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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This series just keeps getting better and better- this audiobook was a all-at-once-listen. And I am looking forward to listening the next…. That I will start immediately
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death
This book had me right from the start. The way the tricky situation Parker and Corelli found themselves in was set up in a way that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed that finally Parker and Corelli develop a far healthier way of communicating, and I loved to see some romantic development between Brett and Corelli, delicate as it was.
Even though the murder mystery covers the major part of A Message in Blood, it was just great to learn so much more about the background story of each of the two Detectives. This actually added a lot to the whole book, and I hope that there will be more books about Parker and Corelli. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars.
Trigger warning: a major part of the crime deals with sexual child abuse, and even though the main characters discover these events only after they have happened, they keep coming up in different forms throughout the book.
Even though the murder mystery covers the major part of A Message in Blood, it was just great to learn so much more about the background story of each of the two Detectives. This actually added a lot to the whole book, and I hope that there will be more books about Parker and Corelli. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars.
Trigger warning: a major part of the crime deals with sexual child abuse, and even though the main characters discover these events only after they have happened, they keep coming up in different forms throughout the book.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Sexual violence
Hah! Chiara Corelli finally gets her head out of her own arse and starts treating the people around her decently. I disliked her so intensely in the first two books that I almost didn't give this one a second glance. I'm glad that I allowed myself to be swayed by the positive ratings because I actually quite enjoyed this one. I'd have enjoyed it more if every room that Corelli enters into, ever, wasn't described such excruciating detail.
I love a good lesbian detective novel and this one is an excellent example as to why, there is nothing more satisfying as reading about a network of strong women, mostly queer who work together to find justice for women and girls. Fantasy? Maybe but a good one. In this book the author wanted to shine a light on the horror of child sex trafficking and I think she did an excellent job. Called in to investigate the murder of three prominent men, Detective Chiara Corelli and P.J. Parker are horrified by the scene and what they find hidden in a closet upstairs, furious and determined that there will be no cover up, they are continually shocked by the extent and reach of the child sex trafficking they uncover.
I found many aspects of the story believable, some familiar from stories that have already emerged in the media. At times I almost felt there was wish fulfilment going on, as certain key people were brought to justice and unable to buy their way out of trouble but that only adds to the enjoyment of the book. It was also good to read about some girls being rescued and looked after by loving caring people rather than ending up in the care system. I know anyone who works with cases like these often fights the urge to take every broken child home so it was another pleasing wish fulfilment part of the book. The author doesn't shy away from the horrors of child sex trafficking, her focus is on the rage of the detectives and the impact on the girls rather than presenting anything exploitative, so in that case I don't think that it's too triggering. Instead it raises interesting questions about a society that turns a blind eye to so many stories of neglected and abused children.
This is the third nook in a trilogy and I hadn't read the first two but was still able to follow the story, Corelli's ex military cop is a familiar one and I would really like to see and hear more about Parker a Black police detective and ex ADA. I enjoyed the way their working relationship developed and how they didn't shy away from exploring racism. Corelli is also healing from PTSD again, a familiar story line but one handled with sensitivity and with a view to healing which is different from the hard drinking broken person narrative. I also found the story arc of the singer who was discovered at a young age and then abused and exploited believable and presented in a non exploiting way. There is a lot in this book which really shows the power of a good crime novel especially with a network of kick ass, mostly female, mostly queer people determined to do what they can in a corrupt society.
With thanks to the publisher and net galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found many aspects of the story believable, some familiar from stories that have already emerged in the media. At times I almost felt there was wish fulfilment going on, as certain key people were brought to justice and unable to buy their way out of trouble but that only adds to the enjoyment of the book. It was also good to read about some girls being rescued and looked after by loving caring people rather than ending up in the care system. I know anyone who works with cases like these often fights the urge to take every broken child home so it was another pleasing wish fulfilment part of the book. The author doesn't shy away from the horrors of child sex trafficking, her focus is on the rage of the detectives and the impact on the girls rather than presenting anything exploitative, so in that case I don't think that it's too triggering. Instead it raises interesting questions about a society that turns a blind eye to so many stories of neglected and abused children.
This is the third nook in a trilogy and I hadn't read the first two but was still able to follow the story, Corelli's ex military cop is a familiar one and I would really like to see and hear more about Parker a Black police detective and ex ADA. I enjoyed the way their working relationship developed and how they didn't shy away from exploring racism. Corelli is also healing from PTSD again, a familiar story line but one handled with sensitivity and with a view to healing which is different from the hard drinking broken person narrative. I also found the story arc of the singer who was discovered at a young age and then abused and exploited believable and presented in a non exploiting way. There is a lot in this book which really shows the power of a good crime novel especially with a network of kick ass, mostly female, mostly queer people determined to do what they can in a corrupt society.
With thanks to the publisher and net galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this third novel in the Chiara Corelli Mystery series, Chiara and P.J. are singled out by their commander to handle a high profile and highly sensitive murder investigation. The bodies of a senator, a preacher and billionaire promoter have been found naked and covered in blood in the billionaire’s home. A message scrawled in blood on a mirror indicates this is more than a deadly orgy. It’s up to Corelli and Parker to solve the case while keeping the privacy of all and the gory details out of the public eye.
Maoirisi delivers another excellent crime drama, this time touching on child trafficking and handles what could be a horrific scenario with a careful hand and a lot of compassion. Seeking justice for those involved shows us how well Corelli and Parker have grown as a team. Corelli has come a long way finding resources to help her manage her PTSD and we learn more about P.J.’s past which adds another level of depth to my new favourite crime fighting duo. This case had plenty of possible perps and it was fun working through the clues and motives. The secondary characters show their support and add warmth and humanity to these detectives and the crimes they solve.
I hope this isn't the last we see of this series and these detectives. I’d love to see more cases to solve and relationships to grow in Corelli and Parker’s future, even if they are with different women.
A pleasure to read.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
Maoirisi delivers another excellent crime drama, this time touching on child trafficking and handles what could be a horrific scenario with a careful hand and a lot of compassion. Seeking justice for those involved shows us how well Corelli and Parker have grown as a team. Corelli has come a long way finding resources to help her manage her PTSD and we learn more about P.J.’s past which adds another level of depth to my new favourite crime fighting duo. This case had plenty of possible perps and it was fun working through the clues and motives. The secondary characters show their support and add warmth and humanity to these detectives and the crimes they solve.
I hope this isn't the last we see of this series and these detectives. I’d love to see more cases to solve and relationships to grow in Corelli and Parker’s future, even if they are with different women.
A pleasure to read.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.