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radioactiv's review against another edition
2.5
The book was fine overall - an interesting plot that kept me on my toes written by a skilled author. Better writing style than most.
That said, the characterization in The Ice-House was a bit confusing. The characters have a good amount of depth - there are motivations, certainly, in the actions of the main characters. That said, it didn't seem quite life-like to me. I can't imagine there are many people who go around quoting Robert Burns poems. Seriously, how many people have "To a Louse" memorized? And Sgt. McLoughlin had a dramatic personality shift partway through the novel that seemed incredibly abrupt, even with the details of his personal life. Some of the other characters were a bit inconsistent as well, but McLoughlin was pretty bad.
The changes in POV were confusing at times. As another reviewer noted, the book is in 3rd person omniscient and changes between characters often. As such, the book is from the POV of one character in one paragraph and a different one (sometimes in a different location) for the next. I'd start to attribute dialogue to one character, realize that character couldn't be speaking (or had suddenly developed a penchant for speaking in third person), and would end up re-reading the paragraph.
As a side note, I don't really know if I'd categorize this as a "cozy mystery", which is what my book jacket says - though it also misspells Anne's name. It's a bit darker than most cozies and there's no amateur sleuth character. Additionally, it wasn't much of a whodunnit, where you actively guess who murdered the victim, as much of the story is spent trying to figure out whose body is in the ice house. Don't expect Agatha Christie style clues and hints.
That said, the characterization in The Ice-House was a bit confusing. The characters have a good amount of depth - there are motivations, certainly, in the actions of the main characters. That said, it didn't seem quite life-like to me. I can't imagine there are many people who go around quoting Robert Burns poems. Seriously, how many people have "To a Louse" memorized? And Sgt. McLoughlin had a dramatic personality shift partway through the novel that seemed incredibly abrupt, even with the details of his personal life. Some of the other characters were a bit inconsistent as well, but McLoughlin was pretty bad.
The changes in POV were confusing at times. As another reviewer noted, the book is in 3rd person omniscient and changes between characters often. As such, the book is from the POV of one character in one paragraph and a different one (sometimes in a different location) for the next. I'd start to attribute dialogue to one character, realize that character couldn't be speaking (or had suddenly developed a penchant for speaking in third person), and would end up re-reading the paragraph.
As a side note, I don't really know if I'd categorize this as a "cozy mystery", which is what my book jacket says - though it also misspells Anne's name. It's a bit darker than most cozies and there's no amateur sleuth character. Additionally, it wasn't much of a whodunnit, where you actively guess who murdered the victim, as much of the story is spent trying to figure out whose body is in the ice house. Don't expect Agatha Christie style clues and hints.
crazeedi73's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, I've read a couple other books by this author, and I will read more. I like that the assistant DI is the protagonist in the book. Phoebe Maybury was accused of killing her husband 10 years ago, but not by police. The community ostracized her after he disappeared. Now a body is found in the ice house and everyone thinks its David. Lots of twists make the plot very intriguing.
rainnbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Ice House is crafted with such ingenuity and flair that am at a loss to describe this book. The story is written from many different perspectives and initially all characters seem to muddle together in our brains, but once the pace is set, you are literally in a race to find out the truth.
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
c_lindsay's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
sinds's review against another edition
3.0
There were some good, intriguing things about this book: the three women's friendship and how they all had each other's backs, the intertwining mysteries, the growth of the one police officer. But I did not appreciate the author using queerness as bait: there is so much homophobia in this towards the three women, but the homophobia is never actually reckoned with, in part because the women all end up being straight after all. (I know this is part of the time period in which this was written, but still.) I also found the writing style a bit stilted which made this tough to get into, but that may also be the time period.
spiderwitch's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Incest, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
writerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This is a reread and I liked it still quite a bit. I love the way Walters pulls all the threads together of the plot. That most of her characters are quite unlikable. Still, her characters are strong, wilful women. They have learned that they can protect themselves quite well thank you very much. I like that in the end it's all about revenge and envy. That it's not all tied up in a neat moral bow.
I knew that a Masterpiece theatre was made of the book but I had no idea a young Daniel Craig played Andy. Too bad it's not available in DVD. It might be worth a look.
A strong 4 stars because it's still even in reread an excellent mystery and character story.
I knew that a Masterpiece theatre was made of the book but I had no idea a young Daniel Craig played Andy. Too bad it's not available in DVD. It might be worth a look.
A strong 4 stars because it's still even in reread an excellent mystery and character story.
sarrie's review against another edition
2.0
It was terrible, but it wasn't great. It's feels very dated, and set within it's own world. The characters were either very dull or wildly inconsistent. I don't know that I'd recommend it. About the best I can say is that once past the 50 page mark it moves pretty fast.
baranchi's review against another edition
2.0
Content warning for homophobia, misogyny, sexual assault, and mentions of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and abuse of a child
What was fun about this book was watching three women outsmart abusive police officers. Unfortunately, halfway through it switched from that to a "hero" police officer saving them from circumstances that they had little to do with. Also, the "hero" cop was a violent misogynist who assaulted one of the women when he considered her a suspect. Then he suddenly changed to be their biggest champion for no reason. It was jarring and very difficult to root for him at the end. Especially when he ended up romantically involved with the woman he assaulted.
What was fun about this book was watching three women outsmart abusive police officers. Unfortunately, halfway through it switched from that to a "hero" police officer saving them from circumstances that they had little to do with. Also, the "hero" cop was a violent misogynist who assaulted one of the women when he considered her a suspect. Then he suddenly changed to be their biggest champion for no reason. It was jarring and very difficult to root for him at the end. Especially when he ended up romantically involved with the woman he assaulted.
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first book by Minette Walters and her debut, first published in 1992. This was a fantastic reading experience for me - interesting characters, decent plot, neat twists, and a well paced narrative!
Three friends live together in the Grange, in the village of Streech, Phoebe, Diana and Anne. It’s been 10 years since Phoebe’s husband disappeared and the discovery of a corpse on the property sets into motion a series of events that will change their lives irrevocably.
I loved Walters writing! I loved that she knows her characters inside out and upside down and makes no apologies for their flaws (they have many!). I especially love how she writes Phoebe, Anne and Andy McLoughlin, the main trio of characters that drive the plot forward along with Inspector Walsh, a despicable man if ever there was one!
This is a story about secrets kept and secrets shared; about the challenges of true friendship and the sacrifices we make for those we love. It is also about facing up to one’s faults and finding the strength to overcome internal inertia and external prejudice and make a change. Walters manages to keep the narrative gritty and gripping, but where she excels is in her study of human characters and how they would react in certain situations. Her skill is such that you forget you’re reading fiction - I can’t think of a better way to express how this book made me feel! My only disappointment is that this isn’t a series! I would have LOVED to revisit these three women and Andy a few years down the line! Andy reminds me a lot of Jean Guy Beauvoir, Inspector Armand Gamache’s protege in the Louise Penny series. They’re by no means identical but they’re similar in their thought processes and approach to people.
Yet another author I’ve discovered this year that I’m excited to read! The long term plan is to read all her work 😊
Three friends live together in the Grange, in the village of Streech, Phoebe, Diana and Anne. It’s been 10 years since Phoebe’s husband disappeared and the discovery of a corpse on the property sets into motion a series of events that will change their lives irrevocably.
I loved Walters writing! I loved that she knows her characters inside out and upside down and makes no apologies for their flaws (they have many!). I especially love how she writes Phoebe, Anne and Andy McLoughlin, the main trio of characters that drive the plot forward along with Inspector Walsh, a despicable man if ever there was one!
This is a story about secrets kept and secrets shared; about the challenges of true friendship and the sacrifices we make for those we love. It is also about facing up to one’s faults and finding the strength to overcome internal inertia and external prejudice and make a change. Walters manages to keep the narrative gritty and gripping, but where she excels is in her study of human characters and how they would react in certain situations. Her skill is such that you forget you’re reading fiction - I can’t think of a better way to express how this book made me feel! My only disappointment is that this isn’t a series! I would have LOVED to revisit these three women and Andy a few years down the line! Andy reminds me a lot of Jean Guy Beauvoir, Inspector Armand Gamache’s protege in the Louise Penny series. They’re by no means identical but they’re similar in their thought processes and approach to people.
Yet another author I’ve discovered this year that I’m excited to read! The long term plan is to read all her work 😊