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lisaeirene's review
3.0
I liked this book a lot but I felt like the premise/ending was too far-fetched.
amybouwer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
tilltab's review against another edition
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? No
3.0
lazygal's review
3.0
I was vaguely disappointed in this, probably because the jacket led me to believe that this would be a Harvest Home type "mystery". It isn't. That's not to say there isn't a creep factor, but it's more a thriller than weird.
Tora has moved to the Shetland Islands, birthplace of her husband Duncan (not related to the King, but still... ). She's an ob consultant surgeon, and rides horses. He's, well, something in business. They're trying to have a child. One rainy day she discovers a body buried in the peat on their property - curious, she starts to help with the investigation and slowly uncovers (with much risk to personal health and safety) a conspiracy that includes her husband, her boss, the local police and others.
This conspiracy has its roots in local legends about switched babies and Trows (aka trolls), but the reality is much more gruesome: the kidnapping, impregnating and murder of women to continue the race of Trows (who aren't trolls, just a group of men who think they're somehow very special and blessed in a way that ordinary mortals are not). There's also a subplot about late-term abortions and selling the "terminated" babies (since the later the abortion is, the more likely it is that the child could survive outside the womb, the same as any premie).
While the questions about late-term abortions are interesting, I wanted more creep, more olde folke tale stuff than this book provided. Serves me right for believing the jacket copy.
Tora has moved to the Shetland Islands, birthplace of her husband Duncan (not related to the King, but still... ). She's an ob consultant surgeon, and rides horses. He's, well, something in business. They're trying to have a child. One rainy day she discovers a body buried in the peat on their property - curious, she starts to help with the investigation and slowly uncovers (with much risk to personal health and safety) a conspiracy that includes her husband, her boss, the local police and others.
This conspiracy has its roots in local legends about switched babies and Trows (aka trolls), but the reality is much more gruesome: the kidnapping, impregnating and murder of women to continue the race of Trows (who aren't trolls, just a group of men who think they're somehow very special and blessed in a way that ordinary mortals are not). There's also a subplot about late-term abortions and selling the "terminated" babies (since the later the abortion is, the more likely it is that the child could survive outside the womb, the same as any premie).
While the questions about late-term abortions are interesting, I wanted more creep, more olde folke tale stuff than this book provided. Serves me right for believing the jacket copy.
biteintobooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Arjen for reading this book together with me! It was a rollercoaster ride and I always felt excited to pick up this book and I was also able to read it fairly quick! It's a good mystery, thriller but at times it's also very graphical. I think this is a fun standalone to read if you're looking for something fast and exciting to read!
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
A really thrilling, exciting and great mystery book with an amazing main character.
The whole setting on the Shetland Islands was amazing and added a lot to the overall feeling in this book. I think that this was Sharon Bolton's debut and I think she did friggin' good!
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
A really thrilling, exciting and great mystery book with an amazing main character.
The whole setting on the Shetland Islands was amazing and added a lot to the overall feeling in this book. I think that this was Sharon Bolton's debut and I think she did friggin' good!
ikepauh's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Learn something new every read, it seems. The Trows of the Shetland islands or Kunal Trows add to more horrifying myths and folktales, I never thought I'd read about. Thankful for the book veering into the myth via the supernatural elements, I am.
Tora (Thora) was likable enough. I have my gripes about Sacrifice of course..the waffling of is he good? Is he bad ? (leaves you in suspense!) The relationship between Tora and Duncan. The many, many words dedicated to Kenn's looks and how it lit a flame in Tora and then well, fizzled into nothing (why bother la?) I do not have time to write the specifics though, despite being under a movement control order during this trying time
Learn something new every read, it seems. The Trows of the Shetland islands or Kunal Trows add to more horrifying myths and folktales, I never thought I'd read about. Thankful for the book veering into the myth via the supernatural elements, I am.
Tora (Thora) was likable enough. I have my gripes about Sacrifice of course..the waffling of is he good? Is he bad ? (leaves you in suspense!) The relationship between Tora and Duncan. The many, many words dedicated to Kenn's looks and how it lit a flame in Tora and then well, fizzled into nothing (why bother la?) I do not have time to write the specifics though, despite being under a movement control order during this trying time
obsessedmuch's review
4.0
DID I READ THIS RIGHT? I loved the book couldn’t put it down but the ending?? SHE STAYS AND IS PLANNING ON HAVING A FAMILY WITH A GUY WHO FOR YEARS KNEW HIS FATHER AND OTHER PEOPLE BRED AND KILLED WOMEN??? And she just forgives him? Like that? What the actual fuck?
And not to mention her boss who goes from sexual-abuse-at-work to total sweetheart?
Loved the concept, even if it was a bit outrageous but this ending completely threw me off and I couldn’t give it 5 stars.
And not to mention her boss who goes from sexual-abuse-at-work to total sweetheart?
Loved the concept, even if it was a bit outrageous but this ending completely threw me off and I couldn’t give it 5 stars.
hookerkitty's review
5.0
I picked this up when I was in Australia and it's now one of my favorite books. Love to keep reading it. I have a hard time putting it down! I happen to like the cover that I have more, that's what first caught my eye. Definitely recommend this book to others.