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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I'm never sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing when a mystery series reverts to the trope of bringing back a previous antagonist. After reading this, I'm still on the fence.
Just when you start to think that Tom's life might be getting to a happier place, with his love life and his professional life on an even keel, the events from The Bones Beneath start to bubble up in a series of murders that could be related, and a series of murderers who share something Thorn really would rather not think about: Stuart Nicklin. Along with his partner Nicola and bff Phil (who is one of the most uniquely drawn forensic pathologists, and one of those characters you simply enjoy seeing book after book), he tries to tie everything together before more people die. Of course, no spoilers but really - we all know how it's going to end up. And now we wait for the next book.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
Just when you start to think that Tom's life might be getting to a happier place, with his love life and his professional life on an even keel, the events from The Bones Beneath start to bubble up in a series of murders that could be related, and a series of murderers who share something Thorn really would rather not think about: Stuart Nicklin. Along with his partner Nicola and bff Phil (who is one of the most uniquely drawn forensic pathologists, and one of those characters you simply enjoy seeing book after book), he tries to tie everything together before more people die. Of course, no spoilers but really - we all know how it's going to end up. And now we wait for the next book.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
This is a book that starts and ends with a bang and never stops keeping you on the edge.
We know what will be since the first pages and it's chilly and the description of pure evil.
I recently discovered Mark Billingham and this is the second book I read, I love the storytelling and the great characters.
The plot is well developed and tightly knitted. There's a lot of information and this book can be read as a stand alone.
Gripping, dark, highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
We know what will be since the first pages and it's chilly and the description of pure evil.
I recently discovered Mark Billingham and this is the second book I read, I love the storytelling and the great characters.
The plot is well developed and tightly knitted. There's a lot of information and this book can be read as a stand alone.
Gripping, dark, highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I love this series, Tom Thorne his pathologist pal, Phil Hendricks and detective Nicola Tanner. They jump from the page in each new investigation.
The re-emergence of Thorne's nemesis, escaped murderer Stuart Nicklin, brings raw emotion to the surface as his near perfect planning and methodologies spread corpses across the detectives' patch. Ever more oblique, ever more gruesome and playing with Thorne's head.
Whilst I found the story page turningly good (as always), I was not convinced by the denouement nor the increasingly heavy baggage and co-dependence being layered onto our three protagonists that inevitably will seep into future stories
The re-emergence of Thorne's nemesis, escaped murderer Stuart Nicklin, brings raw emotion to the surface as his near perfect planning and methodologies spread corpses across the detectives' patch. Ever more oblique, ever more gruesome and playing with Thorne's head.
Whilst I found the story page turningly good (as always), I was not convinced by the denouement nor the increasingly heavy baggage and co-dependence being layered onto our three protagonists that inevitably will seep into future stories
The 18th addition to my favourite series sees Tom Thorne relatively happy with life both work and privately as he investigates a particularly nasty series of murders. However what seems to be a simple "police hunt serial killer" soon turns into something very different as one of Thorne's old foes resurfaces.
As usual the characters are brilliant as their private lives are expertly woven into the story and you genuinely care about what is happening to them, especially Tom who goes through a lot in this outing to say the least. There are plenty of twists and surprises, from "half expected" to full blown "what the hell?" as the reader, much like the characters, isn't quite sure what to expect next! It's a fantastic addition to a fantastic series and I cannot recommend both book and series highly enough!
As usual the characters are brilliant as their private lives are expertly woven into the story and you genuinely care about what is happening to them, especially Tom who goes through a lot in this outing to say the least. There are plenty of twists and surprises, from "half expected" to full blown "what the hell?" as the reader, much like the characters, isn't quite sure what to expect next! It's a fantastic addition to a fantastic series and I cannot recommend both book and series highly enough!
Mark Billingham is undeniably a master of his craft. In his most famous creation, DI Tom Thorne he's created a relatable, flawed and troubled character who strives to do the right thing, but who keeps getting thwarted by real life, bad luck and some very bad people. This is Tom's 18th outing, and he's much more flawed and troubled than he was back when we first met him in Sleepyhead (some of you may remember the TV show shown in 2010 with the wonderful David Morrissey playing the Titular character before he went off to Hollywood to kill zombies).
One of the reasons for those troubles (and one that instills real fear into our brave DI thanks to his previous actions with a scalpel, amongst other things) is back; and he's on the hunt for revenge. It's here I have to mention that some knowledge of previous Thorne books is useful - it's not essential as the author covers what you need to know in summary where needed, but it definitely adds to the jeopardy and the dynamics if you have read some of the previous books in the series. In all honesty, I can't remember if I have read the books that reference this particular character and I still really enjoyed it, so make of that what you will.
There's a fairly early reveal in this one that leaves you wondering why so soon? However all becomes clear as it's revealed that there is more to this scenario than you may have first thought. Mark Billingham has a real talent for misdirection - you can feel at times like you're being led down the garden path whereas you'll later realise that the answers were hidden in plain sight, but somehow you don't see them at time. There's suspicion everywhere and it might even leak onto those you think are unquestionably loyal - the tension ramps up as the end approaches, and it all culminates in a frantic, tense final act.
It's hard to say too much without giving away spoilers so I won't focus any more on the story, but the characterisation of Tom Thorne makes for a brilliant character to read; obviously the author knows him and the other main characters inside out by now, meaning that the spiky personality of Phil Hendricks and the good heart of Nicola Tanner all add to the bonding and the camaraderie of this little band of people striving to catch bad guys and not go crazy in the process.
The humour gets as dark as the subject at times and this adds an element of brevity to the murderous tone, which sometimes can spill into (very) gory mutilations and scenes of torture and could definitely put you off your tea. So don't read this one at dinnertime unless you've got a stomach like Phil Hendricks and can polish off a full breakfast minutes after finishing a messy autopsy. You know who you are.
Thanks to the online book club The Pigeonhole for letting me read an early copy of this. A good read, full of suspense and suspicion and a must for Thorne fans.
One of the reasons for those troubles (and one that instills real fear into our brave DI thanks to his previous actions with a scalpel, amongst other things) is back; and he's on the hunt for revenge. It's here I have to mention that some knowledge of previous Thorne books is useful - it's not essential as the author covers what you need to know in summary where needed, but it definitely adds to the jeopardy and the dynamics if you have read some of the previous books in the series. In all honesty, I can't remember if I have read the books that reference this particular character and I still really enjoyed it, so make of that what you will.
There's a fairly early reveal in this one that leaves you wondering why so soon? However all becomes clear as it's revealed that there is more to this scenario than you may have first thought. Mark Billingham has a real talent for misdirection - you can feel at times like you're being led down the garden path whereas you'll later realise that the answers were hidden in plain sight, but somehow you don't see them at time. There's suspicion everywhere and it might even leak onto those you think are unquestionably loyal - the tension ramps up as the end approaches, and it all culminates in a frantic, tense final act.
It's hard to say too much without giving away spoilers so I won't focus any more on the story, but the characterisation of Tom Thorne makes for a brilliant character to read; obviously the author knows him and the other main characters inside out by now, meaning that the spiky personality of Phil Hendricks and the good heart of Nicola Tanner all add to the bonding and the camaraderie of this little band of people striving to catch bad guys and not go crazy in the process.
The humour gets as dark as the subject at times and this adds an element of brevity to the murderous tone, which sometimes can spill into (very) gory mutilations and scenes of torture and could definitely put you off your tea. So don't read this one at dinnertime unless you've got a stomach like Phil Hendricks and can polish off a full breakfast minutes after finishing a messy autopsy. You know who you are.
Thanks to the online book club The Pigeonhole for letting me read an early copy of this. A good read, full of suspense and suspicion and a must for Thorne fans.
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my second of this series I read and it did not disappoint. I would probably benefit from reading the rest of the series (will do this at some point) but this was perfectly fine to read as a standalone too.
I found the plot gripping, the characters were very well written, the humour, particularly the dark humour, was also excellent.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.
I found the plot gripping, the characters were very well written, the humour, particularly the dark humour, was also excellent.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author and the Pigeonhole for the opportunity.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense