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cjeverafter's review against another edition
2.0
Gordon Smith’s home is full of secrets, but thanks to a massive storm battering the Scottish coast, most of them and the bones of his victims are being lost to the North Sea. It’s a race against time and weather for Ash Henderson and his team to catch this killer before he strikes again.
I know Stuart MacBride to be a talented writer. I’ve been reading his Logan McRae series for well over a decade. While Logan and his books are compelling, memorable, funny and dark; the Ash Henderson series comes off as too far fetched, lacks connection to it’s characters and while satisfying in it’s own brand of vengeance, it just comes off as unbelievable. Despite the dark subject matter, I found the pace to be very slow, particularly for a nearly five hundred page book.
The bright spot is the brilliant, yet slightly flakey Dr. Alice McDonald but ironically, I didn’t remember her from previous books despite how much I liked her in this instalment.
If you are looking for a great Scottish crime series, check out Cold Granite; the first in the Detective Logan McRae series. Although The Coffinmaker’s Garden sets up for another book, I’m unsure if I will continue with the series going forward.
I know Stuart MacBride to be a talented writer. I’ve been reading his Logan McRae series for well over a decade. While Logan and his books are compelling, memorable, funny and dark; the Ash Henderson series comes off as too far fetched, lacks connection to it’s characters and while satisfying in it’s own brand of vengeance, it just comes off as unbelievable. Despite the dark subject matter, I found the pace to be very slow, particularly for a nearly five hundred page book.
The bright spot is the brilliant, yet slightly flakey Dr. Alice McDonald but ironically, I didn’t remember her from previous books despite how much I liked her in this instalment.
If you are looking for a great Scottish crime series, check out Cold Granite; the first in the Detective Logan McRae series. Although The Coffinmaker’s Garden sets up for another book, I’m unsure if I will continue with the series going forward.
bookbloggerjanine's review against another edition
4.0
The Coffinmakers Garden by Stuart Macbride
I give this book 4 stars
As a massive storm batters the Scottish coast, Gordon Smith’s home is falling into the North Sea. But the crumbling headland has revealed what he’s got buried in his garden: human remains.
The media are baying for blood, ex-Detective Inspector Ash Henderson has nothing to lose and is done playing nice. He’s got a killer to catch, and God help anyone who gets in his way.
This can be read as a standalone (like l did) or as book 3 in a series
A dark,graphic and violent Scottish crime thriller.l loved rule breaking Ash,his dog and his partner in crime quirky Alice.A disturbing and gritty storyline that pulled me in,with an easy reading style that carries you along with just the right amount of danger and tension to make this a recommended gripping read.
I give this book 4 stars
As a massive storm batters the Scottish coast, Gordon Smith’s home is falling into the North Sea. But the crumbling headland has revealed what he’s got buried in his garden: human remains.
The media are baying for blood, ex-Detective Inspector Ash Henderson has nothing to lose and is done playing nice. He’s got a killer to catch, and God help anyone who gets in his way.
This can be read as a standalone (like l did) or as book 3 in a series
A dark,graphic and violent Scottish crime thriller.l loved rule breaking Ash,his dog and his partner in crime quirky Alice.A disturbing and gritty storyline that pulled me in,with an easy reading style that carries you along with just the right amount of danger and tension to make this a recommended gripping read.
theunstablereader's review against another edition
5.0
I was instantly intrigued by the title of this book, when you are a crime fiction fan who wouldn't want to know about the coffin makers garden and what horrors it hides.
I listened to this book on audible and am so glad I did. Ian Hanmore does such a good job at portraying the different characters giving the story another layer making you want to hear more.
I really enjoyed the different characters there is a bit of everything but ex DI Ash Henderson is my favourite. He won't give up and very quickly you can see why he is an ex copper.
The plot is so well thought out with many twists to keep you gripped. Definitely 5⭐
I listened to this book on audible and am so glad I did. Ian Hanmore does such a good job at portraying the different characters giving the story another layer making you want to hear more.
I really enjoyed the different characters there is a bit of everything but ex DI Ash Henderson is my favourite. He won't give up and very quickly you can see why he is an ex copper.
The plot is so well thought out with many twists to keep you gripped. Definitely 5⭐
balthazarlawson's review
4.0
Ash Henderson is an ex-detective, as he well should be with all the corners he cuts. He works with the police on the weirder cases as a consultant type person but he still doesn't follow the rules, in fact he totally ignores them most of the time. This is why he walks with a limp. He has a death wish and those around him had better watch out.
He is hunting both a child killer and a mass murder, who's crime was only discovered when his house was washed away into the sea by a storm. But he constantly puts himself in danger instead of following rules that would protect him. It's hard to understand why he does what he does.
This novel get confusing at times and doesn't follow a nice steady path. The reasoning behind the decisions the characters make is, however, weak and incomprehensible in places. It's entertaining, violent and humorous and very much what you would expect from Stuart MacBride if you are familiar with his work.
He is hunting both a child killer and a mass murder, who's crime was only discovered when his house was washed away into the sea by a storm. But he constantly puts himself in danger instead of following rules that would protect him. It's hard to understand why he does what he does.
This novel get confusing at times and doesn't follow a nice steady path. The reasoning behind the decisions the characters make is, however, weak and incomprehensible in places. It's entertaining, violent and humorous and very much what you would expect from Stuart MacBride if you are familiar with his work.
wormskiz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
A wild storm is lashed the Scottish coast and Ash Henderson is called out to Clachmara to a supposedly abandoned house. Upon investigating he finds a kill room full of photographs which is promptly lost as the cliff crashes into the sea. Ash is charged with investigating this potential serial killer and well as helping an investigation into a child murderer in Oldcastle.
Bliss, a new Stuart MacBride! Here MacBride revisits Ash Henderson, no longer a policemen, just a consultant, but still willing to get into the fray. With a cast of characters that are just on the plausible side of cliche this novel bounces along at great pace. There are sly digs at various careers paths, some fairly horrific violence and a delightful dog called Henry. What a wonderful start to the New Year.
Bliss, a new Stuart MacBride! Here MacBride revisits Ash Henderson, no longer a policemen, just a consultant, but still willing to get into the fray. With a cast of characters that are just on the plausible side of cliche this novel bounces along at great pace. There are sly digs at various careers paths, some fairly horrific violence and a delightful dog called Henry. What a wonderful start to the New Year.
laurenwhiteley22's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5