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A review by litwithleigh
The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan
4.0
Book outlet read #3. The best one so far!!!!
Full disclosure: I have not read the first book in this series, but for the most part, I didn't find this impacted my ability to understand the overarching storylines. However, I do wonder how much of Dr. Emma's past was touched on in the first book... I'm not sure if it's being rehashed here, or if this is a first glimpse.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3.5/5 | Ending: 4/5
THE PLOT
DS Cormac Reilley is back and on the case of a disfigured girl seemingly killed in a hit and run. To make things more complex, his girlfriend, Dr. Emma Sweeney, was the one who called it in, and the girl was in possession of an ID that belonged to Carline Darcy, granddaughter to a pharmaceutical tycoon.
MY OPINION
WHEW. After b2b 2-star reads, this was a much needed breath of fresh air. I loved the writing so much, I preemptively added the rest of the series to my TBR. It was well-paced with multi-dimensional characters. Just a personal ting—but something about Cormac and Emma's relationship bothered me. I think I need to read book #1 to get a better sense of things, because it seemed very "Captain save a hoe" to me in some ways. Idk. This didn't impact my rating though... just some verbal diarrhea you're welcome.
Anyways. As you can see I gave 3.5/5 for plot. Why?
- I liked the Henderson case. I think this would make a good book on its own. I was disappointed that it had no connected to the "main" case, because it did take up some considerable "space" in the first 30% or so of the book. I'm not sure the purpose? Did this have something to do with book #1?
- The lack of communication between detectives was annoying. I know this was done to draw out the story and create suspense, but this negatively impacted the credibility of these supposedly incredible minds.
- I didn't really understand Murphy's angle, but I think this is a ME problem. Cormac alluded many times to the fact Murphy had set a trap/knew more than he was letting on etc... but we never really got an explanation for his behaviour. Same with Moira. So he lied in an interview to get pertinent info and Moira took that personally and decided to sick IA on him? For what? Was Moira in book #1? What is her purpose other than to make me hate her????
Other than my "gripes" above, I really enjoyed this read and was fully engaged. I'll definitely be picking up the rest of this series. BTW... ANOTHER bum ass husband of a female detective. LAWD!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: wonderfully written, well-paced, unique and distinctive characters, juicy j cases
Cons: Henderson case seemed pointless (although I'd like to read a book all about it), Moria/Murphy behaviour was puzzling...
Book outlet reads
#1 - The Reunion
#2 - One Step Behind
#4 - Possession
Full disclosure: I have not read the first book in this series, but for the most part, I didn't find this impacted my ability to understand the overarching storylines. However, I do wonder how much of Dr. Emma's past was touched on in the first book... I'm not sure if it's being rehashed here, or if this is a first glimpse.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3.5/5 | Ending: 4/5
THE PLOT
DS Cormac Reilley is back and on the case of a disfigured girl seemingly killed in a hit and run. To make things more complex, his girlfriend, Dr. Emma Sweeney, was the one who called it in, and the girl was in possession of an ID that belonged to Carline Darcy, granddaughter to a pharmaceutical tycoon.
MY OPINION
WHEW. After b2b 2-star reads, this was a much needed breath of fresh air. I loved the writing so much, I preemptively added the rest of the series to my TBR. It was well-paced with multi-dimensional characters. Just a personal ting—but something about Cormac and Emma's relationship bothered me. I think I need to read book #1 to get a better sense of things, because it seemed very "Captain save a hoe" to me in some ways. Idk. This didn't impact my rating though... just some verbal diarrhea you're welcome.
Anyways. As you can see I gave 3.5/5 for plot. Why?
- I liked the Henderson case. I think this would make a good book on its own. I was disappointed that it had no connected to the "main" case, because it did take up some considerable "space" in the first 30% or so of the book. I'm not sure the purpose? Did this have something to do with book #1?
- The lack of communication between detectives was annoying. I know this was done to draw out the story and create suspense, but this negatively impacted the credibility of these supposedly incredible minds.
- I didn't really understand Murphy's angle, but I think this is a ME problem. Cormac alluded many times to the fact Murphy had set a trap/knew more than he was letting on etc... but we never really got an explanation for his behaviour. Same with Moira. So he lied in an interview to get pertinent info and Moira took that personally and decided to sick IA on him? For what? Was Moira in book #1? What is her purpose other than to make me hate her????
Other than my "gripes" above, I really enjoyed this read and was fully engaged. I'll definitely be picking up the rest of this series. BTW... ANOTHER bum ass husband of a female detective. LAWD!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: wonderfully written, well-paced, unique and distinctive characters, juicy j cases
Cons: Henderson case seemed pointless (although I'd like to read a book all about it), Moria/Murphy behaviour was puzzling...
Book outlet reads
#1 - The Reunion
#2 - One Step Behind
#4 - Possession