Scan barcode
booketybookstore's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting but some odd passages which felt a bit like non sequiturs. She would get mad and i would think “why is she mad?” And then we didn’t seem to find out why and it would happen again. I wondered if maybe i was skim reading but it happened too often for that. Good plot, decent characters but ever so slightly cryptic for my money.
j_lbrbsblogs's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
The second Oliver and Stone book and it continues in the same excellent style drawing you in immediately and keeping you gripped throughout. This is a tense storyline were we continue to get to know Frankie and David and become further invested in their characters and lives. I really enjoy how Mari Hannah writes stories that are well detailed in police procedure whilst still delivering a terrific, pacy tale which keeps you turning the pages and guessing until the very end.
The second Oliver and Stone book and it continues in the same excellent style drawing you in immediately and keeping you gripped throughout. This is a tense storyline were we continue to get to know Frankie and David and become further invested in their characters and lives. I really enjoy how Mari Hannah writes stories that are well detailed in police procedure whilst still delivering a terrific, pacy tale which keeps you turning the pages and guessing until the very end.
raven88's review against another edition
5.0
The Insider is the second outing for Northumbria detectives, DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver introduced in the hugely enjoyable first book, The Lost Our intrepid duo are back in search of a pernicious and twisted killer (rubs hands with glee) and once again Mari Hannah has produced a quality page-turner of a thriller for these increasingly dark winter nights…
I felt a wonderful sense of familiarity stepping back into the world of Stone and Oliver, such was the strong impression that the first book left on me, and was delighted that their working and personal relationship was as emotionally bumpy yet suffused with a genuine feeling of respect as the previous book. Both characters are extremely empathetic, realistic and genuinely likeable- Stone for his calmness and pragmatism, and Oliver for her impetuousness and gumption. As traumatic experiences from their own lives rise uncomfortably to the surface in the course of this investigation, and as Stone continues to navigate his way as a surrogate father to his teenage nephew Ben, Hannah has a wide scope of emotional upset, and self doubt to convey in her characters. There are some moments of emotional revelation for both, and one storyline in particular will, I’m sure, have further repercussions in the future. What I like about both characters is their unerring ability to handle their own personal upset so incredibly ham-fistedly, but also the rock solid and extremely professional way they go about their search for this killer, overcoming an initially mistrustful and obstinate Murder Investigation Team, and meticulously picking apart the threads of the investigation before their arrival. Once again, the procedural detail is spot on, and the reader experiences all the tension and frustrations that the detectives do themselves in this thorny and distressing case. As the necessity to trap the killer gains in intensity, so too does the pace and vigour of Hannah’s writing, echoing the increasing frustration but slowly appearing chinks of knowledge that Stone and his gradually cooperative team unearth.
What I am consistently impressed with in relation to Hannah’s writing is the extremely well structured and visual quality of her writing. Everything is so clearly described that there is a strange sense that you almost watching the action unfold before you- an experience more akin to watching a thriller on television than reading a book. Even outside of the fact of being incredibly familiar with the various north east locations that Hannah uses, her depiction of landscape, whether town or country, is vibrant and oozes with colourful detail. If ever the Northumbria tourist board is looking for a regional champion, they need look no further than Hannah whose affection and love of her home turf, both its good and bad points, shines throughout the whole book.
Another sterling addition to Hannah’s repertoire, and I am very much looking forward to the next Stone and Oliver investigation, which I think, judging my the unresolved issues in this book, is likely to be another emotional rollercoaster for Hannah’s characters, and us, as readers, too. Highly recommended.
I felt a wonderful sense of familiarity stepping back into the world of Stone and Oliver, such was the strong impression that the first book left on me, and was delighted that their working and personal relationship was as emotionally bumpy yet suffused with a genuine feeling of respect as the previous book. Both characters are extremely empathetic, realistic and genuinely likeable- Stone for his calmness and pragmatism, and Oliver for her impetuousness and gumption. As traumatic experiences from their own lives rise uncomfortably to the surface in the course of this investigation, and as Stone continues to navigate his way as a surrogate father to his teenage nephew Ben, Hannah has a wide scope of emotional upset, and self doubt to convey in her characters. There are some moments of emotional revelation for both, and one storyline in particular will, I’m sure, have further repercussions in the future. What I like about both characters is their unerring ability to handle their own personal upset so incredibly ham-fistedly, but also the rock solid and extremely professional way they go about their search for this killer, overcoming an initially mistrustful and obstinate Murder Investigation Team, and meticulously picking apart the threads of the investigation before their arrival. Once again, the procedural detail is spot on, and the reader experiences all the tension and frustrations that the detectives do themselves in this thorny and distressing case. As the necessity to trap the killer gains in intensity, so too does the pace and vigour of Hannah’s writing, echoing the increasing frustration but slowly appearing chinks of knowledge that Stone and his gradually cooperative team unearth.
What I am consistently impressed with in relation to Hannah’s writing is the extremely well structured and visual quality of her writing. Everything is so clearly described that there is a strange sense that you almost watching the action unfold before you- an experience more akin to watching a thriller on television than reading a book. Even outside of the fact of being incredibly familiar with the various north east locations that Hannah uses, her depiction of landscape, whether town or country, is vibrant and oozes with colourful detail. If ever the Northumbria tourist board is looking for a regional champion, they need look no further than Hannah whose affection and love of her home turf, both its good and bad points, shines throughout the whole book.
Another sterling addition to Hannah’s repertoire, and I am very much looking forward to the next Stone and Oliver investigation, which I think, judging my the unresolved issues in this book, is likely to be another emotional rollercoaster for Hannah’s characters, and us, as readers, too. Highly recommended.
nietzschesghost's review
4.0
The Insider, the second book in the critically-acclaimed DCI David Stone & DS Frankie Oliver series set in my home county of Northumberland, lives up to the promise that was shown in the first novel and provides the Murder Investigation Team with more problems than they first envisaged as, for starters, the team think there is someone leaking information to the killer in an effort to keep him one step ahead. Mari Hannah is one of the best police procedural penners in the business that much is clear.
I loved the North East setting here, as it is vividly depicted and authentically described, I enjoyed the fact that I knew exactly where the locations were due to Northumberland being my home county. This certainly added to my appreciation but of course, there were many more facets to this story than just the scenic surroundings. There is a little history, heritage and myth, based around the North East, within the tale which intrigued me as most of it was information I had not heard previously. Oliver & Stone have a great dynamic, and I feel we learn a lot more about them in book two - there is the trademark Mari banter between them, with Stone being fiery and impulsive and Oliver the steady, logical thinker! Together they have an unusual but interesting dynamic. It is predominantly told from the perspective of both investigators but interspersed throughout are the thoughts of the unnamed killer. I have seen this used before in other works and it always appears to work well.
This is a gripping, addictive read that is well written and overflowing with surprising twists and turns. The plot and characterisation are excellently executed and the fast and furious pace makes it quick and easy to get through. I look forward to the next additions to the series and its characters evolution over time.
Many thanks to Orion for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I loved the North East setting here, as it is vividly depicted and authentically described, I enjoyed the fact that I knew exactly where the locations were due to Northumberland being my home county. This certainly added to my appreciation but of course, there were many more facets to this story than just the scenic surroundings. There is a little history, heritage and myth, based around the North East, within the tale which intrigued me as most of it was information I had not heard previously. Oliver & Stone have a great dynamic, and I feel we learn a lot more about them in book two - there is the trademark Mari banter between them, with Stone being fiery and impulsive and Oliver the steady, logical thinker! Together they have an unusual but interesting dynamic. It is predominantly told from the perspective of both investigators but interspersed throughout are the thoughts of the unnamed killer. I have seen this used before in other works and it always appears to work well.
This is a gripping, addictive read that is well written and overflowing with surprising twists and turns. The plot and characterisation are excellently executed and the fast and furious pace makes it quick and easy to get through. I look forward to the next additions to the series and its characters evolution over time.
Many thanks to Orion for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
More...