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cdbert's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
christincontradiction's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sam_magowan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
doublemm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
enairabutcher's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
markhoh's review against another edition
4.0
Being an aficionado of Nordic Noir, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading 'the Blood Strand', set in the Faroe Islands. Chris Oulds gives the reader a glimpse into life on these islands, rugged and isolated, midway between Norway and Iceland. The remoteness of the Faroes really appeals to me and Oulds intertwines the plot of this book with descriptions of the geography and Faroese way of life.
The Blood Strand introduces detective Jan Reyna, born in the Faroes, but having left the islands as a young boy. He returns when he learns that his father, from whom he is estranged, is potentially on his death bed. Reyna, who is on leave from the UK CID (we learn that he is actually suspended although the reason for this remains undisclosed), becomes involved in the investigation around the reason for his father's near death experience.
The plot has a few twists and turns and while not the most riveting story kept me interested the entire way through. I found a real connection with Reyna, his mood, propensity to being a bit on the closed side, and the fact that he battles with some sort of depression, often referred to as the black dog nipping at his heels. Oulds leaves us with enough that is unknown about Reyna that I imagine will be unpacked in the subsequent Faroes novels. These will definitely both go on my 'to read' shelf.
The Blood Strand introduces detective Jan Reyna, born in the Faroes, but having left the islands as a young boy. He returns when he learns that his father, from whom he is estranged, is potentially on his death bed. Reyna, who is on leave from the UK CID (we learn that he is actually suspended although the reason for this remains undisclosed), becomes involved in the investigation around the reason for his father's near death experience.
The plot has a few twists and turns and while not the most riveting story kept me interested the entire way through. I found a real connection with Reyna, his mood, propensity to being a bit on the closed side, and the fact that he battles with some sort of depression, often referred to as the black dog nipping at his heels. Oulds leaves us with enough that is unknown about Reyna that I imagine will be unpacked in the subsequent Faroes novels. These will definitely both go on my 'to read' shelf.
blancodeb13's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED it; will be reading next in the series for sure.
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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? No
3.5
This was my first read by this author and it won’t be the last.
I loved the setting and how the storyline involved some delicate subjects that were tackled with care and I also liked how the main character was far from
Perfect and tries to figure out where he stands in the face of his father and the half brothers from a second wife.
What annoyed me a bit, was trying to get the Faroese names right but that’s not really important.
Overall, I think this book has the potential of marking the beginning of a great series and it helped me get through my Ann Cleeves’ Shetland series mourning now that I finished that series.
I loved the setting and how the storyline involved some delicate subjects that were tackled with care and I also liked how the main character was far from
Perfect and tries to figure out where he stands in the face of his father and the half brothers from a second wife.
What annoyed me a bit, was trying to get the Faroese names right but that’s not really important.
Overall, I think this book has the potential of marking the beginning of a great series and it helped me get through my Ann Cleeves’ Shetland series mourning now that I finished that series.
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
4.0
The Blood Strand is the first book in a new detective series that is set in the Faroe Islands. At the start of the novel there is a map showing the location of the Faroes and a guide on pronunciation. I was grateful for both, not knowing where they were and I am one of those readers that prefer to pronounce characters names correctly.
Jan had left the Faroes with his mother when he was very young and apart from a disastrous visit in his teens had no contact with his father. Neither had he met any of the other members of his family.
He had recently been suspended from his job with the British police but details are only hinted at, and his family in the UK encouraged him to make the trip to see his father.
He develops a good relationship with Hjalti Hentz, the investigating officer who is frustrated by the lack of interest shown by his supervisor. Jan offers advice and tells him how he would look at the case if it had occurred in the UK. The investigation into his father is only part of the story. Jan also wanted to understand why his mother left the islands but was struggling to get any answers. I have a feeling that more will be revealed in future novels. I thought I had solved the case but I was mistaken. There were quite a few twists that I hadn't seen.
Jan's account is told in the first person and the rest of the novel is told in the third person. I found it worked quite well, even when it switched frequently. I found the novel to be much lighter than Nordic Noir novels that I have read in the past. Maybe because it is told by an outsider's point of view.
I would like to thank Titan Books for the copy received for review.
Jan had left the Faroes with his mother when he was very young and apart from a disastrous visit in his teens had no contact with his father. Neither had he met any of the other members of his family.
He had recently been suspended from his job with the British police but details are only hinted at, and his family in the UK encouraged him to make the trip to see his father.
He develops a good relationship with Hjalti Hentz, the investigating officer who is frustrated by the lack of interest shown by his supervisor. Jan offers advice and tells him how he would look at the case if it had occurred in the UK. The investigation into his father is only part of the story. Jan also wanted to understand why his mother left the islands but was struggling to get any answers. I have a feeling that more will be revealed in future novels. I thought I had solved the case but I was mistaken. There were quite a few twists that I hadn't seen.
Jan's account is told in the first person and the rest of the novel is told in the third person. I found it worked quite well, even when it switched frequently. I found the novel to be much lighter than Nordic Noir novels that I have read in the past. Maybe because it is told by an outsider's point of view.
I would like to thank Titan Books for the copy received for review.