Reviews

Holding by Graham Norton

nicjohnston's review against another edition

3.0

Holding is Graham Norton’s fiction debut. It is an accomplished book. Well imagined characters, warm, funny and tackling some darker subject.

PJ is the Guarda in Dundeen, a sleepy Irish village where little happens. When some bones are found at a local farm, decades of secrets and strife start to unravel. And as the case goes cold, a second set of bones add to the intrigue. I found the plot to be a bit too convoluted. It likely would have benefited from fewer characters or side issues. However it was an enjoyable read/listen. The audiobook is narrated by Graham Norton and is hugely entertaining.

I have read Graham’s next 3 books and they have all been brilliant.

aaricia96's review against another edition

4.0

This was such a lovely book. I really like The Graham Norton Show, so when I saw this book in the store, I knew I had to have it. The humor Graham uses is subtle and it made me giggle a lot. The story is about a little Irish village where nothing ever happens. Until some workers find bones in an old farm. The guard it happy something is finally happening and helps the detective with talking to the people in the village. You get to know some of these people and it feels like you are a part of the village yourself. The end didn't really surprise me, but I thought it was a nice one. If Graham writes another book, I will certainly read that one also.

louiselenka's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

2.0

beccafinney3's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

2.5

Easy to read but quite bleak and worked the mystery out about halfway through 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

annecarts's review against another edition

3.0

Probably exactly what you'd expect from a murder mystery written by Graham Norton. A light, easy read and predictable in places. The ending is a bit annoying - perhaps a sequel on the cards?

colleenpalladino's review against another edition

challenging mysterious fast-paced

4.0

conorcjoyce's review

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

2.25

Honestly quite disappointed with this, it made an attempt at a message but fell flat at all attempts due to a complete lack of nuance and depth. Things happen to the characters and none of them really drive any character development at all. It’s an easy light read that sits squarely in the frivolous category.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Pedophilia

joweston's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed it! A great story of love, loss and some of the grittier side of human nature.

Well told and the (flawed) characters are given real depth.

tgosnell's review against another edition

4.0

P.J. Collins was the Sergeant in a small Irish village. His job was dull until bones were found at a house building site. The speculation was that it was Tommy Burke who had left about 30 years earlier, or so it was thought. Then there was another set of bones found - baby's bones. The unraveling of the mystery of these bones slowly took place and was nicely wrapped up by the end of the story. This was a quick and easy read.

skoob21's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious slow-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

1.0