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whatyoutolkienabout's review
5.0
After having read both previous books in The Liverpool Mysteries series, I was more than excited at the chance to review the third as part of a book tour. I enjoyed seeing the return of Vinny and what’s more getting more details on his youthful past. Historian Vinny Connolly is trying to live a normal life after the events of the previous books and escape the bitter memories of his childhood. Unfortunately a secret he has kept from his youth threatens to be revealed, a secret that involves a pocket watch, an old man’s death and childhood friends. When one of those friends ends up dying under mysterious circumstances Vinny, his wife Helen and ex-partner Anne McCarthy take it upon themselves to find out the truth in a race against time. But things never seem to go smoothly for Vinny with a series of events including a hit and run incident, text messages and a murdered pet all try to warn Vinny away from this path. With a series of letters the only thing that holds the key to Sammo’s life and unlock the mystery of his death, Anne sets out to overcome an accidental death verdict while more and more obstacles block their way. Set against the back drop of post-Brexit Britain, Before the Storm is a tale of friendship, immigration, the power of secrets and ultimately the value of resistance against authority.
I have to say that Jack Byrne's first novel was described by one reviewer has a ‘love letter to Liverpool’ which I feel is completely true but within Before the Storm I think he goes even further. It is not just to Liverpool or the cities and countries mentioned or where characters originate from. It is to the people as well and what those people have done for the country and it’s cities and how often times its not the people in power but the ‘common’ people who do just that. But I won’t get too political about it or spoil too much.
Before the Storm has everything I have come to expect and enjoy from Byrne's Liverpool Mysteries series, gritty and true to life representation of cities and people that inhabit them from all walks of life and all types of morality. I really enjoyed seeing another side to Vinny in his youth before he was more open minded and accepting of people. I enjoyed seeing how the bond of friendship while weakened remained and how Vinny was willing to risk his self, again, to try and help his friend Sammo despite the rising issues. On top of that I adored the commentary on a post-brexit Britian and how it has indeed changed the landscape, not literally but figuratively. One thing Byrne is masterful at is political and social commentary. He just gets it and can put it down in words in such a brutally honest yet beautiful way.
And the biggest shock you will get from me in this review is although there is animal cruelty it was done in such a way that it did actually add to the story. It’s my biggest bug bear in horror, thriller or any genre really so I felt I had to comment on it. While I didn’t like it again it ties perfectly to Byrne's style and skill. Showing the utter depths these people will go to try and stop the truth from getting out and keep those in authority who they want. Yes it was uncomfortable to read but the truth is I would not put it past some people in authority today to do just that and that is why I accepted it and felt it really drove home the point of how far some people will go.
This series was arguably one of the first to get me into crime thrillers but it is so much more than that. It is really a commentary that captures the highs and lows of the UK community or lack thereof. It shows how the value of resistance in all its shapes and forms does mean something and can make a change. But on the very basic level it is a fantastic series that is equally in parts dark and gritty but in parts inspiring showing the lengths and risks people will take for friends and family. Even if you haven’t enjoyed thrillers in the past I would urge everyone to give this series a go, particularly UK based readers, and you will find a series with a lot of offer.
I have to say that Jack Byrne's first novel was described by one reviewer has a ‘love letter to Liverpool’ which I feel is completely true but within Before the Storm I think he goes even further. It is not just to Liverpool or the cities and countries mentioned or where characters originate from. It is to the people as well and what those people have done for the country and it’s cities and how often times its not the people in power but the ‘common’ people who do just that. But I won’t get too political about it or spoil too much.
Before the Storm has everything I have come to expect and enjoy from Byrne's Liverpool Mysteries series, gritty and true to life representation of cities and people that inhabit them from all walks of life and all types of morality. I really enjoyed seeing another side to Vinny in his youth before he was more open minded and accepting of people. I enjoyed seeing how the bond of friendship while weakened remained and how Vinny was willing to risk his self, again, to try and help his friend Sammo despite the rising issues. On top of that I adored the commentary on a post-brexit Britian and how it has indeed changed the landscape, not literally but figuratively. One thing Byrne is masterful at is political and social commentary. He just gets it and can put it down in words in such a brutally honest yet beautiful way.
And the biggest shock you will get from me in this review is although there is animal cruelty it was done in such a way that it did actually add to the story. It’s my biggest bug bear in horror, thriller or any genre really so I felt I had to comment on it. While I didn’t like it again it ties perfectly to Byrne's style and skill. Showing the utter depths these people will go to try and stop the truth from getting out and keep those in authority who they want. Yes it was uncomfortable to read but the truth is I would not put it past some people in authority today to do just that and that is why I accepted it and felt it really drove home the point of how far some people will go.
This series was arguably one of the first to get me into crime thrillers but it is so much more than that. It is really a commentary that captures the highs and lows of the UK community or lack thereof. It shows how the value of resistance in all its shapes and forms does mean something and can make a change. But on the very basic level it is a fantastic series that is equally in parts dark and gritty but in parts inspiring showing the lengths and risks people will take for friends and family. Even if you haven’t enjoyed thrillers in the past I would urge everyone to give this series a go, particularly UK based readers, and you will find a series with a lot of offer.
smilesgiggle's review
4.0
Easily read in a day. Held my attention.
Three friends from their school days are brought together by a death. And a memory of treasure.
Vinny brings his ex, Anne, into the group to help figure out what Sammo was trying to tell him.
With glimpses of their lives as boys together, this plot does an amazing job building suspense.
Three friends from their school days are brought together by a death. And a memory of treasure.
Vinny brings his ex, Anne, into the group to help figure out what Sammo was trying to tell him.
With glimpses of their lives as boys together, this plot does an amazing job building suspense.
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