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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Having had this book on my Kindle shelf for quite some time, The Black House is a book I've been meaning to get around to reading for the past year or so. And having read 2 Scottish novels already in 2022, this was a nice follow-on with the theme.
For the most part, I found the pacing to be quite long in some places, and almost rushed in others. I'm all for realism, but the endless pages of blocky text describing the setting started to get a little repetitive and boring. I also thought there were some storylines and characters that had little effect on the story as a whole. Perhaps they bear reasonable significance in this trilogy, but for now I saw no way in which they impacted the narrative.
I was more than ready to give this book three stars, at most. However, I found the ending redeemed itself. I had no inclination as to how it came about, and I found myself pleasantly surprised. It may have ended a little abruptly for my liking, but the conclusion made me respect May's writing style significantly, and I look forward reading more of May's works in the future.
For the most part, I found the pacing to be quite long in some places, and almost rushed in others. I'm all for realism, but the endless pages of blocky text describing the setting started to get a little repetitive and boring. I also thought there were some storylines and characters that had little effect on the story as a whole. Perhaps they bear reasonable significance in this trilogy, but for now I saw no way in which they impacted the narrative.
I was more than ready to give this book three stars, at most. However, I found the ending redeemed itself. I had no inclination as to how it came about, and I found myself pleasantly surprised. It may have ended a little abruptly for my liking, but the conclusion made me respect May's writing style significantly, and I look forward reading more of May's works in the future.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent read. Highly recommended. A good perspective on life on Lewis, with a detective story threaded throughout.
The Blackhouse is not just any old murder mystery. There is a murder, of course, but the real meat of the book is the backstory.
Detective Inspector Fin Macleod, still reeling from the death of his young son, is sent to the village where he grew up on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to investigate a murder. The village is small, so of course he has a personal connection with the victim as well as a number of potential suspects. And there are suspects aplenty: the victim was not at all well-liked, and many folks had reason to wish him dead. In the course of Fin's investigation all the dark and troubling events of his childhood come roaring back on him, and secrets that have been buried for nearly two decades come to light.
The story alternates between the present and the past, with the past told in first person. At first that annoyed me a bit, but I soon got used to it. May writes beautiful place descriptions, and his ability to pace a story is amazing; he kept me at a perfect pitch of suspense throughout the book.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Lewis Trilogy. If you love mystery and suspense, you should add this book to your to-read shelf right away.
Detective Inspector Fin Macleod, still reeling from the death of his young son, is sent to the village where he grew up on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, to investigate a murder. The village is small, so of course he has a personal connection with the victim as well as a number of potential suspects. And there are suspects aplenty: the victim was not at all well-liked, and many folks had reason to wish him dead. In the course of Fin's investigation all the dark and troubling events of his childhood come roaring back on him, and secrets that have been buried for nearly two decades come to light.
The story alternates between the present and the past, with the past told in first person. At first that annoyed me a bit, but I soon got used to it. May writes beautiful place descriptions, and his ability to pace a story is amazing; he kept me at a perfect pitch of suspense throughout the book.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Lewis Trilogy. If you love mystery and suspense, you should add this book to your to-read shelf right away.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fin is sent back to his childhood home to investigate whether a murder is linked to one that he is investigating in Edinburgh.
Much of the book is spent looking at Fin's childhood and teenage years. At first I didn't understand why, but it was crucial to the story.
Beautifully written, very descriptive of The Hebrides and it's ways. I loved it. It's the first of a trilogy and I will be reading the following two books very soon.
Much of the book is spent looking at Fin's childhood and teenage years. At first I didn't understand why, but it was crucial to the story.
Beautifully written, very descriptive of The Hebrides and it's ways. I loved it. It's the first of a trilogy and I will be reading the following two books very soon.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was definitely a well-crafted novel but, too often, it felt like an uphill slog through a Scottish bog. May doesn't quite provide the character development necessary to dig into the story - and this is definitely a character-driven novel, not a mystery, since the crime driving the plot is often idling on the verge. Still, I appreciate the commitment to creating a context that serves as a strong character; I just won't choose to read the next in the series.
Read while we were in Lewis and loved being able to identify lots of the places mentioned. Wouldn't have changed my enjoyment for a really tense atmospheric thriller.
Lots or wee historical bits about Gaelic, the island and the people of Lewis. Obviously written by someone who loved his time in the Lewis.
Lots or wee historical bits about Gaelic, the island and the people of Lewis. Obviously written by someone who loved his time in the Lewis.