Reviews

The Black Country by Alex Grecian

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ari__s's review

3.0

It's been some time since I read the first in this series so it took me a little while to remember the specifics about each character. This wasn't hard to do, mostly because there isn't immense depth to the characters, but there also isn't much character development involved so even once I remember who was who I didn't feel like I had gained much insight. I love the quick verbal exchange that happens for the majority of the dialogue - all very short, sweet, to the point, and offhandedly humorous. At the same time, though, it does fall into the trap of lengthy verbal exchange where the reader loses track of exactly who is speaking, which became mildly irritating at times. Regardless, while I didn't enjoy this book as much as the Yard, in part because the novelty had worn off, Grecian maintains the Holmes-esque vintage freshness of how he tackles murder mysteries. On the whole this story was still quite entertaining, enough so that I probably will venture onto the next installment, though I don't know if I would hasten other readers to both reading past the Yard, which seemed more thought out and developed than the Black Country. Anyhow, it was a fun read at best. Perfect for blizzard weather and procrastinating.

karieh13's review

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3.0

One of the things I liked best about Alex Grecian’s first “Murder Squad” novel was the details and descriptions of London shortly after the Jack the Ripper murders. I’ve read a number of books about the city during the killing spree, but none that dealt with the changes in attitude and atmosphere of the city port-Ripper. That, and the setup of the “Murder Squad” were fascinating.

With that said, it was surprising that in the second book about this squad, Grecian pulls the characters out of London. There was almost no mention of Scotland Yard…and it took me a while to get into this book set in “The Black Country”.

But the atmosphere that the author creates in this book is fascinating in a completely different way. The pall that hangs over this place, these people…this sense of impending and accepted doom nearly pulsates off the page.

The citizens of Blackhampton, and the roles they play in this small, almost otherworldly community, make for a very interesting story. They mystery itself was not as well drawn, but that became almost secondary.

While I hope that the next book is set back in London, this was a good sequel to “The Yard”.

fluffyturtle's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

margaretefg's review

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3.0

I haven't read the first book in this series, but I want to now. Day and Hammersmith are a good team of detectives, complementary and also human, not just mystery solving machines. I am assuming that Dr. Kingsley and his "modern" medicine are also a key part of the scene. This mystery is weirdly bleak and shifts in time and space in ways that aren't altogether convincing, but I especially like Day's thoughtfulness about the people around him.

msjaquiss's review

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3.0

The setting for this story made me curious about coal mining in England but the story itself was so wildly outrageous that I didn't really enjoy it. I'll give this series one more try.

chenoadallen's review

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2.0

I enjoyed Book 1 in this series, but things fall apart in this sequel. Way too many things are going on, many of them unnecessary (why the baby bird???), and the author's attempts to wrap them all up in the end fail miserably. I like the main characters; give me more of them and less ludicrous plot!