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lizzieslittlebooknook's review
5.0
I love a good thriller and I must admit it has been a while since I have read one. So I was honoured when Red Dog Press invited me to take part in this book tour.
Far From The Tree is the first novel in Rob Parker’s Thirty Miles trilogy and is set in Warrington, a small town where murders are a rare occurrence. But when 27 bodies are uncovered, vacuum packed, wrapped in plastic in a woodland trench, DI Brendan Foley finds himself assigned as Senior Investigating Officer. But then as details unfold and bodies are identified he realises that this case a little too close to home, things get too personal and when feelings are involved, things get messy. Working closely with DS Madison he has to choose between solving the case or protecting his family? As a career driven, man this is potentially the biggest case of his life, but at what cost?
This novel began with a bang as straight away the 27 bodies were found. As the action unfolds we see how DI Foley struggles to separate his work and family life as the two become intertwined. With DS Iona Madison by his side, they work hard to uncover the killer or killers behind this gruesome act.
I really like the character development of these two characters. Both are tested to their limits and each have their own battles to face as they work through the case. They are your typical hard working, ambitious, career climbing police officers who put their heart and soul into each case, and for this one, things get more personal than they could ever imagine.
The small town setting always makes for an interesting story as each victim, especially those from the town are a more personal hit, and we see what happens when they start to recognise some of the victims.
As always we have a good mixture of twists and turns, some predictable others less so which makes the story all the more gripping.
I found the writing to be captivating and thrilling and the writer did a brilliant job of capturing the reader’s attention from the start and not letting go until the very end. This is an action packed, thrilling, tension filled ride from start to finish and I loved every minute of it.
This is how a proper thriller should be done. The suspense, the action, the character development and challenges combined have created a superb first novel and I am looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy. DI Foley and DS Madison are really strong characters and I am intrigued to see them face more cases in the series and watch them grow and develop.
Far From The Tree is the first novel in Rob Parker’s Thirty Miles trilogy and is set in Warrington, a small town where murders are a rare occurrence. But when 27 bodies are uncovered, vacuum packed, wrapped in plastic in a woodland trench, DI Brendan Foley finds himself assigned as Senior Investigating Officer. But then as details unfold and bodies are identified he realises that this case a little too close to home, things get too personal and when feelings are involved, things get messy. Working closely with DS Madison he has to choose between solving the case or protecting his family? As a career driven, man this is potentially the biggest case of his life, but at what cost?
This novel began with a bang as straight away the 27 bodies were found. As the action unfolds we see how DI Foley struggles to separate his work and family life as the two become intertwined. With DS Iona Madison by his side, they work hard to uncover the killer or killers behind this gruesome act.
I really like the character development of these two characters. Both are tested to their limits and each have their own battles to face as they work through the case. They are your typical hard working, ambitious, career climbing police officers who put their heart and soul into each case, and for this one, things get more personal than they could ever imagine.
The small town setting always makes for an interesting story as each victim, especially those from the town are a more personal hit, and we see what happens when they start to recognise some of the victims.
As always we have a good mixture of twists and turns, some predictable others less so which makes the story all the more gripping.
I found the writing to be captivating and thrilling and the writer did a brilliant job of capturing the reader’s attention from the start and not letting go until the very end. This is an action packed, thrilling, tension filled ride from start to finish and I loved every minute of it.
This is how a proper thriller should be done. The suspense, the action, the character development and challenges combined have created a superb first novel and I am looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy. DI Foley and DS Madison are really strong characters and I am intrigued to see them face more cases in the series and watch them grow and develop.
sammy135's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mickeyzbookz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Very slow book that only grabbed my attention once I’d read 70%
wolfchanreads's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
khrys's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
khrys's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.25
kpetras's review against another edition
4.0
What a gem of a novel - a dark ending, twisted, morally grey characters, family trauma, and, most importantly, real human reactions to events as they unfolded. The transitions between points of view were incredibly well done, the main characters were complex with believable flaws and fears, and that ending left me feeling so horribly empty inside (in the best way.) Excited to see where book 2 goes!
e_freckles's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Dementia and Blood
Minor: Torture