor is appreciated, though; it just needs more variety. And the plots were good in this one; neither I nor the characters in the book guessed who the villains were. They only figured it out by chance, and McRae was as surprised as I was.
I'm sure I'll read more, but not right away. Besides, I have lots of other books in my pile.
The crimes are pretty gruesome, so humor is appreciated, though; it just needs more variety. And the plots were good in this one; neither I nor the characters in the book guessed who the villains were. They only figured it out by chance, and McRae was as surprised as I was.
I'm sure I'll read more, but not right away. Besides, I have lots of other books in my pile.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
3.0
READ IN DUTCH
I won this book at Ezzulia and I was very pleased to win it, because I had heard such positive stories about the books bij Stuart MacBride. I couldn't wait to start with it. But, while reading, my enthusiasm got tempered.
Now, I've been thinking what to think about 'Shatter The Bones', but actually all I can say about is: average. Everything about it was in my opinion average. Story, setting, writing style, nothing was really remarkable... Yes, it was a detective story and it was nice and easy to read, but if you would ask me next year what the book was about, I probably couldn't give you an answer. I don't like that. I want to read stories I'll never forget after reading. But this isn't one of those. Unfortunately.
It's just average...
I won this book at Ezzulia and I was very pleased to win it, because I had heard such positive stories about the books bij Stuart MacBride. I couldn't wait to start with it. But, while reading, my enthusiasm got tempered.
Now, I've been thinking what to think about 'Shatter The Bones', but actually all I can say about is: average. Everything about it was in my opinion average. Story, setting, writing style, nothing was really remarkable... Yes, it was a detective story and it was nice and easy to read, but if you would ask me next year what the book was about, I probably couldn't give you an answer. I don't like that. I want to read stories I'll never forget after reading. But this isn't one of those. Unfortunately.
It's just average...
macwolf01's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by Stuart MacBride was good however, I found that as it is in the middle of the Logan McRae series there were side stories that I was missing. So now I need to go back and read from the beginning of the series.
My BIGGEST complaint is that no cop would survive with the amount of damage this poor guy takes through this novel.
4 stars.
My BIGGEST complaint is that no cop would survive with the amount of damage this poor guy takes through this novel.
4 stars.
fat_girl_fiction's review against another edition
3.0
I've always been a massive fan of Stuart MacBride but when reading the blurb for this novel I wasn't as excited as I normally am diving into Logan McRae's Aberdeen.
In Shatter the Bones Alison and Jenny McGregor, the main attraction of the latest reality show 'Britain's Next Big Star', have been kidnapped. McRae and team are doing their best to find out who did it but they keep meeting dead ends. Meanwhile Trisha Brown and her partner Shuggie Webster keep getting into all kinds of trouble.
There are several things I loved about Shatter the Bones. The characters are always brilliant, the most well rounded, well loved bunch of fictional people I've ever come across and the dialogue between them zings. I particularly enjoyed the introduction of Green, in fact I found myself infuriated with him most of the time and that proves to me just how excellent the author is at creating characters with depth and all sort of different nuances.
MacBride also keeps up a speedy pace ensuring the reader never gets bored and there's always something new to be revealed. I also enjoyed the take on reality television and the lengths people will go to for fame and fortune. With every weekend being taken over by The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and The Voice, this book illustrated the madness of it all, being plucked from obscurity and plunged into the limelight with no safety net.
What I struggled with in this particular novel is the amount of suspects and characters. At points I wasn't entirely sure who they were talking about and would have to skip back a couple of pages and check. There were also some unnecessary characters. I understand that MacBride wants to portray a realistic police service and therefore certain officers would be used for certain roles, but it got a bit much for me. I was also a bit disappointed with the ending. It wasn't the huge twist I was hoping for (and normally expect) and it all seemed a bit hurried.
So overall, three out of five stars for Shatter the Bones. I will definitely read more of MacBride's work in the future. This one just wasn't my cup of tea.
In Shatter the Bones Alison and Jenny McGregor, the main attraction of the latest reality show 'Britain's Next Big Star', have been kidnapped. McRae and team are doing their best to find out who did it but they keep meeting dead ends. Meanwhile Trisha Brown and her partner Shuggie Webster keep getting into all kinds of trouble.
There are several things I loved about Shatter the Bones. The characters are always brilliant, the most well rounded, well loved bunch of fictional people I've ever come across and the dialogue between them zings. I particularly enjoyed the introduction of Green, in fact I found myself infuriated with him most of the time and that proves to me just how excellent the author is at creating characters with depth and all sort of different nuances.
MacBride also keeps up a speedy pace ensuring the reader never gets bored and there's always something new to be revealed. I also enjoyed the take on reality television and the lengths people will go to for fame and fortune. With every weekend being taken over by The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and The Voice, this book illustrated the madness of it all, being plucked from obscurity and plunged into the limelight with no safety net.
What I struggled with in this particular novel is the amount of suspects and characters. At points I wasn't entirely sure who they were talking about and would have to skip back a couple of pages and check. There were also some unnecessary characters. I understand that MacBride wants to portray a realistic police service and therefore certain officers would be used for certain roles, but it got a bit much for me. I was also a bit disappointed with the ending. It wasn't the huge twist I was hoping for (and normally expect) and it all seemed a bit hurried.
So overall, three out of five stars for Shatter the Bones. I will definitely read more of MacBride's work in the future. This one just wasn't my cup of tea.
yourshadefalls's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lizzicyrus's review against another edition
5.0
WOW
This was a great read, there were times I was holding my breath.
I need to know what happens to Sam
This was a great read, there were times I was holding my breath.
I need to know what happens to Sam