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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Well, just like all her other books, this one was great. On the book jacket, one of the review said something like this author writes literature disguised as crime fiction, and I'd have to agree. Just like in her other books in the Dublin Murder Squad series, the most intense action is on the inside of the characters, both the good guys and the bad guys (I won't be more specific here).
Unlike most crime fiction, I found myself thinking about this story and its ending for several days (still thinking, actually).
Unlike most crime fiction, I found myself thinking about this story and its ending for several days (still thinking, actually).
I am a big fan of Tana French's novels. In fact, she and now Gillian Flynn are the only two mystery writers that I've bought lately. I love being in the Dublin that she's created, in the police department where her characters work, slogging through the cases and hoping to find a resolution.
I enjoyed Broken Harbour. Faithful Place is still my favorite, followed by In the Woods. But Broken Harbour is a good detour back into this world, as seen through the eyes of Scorcher Kennedy and his protege Richie. (That's always the big question, right? Which character will we work with this time? How about next?)
The case is a heart-breaker; the personal story is too. And a feeling of exhaustion permeates the narrative. Not exactly a fun summertime read, but I'll always make time for French's work.
I enjoyed Broken Harbour. Faithful Place is still my favorite, followed by In the Woods. But Broken Harbour is a good detour back into this world, as seen through the eyes of Scorcher Kennedy and his protege Richie. (That's always the big question, right? Which character will we work with this time? How about next?)
The case is a heart-breaker; the personal story is too. And a feeling of exhaustion permeates the narrative. Not exactly a fun summertime read, but I'll always make time for French's work.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Detective Mick "Scorcher" Kennedy is thrown a gruesome family murder in a seaside area outside of Dublin that is fraught with bad memories and personal significance for him. He tries to keep his own demons at bay while he works on the case, but with his sister Dina falling apart at the seams and the case at hand requiring he get almost no sleep, he starts to unravel.
I love Tana French. Solid police procedurals with fabulous characters and a fantastic exploration of human psychology. This book has been my favorite of hers since In the Woods, which is still my very favorite.
I love Tana French. Solid police procedurals with fabulous characters and a fantastic exploration of human psychology. This book has been my favorite of hers since In the Woods, which is still my very favorite.
dark
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've been waffling on what to rate this book all day. I started out really enjoying it. Tana French's writing is as exquisite as always. My favorite part of the book was Richie and Kennedy's interactions. They worked well together and Richie seemed to be a good foil to Kennedy. He made him look at things deeper and question them. Sure the plot got weirder and weirder but I was still pretty pleased because I loved their interactions and the slow build of partnership. Then we hit the 80% mark and everything falls to shit. I just don't buy it. The decision Richie made doesn't line up with the rest of his characterization. The plot itself never really came together to me. Kennedy's connection to Broken Harbor felt contrived and his sister was mostly there as an obstacle.
Throw in a stalker and a family that goes crazy because they're poor and it was just a bit of a mess. The killer's motive was ????
Throw in a stalker and a family that goes crazy because they're poor and it was just a bit of a mess. The killer's motive was ????
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The mystery in this one was more gripping than the last one, but I never quite clicked with Kennedy as the detective. I guess that's the downside to a new main character in each book. But I still sped through it and had a hard time putting it down!