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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Good mystery. Wonderful character development. Atmospheric landscape. I really enjoyed this one and intend to read his next 2 in this series.
Rather than being a straightforward murder mystery as it starts out, the book ends up being more of a character study/retroactive coming-of-age story of the protagonist Fin Macleod. The chapters alternate between Macleod's investigation in the present and flashbacks to his childhood on the Isle of Lewis. He's a miserable sod, as are most people in the story: the Lewis of this story is populated with grumpy, unfulfilled, depressive drunkards. Almost no-one is pleasant or upbeat, and that does begin to wear a bit (and certainly isn't indicative of my experience when I went). Still, this adds to the gloomy, overbearing nature of the mystery.
Throughout the book Macleod struggles with the memories of his upbringing and how he has become the person he is today. Indeed, this really takes precedence early on in the book, the murder becoming pretty much incidental. The flashback chapters aren't chronologically arranged, which means that not everything is spelled out in order, leaving some things left unresolved until the very end. Some of these really hit home as well, mainly in the interaction between kids and their parents, the former not realising how much even a small thing can mean to their parents. A couple are properly pretty heartbreaking.
It's certainly a gripping narrative and May writes in a fluid, engaging way. He delves into the culture and heritage of Lewis, blending them into the writing to create a convincing backdrop for the story. The landscape is fundamental to the picture of the island, the constantly dreich (occasionally violent) weather and bleak peatlands creating a foreboding that hangs over the whole narrative. When buildings are described they are almost invariably abandoned and ruined, whether blackhouses or more modern constructions. All of this serves to reflect the grim, broken people who form the main cast of the story.
I don't have too many quibbles with the book, but there are a couple. Macleod's life has been littered with terrible incidents; almost an entirely inconceivable amount. I'm not sure by what stage this became apparent to me, but there was certainly a point where I felt it stretched credibility. Macleod is also such a grumpy bugger and seems needlessly antagonistic to people from his past, even those that don't seem to deserve it. I know this is largely due to the resentment and contempt he feels towards Lewis and the people on it, but it hardly makes for enjoyable reading or a sympathetic protagonist. In terms of the writing, while it's largely good, he tends to over explain some scenes after they have occurred. I sometimes found myself wishing that May would let the reader sit with the events of the book and come to their own conclusions, rather than immediately revealing what exactly a character thought, or Macleod's precise thoughts.
Anyway, this was a pretty good mystery book and among the better murder mysteries I have read. I wouldn't say it was entirely an 'enjoyable' experience, as it's just so grim, but still a satisfying one. Certainly I'll be reading the other Lewis ones although not yet sure if I will venture out to the other series he writes.
Throughout the book Macleod struggles with the memories of his upbringing and how he has become the person he is today. Indeed, this really takes precedence early on in the book, the murder becoming pretty much incidental. The flashback chapters aren't chronologically arranged, which means that not everything is spelled out in order, leaving some things left unresolved until the very end. Some of these really hit home as well, mainly in the interaction between kids and their parents, the former not realising how much even a small thing can mean to their parents. A couple are properly pretty heartbreaking.
It's certainly a gripping narrative and May writes in a fluid, engaging way. He delves into the culture and heritage of Lewis, blending them into the writing to create a convincing backdrop for the story. The landscape is fundamental to the picture of the island, the constantly dreich (occasionally violent) weather and bleak peatlands creating a foreboding that hangs over the whole narrative. When buildings are described they are almost invariably abandoned and ruined, whether blackhouses or more modern constructions. All of this serves to reflect the grim, broken people who form the main cast of the story.
I don't have too many quibbles with the book, but there are a couple. Macleod's life has been littered with terrible incidents; almost an entirely inconceivable amount. I'm not sure by what stage this became apparent to me, but there was certainly a point where I felt it stretched credibility. Macleod is also such a grumpy bugger and seems needlessly antagonistic to people from his past, even those that don't seem to deserve it. I know this is largely due to the resentment and contempt he feels towards Lewis and the people on it, but it hardly makes for enjoyable reading or a sympathetic protagonist. In terms of the writing, while it's largely good, he tends to over explain some scenes after they have occurred. I sometimes found myself wishing that May would let the reader sit with the events of the book and come to their own conclusions, rather than immediately revealing what exactly a character thought, or Macleod's precise thoughts.
Anyway, this was a pretty good mystery book and among the better murder mysteries I have read. I wouldn't say it was entirely an 'enjoyable' experience, as it's just so grim, but still a satisfying one. Certainly I'll be reading the other Lewis ones although not yet sure if I will venture out to the other series he writes.
I rather enjoyed this one. A well thought-out story, believable characters and good pacing. hopefully the rest of the series is as good.
Is it a crime book? Not sure, but it is a great story about an isolated community.
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:
Complicated
Nice suspense, set in a small Scottish village. Definitely dark themes with a lot of unhappy lives, but done in a believable way. I'll be following up with others in the series. Picked this one up at the bookstore clearance table and was pleasantly surprised.