A review by r_bookish_rambles
Heartless Crimes by Michael Hambling

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.0

 

This was a fantastic no-nonsense thriller with unique characters and decent plot twists!

Though this book is to be read as part of a series I had no issues with it being my first introduction. Of course, there is some background missed but it didn’t feel like a definitive part was missing for me as the reader. If anything, it made me interested in picking up the series and read it from the start!

This was a good example of a classic police thriller, and I really enjoyed it. There wasn’t an obscene plot twist or supernatural elements, just good detective work and strong world building. I really appreciated how the process was constantly discussed instead of the reader having to imagine all the steps and having only the outcome be detailed to the reader.

There was no lack of character depth and emotion which I was grateful for. I imagine that if I had read the other books in the series, I would have seen more growth, but even within the single book I was impressed at what I saw! I was able to surmise the overall team dynamic which also added to the realistic vibe of the story, once of which that has already been capsulated by both the plot and the characters themselves.