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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine, I always love a good murder mystery, and while that’s not quite what this is, it’s still alright.
Very unrealistic, and I wish we saw more buildup for Harry’s corruption arc, it kinda felt like he just went off the rails on a whim. The book also feels like a sequel, despite it being the first in the series.
But yeah, it was fine, a nice short read with quick pacing. Some gory descriptions which made me nauseous but only toward the end of the book.
Very unrealistic, and I wish we saw more buildup for Harry’s corruption arc, it kinda felt like he just went off the rails on a whim. The book also feels like a sequel, despite it being the first in the series.
But yeah, it was fine, a nice short read with quick pacing. Some gory descriptions which made me nauseous but only toward the end of the book.
Loved it. Dive in the deep end sort of book and then just find I am unable to put it down - real roller coaster of a book with great characters, action and tension. Certainly a great writer, spare but complete prose.
Highly recommended (although some disturbing violence if you are squeamish.)
Highly recommended (although some disturbing violence if you are squeamish.)
Shortlisted, Ned Kelly Awards, Best Crime Novel, 2015
After years writing top-quality crime set in England, one of the genre’s top writers Barry Maitland has turned his hand to the streets of Sydney with this dark, twisting tale of Harry Belltree, a homicide detective with big fish to fry and personal scores to settle.
This is the first in the Belltree Trilogy, followed by [b:Ash Island|25918738|Ash Island (The Belltree Trilogy, #2)|Barry Maitland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437024856s/25918738.jpg|45808413], published on September 23.
‘An unqualified triumph and Aussie hardboiled crime fiction at its very best.’
West Australian
After years writing top-quality crime set in England, one of the genre’s top writers Barry Maitland has turned his hand to the streets of Sydney with this dark, twisting tale of Harry Belltree, a homicide detective with big fish to fry and personal scores to settle.
This is the first in the Belltree Trilogy, followed by [b:Ash Island|25918738|Ash Island (The Belltree Trilogy, #2)|Barry Maitland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437024856s/25918738.jpg|45808413], published on September 23.
‘An unqualified triumph and Aussie hardboiled crime fiction at its very best.’
West Australian
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Barry Maitland is among my favourite Australian crime writers. I love how his architectural background comes through in his work. My mother read this first (it was one of her mothers' day presents from me) & handed it to me saying that it was unique among his novels (we love them all) in that it was told from the viewpoint of the villain. I think she might just be better behaved (in her imagination at least) than I am. Harry Belltree is by no means the villain of this story -- he's just a little more Dirty Harry in his approach... Another great read from a wonderful writer.
Wait, what? Everything is just rolling along until some spontaneous breaking & entering. And then So why not repeat it a few more times?
And in spite of all that, I find myself wanting to know what happens next.
Spoiler
surprise murders with no forensic evidence to speak of!And in spite of all that, I find myself wanting to know what happens next.