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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Listening to the delicious Gaelic/Scottish brogue made this story very worth listening to on audio. I was expecting a typical whodunnit with the cop traveling back to his former stomping grounds, meeting up with old acquaintances, being forced to investigate his former friends, etc. And yes, that all happened. There were a few twists and turns, and nothing that was entirely unexpected, though it definitely picks up the pace towards the end. But what made this story magical was getting immersed into the culture of the outer Hebrides islands and hearing people talk in Gaelic. I really enjoyed it, and though I wouldn't count it as one of my great reads, I would read another of May's novels just to learn more about the culture.
I bought the audiobook and really enjoyed it, I will definitely be buying the other two in the series.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read this as the January Book of the Month with Scotland Book Club.
A small-town crime and mystery novel based on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland follows the return of Finn Macleod, now a DI with Edinburgh police, to his hometown and the ghosts of his past, to investigate a murder of a larger than life childhood bully.
This novel is filled with fact, ways of life on Lewis, and historical interest references. I found myself making copious notes on points of interest and then Googling information surrounding mentions in this book, from the actual Isle of Lewis, Blackhouses, Lews Castle, the Brahan Seer and the Lewis Chessmen through to the reality of the Guga Hunt and images of Leith Walk. This book brought a remote area of Scotland to life for me.
Even though this was a crime and mystery novel, there are so many layers within the story which do not fail to surprise and add extra depth and strength to the characters and the plot. Very well developed in all aspects.
I will make time to read the next 2 books in this trilogy. Thank you Scotland Book Club for introducing me to this author.
My favourite lines with beautiful words from the novel:
‘And for once it is warm, like breath on the skin, caressing and seductive.’
‘The sea breathes gently upon the shore, phosphorescent foam bursting silver bubbles over gold.’
‘And all the regrets of his life rose up inside him like water in a spring, and he knelt beside the boat and wept.’
‘A blink of moonlight splashed a pool of broken silver on the ocean beyond.’
‘Real sleep. The kind that wraps all thoughts in black and lowers them gently to the bottom of a deep, dark well.’
A small-town crime and mystery novel based on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland follows the return of Finn Macleod, now a DI with Edinburgh police, to his hometown and the ghosts of his past, to investigate a murder of a larger than life childhood bully.
This novel is filled with fact, ways of life on Lewis, and historical interest references. I found myself making copious notes on points of interest and then Googling information surrounding mentions in this book, from the actual Isle of Lewis, Blackhouses, Lews Castle, the Brahan Seer and the Lewis Chessmen through to the reality of the Guga Hunt and images of Leith Walk. This book brought a remote area of Scotland to life for me.
Even though this was a crime and mystery novel, there are so many layers within the story which do not fail to surprise and add extra depth and strength to the characters and the plot. Very well developed in all aspects.
I will make time to read the next 2 books in this trilogy. Thank you Scotland Book Club for introducing me to this author.
My favourite lines with beautiful words from the novel:
‘And for once it is warm, like breath on the skin, caressing and seductive.’
‘The sea breathes gently upon the shore, phosphorescent foam bursting silver bubbles over gold.’
‘And all the regrets of his life rose up inside him like water in a spring, and he knelt beside the boat and wept.’
‘A blink of moonlight splashed a pool of broken silver on the ocean beyond.’
‘Real sleep. The kind that wraps all thoughts in black and lowers them gently to the bottom of a deep, dark well.’
Започнах я с интерес. Преминах през първите 100 -150 страници с лека неохота. Умеех да предвидя развръзката на повечето малки детайли, които изграждаха действието и това до някъде ме караше да действам мудно с прочита. Все пак ѝ дадох шанс, защото отворих кутията, в която я получих с много интерес и останах повече от доволна, виждайки четивото, което ми се предлага. Сега се радвам, че я довърших за рекордно кратко време... Прелистих останалите двестатина страници за по-малко от ден и половина, а колкото и предначертан да беше за мен края, той все пак ми донесе удовлетворение, защото не винаги е важен краят, а как е описан пътят до него.
I read this because I love Anne Cleeves' Shetland crime series. It was grittier, more stark and uncomfortable to read than the Shetland series but engrossing, real, evocative, bleak and a great read. I'll be reading the other books in the trilogy.
I don't usually read crime novels. But this seemed a refreshing change from my usual reads. I liked the book. I liked the narrative change from third to first: first being used for Fin's memories.
The end was a good reveal, sad but happy too.
A light read and easy to follow,flawed main character,evocative setting. Couldn't tell if I was supposed to love or abhore the island though. The people seemed dismal and hopeless but the island itself beautiful.
I hate detective stories with super intelligent unlikely crime solving. This had an air of believability.
I may read the next in future.
The end was a good reveal, sad but happy too.
A light read and easy to follow,flawed main character,evocative setting. Couldn't tell if I was supposed to love or abhore the island though. The people seemed dismal and hopeless but the island itself beautiful.
I hate detective stories with super intelligent unlikely crime solving. This had an air of believability.
I may read the next in future.
This was a really well written book and not your typical murder mystery. I really enjoyed that it was set in such a remote area. I found it a bit slow at times in the middle of the book but it all lead to a fast paced ending.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes