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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Picked this one up at Goodwill earlier this week! I love when I find popular books at goodwill.
I don’t read much genre fiction these days, I’m so pleased with the characterization and mystery here. It was deeply disturbing in some bits, but Hoag does a great job rationing out Kate and Quinn’s sweet second-chance romance to balance out the grimmer scenes.
Also. I loved what all the red herrings and false suspects in the case imply, thematically— a lot of people (in this case, mostly men) are misogynists and abusers in their own ways. Sexual misconduct and assault surrounds everyone- victim, abuser, or bystander. It wasn’t a subtle message (nothing about this book was lowkey or subtextual) but it was incredibly thought provoking.
A note about Quinn— dude. Listen. I read mostly romance and I almost never feel any sort of attraction or pull towards any male heroes, for The Obvious Reason. But Quinn?? Dude. He’s hot as fuck. Maybe it’s because he’s a middle aged man who is very much broken down by life and deeply miserable with his job when we first meet him, but something about him Just Worked for me. Men in genre fiction have always been more scintillating to me, as opposed to straight up romance protags. (Well. About as scintillating as any man can be, for me.) What can I say? I’m sucker for a depressed DILF.
I don’t read much genre fiction these days, I’m so pleased with the characterization and mystery here. It was deeply disturbing in some bits, but Hoag does a great job rationing out Kate and Quinn’s sweet second-chance romance to balance out the grimmer scenes.
Also. I loved what all the red herrings and false suspects in the case imply, thematically— a lot of people (in this case, mostly men) are misogynists and abusers in their own ways. Sexual misconduct and assault surrounds everyone- victim, abuser, or bystander. It wasn’t a subtle message (nothing about this book was lowkey or subtextual) but it was incredibly thought provoking.
A note about Quinn— dude. Listen. I read mostly romance and I almost never feel any sort of attraction or pull towards any male heroes, for The Obvious Reason. But Quinn?? Dude. He’s hot as fuck. Maybe it’s because he’s a middle aged man who is very much broken down by life and deeply miserable with his job when we first meet him, but something about him Just Worked for me. Men in genre fiction have always been more scintillating to me, as opposed to straight up romance protags. (Well. About as scintillating as any man can be, for me.) What can I say? I’m sucker for a depressed DILF.
kept me reading
I was trying to guess who the killer was the entire time,thought I had it figured out and then got surprised. I'll admit I'm not usually good at guessing who the killer is but this one was a definite shock. It kept me reading, even if the characters weren't all that likable and I found myself wondering on occasion if this was originally criminal minds fanfiction
I was trying to guess who the killer was the entire time,thought I had it figured out and then got surprised. I'll admit I'm not usually good at guessing who the killer is but this one was a definite shock. It kept me reading, even if the characters weren't all that likable and I found myself wondering on occasion if this was originally criminal minds fanfiction
Ashes to Ashes was my first Tami Hoag book, and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. If you are a fan of Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, etc., you'll love this book. The plot was excellent, with enough twists and turns to keep me reading until 3am. The identity of the killer was a total surprise to this veteran thriller reader. Once you read it, you'll be hooked on the author's books.
First line: "Some killers are born. Some killers are made."
This was a great read. A novel where an old love is rekindled in the midst of absolute tragedy.
The introduction to the novel - the killer, the characters, the setting, plot, etc. - was a bit long to me, but it definitely gave a good background to the story.
I loved the main character and the characters that were secondary to her, because they all had such bold personalities.
I was irritated in places at the task force ignoring the calls of a certain informant, because she was actually correct in her statements. Besides that, I was actually really surprised at who the killer turned out to be, which is always a good thing!
Tami Hoag is a great author and I will be looking forward to reading more of her works in the near future!
This was a great read. A novel where an old love is rekindled in the midst of absolute tragedy.
The introduction to the novel - the killer, the characters, the setting, plot, etc. - was a bit long to me, but it definitely gave a good background to the story.
I loved the main character and the characters that were secondary to her, because they all had such bold personalities.
I was irritated in places at the task force ignoring the calls of a certain informant, because she was actually correct in her statements. Besides that, I was actually really surprised at who the killer turned out to be, which is always a good thing!
Tami Hoag is a great author and I will be looking forward to reading more of her works in the near future!
Dry
I thought this story was very dry and boring. I couldn't read it fast enough just so i could get to my next book.
I thought this story was very dry and boring. I couldn't read it fast enough just so i could get to my next book.
Kate Conlan left the FBI after facing tragedy and then scandal. She's built a comfortable life in her home town of Minneapolis as a Victim's Advocate. Things are quiet and steady. Then she walks into work one day in time to profile a shooter getting ready to act in the lobby. After taking him down, she gets called in to be assigned the case of a young witness to the most recent, heinous act of the killer the press had dubbed the Cremator.
The most recent victim is believed to be the daughter of a leading citizen and before Kate can catch her breath, her partner in scandal, John Quinn arrives from Quantico. Things are just beginning to get uncomfortable.
Although it's the first book in Kovac and Liska series, it's more of an ensemble piece, visiting the points of view of many characters: Kate, John, Kovac, Liska, Angie - the witness and even the killer. Her history is in romance so she is often about relationships.
This is a gritty, dark book. The characters are human and flawed and easy to like and even easier to hate. Even the "Mighty Quinn" has a foot that's at least encased in clay. It was also a thrilling cat and mouse game with twists and turns that loop the loop.
I've been a fan of Tami Hoag since she wrote for Loveswept. I think I mention that in every review. I remain a fan. I think she creates terrific characters and then gives them a real story to shine in.
The most recent victim is believed to be the daughter of a leading citizen and before Kate can catch her breath, her partner in scandal, John Quinn arrives from Quantico. Things are just beginning to get uncomfortable.
Although it's the first book in Kovac and Liska series, it's more of an ensemble piece, visiting the points of view of many characters: Kate, John, Kovac, Liska, Angie - the witness and even the killer. Her history is in romance so she is often about relationships.
This is a gritty, dark book. The characters are human and flawed and easy to like and even easier to hate. Even the "Mighty Quinn" has a foot that's at least encased in clay. It was also a thrilling cat and mouse game with twists and turns that loop the loop.
I've been a fan of Tami Hoag since she wrote for Loveswept. I think I mention that in every review. I remain a fan. I think she creates terrific characters and then gives them a real story to shine in.