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caitlind14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jonathanrobert's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rosienreads's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If all you want to do is curl up with a hot drink, a blanket and a crime fiction, then this is the book to you (or any Val McDermid for that matter). In Dead Beat we are introduced to Kate Brannigan, a private investigator whose missing person case leads her to a murder investigation. Like most Val McDermid’s this is a very readable book, and easy to fly through. There is a good mix of characters, and Kate Brannigan makes for a solid lead. The plot kept throwing up red herrings, twists and turns as Kate tries to track down the truth and I did not manage to guess the outcome at all. This seems like it would be a great series for a holiday or just general relaxation. If you like murder mysteries, that is.
tessyoung's review
3.0
It's strange to think that it's taken me so long to get round to reading a Val McDermid, especially since she comes across so well on the radio and TV, perhaps its the Robson Green effect!?
I really enjoyed this book. I recently read an article on how golden age crime fiction can be read as social history, it wasn't a very good piece but it did make me think of this novel as a social history of both the early 1990s and the present. Then, as perhaps now, some readers will be less familiar with Tetris - they should be thankful that hours of their lives were not slotted away by this game. Whilst counterfeiting luxury brands remains an element of organised crime, I'm not sure that Sergio Tacchini shell suits would immediately spring to mind in that context. As for the Hacienda, who would have thought it would have become a block of flats, although that perhaps says plenty about the gentrification of Manchester.
I really enjoyed this book, the central character is smart, funny and grounded, classic Mancunian traits according to Mancunians... It's well paced and builds nicely, with sub plots and characters that build a rich picture against which the main narrative is set. I'd like to spend more time with some of these characters and revelling in the 1990s so I'm looking forward to more Kate Brannigan in the future.
A perfect repatriation and covid-19 quarantine read
I really enjoyed this book. I recently read an article on how golden age crime fiction can be read as social history, it wasn't a very good piece but it did make me think of this novel as a social history of both the early 1990s and the present. Then, as perhaps now, some readers will be less familiar with Tetris - they should be thankful that hours of their lives were not slotted away by this game. Whilst counterfeiting luxury brands remains an element of organised crime, I'm not sure that Sergio Tacchini shell suits would immediately spring to mind in that context. As for the Hacienda, who would have thought it would have become a block of flats, although that perhaps says plenty about the gentrification of Manchester.
I really enjoyed this book, the central character is smart, funny and grounded, classic Mancunian traits according to Mancunians... It's well paced and builds nicely, with sub plots and characters that build a rich picture against which the main narrative is set. I'd like to spend more time with some of these characters and revelling in the 1990s so I'm looking forward to more Kate Brannigan in the future.
A perfect repatriation and covid-19 quarantine read
hardcoverhearts's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
curlysmum's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elusivity's review
2.0
Competently written, but I was bored out of my mind.
Typical serial mystery fare, with competent female private dick. Characters are above-average cardboard, with occasional strange inconsistencies: the boyfriend seemed made up of cute smiles, black rim glasses, a supposed laid-back personality yet with rage sufficient to be punching through walls; the boss was a bear who loved her; etc.
The plot is slipping out of my mind even as I type. They tell me this series improves much as it goes on. Even so, I don't think I'll keep reading.
Typical serial mystery fare, with competent female private dick. Characters are above-average cardboard, with occasional strange inconsistencies: the boyfriend seemed made up of cute smiles, black rim glasses, a supposed laid-back personality yet with rage sufficient to be punching through walls; the boss was a bear who loved her; etc.
The plot is slipping out of my mind even as I type. They tell me this series improves much as it goes on. Even so, I don't think I'll keep reading.