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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Not my favorite Dublin Murder Squad book, but I still enjoyed it. But I am going to need some time to organize my thoughts into something review-like, because... wow, the characters and situations in the books in this series are messed up.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[3.5 stars]
Although not my favorite book in the series thus far, I was nevertheless wrapped up in the story and the plight of our characters. This book was by far the bleakest story in terms of the atmosphere and the overall tone. Our mystery involves a triple homicide of a family, but like of all Tana French's stories the focus isn't really on the identity of the murder, but rather the impact and consequences the case has on our characters. Her stories don't conclude with happy endings--yes, the murders are always solved, but our characters are always come out the other end somehow worse off than when they begin. The cases force them to face things from their past or deal with something that they can't handle emotionally or psychologically.
The main character from this book was probably my least favorite of Tana French's characters so far. His back story was tragic, but I found that I didn't really relate to or feel for him in the same way that I did for the others. An important part of this book is the sense of loneliness we get from every character and even the setting of the story. I still really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Although not my favorite book in the series thus far, I was nevertheless wrapped up in the story and the plight of our characters. This book was by far the bleakest story in terms of the atmosphere and the overall tone. Our mystery involves a triple homicide of a family, but like of all Tana French's stories the focus isn't really on the identity of the murder, but rather the impact and consequences the case has on our characters. Her stories don't conclude with happy endings--yes, the murders are always solved, but our characters are always come out the other end somehow worse off than when they begin. The cases force them to face things from their past or deal with something that they can't handle emotionally or psychologically.
The main character from this book was probably my least favorite of Tana French's characters so far. His back story was tragic, but I found that I didn't really relate to or feel for him in the same way that I did for the others. An important part of this book is the sense of loneliness we get from every character and even the setting of the story. I still really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the next one in the series.
MBC- had trouble relating to the main detective which tainted the rest of the book. Murderer and motive seemed forced
After devouring the first three books in the Dublin Murder Squad series this one was an unexpected and dire slog. The setting and crime were as mesmerizing as in the preceding books, but I was less keen to spend much time with the main and supporting characters this time around and listening to the main character build his case was excruciating (lots of online message board posts to read through). French's generally lucid prose was also misapplied in a few grating places: it turns out even she should avoid trying to describe the mesmerizing qualities of a screen saver. Anyway, will dutifully read the next installment. Here's hoping it's a return to her previous heights.
My second-favorite of the Dublin Murder Squad novels (after The Likeness). Our lead detective here is Mackey's nemesis Scorcher, and his relationships with his mother and sister are brought into focus by the case. I was absolutely obsessed with the question of whether there was ever anything going on with attic or if it was all in the father's head.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes