Reviews

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, and it was also enjoyable reading a book set in 90s London.
Also interesting was the take on arts, especially African arts that were booted during colonialism.

However, what dampened this one for me is how the author writes about women. It just reminded me that even some of the most brilliant male writers out there never know how to craft a female character well, without sexualising them — and they always have this obsession with boobs and thighs 🤮

None of the female characters in this book, even when they are brilliant, strong or successful, escaped sexualisation. Not one single scene featuring any of these female characters didn’t have a reference to their physical appearance. That was disappointing.

tania_rj's review

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4.0

A proper page turner. A brilliant cast of characters. It was very cinematic to me, each character was cast in my head, the scenes were clear in my mind, and As a visual reader I love a book which can come alive so easily in my mind.

Lots of important meditations on race, class, history, morality - identity is at the heart of this book. It didn’t get my shelterbox vote but I’m glad it won as as always, I wouldn’t usually have gone for this.

azalea128's review

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I am not a huge Thriller reader so was great to read. Lots of things I was not expecting. I was fascinated about how art was explored along with identity in this work and how we have different prejudice. I sadly did not connect to the characters which us always what aids my enjoyment. But recommend to people who love a Thriller and the themes above.

flophillips31's review against another edition

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adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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