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A review by brewtifulfiction
Countdown To A Killing by Tom Vaughan MacAulay
4.0
Original.
The concept of this tale is one that I have never come across before.
Told from an array of points of view and perspectives, this is not your typical tale as it is presented through various correspondence including Whatsapps and emails.
Having never heard of the author before, I had no expectations at all but I was pleasantly surprised at just how good I found it, the premise really worked.
The characters are quirky shall we say. And I really enjoyed the fact that we actually got to know them in quite some detail, their conversations with people revealing personality traits and eccentricities. Not your typical murder suspects.
Chats are very one way, the replies aren't revealed, leaving it up to our imaginations to decide just how the recipients were perceiving them. I found myself feeling sorry for both Wen and Lomax at times, even though I also noted that they appeared quite oblivious to what others might think of their actions etc.
What's more interesting about this book is that we know there is a death to come, at some point in the future. This had me reading quicker as I was eager to find out not only who the killer could be but also just who was going to be killed. However, the more I read, I had the feeling that the death could also be metaphorical as well as reality.
The author certainly has a knack for keeping the tension high.
There are little 'interludes' which break up the correspondences, this was an added feature that I really enjoyed.
Highly mysterious, I found that there were a few key themes throughout, looking at love, sexuality, ethnicity and mental health. And I think it is because of this that I wouldn't necessarily put this book in the category crime or thriller, more literary fiction.
Over all, a good book.
My only criticism is that after such build up, the ending felt rushed. I wanted more resolution from it all.
Definitely a story to keep you guessing.
The concept of this tale is one that I have never come across before.
Told from an array of points of view and perspectives, this is not your typical tale as it is presented through various correspondence including Whatsapps and emails.
Having never heard of the author before, I had no expectations at all but I was pleasantly surprised at just how good I found it, the premise really worked.
The characters are quirky shall we say. And I really enjoyed the fact that we actually got to know them in quite some detail, their conversations with people revealing personality traits and eccentricities. Not your typical murder suspects.
Chats are very one way, the replies aren't revealed, leaving it up to our imaginations to decide just how the recipients were perceiving them. I found myself feeling sorry for both Wen and Lomax at times, even though I also noted that they appeared quite oblivious to what others might think of their actions etc.
What's more interesting about this book is that we know there is a death to come, at some point in the future. This had me reading quicker as I was eager to find out not only who the killer could be but also just who was going to be killed. However, the more I read, I had the feeling that the death could also be metaphorical as well as reality.
The author certainly has a knack for keeping the tension high.
There are little 'interludes' which break up the correspondences, this was an added feature that I really enjoyed.
Highly mysterious, I found that there were a few key themes throughout, looking at love, sexuality, ethnicity and mental health. And I think it is because of this that I wouldn't necessarily put this book in the category crime or thriller, more literary fiction.
Over all, a good book.
My only criticism is that after such build up, the ending felt rushed. I wanted more resolution from it all.
Definitely a story to keep you guessing.