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crystalizex6x's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book is part of a series, but I read it as a stand-alone and this wasn't an issue.
Kate Brannigan is a private investigator based in Manchester investigating a number of cases simultaneously. Her investigations take her on a journey around Manchester and the surrounding towns and cities. The storyline surrounding the darker side of fertility treatment is original, interesting, and kept me thoroughly engaged. There were a few unexpected twists and turns along the way to a mostly satisfying conclusion.
It is definitely worth a read.
Kate Brannigan is a private investigator based in Manchester investigating a number of cases simultaneously. Her investigations take her on a journey around Manchester and the surrounding towns and cities. The storyline surrounding the darker side of fertility treatment is original, interesting, and kept me thoroughly engaged. There were a few unexpected twists and turns along the way to a mostly satisfying conclusion.
It is definitely worth a read.
vkaz's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick, fun read, centering around the theme of In Vitro Fertilization, with a subplot involving music/band promoters. This is the first Val McDermid book I've read, and I will probably read more. The detective, Kate Brannigan, is another one of those "tough-talking female private eye" stereotypes (yawn), but McDermid writes with a great, snarky sense of humor.
alixv's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
daffodilsandsunflowers's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
sarah_graham's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dawnlizreads's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable and cheesy, but very well written. McDermid's skill is to keep you engaged despite the blatantly obvious plot twists and (in fairness, often acknowledged) bad jokes. Plus, Kate Brannigan, her boyfriend Richard, and her motley crew of friends are such a likeable bunch of characters that you're willing to forgive a lot.
However, there was one bit of the story that was so implausible that I genuinely thought it would turn out to be revealed to the bunkum that it was (it wasn't). I won't go into detail because that would spoil the plot but suffice to say that should you Google this particular plot point, you'll find that it still just seen as something that might happen in the distant future - a good 20 years after the book was written.
A series focused on female wisecracking PI who solves crimes that the entire Manchester police force can't seem to crack was never going to be that centred in reality, but I thought this stretched artistic license too far.
However, there was one bit of the story that was so implausible that I genuinely thought it would turn out to be revealed to the bunkum that it was (it wasn't). I won't go into detail because that would spoil the plot but suffice to say that should you Google this particular plot point, you'll find that it still just seen as something that might happen in the distant future - a good 20 years after the book was written.
A series focused on female wisecracking PI who solves crimes that the entire Manchester police force can't seem to crack was never going to be that centred in reality, but I thought this stretched artistic license too far.
jasmiinaf's review against another edition
2.0
Blue Genes is a crime novel about Kate Brannigan who is a private investigator. I think this is the fifth book about Kate. It bothered me a bit that I hadn’t read the previous parts, but I think this can be read seperately too. I liked the themes in Blue Genes, even though some topics made me a bit uneasy... The life of Kate seemed nicely real in a way and I enjoyed the different characters. But now I miss Manchester again!
char931's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.0
slipperbunny's review against another edition
2.0
Blue Genes is a crime novel about Kate Brannigan who is a private investigator. I think this is the fifth book about Kate. It bothered me a bit that I hadn’t read the previous parts, but I think this can be read seperately too. I liked the themes in Blue Genes, even though some topics made me a bit uneasy... The life of Kate seemed nicely real in a way and I enjoyed the different characters. But now I miss Manchester again!