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olivia97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jilianh's review against another edition
2.0
This book contained some of the most unlikeable characters I have ever read about. Not in a morally-grey, villainous, interesting way- in a "I hate all of these people they all suck and are idiots" kind of way.
The complicated plotlines were interesting and the protagonists were ok, but I found it nearly unreadable at some points because of how annoying all of the other characters were. I also did not love that there were so many loose ends... I am assuming this would make more sense if I had read previous books in this series, or future ones, but I don't think I can do that to myself again. I got hooked into the plot a bit, found some parts entertaining, but overall not my favorite.
The complicated plotlines were interesting and the protagonists were ok, but I found it nearly unreadable at some points because of how annoying all of the other characters were. I also did not love that there were so many loose ends... I am assuming this would make more sense if I had read previous books in this series, or future ones, but I don't think I can do that to myself again. I got hooked into the plot a bit, found some parts entertaining, but overall not my favorite.
jennyjones's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
coni_booklover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
weaselweader's review against another edition
5.0
Promise Falls is definitely not idyllic small town USA!
Detective Barry Duckworth, recovering from his recent heroic efforts saving Promise Falls from a domestic terrorist attack on their water supply, is now dealing with another bizarre crime. A young man has been attacked, rendered senseless, and left in an alley. When the victim comes to, he discovers that his back has been marred by a crude, vulgar and puzzling tattoo! At the same time, private investigator Cal Weaver is hired to act as a bodyguard for a teenager rescued from a lengthy stay in prison on a vehicular homicide rap by his wealthy family, his privilege, and a crafty, very slimy defense lawyer. The young man, who killed a young girl driving drunk, is now threatened by local, violent vigilantes who are outraged at this clear miscarriage of justice.
Lovers of the suspense and police procedural genre might be forgiven for rolling their eyes at this plot set-up using the time-worn thriller chestnut of introducing two plot lines that seem widely separated. From the very first, readers familiar with this oft-used ploy will be suspecting that the plot lines will somehow converge and become a single story. PARTING SHOT does not disappoint readers’ expectations in this regard but the whys and the wherefores ensure that the excitement is unflagging. Barclay’s control of the plot is masterful and, above and beyond that, Duckworth, Weaver, and the two victims are brilliant character studies that are sure to keep readers coming back for more.
So here’s hoping that we haven’t seen the last of Promise Falls (and the ambiguity in the final scene seems to leave the door wide open for that possibility). Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
Detective Barry Duckworth, recovering from his recent heroic efforts saving Promise Falls from a domestic terrorist attack on their water supply, is now dealing with another bizarre crime. A young man has been attacked, rendered senseless, and left in an alley. When the victim comes to, he discovers that his back has been marred by a crude, vulgar and puzzling tattoo! At the same time, private investigator Cal Weaver is hired to act as a bodyguard for a teenager rescued from a lengthy stay in prison on a vehicular homicide rap by his wealthy family, his privilege, and a crafty, very slimy defense lawyer. The young man, who killed a young girl driving drunk, is now threatened by local, violent vigilantes who are outraged at this clear miscarriage of justice.
Lovers of the suspense and police procedural genre might be forgiven for rolling their eyes at this plot set-up using the time-worn thriller chestnut of introducing two plot lines that seem widely separated. From the very first, readers familiar with this oft-used ploy will be suspecting that the plot lines will somehow converge and become a single story. PARTING SHOT does not disappoint readers’ expectations in this regard but the whys and the wherefores ensure that the excitement is unflagging. Barclay’s control of the plot is masterful and, above and beyond that, Duckworth, Weaver, and the two victims are brilliant character studies that are sure to keep readers coming back for more.
So here’s hoping that we haven’t seen the last of Promise Falls (and the ambiguity in the final scene seems to leave the door wide open for that possibility). Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
readingwiththechoob's review against another edition
5.0
Such a page turner!! Well written, cinematic, made for an easy read! I gasped at the jaw dropping ending! Not much to discuss, but a rather nice read in between more literary novels. I’d be interested in reading the rest of the books in the series! Definitely a book I’d recommend!
cathbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
bookworm_smanff's review against another edition
4.0
Book 10 of the year - ‘Parting Shot’ by Linwood Barclay.
Another stonker! (That means really really good by the way).
It’s a standalone book but occurs a year after the Promise Falls trilogy.
Some of the familiar characters, lots of new ones. So much going on in this book as I got closer to the end I wondered if there was time left to find out all the answers, but there was and I did.
To the very last chapter there were new twists that left me gawping in shock!
I will repeat again - peeps, please get reading Barclay if you haven’t had a go already!
4.5 ⭐️ out of 5 ⭐️
Another stonker! (That means really really good by the way).
It’s a standalone book but occurs a year after the Promise Falls trilogy.
Some of the familiar characters, lots of new ones. So much going on in this book as I got closer to the end I wondered if there was time left to find out all the answers, but there was and I did.
To the very last chapter there were new twists that left me gawping in shock!
I will repeat again - peeps, please get reading Barclay if you haven’t had a go already!
4.5 ⭐️ out of 5 ⭐️
martyfried's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the Promise Falls trilogy a lot, but I don't remember the details very much. But that made no difference to my enjoyment of this book. Personally, I think this should be the start of a new series (I hope, since it ended a bit abruptly). It should be like Stephen King, with many of his books taking place in the same town or area (ie, Castle Rock), but are not related.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book a lot. And the scariest thing about it is that it's pretty feasible that something like this could happen, with the way things pop up on the internet. In this story, an internet site called Just Desserts (not related to my favorite Bay Area bakery) encourages vigilantes to get back at people that they think got away with a crime. The usual crazies that you see on any internet site like this encourage certain people to try to outdo everyone else to gain notoriety, and this reinforces their desires to punish, to the point where it's OK to hurt others along the way to their goals. They find ways to justify their crimes in the name of the greater good.
One such loser gets very carried away, and commits extreme, unspeakable acts against people. It's pretty scary how carried away he becomes, trying to become famous.
As the story progressed, I could barely stop reading. Unfortunately, it stopped suddenly, and there was a lot of unfinished business that might have been interesting to see what happens. Perhaps there will be a follow-up book.
Anyway, I enjoyed this book a lot. And the scariest thing about it is that it's pretty feasible that something like this could happen, with the way things pop up on the internet. In this story, an internet site called Just Desserts (not related to my favorite Bay Area bakery) encourages vigilantes to get back at people that they think got away with a crime. The usual crazies that you see on any internet site like this encourage certain people to try to outdo everyone else to gain notoriety, and this reinforces their desires to punish, to the point where it's OK to hurt others along the way to their goals. They find ways to justify their crimes in the name of the greater good.
One such loser gets very carried away, and commits extreme, unspeakable acts against people. It's pretty scary how carried away he becomes, trying to become famous.
As the story progressed, I could barely stop reading. Unfortunately, it stopped suddenly, and there was a lot of unfinished business that might have been interesting to see what happens. Perhaps there will be a follow-up book.