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A review by flok
The Distant Echo by Val McDermid
4.0
Solid 9/10
An excellent mystery in itself, and an interesting study into the effects of false accusations.
I thought the first part was a tad slow, pace picked up in the second part, but as everything was getting wrapped up I got the sense that nothing had actually been superfluous.
A great idea to have this group of 4 lads stumble upon a body and find themselves at the centre of suspicion as we explore the immediate effects on their friendship and characters.
I was a tad disappointed at who the first character to die 25 years later was - one of the most likable in part 1 - but this twist allowed the author to explore the other relationships some more.
Not a major fan of some of the supporting cast - maybe a few lazy characterizations in part 2, but not a major issue as that was more than offset by the main 4 characters and some of the police.
There are enough small clues that the real culprit shouldn't come as a surprise at the very least, but a good number of red herrings too. But no lack of suspense as we're left wondering if anyone could get arrested/charged for a murder they didn't commit, and part 2 is a bit of a thriller as we wonder which of the 4 could be targeted next, whether they will manage to clear their names and more.
I was absolutely gripped by the end of part 1, and read part 2 in one sitting, not something that happens very often these days! Great novel.
An excellent mystery in itself, and an interesting study into the effects of false accusations.
I thought the first part was a tad slow, pace picked up in the second part, but as everything was getting wrapped up I got the sense that nothing had actually been superfluous.
A great idea to have this group of 4 lads stumble upon a body and find themselves at the centre of suspicion as we explore the immediate effects on their friendship and characters.
I was a tad disappointed at who the first character to die 25 years later was - one of the most likable in part 1 - but this twist allowed the author to explore the other relationships some more.
Not a major fan of some of the supporting cast - maybe a few lazy characterizations in part 2, but not a major issue as that was more than offset by the main 4 characters and some of the police.
There are enough small clues that the real culprit shouldn't come as a surprise at the very least, but a good number of red herrings too. But no lack of suspense as we're left wondering if anyone could get arrested/charged for a murder they didn't commit, and part 2 is a bit of a thriller as we wonder which of the 4 could be targeted next, whether they will manage to clear their names and more.
I was absolutely gripped by the end of part 1, and read part 2 in one sitting, not something that happens very often these days! Great novel.