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sophiebudd's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jane_kelsey's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! What a thrilling experience! I loved this novel so much! [full review to follow]
franceskamadden's review
5.0
This is one of the best debuts I have read. You can hardly believe that this is Halliday's first novel and I'm thrilled that this will be an on going series with DI Monica Kennedy as the lead. The writing was excellent and made this book a read in one sitting novel. It had me constantly on the edge of my seat with lots of twists and turns. The setting of the highlands and how Halliday incorporates this within his writing perfectly sets up a narrative and gives a atmospheric feeling of cold, dark and dangerous. I finished this novel at around midnight after starting it that afternoon and although I was satisfied with the ending, I'm looking forward to following DI Monica Kennedy on many more chilling investigations.
connorfrankss's review
2.0
I'm kind of unsure about this book. I enjoyed elements but also disliked some.
The plot was good, it was a compelling crime investigation, however, the pacing was poor. You needed to get like 2/3 of the way through before it actually picked up. But even then, you were given masses of information which at points was confusing.
The main character Monica was great. Despite her constant comments about her height, which were pointless and didn't add to the story, she was enjoyable to read about. The other main characters, Michael wasn't as well developed and I didn't really care for him.
Overall, it wasn't bad. It was a promising start to this series, hopefully, it was just setting up for a series which will grow to become something amazing because it had potential.
The plot was good, it was a compelling crime investigation, however, the pacing was poor. You needed to get like 2/3 of the way through before it actually picked up. But even then, you were given masses of information which at points was confusing.
The main character Monica was great. Despite her constant comments about her height, which were pointless and didn't add to the story, she was enjoyable to read about. The other main characters, Michael wasn't as well developed and I didn't really care for him.
Overall, it wasn't bad. It was a promising start to this series, hopefully, it was just setting up for a series which will grow to become something amazing because it had potential.
tucholsky's review against another edition
1.0
4 different stories. Im sure they will all come to link and be relevant to the ending sometime. The trouble is im on page 194 and there is no hint is it happening soon and there is no hint of police procedural progress. The stories are just growing their own arms and legs and the detective has had no hints or brainwaves about what to do. Maybe she is hoping retirement will arrive before she has to show any competence. I have certainly retired from this book
skattkatten_'s review against another edition
3.0
Ja, nu handlade ju denna också om en massmördare, men det fick gå ändå. Huvudfiguren, Monica Kennedy, var i alla fall en trevlig bekantskap, trots hennes självkritik, som visst var befogad ibland.
sunic's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
When a young boy is found , tortured and murdered with a part of a meteorite pushed down his throat, his social worker, Michael, is concerned. DI Monica Kennedy is assigned to the case and when another boy is found she realises there is a potential serial killer on the loose. Hampered by her superiors Kennedy is trying to juggle catching a killer with her responsibilities as a parent and her guilt over her relationship with a notorious local family. Michael is worried about his client but someone is out to get him.
The setting of this book is great, mixing the wide open and intimidating landscapes of the Highlands with the intensity of the city of Inverness, it really helps to create a contrast that works. Potentially Monica Kennedy is a good lead character with enough of a backstory to keep revisiting. My issue was with the last quarter of the book. It felt rushed and with the crimes solved to a certain extent but still lots of questions unanswered regarding motive etc. It may be that the author wishes to revisit this in a subsequent book but I felt that there wasn't really any closure on the (dead) perpetrator.
The setting of this book is great, mixing the wide open and intimidating landscapes of the Highlands with the intensity of the city of Inverness, it really helps to create a contrast that works. Potentially Monica Kennedy is a good lead character with enough of a backstory to keep revisiting. My issue was with the last quarter of the book. It felt rushed and with the crimes solved to a certain extent but still lots of questions unanswered regarding motive etc. It may be that the author wishes to revisit this in a subsequent book but I felt that there wasn't really any closure on the (dead) perpetrator.
sajberblomma's review against another edition
3.0
Spännande rakt igenom, men gillar inte alla frågor som förblir obesvarade på slutet.