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cheekylaydee's review against another edition
4.0
Die of Shame lives up to the standards I've grown to expect from Mark Billingham. He has yet to disappoint me!
Every Monday night, six people gather together with their therapist to try and exorcise some of their demons. They are all victims of addiction with deep-seated issues that bring them shame. When one of the group is killed, and not even found until most of her has seeped through the floorboards, Detective Inspector Nicola Tanner has the task of trying to infiltrate this seemingly tight-knit group which is bound up in the folds of confidentiality. She is convinced that the death is connected to that group.
Why was her absence not noted sooner? Her disappearance not noticed? What happened in those sessions leading up to her death and what significance do they hold? Tanner has to find out.
The story jumps from the present day to the events that led up to the death seamlessly, I was never confused as to when and where I was supposed to be. No easy task for a writer but Billingham manages to pull it off. Those of us that have read the Tom Thorne series will recognise some of the background characters although Tanner deservedly takes the spotlight. However, I liked their involvement, it made me feel like I was in an exclusive club.
A brilliant setting for a murder, with characters that all have shady pasts, and plenty of reasons to keep things hidden. A must read for Mark Billingham fans although I have no doubt that if you're a fan you don't need me to tell you that! 4 Stars.
Every Monday night, six people gather together with their therapist to try and exorcise some of their demons. They are all victims of addiction with deep-seated issues that bring them shame. When one of the group is killed, and not even found until most of her has seeped through the floorboards, Detective Inspector Nicola Tanner has the task of trying to infiltrate this seemingly tight-knit group which is bound up in the folds of confidentiality. She is convinced that the death is connected to that group.
Why was her absence not noted sooner? Her disappearance not noticed? What happened in those sessions leading up to her death and what significance do they hold? Tanner has to find out.
The story jumps from the present day to the events that led up to the death seamlessly, I was never confused as to when and where I was supposed to be. No easy task for a writer but Billingham manages to pull it off. Those of us that have read the Tom Thorne series will recognise some of the background characters although Tanner deservedly takes the spotlight. However, I liked their involvement, it made me feel like I was in an exclusive club.
A brilliant setting for a murder, with characters that all have shady pasts, and plenty of reasons to keep things hidden. A must read for Mark Billingham fans although I have no doubt that if you're a fan you don't need me to tell you that! 4 Stars.
vandermeer's review against another edition
1.0
Unlogisch, alle sind unsymphatisch und die Geschichte interessiert mich auch nicht.
smartymarty111's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This one was very slow. I enjoyed the character development, but in the end it seemed a lot of it wasn’t relevant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
charlie_allin's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first ever Mark Billington book and I loved it! I think this works so well as there are so many characters with a shared experience but they all have such different characteristics and personalities which is shown so well in how it is written, you go through the book saying ‘yes you definitely did it’ just to be shocked at the end. I also had that moment of ‘how on earth is this going to get solved and wrapped up in 40 pages but Billingham has done it so well it just a flows. This really was an enjoyable read, perfect for those looking for a gripping read ♥️
vickyloo's review against another edition
5.0
Could not put this book down absolutely loved it will be looking out for more from this author.
cecilie_flohr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was amazing.
The chapters switch between the police trying to solve the murder and everything that led up to the murder, which I enjoyed. It was a good way to know some of what was going on, yet not everything.
The characters were all interesting, and there were so many twists throughout the book that I was always entertained.
The chapters switch between the police trying to solve the murder and everything that led up to the murder, which I enjoyed. It was a good way to know some of what was going on, yet not everything.
The characters were all interesting, and there were so many twists throughout the book that I was always entertained.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
In leafy North London a therapy group convenes every Monday evening. Each member of the group has their own demons and their own secrets, even the therapist. When one of the group is murdered, DI Nicola Tanner and her team investigate but although they quickly realise the key to the mystery lies within the group they struggle to make sense of what happened.
This book is a variation of the 'closed room' mystery in that all the suspects may have had a motive and that is the way that the story progresses. In a narrative that switches from past to present, Billingham builds that back story and also the investigation. However although the murderer is revealed to the reader, the police investigation is not quite so fortunate and I quite liked this twist. Unfortunately I didn't really get into the book which is unusual for one of Bellingham's'. I found the characters all very unsympathetic and the writing quite pedestrian at times.
This book is a variation of the 'closed room' mystery in that all the suspects may have had a motive and that is the way that the story progresses. In a narrative that switches from past to present, Billingham builds that back story and also the investigation. However although the murderer is revealed to the reader, the police investigation is not quite so fortunate and I quite liked this twist. Unfortunately I didn't really get into the book which is unusual for one of Bellingham's'. I found the characters all very unsympathetic and the writing quite pedestrian at times.
jtr99's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
addy1991's review against another edition
4.0
Been a while since I've read any of his Tom Thorne series, but I enjoyed the few that I did and was willing to give this stand-alone novel a try. The brief cameo appearance of Thorne was a nice touch in showing that his characters inhabit the same world. Early on I guessed/knew who the killer was, but hadn't figured out why before things started coming to light. So many secrets... so much shame... lies, half-truths told... who knew that such a small addiction support group coming together to heal themselves and each other would alternate between supporting and condemning each other all based upon what was shared during their time spent in the circle as well as outside of it. It just goes to show that every person has topics that are like waving a red flag in front of them and dire consequences can happen when those topics get brought up.
mrswhiscombe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Brilliant book! Shocking twists at the end, which I love and did not see coming!