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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual violence
I really enjoyed this book. Great to find a new crime writer I've not tried before .
It took me awhile to get into this book. It was detailed with a lot of back story included. The back story ends up being a big part of the story but not until the very end.
I think the Scots can match the Scandinavians for dour, dark landscapes!
Fin (short for Fionnlagh, or Finlay in English) is a native of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebridies. Orphaned early, he was raised by an aunt and tutored by one of the school teachers, ultimately giving him the opportunity to get off the island to attend the University of Glasgow - where he flunked out and joined the police force. A month before the story starts, he was investigating a murder in Edinburgh when a hit-and-run accident injures his wife and kills his son.
A similar murder on Lewis affords him the opportunity to return for the first time in 18 years. Supposedly, his "native son" instincts and connections will help, although the police commander on Lewis not only doesn't want him there, he actively dislikes him. Turns out the murdered is one of the biggest bullies of Fin's schooldays, with many, many people on Lewis who are now suspects. Fin's return, meeting up with his former bff Artair, his former girlfriend (and now Artair's wife) Marsaili, Donald, Conor and others is uncomfortable - all those memories, all that time spend off island, have led to a real distance from the people he once was close with.
As for the murderer, let's just say the sins of the father are visited on the son in more ways that one, and across more generations than one. It's a bit harrowing, and the end result isn't the most satisfying result but... this is a trilogy. Can't wait to see what happens next. And with luck, the place setting that made this a slow starter will give way to faster, deeper pacing.
ARC provided by publisher.
Fin (short for Fionnlagh, or Finlay in English) is a native of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebridies. Orphaned early, he was raised by an aunt and tutored by one of the school teachers, ultimately giving him the opportunity to get off the island to attend the University of Glasgow - where he flunked out and joined the police force. A month before the story starts, he was investigating a murder in Edinburgh when a hit-and-run accident injures his wife and kills his son.
A similar murder on Lewis affords him the opportunity to return for the first time in 18 years. Supposedly, his "native son" instincts and connections will help, although the police commander on Lewis not only doesn't want him there, he actively dislikes him. Turns out the murdered is one of the biggest bullies of Fin's schooldays, with many, many people on Lewis who are now suspects. Fin's return, meeting up with his former bff Artair, his former girlfriend (and now Artair's wife) Marsaili, Donald, Conor and others is uncomfortable - all those memories, all that time spend off island, have led to a real distance from the people he once was close with.
As for the murderer, let's just say the sins of the father are visited on the son in more ways that one, and across more generations than one. It's a bit harrowing, and the end result isn't the most satisfying result but... this is a trilogy. Can't wait to see what happens next. And with luck, the place setting that made this a slow starter will give way to faster, deeper pacing.
ARC provided by publisher.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know, it's not terrible, I just lost interest.
Excellent Scottish crime story: Weaving past & present into an intricately spun story. At the same time describing island life, then and now - came across the title at the shop by the standing stones in Callanish on Lewis - which made the series even more fun - I've just been walking the streets of Stornoway...
This book had been on my 'to-read' list for ages and now, having read it I now regret putting it off for, what turned out to be, inferior novels!
I loved the characters, the settings and May's style, which exudes storytelling confidence.
The only negative point I can think of is the slightly tenuous link between the two murders and the reason for the Edinburgh murder. Perhaps, had I been in May's shoes I would have thought of different reason for Fin to return to the island.
I loved the characters, the settings and May's style, which exudes storytelling confidence.
The only negative point I can think of is the slightly tenuous link between the two murders and the reason for the Edinburgh murder. Perhaps, had I been in May's shoes I would have thought of different reason for Fin to return to the island.