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littlemissgemreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
devrose's review against another edition
2.0
I don't understand how someone as smart as Carol Jordan would go into an investigation nearly blind. Also, that mistake seems to be her only fault. Tony Hill is human, with faults, but what are Carol's? Other than "you idiot, you know you've been being tailed, MAKE SURE THEY SEE YOUR LIGHT ON!" The ending was really suspenseful, but the rest was - well, I wasn't so fond of Carol in this book.
gillianmck's review against another edition
3.75
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the previous novel in the series, but there was certainly plenty of tension in the undercover operation. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and a 4 stars rating.
gigglewigglesquiggle's review against another edition
3.0
Characters: 3
Plot: 3
Setting/world building: 3
Atmosphere: 4
——
3,25
Plot: 3
Setting/
Atmosphere: 4
——
3,25
gloeilampje's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
DCI Carol Jordan is offered the chance at the job of her dreams, providing she can successfully complete an overseas undercover mission. Jordan has never worked undercover before and this is a particularly dangerous and fraught mission - getting close to a drug dealer/human trafficker. Meanwhile Dr Tony Hill has been working in academia for the past few years, but he becomes involved in the tracking of serial killer operating in Europe which takes him close to where Carol is. When things go wrong for both of them, they have to rely on each other.
There's one thing about the author, they don't shy away from showing the darkest places of the human mind. Human trafficking, torture, sexual assault, and death all feature alongside historic atrocities committed by the Nazis. It's brutal in places. We do get a little advancement in Carol & Tony's relationship but the ending of the book sort of places that in jeopardy. The thing that really bugged me was that Carol was so focused on her undercover work, when the slip-up happened, it felt incongruous as I didn't feel that she would make that kind of rookie mistake. For that and the unnecessary sexual assault at the end, I rate this one 3.5 stars.
There's one thing about the author, they don't shy away from showing the darkest places of the human mind. Human trafficking, torture, sexual assault, and death all feature alongside historic atrocities committed by the Nazis. It's brutal in places. We do get a little advancement in Carol & Tony's relationship but the ending of the book sort of places that in jeopardy. The thing that really bugged me was that Carol was so focused on her undercover work, when the slip-up happened, it felt incongruous as I didn't feel that she would make that kind of rookie mistake. For that and the unnecessary sexual assault at the end, I rate this one 3.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Death
emilysusand's review against another edition
3.0
I have so many feelings about this. It’s probably more of a 2.5 but I’m giving it a three because the ending helped. On the one hand I love Val McDermid’s writing and the character’s she creates. I just didn’t really vibe with this story as much.
Honestly the first 300 pages are like 1.5/5. It’s only when the plot actually gets going about halfway through that I became invested. Carol and Tony are great as usual and even though I knew what was going to happen near the end it still turned my stomach.
I just have a lot to say but I also don’t think this book is worth it? It’s more of a blip in the series, I thought the serial killer storyline was far better than Carol’s undercover work. From memory I think there were 8 (maybe more) POVs and after a while it was a bit too much to take in and work out. But the pacing and ending kind of made up for the beginning half.
Honestly the first 300 pages are like 1.5/5. It’s only when the plot actually gets going about halfway through that I became invested. Carol and Tony are great as usual and even though I knew what was going to happen near the end it still turned my stomach.
I just have a lot to say but I also don’t think this book is worth it? It’s more of a blip in the series, I thought the serial killer storyline was far better than Carol’s undercover work. From memory I think there were 8 (maybe more) POVs and after a while it was a bit too much to take in and work out. But the pacing and ending kind of made up for the beginning half.
yowlyy's review against another edition
4.0
Read it a while ago and found it good as always. I am officially addicted to this series.
frlzimt's review against another edition
2.0
This was a great book to read during a really stressful time; it was quick and I enjoyed it, but the ending seemed rushed and several plot points seemed unrealistic to the point of ludicrous. That was a bit of a pity.