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christinebeswick's review against another edition
4.0
It starts off slowly with some fairly tedious repetition, but very soon evolves into an exciting page-turner of a thriller. The duo at the centre of the story are unlikely, but likeable and I enjoyed the typical Brookmyre humour which adds a light touch even in the darkest moments.
ayamami's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this, good characters, good subject. Good flow
jodiesbookishposts's review against another edition
5.0
What a ride!
I was intrigued by the premise of this and requested the audio arc from NetGalley so thank you to them and the publisher. I’m so glad I did.
We follow two timelines of our main character Millicent ‘Millie’ - a make up special effects artist working in horror. We follow her in the 90s during her career, and then decades later when she is released from prison, convicted for murder.
This was a pitch perfect mystery thriller, I was shocked and left on the edge of my seat on multiple occasions. It had the right notes of pop culture and it even had a great detective duo (who I would love to see more of)
Thrillers were feeling a bit stale for me but this was a breath of fresh air.
I was intrigued by the premise of this and requested the audio arc from NetGalley so thank you to them and the publisher. I’m so glad I did.
We follow two timelines of our main character Millicent ‘Millie’ - a make up special effects artist working in horror. We follow her in the 90s during her career, and then decades later when she is released from prison, convicted for murder.
This was a pitch perfect mystery thriller, I was shocked and left on the edge of my seat on multiple occasions. It had the right notes of pop culture and it even had a great detective duo (who I would love to see more of)
Thrillers were feeling a bit stale for me but this was a breath of fresh air.
chloebloom's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
n_atatouille's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this so much, but this was sinfully boring.
Did not finish, page 149.
This is incredibly slow, it felt like such a chore to read, and very little happened within the first 100 pages.
The characters are kind of annoying, it didn’t flow well for me and felt really dragged out (this is 400 pages in total, and it definitely doesn’t need to be.)
I was surprised at how many rave reviews this got, because I don’t feel they reflect this book.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend!
Did not finish, page 149.
This is incredibly slow, it felt like such a chore to read, and very little happened within the first 100 pages.
The characters are kind of annoying, it didn’t flow well for me and felt really dragged out (this is 400 pages in total, and it definitely doesn’t need to be.)
I was surprised at how many rave reviews this got, because I don’t feel they reflect this book.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend!
jbriaz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’ve read several Chris Brookmyre books and the Ambrose Parry books as well. Brookmyre has a skill for writing taut thrillers with fun pop culture references with acerbic political wit — satirizing British posh politicians regularly. This book delivered in that regard as well, providing an interesting thriller/mystery. However, this book had a few plot coincidences/contrivances too many for my taste; having certain plot points overlap when they didn’t need to. For that reason, I mark the book down to 3.75 stars.
bookedandwatched's review against another edition
4.0
Chris Brookmyre is another author I love. This is the second Brookmyre book of the year.
I love the mix of crime, thriller and laughs of a Brookmyre novel and this didn’t let me down.
It’s not the best Brookmyre book I have read but it is still a really good book. I love the relationship between Jerry and Millicent - an unlikely duo. They work so well together and they have a great chemistry.
This is definitely worth a read if you like a good crime book with some humour. I would also highly recommend other Brookmyre books such as “A Big Boy Did It And Ran Away” and “Boiling a Frog”
I love the mix of crime, thriller and laughs of a Brookmyre novel and this didn’t let me down.
It’s not the best Brookmyre book I have read but it is still a really good book. I love the relationship between Jerry and Millicent - an unlikely duo. They work so well together and they have a great chemistry.
This is definitely worth a read if you like a good crime book with some humour. I would also highly recommend other Brookmyre books such as “A Big Boy Did It And Ran Away” and “Boiling a Frog”
jan_gaunt's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
puzzlekatie's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25