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chacha4869's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
hera90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
kirsty147's review against another edition
4.0
A solid 4.5. Not quite a 5 star - some of the injuries Mason and Boyd were putting up with without much impact was a bit questionable. I know it’s fiction ... but still ...
mattobee's review against another edition
4.0
Another cracking thriller from Kernick and a smashing end to the trilogy. An enjoyable read in its own right actually.
beledit's review against another edition
3.0
Kernick’s books are like Bond movies — non-stop action and excitement — but with murder rather than spying as the central theme. Die Alone (the last of a trilogy but can very well be read as a standalone) starts with a prison riot and doesn’t let up from there.
If you’re looking for distraction, this’ll do the job. From the psycho politician, to ex-cops Ray and Tina, to Ray’s ‘trusted’ underworld contacts, nobody is playing by the rules. There are villains at every turn and plenty of nastiness.
Is it well written? Let’s just say it’s as well written as it needs to be to get the story told. The characters are cardboard cut-outs. There’s no ‘show’, just ‘tell’.* This happens then this happens then this. It’s so packed with action that you can’t get bored, but don’t expect to really give a damn what happens to anyone.
Like this review? Why not check out my book review site: BelEdit Book Reviews?
If you’re looking for distraction, this’ll do the job. From the psycho politician, to ex-cops Ray and Tina, to Ray’s ‘trusted’ underworld contacts, nobody is playing by the rules. There are villains at every turn and plenty of nastiness.
Is it well written? Let’s just say it’s as well written as it needs to be to get the story told. The characters are cardboard cut-outs. There’s no ‘show’, just ‘tell’.* This happens then this happens then this. It’s so packed with action that you can’t get bored, but don’t expect to really give a damn what happens to anyone.
Like this review? Why not check out my book review site: BelEdit Book Reviews?
bookloveronabudget's review against another edition
3.0
A very slow moving middle but a quick read nonetheless
Rating: ***/5
Plot: "Alastair Sheridan has it all. Wealth, good looks, a beautiful wife and children and, in the chaotic world of British politics, a real chance of becoming Prime Minister.
But Alastair also has a secret. He’s a serial killer with a taste for young women.
Only a handful of people know what kind of monster he is, and disgraced detective Ray Mason is one of them.
Awaiting trial for murder, Ray is unexpectedly broken free by armed men and given an offer: assassinate Alastair Sheridan and begin a new life abroad with a new identity. The men claim to be from MI6. They say that Sheridan is a threat to national security and needs to be neutralised. Ray knows they are not who they say they are, and that their real motives are far darker.
The only person Ray trusts is ex-cop and former lover Tina Boyd, who’s keen to settle her own scores with Sheridan.
With enemies on every side, only one thing is certain.
No one wants them to get out alive." Taken from Netgalley.
Pros: - Great to see the recurring character Ray Mason
- Great to see the variety of settings
- Rooted in current events
Cons: - The middle section is really slow moving and nothing much happens.
- We spend the whole book imaging what Sheridan gets up to. Its insinuated that he’s involved in some really nasty shit but we never find out which is kinda disappointing. Having said that though I did cheer when he met his comeuppance finally!
With thanks to Netgalley, Simon Kernick and Random House UK for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ***/5
Plot: "Alastair Sheridan has it all. Wealth, good looks, a beautiful wife and children and, in the chaotic world of British politics, a real chance of becoming Prime Minister.
But Alastair also has a secret. He’s a serial killer with a taste for young women.
Only a handful of people know what kind of monster he is, and disgraced detective Ray Mason is one of them.
Awaiting trial for murder, Ray is unexpectedly broken free by armed men and given an offer: assassinate Alastair Sheridan and begin a new life abroad with a new identity. The men claim to be from MI6. They say that Sheridan is a threat to national security and needs to be neutralised. Ray knows they are not who they say they are, and that their real motives are far darker.
The only person Ray trusts is ex-cop and former lover Tina Boyd, who’s keen to settle her own scores with Sheridan.
With enemies on every side, only one thing is certain.
No one wants them to get out alive." Taken from Netgalley.
Pros: - Great to see the recurring character Ray Mason
- Great to see the variety of settings
- Rooted in current events
Cons: - The middle section is really slow moving and nothing much happens.
- We spend the whole book imaging what Sheridan gets up to. Its insinuated that he’s involved in some really nasty shit but we never find out which is kinda disappointing. Having said that though I did cheer when he met his comeuppance finally!
With thanks to Netgalley, Simon Kernick and Random House UK for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
jcastell's review against another edition
5.0
A great finish to a great trilogy. Read the first book (The Bone Field) as part of my book club then had to swiftly purchase the follow ups (The Hanged Man and then this one). Great characters, great writing, makes you feel like you want to keep reading for more and more.
estherb's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a great fan of Simon Kernick and this novel certainly didn’t disappoint.
This is the third novel in the Bone Fields series featuring both Ray Mason and Tina Boyd (from her own series) I’d not read the others before this and the book could quite easily be a stand alone. There’s enough background to know what’s happened previously but it doesn’t distract from the story within this one.
This is a fast paced crime thriller with a bit of everything featured for good measure; a prison escape, double crossing, corrupt politicians, murder and much more. Some of the themes may cause distress to some people, but I found that it added to the story to show how perverted and cruel some of the character were.
A great novel, which makes me want to go back and read the others.
This is the third novel in the Bone Fields series featuring both Ray Mason and Tina Boyd (from her own series) I’d not read the others before this and the book could quite easily be a stand alone. There’s enough background to know what’s happened previously but it doesn’t distract from the story within this one.
This is a fast paced crime thriller with a bit of everything featured for good measure; a prison escape, double crossing, corrupt politicians, murder and much more. Some of the themes may cause distress to some people, but I found that it added to the story to show how perverted and cruel some of the character were.
A great novel, which makes me want to go back and read the others.