booksandbacteria's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
jaee_s's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
thelaurasaurus's review against another edition
4.0
Set in Malta during WWII, this book covers the British occupation (if that's the correct word, I think Malta was part of the Commonwealth then) and the Maltese reaction to it. Although, it's really more about Max, an army officer who is investigating the murders of some local girls which seem to have been committed by another Brit. Golly.
The level of historical detail included was fascinating, I knew nothing about Malta's part in the war and was interested to learn what an important role it played.
Despite appearing quite readable, I did struggle to get through this book. The chapters are insanely long which makes sitting down to read a little feel like a big commitment. I also found the characters a little stale for my liking. I didn't have any issues with them individually but I felt like I knew the murderer best of all (he got his own chapters, offering an insight into his damaged mind). They were all a bit jolly hockey sticks/stiff upper lip/'insert other wartime British stereotype here' for my liking.
I preferred this book to The Savage Garden, Mills' previous work, which I seem to remember had the same character issues for me. I will certainly read his other books at some point because the good stories and interesting writing outweigh my complaints.
Oh, another thing. On the cover picture there is a fallen column on the bottom left - does anyone else think this looks like a seal? It's very distracting!
The level of historical detail included was fascinating, I knew nothing about Malta's part in the war and was interested to learn what an important role it played.
Despite appearing quite readable, I did struggle to get through this book. The chapters are insanely long which makes sitting down to read a little feel like a big commitment. I also found the characters a little stale for my liking. I didn't have any issues with them individually but I felt like I knew the murderer best of all (he got his own chapters, offering an insight into his damaged mind). They were all a bit jolly hockey sticks/stiff upper lip/'insert other wartime British stereotype here' for my liking.
I preferred this book to The Savage Garden, Mills' previous work, which I seem to remember had the same character issues for me. I will certainly read his other books at some point because the good stories and interesting writing outweigh my complaints.
Oh, another thing. On the cover picture there is a fallen column on the bottom left - does anyone else think this looks like a seal? It's very distracting!
readymadereader's review
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
decembermum's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable read, with a mystery and a twist at the end.
spacegrass's review against another edition
2.0
I rarely leave a book unfinished, but I found this one boring, lumbering and not worth the time.
aga89's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
smaravetz's review against another edition
3.0
Not as enjoyable as the last Mills I read, but still good. A mystery set against well-developed historical fiction. I learned a lot about Malta!
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
A very nice tale of an interestng period of WWII history. Mills is such a visual writer. The reader certainly can picture the people and places.
curtispaulostler's review against another edition
3.0
An entertaining read, especially with the backdrop of WWII. A little convoluted at the end, but enjoyable overall. The lead character was believable - the antagonist, once revealed, not so much so.