Reviews

Private Detective Arrowood and his assistant Barnett are hired by the Barclays to find out why their mentally-challenged daughter (who is married to a pig farmer) hasn't contacted them since her wedding. The detectives soon find out that things aren't what they seem to be at the farm and then another person goes missing.

It was pretty hard to care about the story since nearly every character is unlikable, especially the protagonists. Barnett pities himself for his poverty-ridden childhood and losing his wife to a fever. I get that stuff like this can be traumatizing, but I couldn't bring myself to care because of his constant whining and self pity.
Arrowood is even worse with his persistent nagging about Sherlock Holmes and how he himself is a much more competent detective, which, after reading this book, I can confirm he isn't. Plus, he pulls a dick move on a poor doggo for his own benefit, which was highly frustrating. Maybe these character "flaws" were added to make them more human or something, but it's just annoying.

I guess the mystery itself is pretty solid, though the ending was dragged out waaaay too long and the story lost all its momentum.
All in all, I think this book was better than The Cuckoo's Calling (at least the culprit didn't monologue in this one

alisha_ke13's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

czytatnik's review against another edition

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3.0

Detektyw Arrowood wraz ze swoim pomocnikiem, Normanem, nadal zajmują się mniej intratnymi i z pewnością niezbyt głośnymi sprawami detektywistycznymi. Ich największy konkurent jest jednocześnie ulubieńcem całego Londynu. Jednak to właśnie ta para prywatnych detektywów dostaje wydawałoby się dość łatwe, a przy tym dobrze płatne zlecenie umożliwienia zrozpaczonym rodzicom kontaktu z córką. Państwo Barclay bowiem nie widzieli swojej jedynaczki od dnia jej ślubu, a nowa rodzina dziewczyny uparcie twierdzi, że ta wcale nie chce wracać pod skrzydła swoich rodzicieli. Pozornie prosta sprawa komplikuje się coraz bardziej im więcej informacji odkrywa Arrowood wraz ze swoim pomocnikiem. Wszechobecne zło i niesprawiedliwość pokazują im swoje najmroczniejsze oblicze. A to dopiero początek tej opowieści.

Całość recenzji pod adresem: http://zapach-ksiazek.pl/mick-finlay-gleboki-grob-w-walce-z-niesprawiedliwoscia/

georgemay's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.5

Content Warnings

audrey042's review against another edition

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Avec en toile de fond, le traitement abject des personnes souffrant de troubles mentaux et/ou intellectuels en cette fin d’époque victorienne, Mick Finlay nous offre de nouveau une enquête prenante, immersive et diablement bien menée dans une Angleterre loin d’être exemplaire dans le fonctionnement de ses institutions et dans la morale de ses citoyens. L’affaire Birdie Barclay est donc un honnête deuxième tome qui souffre néanmoins de l’antipathie, plus ou moins exacerbée, que l’un de ses protagonistes ne manquera pas de provoquer chez le lecteur. Un point qui ne m’a pas permis d’apprécier autant ce tome que le premier, mais qui ne gênera pas tout le monde, question de sensibilité…

Chronique complète sur le blog : https://lightandsmell.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/laffaire-birdie-barclay-une-enquete-darrowood-mick-finlay/

renate_djvw's review

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

sasantal's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I liked the contrast between the two main characters, but I do wish Barnett's past was explored more (though I assume that's in later/previous books) as it was just mentioned and not delved into.

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