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malisoncek's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I quite enjoyed this book. I was reading very carefully because I didn't want to miss anything. But honestly that final twist was unexpected, at least for me. I liked how the story was written with each chapter being a bit different (letters, stories from magazines, Maggie's book..). I thought it was really smart thing to do, because it diverted my attention every time.
I quite enjoyed this book. I was reading very carefully because I didn't want to miss anything.
Spoiler
Towards the end I kind of expected Maggie being the one responsible for the murders.berlydawn2's review against another edition
3.0
My expectations are through the roof when Ms. Bolton is the author. Ultimately, this is a ho-hum book. Very slow paced and didn't feel like the story came together naturally.
jbh57's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books, where you say, "I didn't see that coming" Quite a few twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoy Sharon Bolton books.
cutenanya's review against another edition
5.0
Bored by mysteries of similar nature: independent woman at a crossroad in her career pathway stumbling across a mystery and meeting Mr. Right, I'm delighted to read a mystery that's so different and fresh. Granted there are some problems with Daisy in Chains, but Bolton has done a great job pouring fresh water into a stagnant pond. Of course, old Father Knox from the golden age of mysteries may want to have a word of two with Bolton as this book certainly didn't "play by the rules", but I think we all can accept that as there's so much fun reading "Daisy in Chains".
Warning! Spoilers ahead and please do not read the review until you have read the book or it will destroy your experience:
1) Plot: Definitely the plot as it keeps readers guessing (at least in the first 2/3 of the book) whether Hamish really killed the girls (and Daisy) for all that matter or is he as innocent as he claims. The tension between Maggie & Hamish, and Maggie and Pete are brilliant and the snippets (like Hamish psych evals with his psychologists). In the last third of the book though, since there are too many clues, readers can easily guess the ending and that deducts the fun from the plot twist in the end but that's tolerable.
2) The characters: I think I like all the characters in this book (even Latimer, whom I didn't like in the beginning because snatching a married woman from a colleague is not really the behavior of a gentleman in my dictionary). However, his last speech on "magic" really showed why he's DCI and Pete just DS, this guy has got brains! And then we have the central trio: Hamish, Maggie, and Pete.
Hamish's character was absolutely awesome in the first 1/3 of the book because he appeared to be a pscyhopath who could easily have been a cold blooded killer! Had he acted more like an innocent man, the book would not have been half as interesting. That's said, I still think his character loses steam right towards the end, either because Hamish is revealing his true character more or because we're viewing him through the lens of Maggie and Maggie's impression of Hamish has changed (after learning the truth about the past). At any rate, I prefer a Hamish who's cold and heartless right till the end, that way, the ending would be much better IMO.
Next up is Pete, like Hamish, I think Bolton attempted to create a likable character in Pete but with a hint that he could easily be a man with a dark side. Unfortunately, either there's not enough time or Pete's acted too positive in the beginning, the hint that there might be a more hideous persona behind the policeman just doesn't stick with me.
And this brings us to the most important character in this book: Maggie. She reminded me so much of the doctor in the Mystery of Sir Roger Ackroyd! Maggie is a very sophiscated, obviously brilliant, and yet tragic character. Even though I could not forgive her (nor could the world) because she murdered 5 innocent people in order to execute her revenge on Hamish, HOWEVER, I could totally sympathize with her. I may not be a size 12, but I'm not exactly on the "attractive side". That's why when a drop dead gorgeous guy seems interested in you, it's only natural for a girl to feel suspicious and be alert. When you can find evidence to support your suspicion, your first reaction is not to trust but to doubt and uncertainty can foster up darkness in humanity. After that, it's only a matter of time before love turns into hatred and hatred brews revenge and violence (internal or external). Maggie could have been a brilliant surgeon, and Hamish and her together could have save many lives. Unfortunately, Hamish's foolishness (as well as that of his fellow students) destroyed that wonderful prospect and destroyed many innocent lives. I don't feel sorry for Hamish having spent years in a prison for crimes he didn't do (as his crimes probably deserved a sentence longer than 3 years). I, however, think the other guys should also go to prison and have their lives destroyed as it's only fair! Maggie should have concocted a plot to destroy the lives and careers of all those men instead of killing those innocent souls).
3) Conclusion: Overall, I liked his book A LOT (as you can tell from my review) and Bolton could have even excelled more either by having the right men killed or turning Hamish and Pete into someone more evil (just to keep the last third of the book more exciting) or both. Nonetheless, I still think this is a fresh read (like 85% on a rotten tomato scale). I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to her other works (but not the Lacey Flint series which I have read but didn't quite like).
Warning! Spoilers ahead and please do not read the review until you have read the book or it will destroy your experience:
1) Plot: Definitely the plot as it keeps readers guessing (at least in the first 2/3 of the book) whether Hamish really killed the girls (and Daisy) for all that matter or is he as innocent as he claims. The tension between Maggie & Hamish, and Maggie and Pete are brilliant and the snippets (like Hamish psych evals with his psychologists). In the last third of the book though, since there are too many clues, readers can easily guess the ending and that deducts the fun from the plot twist in the end but that's tolerable.
2) The characters: I think I like all the characters in this book (even Latimer, whom I didn't like in the beginning because snatching a married woman from a colleague is not really the behavior of a gentleman in my dictionary). However, his last speech on "magic" really showed why he's DCI and Pete just DS, this guy has got brains! And then we have the central trio: Hamish, Maggie, and Pete.
Hamish's character was absolutely awesome in the first 1/3 of the book because he appeared to be a pscyhopath who could easily have been a cold blooded killer! Had he acted more like an innocent man, the book would not have been half as interesting. That's said, I still think his character loses steam right towards the end, either because Hamish is revealing his true character more or because we're viewing him through the lens of Maggie and Maggie's impression of Hamish has changed (after learning the truth about the past). At any rate, I prefer a Hamish who's cold and heartless right till the end, that way, the ending would be much better IMO.
Next up is Pete, like Hamish, I think Bolton attempted to create a likable character in Pete but with a hint that he could easily be a man with a dark side. Unfortunately, either there's not enough time or Pete's acted too positive in the beginning, the hint that there might be a more hideous persona behind the policeman just doesn't stick with me.
And this brings us to the most important character in this book: Maggie. She reminded me so much of the doctor in the Mystery of Sir Roger Ackroyd! Maggie is a very sophiscated, obviously brilliant, and yet tragic character. Even though I could not forgive her (nor could the world) because she murdered 5 innocent people in order to execute her revenge on Hamish, HOWEVER, I could totally sympathize with her. I may not be a size 12, but I'm not exactly on the "attractive side". That's why when a drop dead gorgeous guy seems interested in you, it's only natural for a girl to feel suspicious and be alert. When you can find evidence to support your suspicion, your first reaction is not to trust but to doubt and uncertainty can foster up darkness in humanity. After that, it's only a matter of time before love turns into hatred and hatred brews revenge and violence (internal or external). Maggie could have been a brilliant surgeon, and Hamish and her together could have save many lives. Unfortunately, Hamish's foolishness (as well as that of his fellow students) destroyed that wonderful prospect and destroyed many innocent lives. I don't feel sorry for Hamish having spent years in a prison for crimes he didn't do (as his crimes probably deserved a sentence longer than 3 years). I, however, think the other guys should also go to prison and have their lives destroyed as it's only fair! Maggie should have concocted a plot to destroy the lives and careers of all those men instead of killing those innocent souls).
3) Conclusion: Overall, I liked his book A LOT (as you can tell from my review) and Bolton could have even excelled more either by having the right men killed or turning Hamish and Pete into someone more evil (just to keep the last third of the book more exciting) or both. Nonetheless, I still think this is a fresh read (like 85% on a rotten tomato scale). I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to her other works (but not the Lacey Flint series which I have read but didn't quite like).
jessmilner26's review against another edition
3.0
Whoa. Well, that was a trip. 3.5 stars, I think.
First things first. I loved Bolton's Lacey Flint series (Lacey is probably one of my favourite book ladies ever) but it made me hesitant to read her stand alones. But if there's one thing she does well, its gives you some unreliable narrators who you can't help but want to read about. And this book is no exception.
I don't know how much I can review without spoiling this, but safe to say it's pretty addictive. Something Bolton always does well is giving you just enough hints to work some of it out, or at least think you have, only to sucker punch you at the end. This happens a lot in her books. It works perfectly for mystery, as it gives you the sense of satisfaction at at least partially working some of the mystery out whilst still surprising you. Not easy to do, but thats what happened here, and it really makes you want to keep reading to find out whether your right. So, bonus points for me not really knowing what was going to happen for most of this book. Its refreshing, since i've just finished a mystery before this where I guessed everything.
The thing is though, the ending felt sort of aprubt. I didn't feel like I had time to accept all the info coming at me and to think about how it came in through the rest of the book - So this is one you'd have to think about for a while. I do think, actually, that there is room for a sequel. Without spoiling too much, there's room for a really interesting dynamic between two of the characters that could make for interesting reading. But the ending sort of left some it hanging, so, I doubt that will happen.
anyway, all in all a fast paced read with a nice, twisty ending, but not my favourite work by her. Will def pick up some more of her stand alone's though!
First things first. I loved Bolton's Lacey Flint series (Lacey is probably one of my favourite book ladies ever) but it made me hesitant to read her stand alones. But if there's one thing she does well, its gives you some unreliable narrators who you can't help but want to read about. And this book is no exception.
I don't know how much I can review without spoiling this, but safe to say it's pretty addictive. Something Bolton always does well is giving you just enough hints to work some of it out, or at least think you have, only to sucker punch you at the end. This happens a lot in her books. It works perfectly for mystery, as it gives you the sense of satisfaction at at least partially working some of the mystery out whilst still surprising you. Not easy to do, but thats what happened here, and it really makes you want to keep reading to find out whether your right. So, bonus points for me not really knowing what was going to happen for most of this book. Its refreshing, since i've just finished a mystery before this where I guessed everything.
The thing is though, the ending felt sort of aprubt. I didn't feel like I had time to accept all the info coming at me and to think about how it came in through the rest of the book - So this is one you'd have to think about for a while. I do think, actually, that there is room for a sequel. Without spoiling too much, there's room for a really interesting dynamic between two of the characters that could make for interesting reading. But the ending sort of left some it hanging, so, I doubt that will happen.
Spoiler
have you guys ever seen luther? can't you just imagine maggie and pete working together like luther and alice? i can. that's what smarts about the ending, a huge waste of potential for a weird romance. like, im sure men fall in love with killers too, right?anyway, all in all a fast paced read with a nice, twisty ending, but not my favourite work by her. Will def pick up some more of her stand alone's though!
raeallic's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Fast paced easy read. Enjoyable if not a little predictable. Will definitely revisit this author again.
pinkflyingelephant's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
_onemorechapter_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
š».š¾: Murder and violence, Mental health issues, Body shaming and fatphobia, Bullying
šLetās dive into Daisy in Chains, a dark, twisty thriller thatās as much about murder and manipulation as it is about societyās ugly obsession with appearances. On the surface, itās a story about Hamish Wolfe, a (possibly) charming serial killer convicted of murdering plus-size women. But dig a little deeper, and youāll find a story that wrestles with heavier themesābody image, fatphobia, and how society often dehumanizes women based on their size. This book promises murder, manipulation, and a killer with *charm for days*ābut does it deliver? Kind of.
The victims in this story were all members of a āFat Club,ā a support group for plus-size women. They sought connection, support, and acceptance in a world that can be harsh to anyone who doesnāt fit the mold of conventional beauty. Instead, they became targets of violence. The book doesnāt shy away from showing how societyās body-shaming attitudes might have contributed to their vulnerability.
Hereās the scoop: Hamish Wolfe, our enigmatic and ultimate heartthrob (and maybe guilty) prisoner, is accused of preying on these women specifically because of their size and the world is divided between those who think heās guilty and those who think heās framed (and want to marry him??). His supposed motive? Hatred toward plus-size women is rooted in personal history. But as the story unfolds, Bolton peels back layers to reveal that nothingāand no oneāis as simple as it seems. Is Hamish really a monster fueled by body hatred, or is there more to his story?
Then thereās Maggie Rose, a sassy, our reclusive lawyer and true crime writer with a flair for drama and an unmatched poker face, who refuses to let societyās expectations dictate her life. She adds a stark contrast to the conversations about body image, with her unapologetic, no-nonsense attitude toward appearances.
Hamish wants Maggie to help clear his name. She reluctantly takes the case, and thatās when the mind games begin.
And then thereās Detective Pete Weston, the guy who put Hamish behind bars in the first place. Pete is no-nonsense, dedicated, and maybe just a little too obsessed with Maggie. His tension with Maggie added another layer to the storyāthough I couldnāt decide if I wanted them to bicker more or finally team up.
šWhat I liked:
- The creepy, atmospheric vibeāitās like walking through a foggy moor with danger lurking behind every twisty tree and how the story blends psychological tension with social commentary.
- Maggie is one heck of a mysterious character. Sheās cold, brilliant, and low-key fascinating.
- The way the book forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about fatphobia and societal biases. It doesnāt just use the victims as propsāit highlights the struggles they faced, both in life and death.
- Detective Pete Weston brought some emotional weight to the story. His unwavering belief in Hamishās guilt contrasted perfectly with Maggieās uncertainty, keeping the stakes high.
-The short chapters are interspersed with newspaper articles, drafts of Maggieās novel about Hamish and letters from Hamish and a variety of people. This worked remarkably well, adding layers to the story and revealing clues here and there whilst not revealing too much. And, of course, such chapters easily lend themselves to the justification of ājust one moreā before reluctantly closing the pages for a short while.
- Maggieās complex dynamic with Hamish and Detective Pete Weston adds a layer of grounded humanity to this otherwise bleak tale.
- There are twists. OH, there are twists. Just when you think youāve got it figured out, Bolton smacks you with another curveball.
š¤ What didnāt hit for me:
- The *ending*. Letās be realāit wasnāt satisfying. The big twist felt like a gotcha moment without enough buildup, leaving more questions than answers. Why did certain characters make the choices they did? What about the unanswered clues sprinkled throughout the book? It felt like Bolton was trying too hard to be clever, but it left me feeling disconnected instead of wowed.
- The exploration of body shaming felt underdeveloped at times. While itās clear that Bolton wanted to address this topic, it often felt overshadowed by the central mystery.
- Hamish...is he charismatic, or just plain manipulative? I wanted to feel *something* about him, but I couldnāt decide if I wanted to swoon or roll my eyes.
Overall, Daisy in Chains is as much about the crimes as it is about the society that allowed them to happen. Itās a dark reminder of how societal biases can shape livesāand deaths. While I appreciated the attempt to tackle these themes, I wish the story had gone deeper into the victimsā perspectives and given them more of a voice.
Itās one of those books where the journey is more fun than the destination. The atmosphere and characters kept me turning pages, but the ending left me scratching my head and flipping back to see if I missed something.
š.š This is my second book by Bolton and it is far better than the "The Fake Wife"!
šøš“š š¹ššššš: āāā.5
šøš®šššš:Thriller, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Suspense
šøš¹šššššššš ššššš: Sure, if youāre in the mood for something twisty and brooding, but donāt expect all your questions to be answered.
QOTD - If youāve read this, letās chatādid that ending work for you, or are you still wondering what the heck just happened? š
šLetās dive into Daisy in Chains, a dark, twisty thriller thatās as much about murder and manipulation as it is about societyās ugly obsession with appearances. On the surface, itās a story about Hamish Wolfe, a (possibly) charming serial killer convicted of murdering plus-size women. But dig a little deeper, and youāll find a story that wrestles with heavier themesābody image, fatphobia, and how society often dehumanizes women based on their size. This book promises murder, manipulation, and a killer with *charm for days*ābut does it deliver? Kind of.
The victims in this story were all members of a āFat Club,ā a support group for plus-size women. They sought connection, support, and acceptance in a world that can be harsh to anyone who doesnāt fit the mold of conventional beauty. Instead, they became targets of violence. The book doesnāt shy away from showing how societyās body-shaming attitudes might have contributed to their vulnerability.
Hereās the scoop: Hamish Wolfe, our enigmatic and ultimate heartthrob (and maybe guilty) prisoner, is accused of preying on these women specifically because of their size and the world is divided between those who think heās guilty and those who think heās framed (and want to marry him??). His supposed motive? Hatred toward plus-size women is rooted in personal history. But as the story unfolds, Bolton peels back layers to reveal that nothingāand no oneāis as simple as it seems. Is Hamish really a monster fueled by body hatred, or is there more to his story?
Then thereās Maggie Rose, a sassy, our reclusive lawyer and true crime writer with a flair for drama and an unmatched poker face, who refuses to let societyās expectations dictate her life. She adds a stark contrast to the conversations about body image, with her unapologetic, no-nonsense attitude toward appearances.
Hamish wants Maggie to help clear his name. She reluctantly takes the case, and thatās when the mind games begin.
And then thereās Detective Pete Weston, the guy who put Hamish behind bars in the first place. Pete is no-nonsense, dedicated, and maybe just a little too obsessed with Maggie. His tension with Maggie added another layer to the storyāthough I couldnāt decide if I wanted them to bicker more or finally team up.
šWhat I liked:
- The creepy, atmospheric vibeāitās like walking through a foggy moor with danger lurking behind every twisty tree and how the story blends psychological tension with social commentary.
- Maggie is one heck of a mysterious character. Sheās cold, brilliant, and low-key fascinating.
- The way the book forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about fatphobia and societal biases. It doesnāt just use the victims as propsāit highlights the struggles they faced, both in life and death.
- Detective Pete Weston brought some emotional weight to the story. His unwavering belief in Hamishās guilt contrasted perfectly with Maggieās uncertainty, keeping the stakes high.
-The short chapters are interspersed with newspaper articles, drafts of Maggieās novel about Hamish and letters from Hamish and a variety of people. This worked remarkably well, adding layers to the story and revealing clues here and there whilst not revealing too much. And, of course, such chapters easily lend themselves to the justification of ājust one moreā before reluctantly closing the pages for a short while.
- Maggieās complex dynamic with Hamish and Detective Pete Weston adds a layer of grounded humanity to this otherwise bleak tale.
- There are twists. OH, there are twists. Just when you think youāve got it figured out, Bolton smacks you with another curveball.
š¤ What didnāt hit for me:
- The *ending*. Letās be realāit wasnāt satisfying. The big twist felt like a gotcha moment without enough buildup, leaving more questions than answers. Why did certain characters make the choices they did? What about the unanswered clues sprinkled throughout the book? It felt like Bolton was trying too hard to be clever, but it left me feeling disconnected instead of wowed.
- The exploration of body shaming felt underdeveloped at times. While itās clear that Bolton wanted to address this topic, it often felt overshadowed by the central mystery.
- Hamish...is he charismatic, or just plain manipulative? I wanted to feel *something* about him, but I couldnāt decide if I wanted to swoon or roll my eyes.
Overall, Daisy in Chains is as much about the crimes as it is about the society that allowed them to happen. Itās a dark reminder of how societal biases can shape livesāand deaths. While I appreciated the attempt to tackle these themes, I wish the story had gone deeper into the victimsā perspectives and given them more of a voice.
Itās one of those books where the journey is more fun than the destination. The atmosphere and characters kept me turning pages, but the ending left me scratching my head and flipping back to see if I missed something.
š.š This is my second book by Bolton and it is far better than the "The Fake Wife"!
šøš“š š¹ššššš: āāā.5
šøš®šššš:Thriller, Crime Fiction, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Suspense
šøš¹šššššššš ššššš: Sure, if youāre in the mood for something twisty and brooding, but donāt expect all your questions to be answered.
QOTD - If youāve read this, letās chatādid that ending work for you, or are you still wondering what the heck just happened? š
hpnyknits's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!! One of the most dramatic opening chapter I've read, and you are at the edge of your seat for the rest of the book. Side plots distract you just enough from the main one, and all adds up nicely.
I gave it only 4 because the big reveal at the end, as dramatic as can be, did not ring true.
I gave it only 4 because the big reveal at the end, as dramatic as can be, did not ring true.
sandraleivesley's review against another edition
5.0
I love Ms Bolton's Lacey Flint series and am now working my way through her back catalogue!
This standalone thriller revolves around Maggie Rose, a successful lawyer and author who specialises in appeals, and has an air of mystery around her. Hamish Wolfe, a convicted serial killer, wants her to take on his case. The book is paced perfectly - the first part setting the scene and introducing the character, and the last part speeds up and takes us to a thrilling ending.
There are some small surprises and one big surprise which I truly didn't see coming, though in hindsight there was one big clue earlier that I just didn't pick up on.
The book also deals with serial killer groupies - women who write fan mail to serial killers. It all seems very strange even though I know it's a real thing, especially in the USA.
A standout psychological thriller, well narrated by Antonia Beamish
This standalone thriller revolves around Maggie Rose, a successful lawyer and author who specialises in appeals, and has an air of mystery around her. Hamish Wolfe, a convicted serial killer, wants her to take on his case. The book is paced perfectly - the first part setting the scene and introducing the character, and the last part speeds up and takes us to a thrilling ending.
There are some small surprises and one big surprise which I truly didn't see coming, though in hindsight there was one big clue earlier that I just didn't pick up on.
The book also deals with serial killer groupies - women who write fan mail to serial killers. It all seems very strange even though I know it's a real thing, especially in the USA.
A standout psychological thriller, well narrated by Antonia Beamish