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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
So, this is book one of the DS Aector series and I will not be searching for the remaining books.
My first issue with this book is the tense of writing. It’s written in a present tense which makes everything super awkward and rather annoying in a novel.
My second issue is with the backstories. There doesn’t seem to be enough detail into them at all. I would’ve like to know more detail about why Aector is the black sheep rather than just a scratch on the surface. Same thing with Roison’s story.
My third issue is with the Aector’s character. The author made him this Scottish giant!!! Which is totally amazing. But then portrayed him as this pansy who just kind of hides out behind a computer all the time instead of doing what he’s good at.
My last issue was with the absolute cheesiness of the murdered. “Wet, blue eyes”. Every time I read that I cringed. This was the defining feature of the book and I couldn’t get past it.
My first issue with this book is the tense of writing. It’s written in a present tense which makes everything super awkward and rather annoying in a novel.
My second issue is with the backstories. There doesn’t seem to be enough detail into them at all. I would’ve like to know more detail about why Aector is the black sheep rather than just a scratch on the surface. Same thing with Roison’s story.
My third issue is with the Aector’s character. The author made him this Scottish giant!!! Which is totally amazing. But then portrayed him as this pansy who just kind of hides out behind a computer all the time instead of doing what he’s good at.
My last issue was with the absolute cheesiness of the murdered. “Wet, blue eyes”. Every time I read that I cringed. This was the defining feature of the book and I couldn’t get past it.
Hull, England is probably not a city most of us think about when we think of England. Setting a mystery there (and I'm guessing this will become a series) is somewhat bold, but also a good choice since most readers won't have some preconceived notion of what the city should be like. Our Hero, Aector McAvoy (you can call him Hector) is a paler version of Mark Billingham's Thorne and Stuart MacBride's MacRae - not quite as flawed, not quite as radical, not quite as... well, real. He does have hunches, though, and a strong sense of justice.
In this book he's on the case of a young girl (15) brutally stabbed and murdered in Church during Eventide when he's called to speak with the sister of an older man who apparently committed suicide by riding off to sea in a lifeboat in the seas near Iceland. Then there's a drunk who dies in a house fire. Connected? And if so, how?
There's promise here in terms of setting and darkness (which I love), but there's still a way to go before we hit Billigham/MacBride territory.
In this book he's on the case of a young girl (15) brutally stabbed and murdered in Church during Eventide when he's called to speak with the sister of an older man who apparently committed suicide by riding off to sea in a lifeboat in the seas near Iceland. Then there's a drunk who dies in a house fire. Connected? And if so, how?
There's promise here in terms of setting and darkness (which I love), but there's still a way to go before we hit Billigham/MacBride territory.
I quite enjoyed this thriller and debut novel from David Mark. However, it did seem a bit samey to the usual detective fiction we see and there was nothing really unique about McAvoy. Still a lot of time for this to change though! It was gripping and I did finish it quickly.
Please see my full review at http://bibliobeth.wordpress.com
Please see my full review at http://bibliobeth.wordpress.com
I normally don't read mystery series books but I've been in the mood for one & stumbled across this. While this probably wouldn't stand up to too much introspection, it was a good enough book from the genre to keep me entertained & turning the pages while I sat with a sick relative.
I was surprised because it was a little off the beaten track. The story was okay: not brilliant but okay and I liked the main character. Not sure if I would want to read an entire series with him, he is a bit too "soft" for me but it was a pleasant break.
Character and mood driven piece which is very atmospheric and is quite a good read.
mysterious
I’ve had this book since 2015… about time I read it! The book was alright, but I really loved the way the main character talked about his wife. So sweet 🥹 I kind of wish I could just read their love story cause I just know it would be SO cute.
Published on drey's library: http://www.dreyslibrary.com/2013/04/11/review-the-dark-winter-by-david-mark/
Aector McAvoy is persona non grata with the cops. Never mind that he’s one of them, because his involvement in a crooked cop scandal has stained his reputation. Of course, our hero shouldn’t let others’ opinions disturb him, but it does, and that’s one of the reasons I like the dude. Another reason I liked him? He’s a data guy. Nothing like having facts to support your gut instinct!
The Dark Winter is a police procedural with a lot more than just crimes, it’s also wrapped in humanity and the chaos of life in general. A new team, built from the ashes of one that was disgraced. A new leader, whom nobody expected and some don’t want. A trail of bodies that only one man suspects is linked somehow – but how? And why?
I couldn’t decide if I liked the characters, plot, or storytelling best. Our hero McAvoy has real depth. His boss Trish Pharaoh unfolds slowly, so you’ll have time to appreciate her by the end of the book. His wife is a gem. His partner could use a bit more, but I’m being greedy. As for the plot – David Mark kept me guessing right up to the very end, so I’m happy. And the story is fluid, slowing in the right places, moving along when it has to.
I really enjoyed The Dark Winter, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book, Original Skin – which is coming in May!
drey’s rating: Excellent!!
Aector McAvoy is persona non grata with the cops. Never mind that he’s one of them, because his involvement in a crooked cop scandal has stained his reputation. Of course, our hero shouldn’t let others’ opinions disturb him, but it does, and that’s one of the reasons I like the dude. Another reason I liked him? He’s a data guy. Nothing like having facts to support your gut instinct!
The Dark Winter is a police procedural with a lot more than just crimes, it’s also wrapped in humanity and the chaos of life in general. A new team, built from the ashes of one that was disgraced. A new leader, whom nobody expected and some don’t want. A trail of bodies that only one man suspects is linked somehow – but how? And why?
I couldn’t decide if I liked the characters, plot, or storytelling best. Our hero McAvoy has real depth. His boss Trish Pharaoh unfolds slowly, so you’ll have time to appreciate her by the end of the book. His wife is a gem. His partner could use a bit more, but I’m being greedy. As for the plot – David Mark kept me guessing right up to the very end, so I’m happy. And the story is fluid, slowing in the right places, moving along when it has to.
I really enjoyed The Dark Winter, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book, Original Skin – which is coming in May!
drey’s rating: Excellent!!
Another detective thriller holiday read.
I much preferred this book to my other read of ‘The Summer House’. Less army technical jargon, and obviously less American, which sorry to say is a plus for me.
I really liked the protagonist of the book, Hector. He goes against your typical detective main lead a little. He’s still troubled and a bit of a maverick, a mysterious and burly Scotsman with family issues and a dark past, but he’s also soft spoken and irritatingly by the book, a little bit of a laughing stock to his colleagues, and seems to suffer from some kind of anxiety or OCD. I really liked him.
The connection between the murders seemed obvious from the first few chapters but the identity of the killer less so. A good debut novel. I really enjoyed the quick pace and descriptive language of the author. Interestingly for a journalist who you might imagine to write more matter of fact.
Again though WHY the overt sexualisation of all the female characters. For Pharoah, I understand it more as it adds to her characterisation as a woman using her sexuality to achieve her means. But the tension between the two is so off putting. And Hector’s wife is one of the most one dimensional female characters I’ve ever read. She literally exists to just be the perfect wife for Hector and the recipient of his love. Shockingly fine with him literally MISSING the birth of their child for work, abandoning their son to run after a killer, not responding to her calls in an emergency situation, then answering the work calls after her traumatic premature pregnancy, oh and obviously she’s always up and ready to please him sexually. She’s just had a baby and she’s trying to kiss him and initiate sex? The masturbation scene was SO left field and unnecessary. Oh and to top it off she smokes and drinks when she’s pregnant and it’s just never really resolved or addressed. Also Hector is meant to love her so much but boy does he spend a lot of the book checking out other women and holding himself back from cheating.
Male writers speak to actual women challenge!
I appreciate the detective genre is hardly an intellectually stimulating pool of novels but is it too much to ask for well rounded female characters? I’m going to thumb through the hotels poolside library collection and pray I find a crime story written by a woman.
I much preferred this book to my other read of ‘The Summer House’. Less army technical jargon, and obviously less American, which sorry to say is a plus for me.
I really liked the protagonist of the book, Hector. He goes against your typical detective main lead a little. He’s still troubled and a bit of a maverick, a mysterious and burly Scotsman with family issues and a dark past, but he’s also soft spoken and irritatingly by the book, a little bit of a laughing stock to his colleagues, and seems to suffer from some kind of anxiety or OCD. I really liked him.
The connection between the murders seemed obvious from the first few chapters but the identity of the killer less so. A good debut novel. I really enjoyed the quick pace and descriptive language of the author. Interestingly for a journalist who you might imagine to write more matter of fact.
Again though WHY the overt sexualisation of all the female characters. For Pharoah, I understand it more as it adds to her characterisation as a woman using her sexuality to achieve her means. But the tension between the two is so off putting. And Hector’s wife is one of the most one dimensional female characters I’ve ever read. She literally exists to just be the perfect wife for Hector and the recipient of his love. Shockingly fine with him literally MISSING the birth of their child for work, abandoning their son to run after a killer, not responding to her calls in an emergency situation, then answering the work calls after her traumatic premature pregnancy, oh and obviously she’s always up and ready to please him sexually. She’s just had a baby and she’s trying to kiss him and initiate sex? The masturbation scene was SO left field and unnecessary. Oh and to top it off she smokes and drinks when she’s pregnant and it’s just never really resolved or addressed. Also Hector is meant to love her so much but boy does he spend a lot of the book checking out other women and holding himself back from cheating.
Male writers speak to actual women challenge!
I appreciate the detective genre is hardly an intellectually stimulating pool of novels but is it too much to ask for well rounded female characters? I’m going to thumb through the hotels poolside library collection and pray I find a crime story written by a woman.