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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Who would have thought that the dublin murder squad novel with the protagonist I hated the most would be one of my favorite books of the series lol
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
fast-paced
A little too much
Murder mysteries are my favorite. This one earned high marks until about 1/2 way through. Then the Author started dropping foreshadowing bombs "this is the moment I would remember for years afterwards as the turning point toward my failure." AAAAGGGG! Quit it! I despise these heavy handed emotional jabs.
Also, the ending felt cheap. Somehow, despite all contrary evidence and testimony, the detectives pinned the REAL killer (all clues pointed elsewhere). It was cheap. Also, the reasoning behind the killing was absolutely abhorrent, and not at all empathy inducing. Ridiculous.
Murder mysteries are my favorite. This one earned high marks until about 1/2 way through. Then the Author started dropping foreshadowing bombs "this is the moment I would remember for years afterwards as the turning point toward my failure." AAAAGGGG! Quit it! I despise these heavy handed emotional jabs.
Also, the ending felt cheap. Somehow, despite all contrary evidence and testimony, the detectives pinned the REAL killer (all clues pointed elsewhere). It was cheap. Also, the reasoning behind the killing was absolutely abhorrent, and not at all empathy inducing. Ridiculous.
I don't usually give a mystery five stars, but this was one of the best I have read in a long time. This was the most procedural of French's novels and I enjoyed that. I was completely surprised by the twist at the end and that says a lot for French.
I love how Ms. French didn’t use the same characters in each book of the series, but brings someone from a previous book to be the main character in a later one. Unique and refreshing! It’s Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy’s turn to be in the lead this time, on a case that takes him back to the place where the biggest tragedy of his life happened when he was a child.
Great story, lots of suspense, and some deep insight into mental illness. Best book yet, IMO.
Great story, lots of suspense, and some deep insight into mental illness. Best book yet, IMO.
It wasn’t poorly written or anything it was just incredibly depressing
Wasn't QUITE as taken with this one as her first 3, and preferred our old primary character, but still really enjoyed it. Definitely worth a read.
Typical Tana French in that once I started, I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait to see how it all came together. But it's the first time I felt I could see where it was going so I wasn't that shocked. Also, I really wasn't feeling the main detective, Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy. A bit TOO cocky. His personal story, rather than add to the main mystery, made me dislike him. The same with his partner - I GOT it, but that's not what being a good detective is about.
Still, Tana French writes smart, engaging crime novels without all the ditzy women and cheap sex. I hope she continues to do so.
Still, Tana French writes smart, engaging crime novels without all the ditzy women and cheap sex. I hope she continues to do so.
This is the best book I've read in years. I keep thinking about it. I couldn't put it down for the last 150 pages. If I didn't have so much else I wanted to read, I think I'd begin rereading it right now. To me, it should go without saying that there is every reason to read everything that Tana French writes. This fourth book is her best so far. I'm just heaping empty praises on top of each other. The mystery was surprising and disturbing. I always get attached to French's main characters, and then I get sad because I know that character won't be the focus of the next book. There is always someone new to get to know. How long till her next book?I