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sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
While this book has many of the elements I try to avoid (serial killer plot, kid protagonist, romance, and lots of melodrama) I found this to be a compelling read.
mr_bookish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
_marian_'s review against another edition
5.0
It is back to basics with this one and I could not love it more. There are twists and turns, some redherrings and three main mysteries. But it never gets too convoluted.
And, although it is possible to know who the killer is very early on and to solve the other two mysteries in the first half of the book, it feels like you are on a very long, welcoming wave that leads you home.
Loved the kids, the comeback of a wonderful character from book #2, the humour and the darkness.
And, although it is possible to know who the killer is very early on and to solve the other two mysteries in the first half of the book, it feels like you are on a very long, welcoming wave that leads you home.
Loved the kids, the comeback of a wonderful character from book #2, the humour and the darkness.
meaustin's review against another edition
3.0
I read the American printing, Lost. Third in the series, this one brings us back to London with Lacey Flint, Mark Joesbury, Dana Tulloch, and the whole crew. Although Lacey is technically on medical leave, she's thrown into the latest case for the murder squad involving disappearing young boys. The book bounces around POVs - Barney, a young neighbor of Lacey's, Lacey, and Tulloch to name a few.
Interestingly, Lacey's POV is all third person in this book, while in the second book, I believe she was mostly first person. I think this took away some from the book - I had more trouble sympathizing with her and her mental state throughout, and also had more trouble understanding the complex relationship with Joesbury. For this reason, I liked this book less than the two that came before it. Lacey's actions at times irritated me and make the text drag on a bit.
Like all Bolton novels, the end comes to a thrilling close, with several possible suspects to blame for the crimes. I was not as surprised at the conclusion as I was with previous books in the series - perhaps I am getting used to the author's methods. I enjoyed the book overall and it was a fast read that kept me on edge.
One note, and perhaps this was specific to the American edition I read, but there was a noticeable number of typos or errors in the book - quite blatant ones. The first one surprised me, by the third or fourth error I was annoyed and found myself doubting the book a bit. For example, one word had a ] in the middle of it, missing letters, etc. This has not been the case with any other Bolton books, so not quite sure what happened.
Interestingly, Lacey's POV is all third person in this book, while in the second book, I believe she was mostly first person. I think this took away some from the book - I had more trouble sympathizing with her and her mental state throughout, and also had more trouble understanding the complex relationship with Joesbury. For this reason, I liked this book less than the two that came before it. Lacey's actions at times irritated me and make the text drag on a bit.
Like all Bolton novels, the end comes to a thrilling close, with several possible suspects to blame for the crimes. I was not as surprised at the conclusion as I was with previous books in the series - perhaps I am getting used to the author's methods. I enjoyed the book overall and it was a fast read that kept me on edge.
One note, and perhaps this was specific to the American edition I read, but there was a noticeable number of typos or errors in the book - quite blatant ones. The first one surprised me, by the third or fourth error I was annoyed and found myself doubting the book a bit. For example, one word had a ] in the middle of it, missing letters, etc. This has not been the case with any other Bolton books, so not quite sure what happened.
shaluv's review against another edition
4.0
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Having seen reviews for this book, I was excited to get a chance to read it, and it did not disappoint.
I haven't read a book with a child as one of the main characters in a while, but Bolton managed to write Barney's character exactly as I would imagine a troubled boy to be like.
I liked how the story had three perspectives telling the story. Each character was cleverly written and clues were left in each person's perspective so when different suspects were accused, I truly believed they had found the murderer! I really enjoyed reading from the three characters, if the story didn't have that structure then it would be difficult for the story to flow, so this was a good move that made it fun to read.
I didn't realise that this was part of a series, but it wasn't necessary to have read the other books in the series (even though I am sure I will at some point.)
Overall, this a very decent and clever mystery thriller that definitely does leave you with chills underneath your bed covers.
Having seen reviews for this book, I was excited to get a chance to read it, and it did not disappoint.
I haven't read a book with a child as one of the main characters in a while, but Bolton managed to write Barney's character exactly as I would imagine a troubled boy to be like.
I liked how the story had three perspectives telling the story. Each character was cleverly written and clues were left in each person's perspective so when different suspects were accused, I truly believed they had found the murderer! I really enjoyed reading from the three characters, if the story didn't have that structure then it would be difficult for the story to flow, so this was a good move that made it fun to read.
I didn't realise that this was part of a series, but it wasn't necessary to have read the other books in the series (even though I am sure I will at some point.)
Overall, this a very decent and clever mystery thriller that definitely does leave you with chills underneath your bed covers.
dbert91's review against another edition
5.0
I mean. It was clever, hilarious, psychological, scary, suspenseful, surprising. I Didn't see it coming. But then again, it's Bolton, so should've expected nothing less.
Wonderful as always.
Wonderful as always.
kelbi's review against another edition
4.0
Phew. Don’t read this if you don’t like gory books. I didn’t take a month to read this but paused when I realised I needed to read Book 2 of Lacey Flint series first. Sharon Bolton is very good at plots. This is a good thriller
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
This is a dark series, but they're still enjoyable. Lacey is in a bad spot at the start of this book, but gets involved in a case about murdered boys due to the interest of her neighbor Barney. Good character development and a large number of suspects with a non-obvious twist.
wanderaven's review against another edition
3.0
I've enjoyed reading Bolton since her first book, back in the dark days of her books only being published in the UK, and before e-books. This time, I downloaded the book the day came out. I can't wait until we can digitally order those books that are still only published in the UK from amazon.co.uk, fingers crossed.
It feels like, for the last three books, I've felt skittish about Lacey Flint. She so dark and troubled and disturbing to those around her, all of which I'm partial to, but, unfortunately, without much backstory to justify these descriptions of her. One of the partial explanations for her darkness was re-visited in this book, but unfortunately it's been so long since the introduction of that element in in earlier book, and I've read so many books in-between, I couldn't remember the details, which was frustrating. Bolton refers to these parts of the book obliquely, which was even more frustrating, until I realized that it must be to help protect any readers who haven't read the earlier book. Just ended up irritating me, like despite having paid for the book and devoted my reading time to it, I just wasn't special enough to be given this relatively vital information.
Even more frustrating was that Lacey was once again suspected of being the serial killer. First time (in the last book)? Different, and somewhat understandable, though odd because there didn't seem to be any trust whatsoever between herself and her colleagues. This time around, the quick jump to suspecting Lacey again felt tiresome, rehashed, and so inexplicable. Lacey wouldn't still be involved in this story if her name hadn't been cleared in the last - shouldn't her superiors/colleagues feel pretty idiotic for suspecting her again? And if they truly had justification for doing so, perhaps Lacey shouldn't be involved in these cases in any way? In addition, I never felt that, unlike a few elements the last time this happened, that there were any clues or behaviors to warrant such suspicions, other, perhaps, than that many suspected the killer could be a woman. Does this justify, "Well, then, it must be Lacey!"
These (rather looming) concerns aside, I enjoyed the story and did set aside other things to finish it, so Bolton still engaged me. I will definitely read her again, and almost certainly the next Flint novel, but I might not be rushing out to buy it the day it drops, which disappoints my younger Bolton-earnest self.
It feels like, for the last three books, I've felt skittish about Lacey Flint. She so dark and troubled and disturbing to those around her, all of which I'm partial to, but, unfortunately, without much backstory to justify these descriptions of her. One of the partial explanations for her darkness was re-visited in this book, but unfortunately it's been so long since the introduction of that element in in earlier book, and I've read so many books in-between, I couldn't remember the details, which was frustrating. Bolton refers to these parts of the book obliquely, which was even more frustrating, until I realized that it must be to help protect any readers who haven't read the earlier book. Just ended up irritating me, like despite having paid for the book and devoted my reading time to it, I just wasn't special enough to be given this relatively vital information.
Even more frustrating was that Lacey was once again suspected of being the serial killer. First time (in the last book)? Different, and somewhat understandable, though odd because there didn't seem to be any trust whatsoever between herself and her colleagues. This time around, the quick jump to suspecting Lacey again felt tiresome, rehashed, and so inexplicable. Lacey wouldn't still be involved in this story if her name hadn't been cleared in the last - shouldn't her superiors/colleagues feel pretty idiotic for suspecting her again? And if they truly had justification for doing so, perhaps Lacey shouldn't be involved in these cases in any way? In addition, I never felt that, unlike a few elements the last time this happened, that there were any clues or behaviors to warrant such suspicions, other, perhaps, than that many suspected the killer could be a woman. Does this justify, "Well, then, it must be Lacey!"
These (rather looming) concerns aside, I enjoyed the story and did set aside other things to finish it, so Bolton still engaged me. I will definitely read her again, and almost certainly the next Flint novel, but I might not be rushing out to buy it the day it drops, which disappoints my younger Bolton-earnest self.