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laurenfs_21's review
2.0
I had high hopes for this one, perhaps too high. I would rate this at 2, maybe 2.5, stars out 5. My reasons for this being numerous. Firstly, I found the first third of the book to be much of a nothingness. Very little went on in those first 30 chapters, in spite of the alternating narrative voices, one present-day and one from 1954, when a child went missing and it's mother was remanded upon suspicion of having murdered her own baby. She maintained claims that it had been a monster that lived in the woods that had taken and killed the child which could've been a gateway to a much darker and more macabre story but ultimately it fell short.
I also had a problem with the over the top descriptions used; at one point, the author even explains to the reader what a shadow is. I felt like I was being treated as an idiot and it was reminiscent of a child's creative writing assignment where they try to cram in every big word and clever-sounding phrase they know.
I winced at the typicality of some of the character representations; the dark, brooding detective inspector with his troubled past, the lone wolf with the dark secret and complicated, unfinished relationship with a woman we never meet. Oh and of course he's a recovering alcoholic... You know the old trope; we've all come across this guy before!
Alongside all this are some confusing subplots which I believe were meant to provide character background but they fell flat, leaving all the characters one-dimensional and hard to distinguish from each other. I found myself going back to see if I'd encountered a character before and what I knew about them, they were all so unmemorable.
In spite of all of these negatives, and because I don't enjoy giving too harsh a review, I feel it is important to point out the good points that contributed to the 2/2.5 stars I awarded this book.
Some of the descriptive language is good, some of the imagery is haunting and I did feel that, having not read the first book in this series, I might have been missing something I'd have found in that book that would've added to this one. Maybe that's more of a 'benefit of the doubt' allowance than a good point but still. I think it is also worth pointing out that I read this book in short bursts over the course of a few days which could very well be why I didn't feel immersed in a taut thriller like I wanted to be. There was also the problem of the language barrier for me; a lot of Irish words that went right over my head.
The story overall has a good plot but it wasn't utilised in the best way and the wrap-up at the end was cheesy and unnecessary and didn't actually answer all the questions I had. Sorry Michael Scanlon: it's a no from me.
I also had a problem with the over the top descriptions used; at one point, the author even explains to the reader what a shadow is. I felt like I was being treated as an idiot and it was reminiscent of a child's creative writing assignment where they try to cram in every big word and clever-sounding phrase they know.
I winced at the typicality of some of the character representations; the dark, brooding detective inspector with his troubled past, the lone wolf with the dark secret and complicated, unfinished relationship with a woman we never meet. Oh and of course he's a recovering alcoholic... You know the old trope; we've all come across this guy before!
Alongside all this are some confusing subplots which I believe were meant to provide character background but they fell flat, leaving all the characters one-dimensional and hard to distinguish from each other. I found myself going back to see if I'd encountered a character before and what I knew about them, they were all so unmemorable.
In spite of all of these negatives, and because I don't enjoy giving too harsh a review, I feel it is important to point out the good points that contributed to the 2/2.5 stars I awarded this book.
Some of the descriptive language is good, some of the imagery is haunting and I did feel that, having not read the first book in this series, I might have been missing something I'd have found in that book that would've added to this one. Maybe that's more of a 'benefit of the doubt' allowance than a good point but still. I think it is also worth pointing out that I read this book in short bursts over the course of a few days which could very well be why I didn't feel immersed in a taut thriller like I wanted to be. There was also the problem of the language barrier for me; a lot of Irish words that went right over my head.
The story overall has a good plot but it wasn't utilised in the best way and the wrap-up at the end was cheesy and unnecessary and didn't actually answer all the questions I had. Sorry Michael Scanlon: it's a no from me.
annc's review
4.0
Number two in the series and Beck is still in Cross Beg. He is still a tortured soul, still grumpy, still has a drink problem, and still is a bloody good if at times a tad unethical cop or to be precise Garda.
I enjoyed this book. It’s a claustrophobic read and everything in Cross Beg feels a bit hopeless. Well written and I didn’t for a minute spot the culprit. I loved the character development warts and all
I enjoyed this book. It’s a claustrophobic read and everything in Cross Beg feels a bit hopeless. Well written and I didn’t for a minute spot the culprit. I loved the character development warts and all
fionayule's review
3.0
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ARC in return for an honest review.
This is a split time line divided between modern day Ireland, and an Ireland of the 1950s; and its done rather well.
Detective Beck has been transferred to Cross Beg from Dublin. When a cyclist finds the body of a woman in a car a murder case is opened. But the existence of an empty baby seat and abandoned baby bottle in the victim’s car means that a child is missing, and Beck must find the child before it’s too late.
But this is not the first child to go missing in Cross Beg, 50 years previously a baby girl went missing, never to be found. Could the two cases be linked in some way?
What develops is a well written and well-developed Detective case. Beck has his issues, which makes him an interesting character. The flash back scenes to the 1950s paints a rural Ireland that is gone but not forgotten.
What I did not realise is that this is the second book in series and will definitely be putting the first book in the series on my TBR list.
This is a split time line divided between modern day Ireland, and an Ireland of the 1950s; and its done rather well.
Detective Beck has been transferred to Cross Beg from Dublin. When a cyclist finds the body of a woman in a car a murder case is opened. But the existence of an empty baby seat and abandoned baby bottle in the victim’s car means that a child is missing, and Beck must find the child before it’s too late.
But this is not the first child to go missing in Cross Beg, 50 years previously a baby girl went missing, never to be found. Could the two cases be linked in some way?
What develops is a well written and well-developed Detective case. Beck has his issues, which makes him an interesting character. The flash back scenes to the 1950s paints a rural Ireland that is gone but not forgotten.
What I did not realise is that this is the second book in series and will definitely be putting the first book in the series on my TBR list.
ruthparker16's review
3.0
This was a sharp and fast paced thriller which starts with a bang! I enjoyed it, flipping between present day and 1950s. I didn't realise it was the second in the series, so I will be putting the first on my TBR for future reading!
My main issue with it was the saturated market for current 'missing child' tropes. I feel like it has been done better in other books and while I enjoyed it, I think that there are better books out there.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My main issue with it was the saturated market for current 'missing child' tropes. I feel like it has been done better in other books and while I enjoyed it, I think that there are better books out there.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
adrianab's review
4.0
A brutal murder, a true detective and a happy end. This is an interesting thriller with more or less likeble characters. Great read.
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
nietzschesghost's review
2.0
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first novel in this series, Where She Lies, I was eager to dive into this, the second outing for DI Finnegan Beck. Sadly, it was quite disappointing. The writing style was very different from the previous instalment as it was disjointed and so overly descriptive that the narrative moved forward at a terribly slow pace. That said, the main plot was intriguing and was what stopped me from just abandoning it in favour of something else. I do hate to give a less than positive review, but I feel that where it is warranted constructive criticism can be helpful to both the author and potential readers, and I feel it is warranted here.
As I said, the main plot is compelling and engaging, but there were also many subplots, and this made the story quite convoluted and confusing and not in a good way. They really added nothing to the overall story, in fact, they took away from it. I truly hope the third instalment is as entertaining as the first. I will pick it up but only because I know how capable Scanlon is at producing the goods, and whilst I, unfortunately, cannot recommend The Child Before, I heartily recommend Where She Lies if you enjoy gripping police procedural's and haven't already read it. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
As I said, the main plot is compelling and engaging, but there were also many subplots, and this made the story quite convoluted and confusing and not in a good way. They really added nothing to the overall story, in fact, they took away from it. I truly hope the third instalment is as entertaining as the first. I will pick it up but only because I know how capable Scanlon is at producing the goods, and whilst I, unfortunately, cannot recommend The Child Before, I heartily recommend Where She Lies if you enjoy gripping police procedural's and haven't already read it. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
eager_reader_'s review
2.0
I reluctantly decided to DNF this book. I got 50 pages into it and just didn't find myself caring about the characters, or where the story was going. The chapters were very short, so we didn't get to spend much time with each character. I was having trouble keeping up with which POV I was reading as well.
I love the cover, and I may try to read the book again, but in audio form once it's released, as sometimes it's easier to distinguish who is speaking.
I love the cover, and I may try to read the book again, but in audio form once it's released, as sometimes it's easier to distinguish who is speaking.
itsallaboutthebooksuk's review
4.0
Having read Michael Scanlons first book Where She Lies and enjoying it, I jumped at the chance to read the second book in the series featuring Detective Finnegan Beck and set in the Galway town of Cross Beg.
The first few chapters alternate between present time and 1954 and blooming heck it gave me the shivers.
Present time the body of a woman is found in her car, brutally murdered and when a car seat is spotted in the back and a baby bottle lying in the footwell is found its soon realised a baby had been in the car and the hunt begins for little Róisín.
1954 and we’re taken to Kelly’s Forge where a young boy cowers under a blanket as his mother is questioned by the police about the disappearance of his little sister, covered in blood his mother talks of the monster that took her baby and as the boy watches his mother is taken away deemed mad.
Both stories had me totally gripped, any mysteries involving children always has me on the edge of my seat and The Child Before had me nearly on the floor and turning the pages at lightening speed.
I’ve found with this authors story telling that you really get a feel for all the characters, each one has a story or a secret and even if they aren’t a main character you still get a sense of who they are. It’s very cleverly written and certainly pulls you in.
Beck, well what can I say about him? He’s a likeable character, but a mysterious one and likes the drink a bit too much although he is now attending AA meetings and seems to be on top of it. I feel like the author is holding something back though with this character, like there’s more to tell about him and I like that, it’s exciting to think there’s more to find out about Beck.
I really enjoyed reading The Child Before, it’s filled with beautiful if not eery descriptions at times and gives you a real sense of the setting. It’s also filled with mystery and with plenty red herrings it wasn’t easy to figure out the who’s and why’s and it turned out to be quite a surprise.
I’ll definitely be recommending The Child Before and i’d say it could be read as a stand-alone but it would be helpful to read Where She Lies first, not only do you get a better insight into the characters that way but it’s a blooming good read too.
So I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Michael Scanlon, hopefully soon.
The first few chapters alternate between present time and 1954 and blooming heck it gave me the shivers.
Present time the body of a woman is found in her car, brutally murdered and when a car seat is spotted in the back and a baby bottle lying in the footwell is found its soon realised a baby had been in the car and the hunt begins for little Róisín.
1954 and we’re taken to Kelly’s Forge where a young boy cowers under a blanket as his mother is questioned by the police about the disappearance of his little sister, covered in blood his mother talks of the monster that took her baby and as the boy watches his mother is taken away deemed mad.
Both stories had me totally gripped, any mysteries involving children always has me on the edge of my seat and The Child Before had me nearly on the floor and turning the pages at lightening speed.
I’ve found with this authors story telling that you really get a feel for all the characters, each one has a story or a secret and even if they aren’t a main character you still get a sense of who they are. It’s very cleverly written and certainly pulls you in.
Beck, well what can I say about him? He’s a likeable character, but a mysterious one and likes the drink a bit too much although he is now attending AA meetings and seems to be on top of it. I feel like the author is holding something back though with this character, like there’s more to tell about him and I like that, it’s exciting to think there’s more to find out about Beck.
I really enjoyed reading The Child Before, it’s filled with beautiful if not eery descriptions at times and gives you a real sense of the setting. It’s also filled with mystery and with plenty red herrings it wasn’t easy to figure out the who’s and why’s and it turned out to be quite a surprise.
I’ll definitely be recommending The Child Before and i’d say it could be read as a stand-alone but it would be helpful to read Where She Lies first, not only do you get a better insight into the characters that way but it’s a blooming good read too.
So I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Michael Scanlon, hopefully soon.
what_kel_reads's review
3.0
This book came to me through NetGalley from the publisher Bookouture💙. The child before was released today, 06/05/19.
The book begins with a cyclist discovering a murdered woman's body in a car not far from an abandoned village called Kelly's Forge. When Detective Finnegan Beck arrives to investigate, he notices a baby seat in the car and no baby. About 50 years ago, another baby girl went missing in almost the same location. Detective Beck wonders if these two disappearances are linked. Detective Beck wants to leave town to be with the woman he loves, but he's worried if he doesn't find baby Róisín, she'll wind up dead like the last child.
I liked the story and I thought it had a lot of potential. I feel like something got lost in translation between the actual plot and the execution. There were a lot of characters and it didn't seem like a lot of them were incredibly detailed. I would have to read things more than once at times to keep track of who was doing what. While I did enjoy the short chapters, parts of the book felt choppy and I wished I had a little bit more detail. The ending felt rushed, and I read it twice because I didn't catch what actually happened the first time around. I don't know if the writing style was just so different from what I was reading, or if this book just wasn't for me. I didn't hate the book, but the ending just felt unresolved and I was left wishing for a better conclusion.
Brilliant story idea-I wish I had liked it better!
🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars
The book begins with a cyclist discovering a murdered woman's body in a car not far from an abandoned village called Kelly's Forge. When Detective Finnegan Beck arrives to investigate, he notices a baby seat in the car and no baby. About 50 years ago, another baby girl went missing in almost the same location. Detective Beck wonders if these two disappearances are linked. Detective Beck wants to leave town to be with the woman he loves, but he's worried if he doesn't find baby Róisín, she'll wind up dead like the last child.
I liked the story and I thought it had a lot of potential. I feel like something got lost in translation between the actual plot and the execution. There were a lot of characters and it didn't seem like a lot of them were incredibly detailed. I would have to read things more than once at times to keep track of who was doing what. While I did enjoy the short chapters, parts of the book felt choppy and I wished I had a little bit more detail. The ending felt rushed, and I read it twice because I didn't catch what actually happened the first time around. I don't know if the writing style was just so different from what I was reading, or if this book just wasn't for me. I didn't hate the book, but the ending just felt unresolved and I was left wishing for a better conclusion.
Brilliant story idea-I wish I had liked it better!
🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars
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