Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
The audiobook of this story is expertly read with authentic accents which adds a whole extra level to this already compelling story and set of characters.
The setting is a location totally foreign to me. I was totally dependent on the imagery and descriptions to see the scenes and the author succeeded.
The plot is all at once mysterious and surprising, keeping me emotionally invested in the revelations throughout, even until the last page.
The main character, as revealed in the scenes taking place in the present, as well as the scenes set in his past, is both the point of view character and protagonist, and also the character I feel heartache and compassion for.
Add these elements together and I judge this novel to be a highly satisfying and balanced literary equation.
Mathematics aside, this novel was a departure for me. No spaceships! 🚀
But, still, I very much enjoyed it. Recommended for mature audiences due to excessive language and adult (but not overly explicit) adult situations.
The setting is a location totally foreign to me. I was totally dependent on the imagery and descriptions to see the scenes and the author succeeded.
The plot is all at once mysterious and surprising, keeping me emotionally invested in the revelations throughout, even until the last page.
The main character, as revealed in the scenes taking place in the present, as well as the scenes set in his past, is both the point of view character and protagonist, and also the character I feel heartache and compassion for.
Add these elements together and I judge this novel to be a highly satisfying and balanced literary equation.
Mathematics aside, this novel was a departure for me. No spaceships! 🚀
But, still, I very much enjoyed it. Recommended for mature audiences due to excessive language and adult (but not overly explicit) adult situations.
Beautiful language and descriptions of the Isle of Lewis, rich with complex character memories and emotions. I loved how the murder mystery was constructed through memory and emotion. Really looking forward to the next installment.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The thing that makes a book like this so good isn't just the whodunit, but weaving that with an engaging and relevant back story. Peter May tells a great story of heartbreak and childhood that blends seamlessly into the final reveal. I did begin to suspect the killer while reading, but I wasn't able to determine the possible motive. One of the better books I've read in a while and looking forward to finishing the series.
Peter May sets the scene with detail descriptions of the Isle of Lewis. The beautiful landscape is a sharp contrast to some dark ugly secrets in the Crobost community. Detective Fin Macleod is brought back to his birthplace to solve a murder. His investigation uncovers not only a murderer but many painful truths.
While this book had a captivating setting, the switch between first and third persons was rough to adjust to, and side story was definitely far too detailed to just have been a side story. I felt that the ending cut short the details of the murder, and we were left with just a life drama that ended exactly the way that you'd expect it to end - there was no sense of rush or thrill or surprise for me, which was very disappointing.
I’ve never read anything by Scottish author Peter May. I was browsing for books to take on an upcoming trip and came across Blackhouse.
I spent two weeks in the Hebridean Islands off the coast of Scotland twenty years ago and loved the book’s setting on Lewis. The author writes great descriptions of the landscape and the people. His writing is very evocative and really put me in the location.
A key part of the plot is the annual harvesting of young gannets, or guga, a local delicacy. It made me cringe to read the descriptions of the parent birds screaming as their young are taken from their nests and killed. Apparently this is a real thing, and the author clearly did his research. The number of birds taken is carefully monitored so the population of gannets is not negatively affected.
I enjoyed the information about the Lewis Chessmen, chess pieces from the 12th century carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth that were discovered on the Isle of Lewis in the 1800s. There are many Gaelic words and names in the narrative, and I very much appreciated the pronunciation guide at the start of the book, referring to it numerous times.
The character development is also rich. This book is not really about the mystery; it is more of a coming-of-age story than anything else, with the back stories of the characters spun out a little bit at a time. Secrets and lies are dangled in front of the reader and slowly explained. I was totally pulled in to the story. It kept me engrossed through a long and difficult travel day involving a missed flight and lots of waiting.
Much of what happens in the climax is hard to believe, and the last line of the book is incredibly lame, but the author sold his tale to me in such a way that I didn’t mind too much. I recommend Blackhouse to lovers of British crime novels, to people who like to travel vicariously, and to readers who like strong character development. I will definitely be reading books two and three in the series.
This book was published in 2012, so I'm not quite sure why it is available right now on Netgalley, but I read an egalley.
I spent two weeks in the Hebridean Islands off the coast of Scotland twenty years ago and loved the book’s setting on Lewis. The author writes great descriptions of the landscape and the people. His writing is very evocative and really put me in the location.
A key part of the plot is the annual harvesting of young gannets, or guga, a local delicacy. It made me cringe to read the descriptions of the parent birds screaming as their young are taken from their nests and killed. Apparently this is a real thing, and the author clearly did his research. The number of birds taken is carefully monitored so the population of gannets is not negatively affected.
I enjoyed the information about the Lewis Chessmen, chess pieces from the 12th century carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth that were discovered on the Isle of Lewis in the 1800s. There are many Gaelic words and names in the narrative, and I very much appreciated the pronunciation guide at the start of the book, referring to it numerous times.
The character development is also rich. This book is not really about the mystery; it is more of a coming-of-age story than anything else, with the back stories of the characters spun out a little bit at a time. Secrets and lies are dangled in front of the reader and slowly explained. I was totally pulled in to the story. It kept me engrossed through a long and difficult travel day involving a missed flight and lots of waiting.
Much of what happens in the climax is hard to believe, and the last line of the book is incredibly lame, but the author sold his tale to me in such a way that I didn’t mind too much. I recommend Blackhouse to lovers of British crime novels, to people who like to travel vicariously, and to readers who like strong character development. I will definitely be reading books two and three in the series.
This book was published in 2012, so I'm not quite sure why it is available right now on Netgalley, but I read an egalley.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced