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sutasinee's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sutasinee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
angay_reads's review against another edition
3.0
*Thank you to Netgalley & Bookouture for an early copy of the book!
Cara reunites with her friends for New Year's after a tragedy a decade ago. When one of them is found dead, Cara struggles to find the killer while uncovering her friends' dark secrets along the way.
I was a bit confused, cause I thought that the characters would be locked in a cabin together. But they were actually on a whole-ass island, which made it a little less intense. I did overall enjoy the plot and story, but unfortunately, it wasn't as exciting as I had hoped.
I think the characters could've been expanded on a little more. Especially Daithi, it felt like he just existed to help Cara and didn't have much use other than that.
*SPOILERS
Spoilers over
A decent book that I liked but didn't really love. But I would still recommend it if you're into mystery and thrillers! I hope you enjoy your read!
Cara reunites with her friends for New Year's after a tragedy a decade ago. When one of them is found dead, Cara struggles to find the killer while uncovering her friends' dark secrets along the way.
I was a bit confused, cause I thought that the characters would be locked in a cabin together. But they were actually on a whole-ass island, which made it a little less intense. I did overall enjoy the plot and story, but unfortunately, it wasn't as exciting as I had hoped.
I think the characters could've been expanded on a little more. Especially Daithi, it felt like he just existed to help Cara and didn't have much use other than that.
*SPOILERS
Spoiler
I was so surprised that Cara didn't figure out the graveyard thing sooner. This was the first time I figured out a clue before the protagonist did in a mystery novel lolSpoilers over
A decent book that I liked but didn't really love. But I would still recommend it if you're into mystery and thrillers! I hope you enjoy your read!
morethanmylupus's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The remote island of Inis Mor was a perfect setting for this novel, especially in a snowstorm. I visited Inis Mor when I traveled around Ireland, and it was fun to see some familiar places pop up. I liked Cara and appreciated that she's very aware that she's not an incredibly experienced detective. It was a refreshing change from the amateur detectives bungling everything while thinking they're experts. The other characters weren't fully fleshed out but I liked the group dynamics. The mystery itself was a bit repetitive and quite predictable. That said, I was enjoying this one and stayed up late finishing it.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Violence
meretlena's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
shakirae's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely amazing! I received it as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had never read Tríona Walsh’s previous work, but I love a good thriller. This book did not disappoint. Set on a small island off the coast of Ireland, a group of friends come together the week of New Years’ to honor one of their own. Little did they know they would be caught up in mysterious happenings throughout the island.
The book was paced well and hard to put down. It was easy to picture the island and it’s cast of characters with descriptions that weren’t too lengthy. I felt what the characters felt, as if I were right there watching it all. The story was told from the perspective of Cara, the lone police officer on the island during the snowstorm and part of the group of friends. Cara was smart and clever, but also human. She struggled with balancing her feelings, her different roles, and with trying to think like a detective when she wasn’t one.
If you like a book that feels like Agatha Christie blended with Tana French you will enjoy this one.
I had never read Tríona Walsh’s previous work, but I love a good thriller. This book did not disappoint. Set on a small island off the coast of Ireland, a group of friends come together the week of New Years’ to honor one of their own. Little did they know they would be caught up in mysterious happenings throughout the island.
The book was paced well and hard to put down. It was easy to picture the island and it’s cast of characters with descriptions that weren’t too lengthy. I felt what the characters felt, as if I were right there watching it all. The story was told from the perspective of Cara, the lone police officer on the island during the snowstorm and part of the group of friends. Cara was smart and clever, but also human. She struggled with balancing her feelings, her different roles, and with trying to think like a detective when she wasn’t one.
If you like a book that feels like Agatha Christie blended with Tana French you will enjoy this one.
mikkareads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
«The Snowstorm» by Tríona Walsh
Tríona Walsh takes us to the Irish island of Inishmore, where the weather is not the only thing mysterious and unforgiving. We meet a group of former friends who reunite after ten years apart, planning to commemorate the death of one of their own in a positive way. Among them is our protagonist Cara, the widow of the man whose life was tragically cut short, who now lives permanently on Inishmore as the island's sole police officer.
The conciliatory, cautiously hopeful mood quickly gives way to an aura of fear and mistrust. An unexpected snowstorm cuts the island off completely from the mainland, and shortly afterwards a body is found… From then on, the story skillfully weaves a dense web of secrets and lies.
Yes, the starting point is a classic of suspense literature: a reunion of old friends, a remote location, a murder... However, the author enriches this basic scheme with atmospheric density, Irish flair and profound character studies, so that «The Snowstorm» transcends the familiar. Walsh's prose masterfully captures the rugged beauty of this Irish island, and she demonstrates a keen sense of suspense and the human psyche. In my opinion, even slow passages are deliberately constructed as breadcrumbs in a story full of twists and turns. The narrative oscillates between crime suspense and thriller elements, which I personally like.
I found the characters to be finely drawn and multi-layered, although their secrets and motivations are not always explained in detail. After just a few chapters, I pegged somebody as the likely murderer. Then I discarded that idea, suspecting other characters instead – and in the end, it turned out that my initial hunch had hit the mark exactly. This was only a mild disappointment, as the author had still managed to lead me astray multiple times…
Conclusion: An atmospheric story that convinces with smoldering suspense and psychological depth, as well as a touch of mystery and Irish culture.
Tríona Walsh takes us to the Irish island of Inishmore, where the weather is not the only thing mysterious and unforgiving. We meet a group of former friends who reunite after ten years apart, planning to commemorate the death of one of their own in a positive way. Among them is our protagonist Cara, the widow of the man whose life was tragically cut short, who now lives permanently on Inishmore as the island's sole police officer.
The conciliatory, cautiously hopeful mood quickly gives way to an aura of fear and mistrust. An unexpected snowstorm cuts the island off completely from the mainland, and shortly afterwards a body is found… From then on, the story skillfully weaves a dense web of secrets and lies.
Yes, the starting point is a classic of suspense literature: a reunion of old friends, a remote location, a murder... However, the author enriches this basic scheme with atmospheric density, Irish flair and profound character studies, so that «The Snowstorm» transcends the familiar. Walsh's prose masterfully captures the rugged beauty of this Irish island, and she demonstrates a keen sense of suspense and the human psyche. In my opinion, even slow passages are deliberately constructed as breadcrumbs in a story full of twists and turns. The narrative oscillates between crime suspense and thriller elements, which I personally like.
I found the characters to be finely drawn and multi-layered, although their secrets and motivations are not always explained in detail. After just a few chapters, I pegged somebody as the likely murderer. Then I discarded that idea, suspecting other characters instead – and in the end, it turned out that my initial hunch had hit the mark exactly. This was only a mild disappointment, as the author had still managed to lead me astray multiple times…
Conclusion: An atmospheric story that convinces with smoldering suspense and psychological depth, as well as a touch of mystery and Irish culture.
beereading90's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Dieser Kriminalroman (es ist kein Thriller obwohl es drauf steht) spielt auf der irischen Insel Inishmore, die durch einen starken Schneesturm von der Außenwelt abgeschnitten wird.
Atmosphärisch ist das ganze wirklich gut und gleich das erste Kapitel über die Serpent`s Lair
(in der später die Leiche auftaucht)hat mich so eingenommen,
dass ich richtig Bock auf das Buch hatte.
Leider konnte der Rest die hohen Erwartungen nicht halten.
Durch den Text auf dem Cover weiß man schon, dass einer der sechs Freunde der Mörder ist.
Dies nimmt leider einen erheblichen Teil der Spannung raus.
Cara als Dorfpolizisten ist leider sehr unglaubwürdig. Die Insel ist voll mit Schnee und trotzdem werden keine Verfolgungen aufgenommen, obwohl die Spuren klar erkennbar sein müssten.
Beweismaterial wird im nicht abgeschlossenen Kofferraum aufbewahrt und natürlich entwendet.
Das Polizeiauto wird mal eben schnell zweckentfremdet und Ferdy fährt damit weg.
Cara lässt ihn gewähren, fährt nicht hinterher und fragt später nicht wo er war.
Befragungen werden nicht protokolliert.
Wenn Cara so eine Angst um ihre Familie hat, wieso schläft sie nicht zuhause sondern
bei ihren Freunden?
Den einfachsten Hinweis kann sie nicht enträtseln, zum Schluss klärt sie aber den Fall in bester Sherlock-Holmes-Manier auf.
Das Ende empfand ich als sehr unpassend und irritierend. Das hätte man auch anders lösen können.
Was bleibt also noch?
-Ein sehr schönes und atmosphärisches Setting
-Ein Kriminalfall bei dem man als Leser gut mitermitteln kann
-Eine sympathische Protagonistin
-Einblick in die irische Kultur und Leben auf einer kleinen Insel
-Ein flüssiger Schreibstil und kurze Kapitel die einen bei der Stange halten
Es ist das 1. Buch der Autorin und ich hoffe, dass sie noch mehr an ihren Schreibfähigkeiten arbeitet. Dann können ihre Bücher sicher stabile Krimis/Thriller werden.
Atmosphärisch ist das ganze wirklich gut und gleich das erste Kapitel über die Serpent`s Lair
(in der später die Leiche auftaucht)hat mich so eingenommen,
dass ich richtig Bock auf das Buch hatte.
Leider konnte der Rest die hohen Erwartungen nicht halten.
Durch den Text auf dem Cover weiß man schon, dass einer der sechs Freunde der Mörder ist.
Dies nimmt leider einen erheblichen Teil der Spannung raus.
Cara als Dorfpolizisten ist leider sehr unglaubwürdig. Die Insel ist voll mit Schnee und trotzdem werden keine Verfolgungen aufgenommen, obwohl die Spuren klar erkennbar sein müssten.
Beweismaterial wird im nicht abgeschlossenen Kofferraum aufbewahrt und natürlich entwendet.
Das Polizeiauto wird mal eben schnell zweckentfremdet und Ferdy fährt damit weg.
Cara lässt ihn gewähren, fährt nicht hinterher und fragt später nicht wo er war.
Befragungen werden nicht protokolliert.
Wenn Cara so eine Angst um ihre Familie hat, wieso schläft sie nicht zuhause sondern
bei ihren Freunden?
Den einfachsten Hinweis kann sie nicht enträtseln, zum Schluss klärt sie aber den Fall in bester Sherlock-Holmes-Manier auf.
Das Ende empfand ich als sehr unpassend und irritierend. Das hätte man auch anders lösen können.
Was bleibt also noch?
-Ein sehr schönes und atmosphärisches Setting
-Ein Kriminalfall bei dem man als Leser gut mitermitteln kann
-Eine sympathische Protagonistin
-Einblick in die irische Kultur und Leben auf einer kleinen Insel
-Ein flüssiger Schreibstil und kurze Kapitel die einen bei der Stange halten
Es ist das 1. Buch der Autorin und ich hoffe, dass sie noch mehr an ihren Schreibfähigkeiten arbeitet. Dann können ihre Bücher sicher stabile Krimis/Thriller werden.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Violence
colourphoenix's review against another edition
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? No
1.0