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rowingrabbit 's review for:
The Chain
by Adrian McKinty
Darn it. I really wanted to read this, swoon & write a glowing review. Alas, it’s not to be. I assumed it would be a sure thing as I’m a HUGE fan of the author’s other books. His Sean Duffy books remain one of my favourite all time series. And maybe that’s the problem.
If i’d received this book with an anonymous cover & been asked to guess the author, McKinty’s name would never have crossed my mind. This is a complete departure from anything else he’s written. The style of writing is so different & his signature wit is completely absent. The plot is original & horrifyingly creepy but it’s one of those books you really need to suspend your disbelief to enjoy & I think I lack the imagination to just shut down my logical side & go along for the ride. In this particular genre, I have to believe the characters are capable of their roles.
But it’s a layered work & if you’re a philosophy buff, it can be enjoyed on another level. The author clearly draws from his own scholarly background. There are references to some of the great thinkers & their theories are reflected in the main character of Rachel who is slowly redefined by her actions.
I recently read an interview McKinty gave to The Guardian. I was shocked to learn he & his family had been evicted from their home & he was driving for Uber to make ends meet. Just goes to show how tough the industry is when best selling authors are unable to make a living. So he’s headed off in a new direction & who can blame the guy?
You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned any details about the story. There’s no need. The characters are all fresh & the blurb tells you everything you need to know. So while it didn’t work for me, it’s probably just a combination of my preconceptions & simple reader/book mismatch. It’s hugely popular & there are many 5 star reviews out there so give those a look & take this one with a grain of salt. McKinty is a gifted story teller & I sincerely hope this is a screaming success so he can get back to writing full time.
If i’d received this book with an anonymous cover & been asked to guess the author, McKinty’s name would never have crossed my mind. This is a complete departure from anything else he’s written. The style of writing is so different & his signature wit is completely absent. The plot is original & horrifyingly creepy but it’s one of those books you really need to suspend your disbelief to enjoy & I think I lack the imagination to just shut down my logical side & go along for the ride. In this particular genre, I have to believe the characters are capable of their roles.
But it’s a layered work & if you’re a philosophy buff, it can be enjoyed on another level. The author clearly draws from his own scholarly background. There are references to some of the great thinkers & their theories are reflected in the main character of Rachel who is slowly redefined by her actions.
I recently read an interview McKinty gave to The Guardian. I was shocked to learn he & his family had been evicted from their home & he was driving for Uber to make ends meet. Just goes to show how tough the industry is when best selling authors are unable to make a living. So he’s headed off in a new direction & who can blame the guy?
You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned any details about the story. There’s no need. The characters are all fresh & the blurb tells you everything you need to know. So while it didn’t work for me, it’s probably just a combination of my preconceptions & simple reader/book mismatch. It’s hugely popular & there are many 5 star reviews out there so give those a look & take this one with a grain of salt. McKinty is a gifted story teller & I sincerely hope this is a screaming success so he can get back to writing full time.