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mitrusheva's review against another edition
3.0
И третата част от поредицата за Смоуки Барет ми хареса, макар и не толкова, колкото първите две книги. Отново ни се поднася интригуващ и увлекателен сюжет, интересни, малко чудати, но симпатични герои, интелигентно разследване. На места обаче грубият език ми идваше в повече. И не говоря за бруталност или жестокост, а по-скоро за циничност. Религиозният аспект, макар и силно застъпен, за мен бе добре преплетен с фабулата и не самоцелен. Като цяло, един от добрите трилъри.
jesikasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
The third offering in the Smoky Barrett series was different in that we didn't have someone purposefully trying to use Smoky as their own personal bargaining chip within law enforcement. It was refreshing to be honest.
This book is more complex because it hinges on a very different reason for killing than you normally read of in such books, that being repressed sexual anger. Instead, here we have a wholly religious belief gone horribly wrong.
The character development in this book for our main team was spot on. We're two years on here from the last book and I think that was wise. James' revelations kept on coming and I seriously hope we get to meet his mother. Callie is engaged and battling addiction, it was great to see Kirby back but I'm mystified as to why Leo didn't reappear. Alan had a moment in this book where I was shocked and considered whether I could still like him which is great character progression.
Most of all, we see into Smoky's past. Both to her loss of her mother and the hard decisions she made after her husband and child died. We learn about her through both these personal experiences and I think we come to appreciate her way of viewing death, pain and survival more by seeing her this way.
I didn't guess this time! I was mystified and I feel like McFayden has settled into his plot and story telling abilities with a little more confidence in this book. A great read I raced through.
This book is more complex because it hinges on a very different reason for killing than you normally read of in such books, that being repressed sexual anger. Instead, here we have a wholly religious belief gone horribly wrong.
The character development in this book for our main team was spot on. We're two years on here from the last book and I think that was wise. James' revelations kept on coming and I seriously hope we get to meet his mother. Callie is engaged and battling addiction, it was great to see Kirby back but I'm mystified as to why Leo didn't reappear. Alan had a moment in this book where I was shocked and considered whether I could still like him which is great character progression.
Most of all, we see into Smoky's past. Both to her loss of her mother and the hard decisions she made after her husband and child died. We learn about her through both these personal experiences and I think we come to appreciate her way of viewing death, pain and survival more by seeing her this way.
I didn't guess this time! I was mystified and I feel like McFayden has settled into his plot and story telling abilities with a little more confidence in this book. A great read I raced through.
linzdeanna's review against another edition
4.0
This book kept my interest, I liked the different personalities and the twist was great. I didn't realize this book was part of a series so I began with this one instead of the first so I felt a little behind but McFadyen does a great job with getting the reader up-to-speed.
tericr's review against another edition
4.0
Almost as thrilling as its predecessors. The religious angle for me fell a bit flat though-the preacher’s speeches were too long and could’ve easily been cut!
Nevertheless, Smoky and her team never disappoint - bring on Book 4!
Nevertheless, Smoky and her team never disappoint - bring on Book 4!
rebeka_r's review against another edition
4.0
It was good but it wasn't perfect.
Usually the more messed up the book is the more I like it but this time it was a little bit too much? Also during the whole book it was emphasized how Smoky can identify with the killer but I was missing an actual identifying. I was hoping for more analysis of killer's profile.
Don't get me wrong. The book is still awesome, otherwise I wouldn't give it four stars. But after reading first one I had higher expectations and this was a step down from the first one.
Usually the more messed up the book is the more I like it but this time it was a little bit too much? Also during the whole book it was emphasized how Smoky can identify with the killer but I was missing an actual identifying. I was hoping for more analysis of killer's profile.
Don't get me wrong. The book is still awesome, otherwise I wouldn't give it four stars. But after reading first one I had higher expectations and this was a step down from the first one.
petra_reads's review
3.0
This is the third book in the Smoky Barrett series and continues a couple of years after [b:The Face of Death|184794|The Face of Death (Smoky Barrett, #2)|Cody McFadyen|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388758400s/184794.jpg|2725701]. While I would suggest reading them in order for the character development, [a:Cody McFadyen|83056|Cody McFadyen|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1246713671p2/83056.jpg] actually rehashes a lot of the details from the previous books to make this one work as a standalone, too.
This one had a different feel to the first two. I can't actually explain why exactly, but this one didn't grip me like the first two. I'm not sure whether it was just the primary focus on religion and the Catholic faith that left me disconnected, but something was missing here. For starters, I think it lacked suspense. While still rather unpleasant in parts, this one didn't feel as brutal and gory as the first two either.
Although this was the first one I listened to in English, I know that wasn't the issue here because this was actually better in English than the first two had been in German. I thought the audiobook narration by Joyce Bean was fantastic. The issue which annoyed me so much in the German version actually came across as endearing in this one, and I really, really like Callie now. I think Kirby is another entertaining character, as she injects some fun into the otherwise dark plot.
Overall, I still enjoyed this one, but it didn't have the impact the previous ones had. 3.5 stars.
Moving on to [b:Abandoned|6413939|Abandoned (Smoky Barrett #4)|Cody McFadyen|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388856744s/6413939.jpg|6602940], book 4.
This one had a different feel to the first two. I can't actually explain why exactly, but this one didn't grip me like the first two. I'm not sure whether it was just the primary focus on religion and the Catholic faith that left me disconnected, but something was missing here. For starters, I think it lacked suspense. While still rather unpleasant in parts, this one didn't feel as brutal and gory as the first two either.
Although this was the first one I listened to in English, I know that wasn't the issue here because this was actually better in English than the first two had been in German. I thought the audiobook narration by Joyce Bean was fantastic. The issue which annoyed me so much in the German version actually came across as endearing in this one, and I really, really like Callie now. I think Kirby is another entertaining character, as she injects some fun into the otherwise dark plot.
Overall, I still enjoyed this one, but it didn't have the impact the previous ones had. 3.5 stars.
Moving on to [b:Abandoned|6413939|Abandoned (Smoky Barrett #4)|Cody McFadyen|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388856744s/6413939.jpg|6602940], book 4.
arathi's review against another edition
3.0
Third book in the Smoky Barrett Series - there's a murder mid air and no one knows how it was done and why!
This book was ok compared to the other 2 in the series - there's a lot of description about homosexuality, catholics etc.,
the end was a disappointment when it's revealed who the killer is and why!! Couldnt digest that something like that could be the reason!
This book was ok compared to the other 2 in the series - there's a lot of description about homosexuality, catholics etc.,
the end was a disappointment when it's revealed who the killer is and why!! Couldnt digest that something like that could be the reason!
autumnsorcery's review against another edition
5.0
Smoky Barrett is no stranger to violent crime. She sees it every day in her job as an FBI Special Agent, but she has also experienced it firsthand. Three years ago, her husband and daughter were killed by a serial killer Smoky was chasing. The same man brutalized Smoky, leaving her face horribly disfigured. Her personal tragedies give Smoky a unique insight into both the mind of a killer and the sorrow of a victim.
When the transsexual son of a prominent United States Congressman is killed on a on a passenger plane – in mid-flight – the President himself wants Smoky and her talented investigative team on the case.
The investigation leads them to a twisted and prolific serial killer who calls himself the Preacher. Serial killers are collectors and the Preacher is no exception. However, precisely what he collects sets him apart. The Preacher is collecting the darkest secrets of his victims, forcing them to confess their sins before he murders them. He’s also taunting Smoky and her team, telling them that “time is life” and they must catch him before he kills again.
In The Darker Side, Cody McFadyen has created a compelling, gritty crime procedural. I frequently found myself re-reading passages, not to deepen my understanding of the story, but to savor McFadyen’s writing style. This is not a bare bones thriller with little prose or character development. The descriptions and characters are rich and well-formed, and the plot never stalls. I was truly sad to finish this book, and I can’t wait to see where Mr. McFadyen takes Smoky Barrett next.
When the transsexual son of a prominent United States Congressman is killed on a on a passenger plane – in mid-flight – the President himself wants Smoky and her talented investigative team on the case.
The investigation leads them to a twisted and prolific serial killer who calls himself the Preacher. Serial killers are collectors and the Preacher is no exception. However, precisely what he collects sets him apart. The Preacher is collecting the darkest secrets of his victims, forcing them to confess their sins before he murders them. He’s also taunting Smoky and her team, telling them that “time is life” and they must catch him before he kills again.
In The Darker Side, Cody McFadyen has created a compelling, gritty crime procedural. I frequently found myself re-reading passages, not to deepen my understanding of the story, but to savor McFadyen’s writing style. This is not a bare bones thriller with little prose or character development. The descriptions and characters are rich and well-formed, and the plot never stalls. I was truly sad to finish this book, and I can’t wait to see where Mr. McFadyen takes Smoky Barrett next.
mftaylor's review against another edition
3.0
This is the 3rd book from the Smoky Barrett series, and although I really enjoyed the first two, this one wasn't as good in my opinion. It's still a good read just not great. I found the story a little slow and lacking compared to the last two books. It's definitely less brutal so that may appeal to some. The characters grow more in this one, but there's a lot of repetition regarding the characters and their situations. Great for those reading this book as a stand-alone or reading it after taking a long break after reading the first two of the series.
Smoky and her team are called in to take point on a murder that happened in flight and has no suspects. It isn't their jurisdiction but favors have been called in, Smoky and her team are requested due to their excellent results but mainly due to Smoky's reputation. They are racing to solve multiple murders with more promised if they don't quickly discover who the killer is.
Smoky and her team are called in to take point on a murder that happened in flight and has no suspects. It isn't their jurisdiction but favors have been called in, Smoky and her team are requested due to their excellent results but mainly due to Smoky's reputation. They are racing to solve multiple murders with more promised if they don't quickly discover who the killer is.