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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
So pleased I started reading this author, so well researched and hugely enjoyable. Looking forward to reading many more!
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia
dark
mysterious
slow-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
Between liked it and really liked it, actually I really liked it.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I think this was a GR recommendation based on my love for [a:Tana French|138825|Tana French|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1535655031p2/138825.jpg] -- a murder mystery based in Scotland (instead of Ireland). Karen Pirie (who is introduced as a minor character in this first book, but apparently becomes the star of the series) is a cold case detective, which appealed to me, too.
From the book jacket, you know that the story starts on a cold December night in 1978, when four college friends stumble upon the body of a dying 19-year-old bar maid named Rosie. She's been raped, stabbed, and left for dead. While one runs for help, another -- a med student -- does what he can to save her, but is unsuccessful. With no other suspects, the self-named "Laddies fi' Kirkcaldy" find themselves the focus of the police investigation and the targets of harrassment by both Rosie's brothers and their own schoolmates. The case is never solved, but suspicion continues to follow the four young men and the repercussions change the course of all their lives in one way or another.
Twenty-five years later, the four have moved on with their lives as best they can. The development of DNA testing leads to Rosie's case being reopened, along with other unsolved cases from the era, but some evidence has disappeared. After one and then another (not a spoiler, since this is all mentioned on the book jacket) die under mysterious circumstances, the two remaining "Laddies" are convinced that someone is stalking them. Is it the original killer or a family member seeking retribution?
When the four "Laddies" are introduced at the beginning of the book, they were difficult for me to keep straight. I actually put notes on a post-it to keep them straight:
Sigmund "Ziggy" Malkiewicz-- med student, "impassive," gay?, dark longish hair, slighly exotic
Davey "Mondo" Kerr -- pretty boy, curly, dark hair, "elfin" & "waiflike," sensitive & self-centered
Alex "Gilly" Gilbey -- plays rugby, big & cleancut, liked Rosie, keeps secrets
Tom "Weird" Mackie -- tall & gangly, wild, experiments with drugs, rebelling against dad
but their personalities are all distinctive as the story goes on. Reading the first half of the story, I developed a favorite and, knowing that two of the four were doomed, hoped that he wouldn't be one of them. This first half moved quite quickly with events escalating to a dramatic semi-conclusion.
The more recent part was a bit convoluted, jumping between the two deaths, the lives of the remaining "Laddies," their stalker, and the cold case investigation. At times I thought I knew what was going on, only to realize I was completely off. There are some red herrings thrown in and the ending came as a complete surprise. Although the crime solution makes sense, the denouement felt a bit rushed, especially considering the second half sometimes felt plodding. I enjoyed the overall story and plan to read the next book (in which I look forward to getting to know Detective Pirie more).
From the book jacket, you know that the story starts on a cold December night in 1978, when four college friends stumble upon the body of a dying 19-year-old bar maid named Rosie. She's been raped, stabbed, and left for dead. While one runs for help, another -- a med student -- does what he can to save her, but is unsuccessful. With no other suspects, the self-named "Laddies fi' Kirkcaldy" find themselves the focus of the police investigation and the targets of harrassment by both Rosie's brothers and their own schoolmates. The case is never solved, but suspicion continues to follow the four young men and the repercussions change the course of all their lives in one way or another.
Twenty-five years later, the four have moved on with their lives as best they can. The development of DNA testing leads to Rosie's case being reopened, along with other unsolved cases from the era, but some evidence has disappeared. After one and then another (not a spoiler, since this is all mentioned on the book jacket) die under mysterious circumstances, the two remaining "Laddies" are convinced that someone is stalking them. Is it the original killer or a family member seeking retribution?
When the four "Laddies" are introduced at the beginning of the book, they were difficult for me to keep straight. I actually put notes on a post-it to keep them straight:
Spoiler
Sigmund "Ziggy" Malkiewicz-- med student, "impassive," gay?, dark longish hair, slighly exotic
Davey "Mondo" Kerr -- pretty boy, curly, dark hair, "elfin" & "waiflike," sensitive & self-centered
Alex "Gilly" Gilbey -- plays rugby, big & cleancut, liked Rosie, keeps secrets
Tom "Weird" Mackie -- tall & gangly, wild, experiments with drugs, rebelling against dad
Spoiler
-- Ziggy --Spoiler
And, of course, he was the first to die.The more recent part was a bit convoluted, jumping between the two deaths, the lives of the remaining "Laddies," their stalker, and the cold case investigation. At times I thought I knew what was going on, only to realize I was completely off. There are some red herrings thrown in and the ending came as a complete surprise. Although the crime solution makes sense, the denouement felt a bit rushed, especially considering the second half sometimes felt plodding. I enjoyed the overall story and plan to read the next book (in which I look forward to getting to know Detective Pirie more).
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A page turner of a thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated