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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book didn’t get off to the best start with me, so would have needed to do a lot to win me over – and it didn’t seem to even try! Why was I annoyed? Far too cliché (both in books and TV/Film) to have a Police Detective with a recent family tragedy sent on a difficult case by an unsupportive boss. Don’t even get me started on the myriad of other clichéd characters and plot devices.
Secondly it doesn’t really feel like a crime/murder book, sure you can just about label it as a thriller but only just. The reader can assume from the beginning that all the delving back into Fin’s past will eventually make sense at the end, but all the same I dislike that over 90% off this book is about Fin’s childhood and not about the murder case directly. There feels to be a massive separation - where it could be two books stuck together with one or two connecting sentences. It basically comes across as wanting to write a book about Fin but also wanting to use the idea of a police detective investigating a murder and how at the last minute to combine it into one book. Actually what investigation of a murder?! At the end of the book everyone seems to have stopped bothering about the dead person. Wasn't that the point of the book ... no obviously not(!).
Thirdly I do not like the character of Fin at all, it is beyond believable all the bad things that have happened in his past so I found it impossible to connect with him at all. These nasty past events do not excuse or even explain Fin's personality - I can only see him as a nasty apathetic boy/young man – and nothing in the writing gives him any redeemable qualities.
I also dislike the affronting gore at the beginning of the book relating to the post mortem. It is frankly unnecessary to be that graphic [rarely to this degree by other, much better, writers] and is a complete contradiction to the slowness and vagueness of the remainder of the book.
Finally the ending is beyond rubbish, an amalgamation of a million and one bad-to-average film plots. Leaves me questioning if the author even wants their reader to enjoy the book, or they just wrote if for their own gratification.
Sorry to rant so but I really wanted to like this book, because of its setting and having read some good regional detective books recently but to me this book was dreadful. I will not be reading any more of the series.
Secondly it doesn’t really feel like a crime/murder book, sure you can just about label it as a thriller but only just. The reader can assume from the beginning that all the delving back into Fin’s past will eventually make sense at the end, but all the same I dislike that over 90% off this book is about Fin’s childhood and not about the murder case directly. There feels to be a massive separation - where it could be two books stuck together with one or two connecting sentences. It basically comes across as wanting to write a book about Fin but also wanting to use the idea of a police detective investigating a murder and how at the last minute to combine it into one book. Actually what investigation of a murder?! At the end of the book everyone seems to have stopped bothering about the dead person. Wasn't that the point of the book ... no obviously not(!).
Thirdly I do not like the character of Fin at all, it is beyond believable all the bad things that have happened in his past so I found it impossible to connect with him at all. These nasty past events do not excuse or even explain Fin's personality - I can only see him as a nasty apathetic boy/young man – and nothing in the writing gives him any redeemable qualities.
I also dislike the affronting gore at the beginning of the book relating to the post mortem. It is frankly unnecessary to be that graphic [rarely to this degree by other, much better, writers] and is a complete contradiction to the slowness and vagueness of the remainder of the book.
Finally the ending is beyond rubbish, an amalgamation of a million and one bad-to-average film plots. Leaves me questioning if the author even wants their reader to enjoy the book, or they just wrote if for their own gratification.
Sorry to rant so but I really wanted to like this book, because of its setting and having read some good regional detective books recently but to me this book was dreadful. I will not be reading any more of the series.
Definitely a very interesting novel.
I enjoyed the fact that we get to see how Fin grew up while he is trying to solve this murder from his hometown. We see as this new crime opens up the wounds of what happened in his childhood and why he left.
The one thing that I needed to get used to was May's writing style. He is very descriptive, and I don't always like those books. But, in this novel, as I got used to it, I enjoyed it. But, just a warning, he is pretty descriptive in the autopsy.
I also didn't see the twist coming. Like I was very surprised when I read that.
Interested to see where this series goes next!
I enjoyed the fact that we get to see how Fin grew up while he is trying to solve this murder from his hometown. We see as this new crime opens up the wounds of what happened in his childhood and why he left.
The one thing that I needed to get used to was May's writing style. He is very descriptive, and I don't always like those books. But, in this novel, as I got used to it, I enjoyed it. But, just a warning, he is pretty descriptive in the autopsy.
I also didn't see the twist coming. Like I was very surprised when I read that.
Interested to see where this series goes next!
3.5
Anto sincericida nuevamente debe confesar que se interesó y compró este libro por su portada.
Adoro la portada de este libro, es tan bella. Y bueno, capaz terminé de decidirme a comprarlo cuando leí la sinopsis. Me llamaba mucho este libro, pero este año me agarró esta cosa de dejar tirados un montón de libros. Así que lo empecé a finales de Agosto, en el medio lo dejé tirado cuando empecé a leer Flores en el ático y lo retomé después de terminar Pétalos al viento. Leer dos libros de la Andrews seguidos me hizo mal a la hora de agarrar otros libros, el estilo del autor no me parecía tan ganchero como el de la Andrews al retomarlo. Pero no quería volver a dejarlo tirado así que seguí leyendo.
En fin, me colgué con las excusas así que hablemos sobre el libro en sí.
El prologo nos presenta a una pareja muy hormonal que está metiéndose mano en un cobertizo y terminan encontrando un cadáver destripado. Todo muy romántico y sexy, o no?
A continuación el libro se centra en nuestro protagonista, Fin MacLeod que es un detective en Edimburgo. Fin está pasando un momento medio peliagudo por una tragedia familiar, pero después de unos días su jefe le asigna un nuevo trabajo. El caso que le asignan ocurrió en su pueblo natal y el modus operandi del asesinato es muy similar a otro que estaba investigando Fin. Así que Fin tendrá que volver a su pueblo natal a enfrentarse con el pasado y con el caso nuevo éste.
Desde entonces la historia se dividirá en dos tiempos, el presente nos cuenta pedazos de la investigación policial (que en realidad se deja un poco de lado, pero es uno de los motivadores de la historia) sumado a que Fin se reencuentra con todos los vecinos, amigos, compañeros, etc. Quizás esto motiva el otro tiempo de la historia, Fin nos va contando retazos de su pasado, de cuando era más joven y vivía en la isla de Lewis. El pasado de Fin también tiene sus dosis de misterio que en cierta forma cobrará sus consecuencias en el presente.
Así que tenemos misterios por partida doble, del presente y del pasado. Del pasado me intrigaron dos cuestiones principalmente, qué pasó entre Fin y Marsaili, la niña que fue su mejor amiga y novia más tarde. Y también me interesó muchísimo lo que pasó en la isla de cacería, este es uno de los temas centrales de la novela y por eso le da nombre probablemente. La gente del pueblo de Fin tiene una tradición que veneran todos los años, internarse en una isla en el medio del océano durante dos semanas para cazar alcatraces. Las veces que se menciona este tema en la historia nos da a entender que el año en que Fin participó pasó algo grave.
Los últimos capítulos me tuvieron al borde y se revelaron varias cuestiones que no me esperaba ni me vi venir y me dejaron bastante trastocada. Pero disfruté mucho de esta historia y me cayó muy bien Fin, excepto una cosa de su personalidad que muchas veces evitaba enfrentar ciertas cuestiones.
Como este libro resultó ser parte de una trilogía me intriga saber qué pasa en los siguientes y si Fin sigue siendo el prota.
Anto sincericida nuevamente debe confesar que se interesó y compró este libro por su portada.
Adoro la portada de este libro, es tan bella. Y bueno, capaz terminé de decidirme a comprarlo cuando leí la sinopsis. Me llamaba mucho este libro, pero este año me agarró esta cosa de dejar tirados un montón de libros. Así que lo empecé a finales de Agosto, en el medio lo dejé tirado cuando empecé a leer Flores en el ático y lo retomé después de terminar Pétalos al viento. Leer dos libros de la Andrews seguidos me hizo mal a la hora de agarrar otros libros, el estilo del autor no me parecía tan ganchero como el de la Andrews al retomarlo. Pero no quería volver a dejarlo tirado así que seguí leyendo.
En fin, me colgué con las excusas así que hablemos sobre el libro en sí.
El prologo nos presenta a una pareja muy hormonal que está metiéndose mano en un cobertizo y terminan encontrando un cadáver destripado. Todo muy romántico y sexy, o no?
A continuación el libro se centra en nuestro protagonista, Fin MacLeod que es un detective en Edimburgo. Fin está pasando un momento medio peliagudo por una tragedia familiar, pero después de unos días su jefe le asigna un nuevo trabajo. El caso que le asignan ocurrió en su pueblo natal y el modus operandi del asesinato es muy similar a otro que estaba investigando Fin. Así que Fin tendrá que volver a su pueblo natal a enfrentarse con el pasado y con el caso nuevo éste.
Desde entonces la historia se dividirá en dos tiempos, el presente nos cuenta pedazos de la investigación policial (que en realidad se deja un poco de lado, pero es uno de los motivadores de la historia) sumado a que Fin se reencuentra con todos los vecinos, amigos, compañeros, etc. Quizás esto motiva el otro tiempo de la historia, Fin nos va contando retazos de su pasado, de cuando era más joven y vivía en la isla de Lewis. El pasado de Fin también tiene sus dosis de misterio que en cierta forma cobrará sus consecuencias en el presente.
Así que tenemos misterios por partida doble, del presente y del pasado. Del pasado me intrigaron dos cuestiones principalmente, qué pasó entre Fin y Marsaili, la niña que fue su mejor amiga y novia más tarde. Y también me interesó muchísimo lo que pasó en la isla de cacería, este es uno de los temas centrales de la novela y por eso le da nombre probablemente. La gente del pueblo de Fin tiene una tradición que veneran todos los años, internarse en una isla en el medio del océano durante dos semanas para cazar alcatraces. Las veces que se menciona este tema en la historia nos da a entender que el año en que Fin participó pasó algo grave.
Los últimos capítulos me tuvieron al borde y se revelaron varias cuestiones que no me esperaba ni me vi venir y me dejaron bastante trastocada. Pero disfruté mucho de esta historia y me cayó muy bien Fin, excepto una cosa de su personalidad que muchas veces evitaba enfrentar ciertas cuestiones.
Como este libro resultó ser parte de una trilogía me intriga saber qué pasa en los siguientes y si Fin sigue siendo el prota.
All of my review can be found on my blog, Fictionophile.
They say that reading is the cheapest form of travel. In this case it was a wonderful trip. “The Blackhouse” by Peter May is the first in a trilogy of novels set on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis. The setting was a major factor in the story and the author’s skillful writing transports the reader to Lewis with it’s rich culture and long history.
However, let us not forget that this is a murder mystery. The protagonist, Fin Macleod was born and brought up on Lewis. He is now a policeman working out of Edinburgh. Fin is very vulnerable as he is in mourning for his broken marriage and for his young son who perished in a hit-and-run. When a murder occurs on Lewis that resembles one that he is working on – his superiors send him to Lewis to aid in the investigation. Fin has not been back to the island since he left it eighteen years ago to attend university. It turns out that the murder victim, Angel Macritchie, was a childhood nemesis of Fin, a bully who played a large part in his growing up. His return to the Isle reacquaints him with Artair, his best friend from childhood and also Marsaili Macdonald, his first love.
The story is told alternating between the present with the murder investigation – and the past which slowly reveals the trauma and tragedy filled childhood days of Fin. Memories of starting school, the accidental death of his parents, and his boyhood friendships. Memories of the year he was chosen to take part in the annual guga hunt which is a long tradition on Lewis. The hunt for the gugas is perceived on Lewis as a rite of passage that turns boys into men. In Fin’s case it was marred by tragedy.
The adult, present-day Fin uses his memories and his return to Lewis as a way of facing the demons of his past. The novel does the mystery genre justice, but it is much more than a mystery novel. It is a character-driven study in human nature, an examination of how our pasts can shape our lives.
The characterizations were expertly formed, with each character fully fleshed-out and multi-dimensional. The atmospheric setting was described in such a way as to actually affect the reader’s senses. You can smell the sea and feel the wind…
Peter May has spent several years on Lewis and his personal knowledge shows in the writing.
The Blackhouse is the deserving winner of several literary awards and is – according to the author the best book he has ever written. It was rejected by many publishers at first, but is now a world-wide bestseller with translations in many languages. It is one of the best written novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. Highly recommended!
They say that reading is the cheapest form of travel. In this case it was a wonderful trip. “The Blackhouse” by Peter May is the first in a trilogy of novels set on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis. The setting was a major factor in the story and the author’s skillful writing transports the reader to Lewis with it’s rich culture and long history.
However, let us not forget that this is a murder mystery. The protagonist, Fin Macleod was born and brought up on Lewis. He is now a policeman working out of Edinburgh. Fin is very vulnerable as he is in mourning for his broken marriage and for his young son who perished in a hit-and-run. When a murder occurs on Lewis that resembles one that he is working on – his superiors send him to Lewis to aid in the investigation. Fin has not been back to the island since he left it eighteen years ago to attend university. It turns out that the murder victim, Angel Macritchie, was a childhood nemesis of Fin, a bully who played a large part in his growing up. His return to the Isle reacquaints him with Artair, his best friend from childhood and also Marsaili Macdonald, his first love.
The story is told alternating between the present with the murder investigation – and the past which slowly reveals the trauma and tragedy filled childhood days of Fin. Memories of starting school, the accidental death of his parents, and his boyhood friendships. Memories of the year he was chosen to take part in the annual guga hunt which is a long tradition on Lewis. The hunt for the gugas is perceived on Lewis as a rite of passage that turns boys into men. In Fin’s case it was marred by tragedy.
The adult, present-day Fin uses his memories and his return to Lewis as a way of facing the demons of his past. The novel does the mystery genre justice, but it is much more than a mystery novel. It is a character-driven study in human nature, an examination of how our pasts can shape our lives.
The characterizations were expertly formed, with each character fully fleshed-out and multi-dimensional. The atmospheric setting was described in such a way as to actually affect the reader’s senses. You can smell the sea and feel the wind…
Peter May has spent several years on Lewis and his personal knowledge shows in the writing.
The Blackhouse is the deserving winner of several literary awards and is – according to the author the best book he has ever written. It was rejected by many publishers at first, but is now a world-wide bestseller with translations in many languages. It is one of the best written novels I have ever had the pleasure to read. Highly recommended!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Absorbing, not so much for the mystery but for the deep dive into the lives of these intriguing characters. The setting is incredibly evocative, and I can't wait to read the next entry in the series.
4.5 shining stars 🌟
Thrillers/crime are not my go to genre as I usually find the characters cliched or the writing poor.
This book is so much more than a straightforward whodunnit and the prose is beautiful as are the descriptions of the Isle of Lewis.
I am immediately moving onto book 2 in this trilogy. How have I not discovered this author before?!
Thrillers/crime are not my go to genre as I usually find the characters cliched or the writing poor.
This book is so much more than a straightforward whodunnit and the prose is beautiful as are the descriptions of the Isle of Lewis.
I am immediately moving onto book 2 in this trilogy. How have I not discovered this author before?!
I don’t know why UK mystery authors seems to all need to find the darkest, seediest, saddest solution to their crime novels, and it concerns when, even through tears and feelings of horror, I like the book. May’s writing is fantastic. I was never bored, and the plot never felt bogged down. As I listened to this, I was thrown a little by the change in POV, from first person as Fin discussed his childhood memories to third person when we were back in the present, but I think that was mostly because I couldn’t think what Fin’s childhood memories had to do with the present day case. I did not see the resolution coming, and honestly, for that I am grateful as it makes me feel a little better about myself, that my brain didn’t jump to the right conclusion. So, if you can handle small town/village drama with long-held dark family secrets, then this book will be a winner for you. Also, the audiobook narration was terrific.
A great read with all the twists and turns. A little hard to get into in the beginning, but well worth it.
I'm giving this two stars because while this is objectively a pretty good book, I hated it.
The synopsis for this book promises "A MURDER, A SECRET, AND A TRAP" so, silly me, I was expecting some kind of thriller. The book starts with a discovery of a brutal murder on a tiny Scottish isle which may have connections to a similar murder on the mainland. Good start... and then that storyline is completely abandoned for about 70% of the book, apart from a few paragraphs among the chapters of flash-backs to remind us that present-day Fin is totally still looking for the murderer, guys, pinky swear, but anyway here's some more about his kind of tragic but mostly boring childhood.
As far as "A SECRET AND A TRAP" are concerned, yeah, we get to that about 80 pages before the end of the book. There is a twist. It's a good twist. It does not make up for pages 75-400 of this book.
Again, this is a good book. If it were advertised as more of a contemporary family drama with some mysterious plot points, I probably would have liked it. I've never read anything set on a Scottish isle, or with characters speaking Gaelic and going on dangerous bird hunting trips on cliffs. That stuff was great, but this certainly was not a thriller, and the "EVIL LIES WITHIN" line on the cover is the most hilarious mis-marketing of any book. Ever.
The synopsis for this book promises "A MURDER, A SECRET, AND A TRAP" so, silly me, I was expecting some kind of thriller. The book starts with a discovery of a brutal murder on a tiny Scottish isle which may have connections to a similar murder on the mainland. Good start... and then that storyline is completely abandoned for about 70% of the book, apart from a few paragraphs among the chapters of flash-backs to remind us that present-day Fin is totally still looking for the murderer, guys, pinky swear, but anyway here's some more about his kind of tragic but mostly boring childhood.
As far as "A SECRET AND A TRAP" are concerned, yeah, we get to that about 80 pages before the end of the book. There is a twist. It's a good twist. It does not make up for pages 75-400 of this book.
Again, this is a good book. If it were advertised as more of a contemporary family drama with some mysterious plot points, I probably would have liked it. I've never read anything set on a Scottish isle, or with characters speaking Gaelic and going on dangerous bird hunting trips on cliffs. That stuff was great, but this certainly was not a thriller, and the "EVIL LIES WITHIN" line on the cover is the most hilarious mis-marketing of any book. Ever.