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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ack. I keep picking who-dunnits with the killer as a narrator voice. I don't get this. I want to be working out the puzzle with the detectives!
Gonna take a genre break.
Gonna take a genre break.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Engaging Mystery but a Bit Predictable
I really enjoyed The Burning by Jane Casey—it's a well-written, gripping thriller with a strong lead in DC Maeve Kerrigan. The atmosphere was tense, and the storyline kept me turning the pages. However, I figured out who was responsible for the two murders connected to the main character fairly early on, which took away some of the suspense. That said, the characters were compelling, and the writing kept me invested until the end. A solid read, even if the mystery wasn’t as twisty as I’d hoped!
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm so glad I discovered Jane Casey! I'm a huge fan of English/Irish/Scottish mysteries. Kate Atkinson is my #1 favorite and I enjoy Denise Mina and Tana French as well. Casey's writing is right up there with French, and Casey even displays more restraint with superfluous and repetitive description. I thought I knew "Whodunit" from the early chapters of The Burning, but Casey's adept plotting repeatedly gave me doubts. The "how" and the "why" were just as tantalizing as "who." Casey made me care about the characters because even the minor people were detailed and alive.
Oddly, after reading the first dozen or so pages, I felt it wasn't going to be a good book. I was indeed wrong, but if the beginning seems a bit clunky, pay no attention. It's a minor roadblock.
Oddly, after reading the first dozen or so pages, I felt it wasn't going to be a good book. I was indeed wrong, but if the beginning seems a bit clunky, pay no attention. It's a minor roadblock.
This should not have been a book I like. I tend to stay away from serial killer fiction, especially if it's at all graphic, and this one definitely toes that line.
For me, the book was driven by Kerrigan. A wonderful protagonist thrown into an impossible situation. Docked one star for the goofy love story, but I will stick with the series.
For me, the book was driven by Kerrigan. A wonderful protagonist thrown into an impossible situation. Docked one star for the goofy love story, but I will stick with the series.
slow-paced
More of a police work than a thriller.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced