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nellday's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so, so bad. A pity because the premise was great and really well researched, but it was just super misogynistic and had weird plot holes and the sentence ‘Melanie arranged her breasts on the table like two giant lumps of unbaked bread’ is unforgivable.
donnanoble's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Death
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
I've been wanting to check out this series for awhile and am so glad that I finally did! This debut novel was incredibly complex and introduced two intriguing Canadian police detectives who I definitely want to spend more time with in the future. The case they are investigating centers around a man whose accidental death might not have been so accidental. The female lead, Detective Rachel Getty, can sense that her boss, Esa Khattak, is holding something back, but she still trusts him implicitly and tenaciously pursues the truth. Hints of Khattak's backstory are introduced, and made me want to learn more about him and his past in addition to solving the mystery.
As the investigation unfolds, possible links to past war crimes carried out in the 1990s in Srebrenica surface. The writing was engaging and the author did an excellent job of weaving in historical facts about what happened in Bosnia in the 1990s, citing quotes from real victims and perpetrators of war crimes, to provide a realistic story. Most of my favorite mystery series teach me something and this one checked the box in that regard. I was equally captivated by the case and the personal lives of the detectives, and look forward to continuing with this series. I'm about halfway through the second book in the series now, and believe that I've found a new "must read" mystery series that will challenge me in the best possible way. Any time a book makes me think about the world differently and teaches me something new is a plus and will keep me coming back to read more by that author.
As the investigation unfolds, possible links to past war crimes carried out in the 1990s in Srebrenica surface. The writing was engaging and the author did an excellent job of weaving in historical facts about what happened in Bosnia in the 1990s, citing quotes from real victims and perpetrators of war crimes, to provide a realistic story. Most of my favorite mystery series teach me something and this one checked the box in that regard. I was equally captivated by the case and the personal lives of the detectives, and look forward to continuing with this series. I'm about halfway through the second book in the series now, and believe that I've found a new "must read" mystery series that will challenge me in the best possible way. Any time a book makes me think about the world differently and teaches me something new is a plus and will keep me coming back to read more by that author.
bristlecone's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and captivating introduction to this mystery series, as well as a story incorporating real events in international relations. The author's expertise in international human rights law (she wrote her dissertation on the failures at Srebrenica) adds so much depth and detail.
reemareadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
Great detectives! Well developed characters and a mystery that dovetails with recent historical events. I learned a lot I didn't know about the horrors that took place in the former Yugoslavia. That aspect was heartbreaking but the writing was so intelligent and well thought out that I did not turn away, despite the heartbreak. Looking forward to more from these partners.
braddy7's review against another edition
4.0
Super intrigued by the topic, this book was entertaining but also added depth to my knowledge on the genocide in Bosnia.
susanhenry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Remarkable, harrowing, compelling
esilly12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
A special thank you to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
THE UNQUIET DEAD, Ausma Zehanat Khan’s stunning debut, and the first in the Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak series delivers a powerful and complex mystery and suspense, keeping you holding your breath, for the next installment.
Detective Rachel Getty (she has some secrets of her own) and her boss Esa Khattak (a second-generation Canadian Muslim with some secrets) who heads the new Community Policing Section, created to deal with delicate cases involving minorities are investigating a crime.
Christopher Drayton’s death- who fell from a cliff (a sensitive case). However, not everything is as it appears and Khattak is not being forthcoming with information and Drayton may have been a war criminal with ties to the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. Who is out to get him, was foul play involved, or was this an accident?
An emotional, heartbreaking and haunting mystery of horrific crimes committed against Muslims in Bosnia. Khan delivers an engrossing story of tragedy and devastation which will grip you to the end. Lovers of international crime fiction will devour THE UNQUIET DEAD, written with beautiful lyrical prose; one of loss and redemption.
The novel is based upon events that occurred during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, formerly a republic of the nation of Yugoslavia. Incredible and extensive research -- drive of those for ethnic and religious uniformity; “Courage, perseverance, and dignity in the face of appalling carnage remind us why Bosnia was a place worth saving.”
The author’s background, a former law professor with a specialty in Balkan war crimes offers her incredible insights making for a stellar and impressive debut.
Her credentials and associations - a former adjunct professor at American and Canadian universities, she holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law, with the 1995 Srebrenica massacre as the main subject of her dissertation. She also worked briefly with the Bosnian Canadian Relief Association during the war and met members of Bosnian communities, witnesses, activists, and scholars. Well done!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
THE UNQUIET DEAD, Ausma Zehanat Khan’s stunning debut, and the first in the Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak series delivers a powerful and complex mystery and suspense, keeping you holding your breath, for the next installment.
Detective Rachel Getty (she has some secrets of her own) and her boss Esa Khattak (a second-generation Canadian Muslim with some secrets) who heads the new Community Policing Section, created to deal with delicate cases involving minorities are investigating a crime.
Christopher Drayton’s death- who fell from a cliff (a sensitive case). However, not everything is as it appears and Khattak is not being forthcoming with information and Drayton may have been a war criminal with ties to the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. Who is out to get him, was foul play involved, or was this an accident?
An emotional, heartbreaking and haunting mystery of horrific crimes committed against Muslims in Bosnia. Khan delivers an engrossing story of tragedy and devastation which will grip you to the end. Lovers of international crime fiction will devour THE UNQUIET DEAD, written with beautiful lyrical prose; one of loss and redemption.
The novel is based upon events that occurred during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, formerly a republic of the nation of Yugoslavia. Incredible and extensive research -- drive of those for ethnic and religious uniformity; “Courage, perseverance, and dignity in the face of appalling carnage remind us why Bosnia was a place worth saving.”
The author’s background, a former law professor with a specialty in Balkan war crimes offers her incredible insights making for a stellar and impressive debut.
Her credentials and associations - a former adjunct professor at American and Canadian universities, she holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law, with the 1995 Srebrenica massacre as the main subject of her dissertation. She also worked briefly with the Bosnian Canadian Relief Association during the war and met members of Bosnian communities, witnesses, activists, and scholars. Well done!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
pages_n_puzzles's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended on Book Riot, and very glad I followed it. An interesting mystery, and a disturbing, important dive into the Bosnian genocide.
I listened to it on audio.
I listened to it on audio.