Reviews

The Dead Tracks: A David Raker Mystery by Tim Weaver

toellandback's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The second in the Private Investigator David Raker series sees a wealthy couple enlist his services after the police investigation into their daughter's disappearance comes to a gradual halt six months on after they last saw her. Megan was seemingly the perfect teenage daughter both at school and home, however when Raker finds  a connection to a previous missing girl, albeit the complete opposite to Megan, then secrets and a century old killer are about to become unearthed. 
 This is a cracking story,  multi-layered and very in-depth and told largely from the point of view of Raker as he makes enemies of just about everyone working the police investigation into the disappearance and isn't afraid to break a few rules and step on a few toes to get the truth. Equally there are some good twists and surprises and a little delve into Raker's home life as he struggles to adapt to losing his wife two years previous.  I'd say it's best to read book one first but not essential as any scenarios from the first book are mentioned in brief as a catch up.
 Definitely recommended 

cmyers99's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

andyjrichardson's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Cancer, Kidnapping, and Death

maddiewoodward's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

peculiarpages's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

marsetta's review against another edition

3.0

About 60 pages too long

weez_reads's review against another edition

5.0

Mysterious and dark. Loved reading this. So gripping

amyelllen_'s review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

misspashx's review against another edition

mysterious 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? No

4.0

Although I don't think this is strong as David Raker's debut, I still thought it was a very good book. 

I did find the scene in the Dead Tracks with all of the sudden action somewhat out of place, but I have read a number of the David Raker books and find that there is an occasional somewhat random action scene. I expect for a large number of readers this is something that would appeal, but I find I skim read these scenes personally.

liv_winn's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0