Scan barcode
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
14 year old Sienna Hegerty is Joe O'Loughlin's daughter's best friend. She's also beign accused of murdering her father. Joe knows Sienna well though, and has seen the look in her eyes that makes him think she is having troubles. He's adamant that she wouldn't have hurt her father, and despite no longer working with the police decides to begin his own investigation into what happened, in a bid to help Sienna. Little does Joe realise quite what he is getting himself in to.
I've had some very mixed feelings about this series upti now, but I can safely say that this is the best so far in my opinion. I'm not sure enjoy is the right verb to use in relation to this book as it is a very dark subject matter, but it was definitely a book I didn't want to put down.
Subject matter wise there is some very triggering stuff in here, so I strongly suggest checking the trigger warnings if there are topics that you can't read about. It's rare that I come across something in a book that I'm unable to read (not to say that it doesn't affect me), but I had to skip a section of this one because I just didn't have the capacity to deal with the emotions it evoked. There are some graphic scenes in this, however I don't think the author uses them for shock value. They are there to show the barbarity of some of the characters, and the lengths they will go to to protect their criminal empires.
I was starting to think that Joe was growing on me, I've had a rough ride with him and don't find him a particularly sympathetic protagonist. I know he's got difficulties in his private life but feel that he doesn't really help himself with things a lot of the time, and I get an impression that he feels he is superior to others. There was stages in this where it felt like he was growing as a person, but then also scenes where he is infuriatingly unchanging and treats those around him with some serious contempt.
As I said I think this is the best book in the series so far, and the first one I have finished and been certain I want to continue reading.
TW: Self harm, child abuse, animal abuse, rape
I've had some very mixed feelings about this series upti now, but I can safely say that this is the best so far in my opinion. I'm not sure enjoy is the right verb to use in relation to this book as it is a very dark subject matter, but it was definitely a book I didn't want to put down.
Subject matter wise there is some very triggering stuff in here, so I strongly suggest checking the trigger warnings if there are topics that you can't read about. It's rare that I come across something in a book that I'm unable to read (not to say that it doesn't affect me), but I had to skip a section of this one because I just didn't have the capacity to deal with the emotions it evoked. There are some graphic scenes in this, however I don't think the author uses them for shock value. They are there to show the barbarity of some of the characters, and the lengths they will go to to protect their criminal empires.
I was starting to think that Joe was growing on me, I've had a rough ride with him and don't find him a particularly sympathetic protagonist. I know he's got difficulties in his private life but feel that he doesn't really help himself with things a lot of the time, and I get an impression that he feels he is superior to others. There was stages in this where it felt like he was growing as a person, but then also scenes where he is infuriatingly unchanging and treats those around him with some serious contempt.
As I said I think this is the best book in the series so far, and the first one I have finished and been certain I want to continue reading.
TW: Self harm, child abuse, animal abuse, rape
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Rape, Child abuse, Self harm, and Animal cruelty
jasperoz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I read this a while ago, so I'm definitely due for a re-read, however, I can say this. Michael Robotham never misses. If you're after a good murder mystery/crime novel, with interesting plots and even more interesting characters, I highly recommend this book for you. There are some heavy topics in this book, so please tread carefully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Chronic illness, Stalking, Child abuse, and Racism
More...