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ulrikedg's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
Oof, the plot holes. First, I've seen a lot of complaints that the author is anti-Americans. Um, she writes a LOT of unlikable characters, and most of them are Irish. The main character, Siobhan O’Sullivan, certainly seems to have a bias against Americans, but subtlety and nuance are not the author's strong suits, and Siobhan dislikes a lot of people, not always for good reason. For example, she hates her brother's Irish girlfriend and isn't even willing to say, "She makes my brother happy, so I'll try to be civil."
Now on to the mystery part. It didn't work for me. I thought it was obvious fairly early that the killer was going to bea descendant of John Mallon, and not a member of Peter Mallon's immediate family . There were two plot holes that bothered me: 1) how did John Mallon get his journal back after being pushed overboard? and 2) why did sock-guy (I've already forgotten his name) go to the records office? He already knew who he was related to. He'd been working the blackmail angle for ages before that.
The romance also didn't do anything for me. While Siobhan and Macdara have chemistry, the actual ins-and-outs of their relationship are pretty toxic. Macdara is pissed that she discussed her decision to become a Garda with her family instead of him (they'd been dating for a couple months at that point, IIRC)? So angry, in fact, that he leaves town and cuts ties. And then he comes back years later and doesn't even apologize? It's just her fault for not talking to him. And then he doesn't talk to her, but more and longer. Also, it's a little gross to find out that he'd been attracted to her since she was in high school. And now what?At the end of the book, they're co-workers, except he out ranks her. They're going to hide a romantic relationship from everyone in their town?
All of Siobhan's problems with her misogynist boss are solved by her male (former?) boyfriend, so that's cool.
Overall, I'm glad I didn't pay for this one (public library FTW!). I listened at 1.2x speed, and the plot dragged in places, especially in the first half, but the pace toward the end was better.
Audiobook narrator Caroline Lennon definitely improves this one. 5 stars for Lennon.
Now on to the mystery part. It didn't work for me. I thought it was obvious fairly early that the killer was going to be
The romance also didn't do anything for me. While Siobhan and Macdara have chemistry, the actual ins-and-outs of their relationship are pretty toxic. Macdara is pissed that she discussed her decision to become a Garda with her family instead of him (they'd been dating for a couple months at that point, IIRC)? So angry, in fact, that he leaves town and cuts ties. And then he comes back years later and doesn't even apologize? It's just her fault for not talking to him. And then he doesn't talk to her, but more and longer. Also, it's a little gross to find out that he'd been attracted to her since she was in high school. And now what?
All of Siobhan's problems with her misogynist boss are solved by her male (former?) boyfriend, so that's cool.
Overall, I'm glad I didn't pay for this one (public library FTW!). I listened at 1.2x speed, and the plot dragged in places, especially in the first half, but the pace toward the end was better.
Audiobook narrator Caroline Lennon definitely improves this one. 5 stars for Lennon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
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