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markw's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mxinky's review against another edition
5.0
Really adored this first Zoe Boehm novel. They remind me of Denise Mina, which is about the highest praise I can give to a crime novel. A different, deep look into the characters. Not the average glossing over the top of people's personalities and pasting in some thin romance to add interest. Just wonderful.
completebore's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
super_squirrel's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
carbonaden's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled with the one.
it started out literally with a bang, and I was quite enjoying it, and then it just seemed to get bogged down.
partly it was the style, I never understood splitting chapters into sub chapters, so Chapter Four Part III for example, just give a new chapter number for each one and be done with it.
Anyway it wasn't bad, but it was a struggle, I shall try the next one and see how it goes.
it started out literally with a bang, and I was quite enjoying it, and then it just seemed to get bogged down.
partly it was the style, I never understood splitting chapters into sub chapters, so Chapter Four Part III for example, just give a new chapter number for each one and be done with it.
Anyway it wasn't bad, but it was a struggle, I shall try the next one and see how it goes.
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a great fan of the author's Slough House series, which I've read and will probably reread the first few now that I know the characters - it's that good. My favorite character in that series is Jackson Lamb, a thoroughly unlikable hero who insults people all the time with comments like "Are you still here?"
So, I was happy to come across a similar character in this book, although even less likeable than Jackson Lamb. His name was "C". He seemed to be in charge of a spook department that cleaned up after operations that needed to not have happened, or people that needed to be erased. As you can imagine, he had some pretty bad people working for him, people that enjoyed the job.
When he was getting a status update from an underling, we are treated to this exchange:
Or, after summarizing a botched-up job that was particularly messy, he says:
If you read any of the Slough House series, I'm sure you'd recognize that style immediately.
The story itself was a bit darker than Slough House, perhaps. I believe it was written before Slough House. But it was a good story, with good characters, and some unlikely heroes, who happened to be women. My only complaint was that it was too short. I felt there was more that I wanted to know, but it didn't really leave any loose ends, but it could have wrapped things up a little more.
I'm hoping the rest of the series is as good or better than this one. I plan to find out soon.
So, I was happy to come across a similar character in this book, although even less likeable than Jackson Lamb. His name was "C". He seemed to be in charge of a spook department that cleaned up after operations that needed to not have happened, or people that needed to be erased. As you can imagine, he had some pretty bad people working for him, people that enjoyed the job.
When he was getting a status update from an underling, we are treated to this exchange:
‘Fuck off. Now, what happened to Mr Trafford? He been secured?’
‘I think so.’
‘How excellent. If I were interested in what you think, Howard, I’d be saving up for your memoirs. Has he been secured or not?’
Or, after summarizing a botched-up job that was particularly messy, he says:
'Did I miss anything important?’
Howard shook his head.
‘Good. Now, here’s the really interesting question. If only one part of that was to appear in the papers, which part would you like it to be?’
‘The bit about Downey killing Axel,’ Howard said.
C closed his eyes briefy. ‘Have you any idea how fucking rhetorical that was?’
This time, Howard didn’t reply.
If you read any of the Slough House series, I'm sure you'd recognize that style immediately.
The story itself was a bit darker than Slough House, perhaps. I believe it was written before Slough House. But it was a good story, with good characters, and some unlikely heroes, who happened to be women. My only complaint was that it was too short. I felt there was more that I wanted to know, but it didn't really leave any loose ends, but it could have wrapped things up a little more.
I'm hoping the rest of the series is as good or better than this one. I plan to find out soon.
pshotts's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alice_horoshev's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25