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legohelmet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
celtic67's review against another edition
5.0
I found this a very satisfying read. It is less comedic than previous offerings by Chris. Maybe that is the reason he is now Christopher, wanting us to know he has grown up. Wants to be taken serious? I was at an event where he read from the book. It was interesting that he choose one of the few "Chris Brookmyre" chapters in the book. one of the few comedic chapters in the book. As if he was unsure people would come with him. Don't worry Chris they will and if they don't stuff them? I won't tell you the plot, buy it, you won't be disappointed!
belford4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.75
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
3.0
The 6th Jack Parlabane novel, listened to as part of my audio wander back through the series, this outing is post Jack stuffing everything up. He's lost his career, his marriage and, for once in his life, his mojo. Pulled into the investigation of a missing pop-star by the sister of his oldest (now dead) friend, he sort of finds a bit of the old Jack along the way.
This is possibly my least favourite of the Parlabane books for incredibly unfair reasons. Jack's in trouble, and he's lost a hell of a lot of the devil may care, sod you all attitude as a result, and that kind of felt flat. The book also alternates his story with that of Monica Halcrow, bandmate of the missing music sensation Heike Gunn, she's a violinist not best equipped for the hedonistic world of a phenomena rock band on tour. Having said that, as her story is revealed there's very dark sides to the touring game, which might come as a shock to Monica, but feels like business as usual for Parlabane.
When I say least favourite, it's a bit of a dip down from a series that flies very high normally.
This is possibly my least favourite of the Parlabane books for incredibly unfair reasons. Jack's in trouble, and he's lost a hell of a lot of the devil may care, sod you all attitude as a result, and that kind of felt flat. The book also alternates his story with that of Monica Halcrow, bandmate of the missing music sensation Heike Gunn, she's a violinist not best equipped for the hedonistic world of a phenomena rock band on tour. Having said that, as her story is revealed there's very dark sides to the touring game, which might come as a shock to Monica, but feels like business as usual for Parlabane.
When I say least favourite, it's a bit of a dip down from a series that flies very high normally.
narbeleth's review against another edition
2.0
I hate to be disappointed by one of my favorite author’s books, but well, nothing to be done, I really, really was. With Monica’s narration explaining everything, detective part seemed rather dull and unnecessary and not leading nowhere at all.
Monica’s part of the story had some potential and maybe it would work if she played an impromptu detective looking for Heike. Instead, they discovered just enough for Parlabane’s part to feel redundant and left everything else for a big finale when he still managed to save the day (and the best thing about said finale was that Catherine McLeod was in it).
And mopping Parlabane in the mix didn’t help. Did the opposite, in fact. I expected something rash and reckless and brilliant accompanied by harsh (and funny) commentary, not a long, painful treaty about the evil ex-wife never truly getting his wild nature, especially when Sarah didn’t get anything to say on her own. I’m still counting on this being some sort of rouse before next installment when Parlabane wakes up, takes his head out of his ass, stop mopping and deals with his shit. And starts jabbing at Tories’ government, thank you.
Monica’s part of the story had some potential and maybe it would work if she played an impromptu detective looking for Heike. Instead, they discovered just enough for Parlabane’s part to feel redundant and left everything else for a big finale when he still managed to save the day (and the best thing about said finale was that Catherine McLeod was in it).
And mopping Parlabane in the mix didn’t help. Did the opposite, in fact. I expected something rash and reckless and brilliant accompanied by harsh (and funny) commentary, not a long, painful treaty about the evil ex-wife never truly getting his wild nature, especially when Sarah didn’t get anything to say on her own. I’m still counting on this being some sort of rouse before next installment when Parlabane wakes up, takes his head out of his ass, stop mopping and deals with his shit. And starts jabbing at Tories’ government, thank you.
zoebaillie's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe a 2.5? I read a few Christopher Brookmyre novels when I was a teenager, picked this one at random from library audiobooks selection. It was OK but lacked a lot of the dark humour and grittiness I remember from his earlier stuff. I would have liked to have heard more from the girls at the centre of the mystery, who as is often the case don't get a voice, they just got to be other people's plot devices.
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
In this book 6, several years after book 5 Jack is facing the loss of his career ( after the events of book 5.5) , the end of his marriage, and potential arrest by the police. When the sister of an old friend asks him to find a missing pop star who she manages Jack jumps at the chance to put his investigative skills to work with a hunt that covers dodging villains all over Europe and a Scottish island. A real page turner and with an ending leaving the promise of more from this great character.
spelingexpirt13's review against another edition
5.0
This review not only comes with the normal disclaimer that I was given this book for free by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, it also comes with a secondary disclaimer: by some miracle Netgalley actually allowed me access to a Chris Brookmyre book and he’s my favourite author. Impartiality be damned!
Read the rest of the review at SpEx Reviews
Read the rest of the review at SpEx Reviews