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tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
This was an okay story. It was clearly the first in a series by an author without a lot of experience, as the mystery was not very mysterious and there was a lot of focus on bringing the murderer to justice rather than the actual hunt for the murderer. The characters were somewhat flat but I could see them becoming more three dimensional in further books in the series as the author gains experience and polishes their writing. It also felt a lot longer than it needed to be but that might just be me.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
4.0
Deadly Focus is the first book in the D I Dylan series.
I love a good crime book and read plenty of them, so it always takes me by surprise when crimes in one book will affect me a lot more than in others. Reading of someone going around killing innocent and unsuspecting children really got to me. I have to admit that some parts made for uncomfortable reading as well as making me quite emotional.
What I loved about Jack Dylan as well as his colleague Dawn is that they care, and I mean really care. Even though they have been doing the job for quite a while, it has hardened them of course but not enough to not get emotional when they are faced with such sad and pointless losses. The way they deal with the children's families I also thought was great as they came across as being very supportive and caring and it was great to read that in a crime novel.
Jack I have to admit to not knowing quite how I felt about him at first. Out of work he is like a love sick teenager whilst at work he is this very strong confident man who takes no rubbish from anyone. It did take some getting used to but I really warmed to him, especially the relationship he has with his colleague Dawn.
Dawn I really loved and think she is a great character. She is likened to Dawn French in the story and I totally agree.She obviously has a big heart and you can see the job is taking it's toll on her at times. I love the banter she has with Jack, anyone else probably wouldn't get away with it but Jack obviously thinks a lot of Dawn and lets her get away with that little bit more than any of the others, though I very much doubt that anyone else would even dare to joke around with him as he is someone you would not want to upset.
Deadly Focus has some strong and likeable characters as well as a gripping storyline that will have the reader flying through the pages. Great start to a series.
Many thanks to the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good crime book and read plenty of them, so it always takes me by surprise when crimes in one book will affect me a lot more than in others. Reading of someone going around killing innocent and unsuspecting children really got to me. I have to admit that some parts made for uncomfortable reading as well as making me quite emotional.
What I loved about Jack Dylan as well as his colleague Dawn is that they care, and I mean really care. Even though they have been doing the job for quite a while, it has hardened them of course but not enough to not get emotional when they are faced with such sad and pointless losses. The way they deal with the children's families I also thought was great as they came across as being very supportive and caring and it was great to read that in a crime novel.
Jack I have to admit to not knowing quite how I felt about him at first. Out of work he is like a love sick teenager whilst at work he is this very strong confident man who takes no rubbish from anyone. It did take some getting used to but I really warmed to him, especially the relationship he has with his colleague Dawn.
Dawn I really loved and think she is a great character. She is likened to Dawn French in the story and I totally agree.She obviously has a big heart and you can see the job is taking it's toll on her at times. I love the banter she has with Jack, anyone else probably wouldn't get away with it but Jack obviously thinks a lot of Dawn and lets her get away with that little bit more than any of the others, though I very much doubt that anyone else would even dare to joke around with him as he is someone you would not want to upset.
Deadly Focus has some strong and likeable characters as well as a gripping storyline that will have the reader flying through the pages. Great start to a series.
Many thanks to the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
judefire33's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My first DI Jack Dylan read by the fantastic team of Bob and Carol Bridgestock, was good, I love the way it was really introducing us to Jack, and the storyline is quite heart wrenching. As always the Police procedural side is extremely detailed and really helps to give the reader a true insight into today’s Policing methods.
I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series as I think these will get better as I go along.
I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series as I think these will get better as I go along.
bookoholic's review
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Deadly Focus is the first book in the DI Jack Dylan series. It's a great police procedural, especially that the authors spent their careers in the force. I love how accurate everything is and how some of the funny, almost impossible situations are often based on real life events or people.
The story starts with a young girl being kidnapped and murdered. Case is not easy as there's no clear motive why would anyone do that to her or to her parents. Soon after a boy disappears and is also found dead. He had a dog sh*t in his mouth and he's been hanged. Who would do that to a kid?
Jack Dylan discovers the connection between the parents which wasn't something that anyone could have thought about. The story is dark, the reasons behind killing could have only been created by a very twisted mind... who suffered a lot himself.
It's a really enjoyable book, very quick to read, because the story is engaging and you don't want to stop reading!
I immediately jumped into book 2 and I'm sure it'll be one of my favourite series!
The story starts with a young girl being kidnapped and murdered. Case is not easy as there's no clear motive why would anyone do that to her or to her parents. Soon after a boy disappears and is also found dead. He had a dog sh*t in his mouth and he's been hanged. Who would do that to a kid?
Jack Dylan discovers the connection between the parents which wasn't something that anyone could have thought about. The story is dark, the reasons behind killing could have only been created by a very twisted mind... who suffered a lot himself.
It's a really enjoyable book, very quick to read, because the story is engaging and you don't want to stop reading!
I immediately jumped into book 2 and I'm sure it'll be one of my favourite series!
carolineva's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
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