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lumbermouth's review against another edition
4.0
This was billed in the library description as being good for fans of Tana French and Stieg Larsson. I haven't read Larsson's stuff because it doesn't appeal but as we all know I am a huge Tana French fan, so. (APOLOGIES TO THE FOREVER-IN-PURGATORY BROKEN HARBOR.) So this is book 1 of a new series about a late-20s female detective in Wales and there are a lot of delightful things in it about everyday sexism and mental health; Fiona seems like an interesting person and I feel like there's enough interesting stuff about her to support a series okay. INTERESTING NOTE, please observe the cover design supplied by Goodreads, and then please note that the kindle edition I got from the library is a picture of an unseen woman wearing booties standing in some fall leaves. This despite the book taking place in a hot summer; I guess the LADY SHOES are there to cue you to the fact that THIS IS A LADY BOOK ABOUT A LADY. DON'T ACCIDENTALLY READ THIS MURDER MYSTERY, MEN, IT'S GOT LADY SHOES ON IT.
seddso's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. Kept me interested. But not what I thought , hence only 3 stars
caitlinxmartin's review against another edition
I wasn't sure what to expect from Talking to the Dead, but I was blown away. D.C. Fiona Griffiths will be compared to Carol O'Connell's Mallory, but she's her own person with her own set of issues and weaknesses and many strengths. It's obvious from the beginning that something is off with her, but Mr. Bingham doesn't slam you over the head with her difference and this makes the mystery more compelling - the mystery of her and the mystery she's working to solve.
Fiona is a Cambridge graduate with a brilliant analytical mind. She finds her initial work on the police force stultifying - how interesting can forensic accounting really be when you aren't a forensic accountant? When a child and her mother are found dead in a squat, Fiona is captivated and begins to insert herself into the investigation finding unexpected links and causing lots and lots of mayhem.
Fiona isn't one note. Her character is well-developed and seeing the events of the book through her eyes is pretty amazing. Her intellect and attention to detail and essential vulnerability make you want to cheer her on and to protect her from herself and the rest of the world. With the beginnings of some great secondary characters, Mr. Bingham's got himself a great series going if he wants to continue the story. If he doesn't the work stands on its own. Much enjoyment to be had in reading this one!
Fiona is a Cambridge graduate with a brilliant analytical mind. She finds her initial work on the police force stultifying - how interesting can forensic accounting really be when you aren't a forensic accountant? When a child and her mother are found dead in a squat, Fiona is captivated and begins to insert herself into the investigation finding unexpected links and causing lots and lots of mayhem.
Fiona isn't one note. Her character is well-developed and seeing the events of the book through her eyes is pretty amazing. Her intellect and attention to detail and essential vulnerability make you want to cheer her on and to protect her from herself and the rest of the world. With the beginnings of some great secondary characters, Mr. Bingham's got himself a great series going if he wants to continue the story. If he doesn't the work stands on its own. Much enjoyment to be had in reading this one!
happy_hiker's review against another edition
3.0
In Wales, a woman and her cold are found murdered in a squalid squat. The platinum card of a dead millionaire is found in the hovel. Young detective Fiona Griffiths is on the team that is put together to solve the case.
As a police procedural, this was average. But i feel that more than being about the working of a Wales police department or even about solving a crime that centered around prostitution and drugs, this was a story about Fiona. Fiona suffers from a mental illness, the full extent of the illness is revealed at the end. This (the illness) was supposed to explain her inability to follow protocol, but I'm not sure how someone with such a debilitating problem would have been hired as police and I kept thinking throughout the book that she should be fired for insubordination. I was ready to go with it up until the scene where she stayed at the morgue, at which point I started a little skimming.
I picked up this book because I have really enjoyed Tana French and Steig Larson and this came up somewhere as recommended for readers who liked books by these authors. I don't think this book compares. I am giving this book 3 stars because there were times when I was engrossed in this book, but I may change it to two stars after further reflection. I assume this is intended to be a series, but I can't say that I would follow this one.
As a police procedural, this was average. But i feel that more than being about the working of a Wales police department or even about solving a crime that centered around prostitution and drugs, this was a story about Fiona. Fiona suffers from a mental illness, the full extent of the illness is revealed at the end. This (the illness) was supposed to explain her inability to follow protocol, but I'm not sure how someone with such a debilitating problem would have been hired as police and I kept thinking throughout the book that she should be fired for insubordination. I was ready to go with it up until the scene where she stayed at the morgue, at which point I started a little skimming.
I picked up this book because I have really enjoyed Tana French and Steig Larson and this came up somewhere as recommended for readers who liked books by these authors. I don't think this book compares. I am giving this book 3 stars because there were times when I was engrossed in this book, but I may change it to two stars after further reflection. I assume this is intended to be a series, but I can't say that I would follow this one.
chloebarnett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ashliesydel's review against another edition
3.0
Fiona is a very interesting character. I like that she is very human. She's not an alpha, she isn't invincible nor is she a damsel in distress. She is impulsive, and insecure, she over analyzes everything and has random thoughts that pop up out of the blue. I liked the crime storyline however I feel she made a series of poor choices and it was luck that kept her alive. I don't care for the family secret. I feel that MORE could have been done with it. I wanted her to have a Dexter Morgan style past and what I got was more Disney Family movie. Regardless I'm intrigued and plan on reading the next two books.
pauldaly's review against another edition
4.0
A well-wrought police procedural, lifted high by its central character DCI Fiona Griffiths. Griffiths is compelling and engaging and her first person narration is the stuff of classic noir. Reviewers compare Fi to Lisbeth Salander, but that’s to sell her short. Salander is a two-dimensional comic book heroine compared to Bingham’s Welsh policewoman, a character of sharp angles and odd arcs, with a endlessly interesting inner dialogue and emotional depth. It will be interesting to see where Bingham and Fiona take us next.
satomi's review against another edition
4.0
the heroin is unique. I've never heard of "Cotard's Syndrome" before. It is a depressing condition. Cannot imagine how her family dealt with it. Wonder if she can go any further with her boyfriend. I will read the next book because I just want to know what will happen to her. Hope next book is little more upbeat...
missantarctica's review against another edition
5.0
I'd absolutely be one of Lev's krav maga, um, clients.