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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I really liked this book and enjoyed the mystery and the complex, complicated interactions between the different characters.
Strangely enough, even as this is part of a series called 'Alderman James Mystery', and he does, indeed, investigates the horrendous crimes that are unsettling Dublin, the main character in this story, at least OMHO, was the blacksmith Timothy Mullins.
He is a great character, a brave, conflicted man who is driven to hunt the Dolocher first for a need for revenge and later, for love. In my eyes, he is the real hero in the story.
The depiction of 18th century's Dublin, the poverty and hopeless of the inhabitants of the 'The Liberties' is really well done. And I always give extra points to any story that has me googling facts, and this one certainly did; the real historical background of this novel made it even better for me.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Jack McArthur's narration was perfect for this story.
Strangely enough, even as this is part of a series called 'Alderman James Mystery', and he does, indeed, investigates the horrendous crimes that are unsettling Dublin, the main character in this story, at least OMHO, was the blacksmith Timothy Mullins.
He is a great character, a brave, conflicted man who is driven to hunt the Dolocher first for a need for revenge and later, for love. In my eyes, he is the real hero in the story.
The depiction of 18th century's Dublin, the poverty and hopeless of the inhabitants of the 'The Liberties' is really well done. And I always give extra points to any story that has me googling facts, and this one certainly did; the real historical background of this novel made it even better for me.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Jack McArthur's narration was perfect for this story.
"A city lives and dies by its myths."
The myth of the Dolocher. That is the central storyline of this novel. But it is not the only storyline. And while the other storylines can make it a little more difficult to get fully engrossed in the story, patience will pay off.
I was originally drawn to this novel because it was set in Dublin, Ireland. I will freely admit that I will read anything with an Irish setting. On top of that, it was set in the later 1700s, making it a historical fiction account. And it features a serial killer. That is like a trifecta for me.
The one downside for me was the shifting storylines. Everything was told from a 3rd person POV but each chapter focuses on one of a number of characters. Sometimes the character storylines overlap. And while it's great the switches occur on chapter changes, they did make it a little more bothersome at times to keep up with who is who.
Overall, I did thoroughly enjoy this novel. And I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
The myth of the Dolocher. That is the central storyline of this novel. But it is not the only storyline. And while the other storylines can make it a little more difficult to get fully engrossed in the story, patience will pay off.
I was originally drawn to this novel because it was set in Dublin, Ireland. I will freely admit that I will read anything with an Irish setting. On top of that, it was set in the later 1700s, making it a historical fiction account. And it features a serial killer. That is like a trifecta for me.
The one downside for me was the shifting storylines. Everything was told from a 3rd person POV but each chapter focuses on one of a number of characters. Sometimes the character storylines overlap. And while it's great the switches occur on chapter changes, they did make it a little more bothersome at times to keep up with who is who.
Overall, I did thoroughly enjoy this novel. And I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I haven’t had to do this for a while. I always make my bias’ known at the start of my reviews. I requested this as a review copy based entirely on the author and not the series. I’ve read and reviewed 4 of his stories before and they’re all great. I’m also a fan of mystery novels and it’s been too long since I read a good mystery.
I’m not really sure why this story has the Supernatural genre tag on Audible. It is a European P. Douglas story, so I was expecting it. Aside from a small moment that’s never explained, (as far as I can recall anyway), everything is grounded in reality. It’s a straightforward mystery novel that’s likely going to leave you guessing. If you like to try to figure out the mystery as you read, this one likely isn’t for you. I’m not one to try, but the ending took me by surprise either way.
I feel like this is the one time I didn’t read a book’s summary that actually came back to bite me. I kept expecting supernatural elements and for a good chunk of the novel, I wondered if it was a Jack the Ripper retelling. I just hit play on the audiobook and was quickly engrossed in the world and the lives of the characters. This is one of those rare stories where I actually found myself caring about the characters. They all have wants and desires and feelings that extend past the current plot point.
The audible narration overall was excellent. There wasn’t a single hiccup and I never had an issue telling characters apart. It’s one of those narrations I find hard to remember because it was just great and I didn’t have to stop to take notes constantly. He did say “onvelope”, which isn’t a word. Other than that though, the audio was perfect.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
This was an audible audiobook.
During Georgian Ireland, a legend was born of a dark beast with murderous teeth that sought its prey in the dead of night. The Dolocher.
In this, the first instalment of the Alderman James Mysteries, the Alderman finds himself living through the events that made the Dolocher one of the most remembered happenings in Dublin.
The Black Dog prison was open from 1714-1794 and housed prostitutes, and was more known as a debt prison. When the murderer Olocher is arrested for murdering women and sent there to await his hanging, the whole neighbourhood is shocked when Olocher commits suicide. As many pigs were roaming the streets, the people believed that Olocher's spirit settled in them, thus still roaming the streets. This is only ingrained amongst the inhabitants when night after night, some unknown animal kills first watchmen and then the young girl who was a witness at Olocher's trial.
In this haunting narration of the book The Dolocher, written by European P Douglas, you, as the listener, is transported to Dublin. The plot is laid out as a good mystery should be, and the ending was a surprise. The characters are authentic, and the narrator's accents and performance of the different characters give authenticity to the novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
During Georgian Ireland, a legend was born of a dark beast with murderous teeth that sought its prey in the dead of night. The Dolocher.
In this, the first instalment of the Alderman James Mysteries, the Alderman finds himself living through the events that made the Dolocher one of the most remembered happenings in Dublin.
The Black Dog prison was open from 1714-1794 and housed prostitutes, and was more known as a debt prison. When the murderer Olocher is arrested for murdering women and sent there to await his hanging, the whole neighbourhood is shocked when Olocher commits suicide. As many pigs were roaming the streets, the people believed that Olocher's spirit settled in them, thus still roaming the streets. This is only ingrained amongst the inhabitants when night after night, some unknown animal kills first watchmen and then the young girl who was a witness at Olocher's trial.
In this haunting narration of the book The Dolocher, written by European P Douglas, you, as the listener, is transported to Dublin. The plot is laid out as a good mystery should be, and the ending was a surprise. The characters are authentic, and the narrator's accents and performance of the different characters give authenticity to the novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
During Georgian Ireland, a legend was born of a dark beast with murderous teeth that sought its prey in the dead of night. The Dolocher.
In this, the first instalment of the Alderman James Mysteries, the Alderman finds himself living through the events that made the Dolocher one of the most remembered happenings in Dublin.
The Black Dog prison was open from 1714-1794 and housed prostitutes, and was more known as a debt prison. When the murderer Olocher is arrested for murdering women and sent there to await his hanging, the whole neighbourhood is shocked when Olocher commits suicide. As many pigs were roaming the streets, the people believed that Olocher's spirit settled in them, thus still roaming the streets. This is only ingrained amongst the inhabitants when night after night, some unknown animal kills first watchmen and then the young girl who was a witness at Olocher's trial.
In this haunting narration of the book The Dolocher, written by European P Douglas, you, as the listener, is transported to Dublin. The plot is laid out as a good mystery should be, and the ending was a surprise. The characters are authentic, and the narrator's accents and performance of the different characters give authenticity to the novel.
In this, the first instalment of the Alderman James Mysteries, the Alderman finds himself living through the events that made the Dolocher one of the most remembered happenings in Dublin.
The Black Dog prison was open from 1714-1794 and housed prostitutes, and was more known as a debt prison. When the murderer Olocher is arrested for murdering women and sent there to await his hanging, the whole neighbourhood is shocked when Olocher commits suicide. As many pigs were roaming the streets, the people believed that Olocher's spirit settled in them, thus still roaming the streets. This is only ingrained amongst the inhabitants when night after night, some unknown animal kills first watchmen and then the young girl who was a witness at Olocher's trial.
In this haunting narration of the book The Dolocher, written by European P Douglas, you, as the listener, is transported to Dublin. The plot is laid out as a good mystery should be, and the ending was a surprise. The characters are authentic, and the narrator's accents and performance of the different characters give authenticity to the novel.
I won this from a goodreads giveaway =).
I loved how straightforward this novel was, the plot was fairly linear and there wasn't a lot of filler which made it easy to get through without being bored.
I totally didn't guess who the culprit was right up until just before it was announced which is always a large bonus for any mystery story.
Would recommend for a quick Halloween read.
I loved how straightforward this novel was, the plot was fairly linear and there wasn't a lot of filler which made it easy to get through without being bored.
I totally didn't guess who the culprit was right up until just before it was announced which is always a large bonus for any mystery story.
Would recommend for a quick Halloween read.
1788 Dublin and Thomas Olocher, murderer, has been caught but commits suicuide before being hanged. But then Dublin starts being terroised by a beast - the Dolocher, is this the ghost of Olocher?
Alderman James takes it upon himself to catch the beast.
A well-written interesting read.
Alderman James takes it upon himself to catch the beast.
A well-written interesting read.
I really liked this book and enjoyed the mystery and the complex, complicated interactions between the different characters.
Strangely enough, even as this is part of a series called 'Alderman James Mystery', and he does, indeed, investigates the horrendous crimes that are unsettling Dublin, the main character in this story, at least OMHO, was the blacksmith Timothy Mullins.
He is a great character, a brave, conflicted man who is driven to hunt the Dolocher first for a need for revenge and later, for love. In my eyes, he is the real hero in the story.
The depiction of 18th century's Dublin, the poverty and hopeless of the inhabitants of the 'The Liberties' is really well done. And I always give extra points to any story that has me googling facts, and this one certainly did; the real historical background of this novel made it even better for me.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Jack McArthur's narration was perfect for this story.
Strangely enough, even as this is part of a series called 'Alderman James Mystery', and he does, indeed, investigates the horrendous crimes that are unsettling Dublin, the main character in this story, at least OMHO, was the blacksmith Timothy Mullins.
He is a great character, a brave, conflicted man who is driven to hunt the Dolocher first for a need for revenge and later, for love. In my eyes, he is the real hero in the story.
The depiction of 18th century's Dublin, the poverty and hopeless of the inhabitants of the 'The Liberties' is really well done. And I always give extra points to any story that has me googling facts, and this one certainly did; the real historical background of this novel made it even better for me.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Jack McArthur's narration was perfect for this story.
Couldn't power through it. Every sentence on one page has tons of she or he so I just tuned out.