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madtattler's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
heather_g's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty decent who-done-it with a good twist at the end. Someone hooks a mannequin from a lake which leads to crazy mystery involving an author, an affair, some police politics and a rogue detective.
appalonia's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit feeling a little let down with this book. I have fond memories of the first book, “The Calling”, thinking it was the start of a great series with a unique and interesting protagonist. This book however, felt like more of the same stuff we’ve already read.
The good:
* Hazel recovering from back surgery at her ex-husband’s house and his new wife. Talk about uncomfortable positions for all! I liked that the author explored each person’s feelings and attitudes about the arrangement.
* We also learn more about the history of DC Wingate. One of the bright spots in the books, I like his character and want to know more. He’s an interesting supporting character and needs a bit more attention in my opinion.
The bad:
* Unfortunately the mystery itself was not very well plotted. It had a preposterous premise and went on for far too long.
* The city police were unbelievable in their responses to Hazel. The fact that they would try to impede the investigation while a person’s life was at serious risk came off as implausible.
* I also must mention the writing itself. Supposedly Inger Ash Wolfe is a pen name for a known literary author. The prose in the book, while functional, was not up to the standard I would expect from a literary author. I know several other crime fiction authors whose writing I would rate above Wolfe’s.
I enjoy the characters enough that I will read the next book, but will hope for better plotting next time.
The good:
* Hazel recovering from back surgery at her ex-husband’s house and his new wife. Talk about uncomfortable positions for all! I liked that the author explored each person’s feelings and attitudes about the arrangement.
* We also learn more about the history of DC Wingate. One of the bright spots in the books, I like his character and want to know more. He’s an interesting supporting character and needs a bit more attention in my opinion.
The bad:
* Unfortunately the mystery itself was not very well plotted. It had a preposterous premise and went on for far too long.
* The city police were unbelievable in their responses to Hazel. The fact that they would try to impede the investigation while a person’s life was at serious risk came off as implausible.
* I also must mention the writing itself. Supposedly Inger Ash Wolfe is a pen name for a known literary author. The prose in the book, while functional, was not up to the standard I would expect from a literary author. I know several other crime fiction authors whose writing I would rate above Wolfe’s.
I enjoy the characters enough that I will read the next book, but will hope for better plotting next time.
jillianm's review
5.0
Great follow up to The Calling. Intense story and just gross enough. The characters and relationships are well written and complex.
mirk's review
3.0
Not bad. I think, in the end, I liked this one somewhat better than The Calling, simply because I the ending was stronger. My one issue is a spoiler, so I won't bring it up, but I think the author has a tendency to go for easy plot devices. I really like Hazel, and the various supporting characters, but I would have liked more Wingate.
flogigyahoo's review
4.0
The 2nd book, The Taken, in Inger Ash Wolfe's Detective Hazel Micallef series is as good as her first, The Calling. We get a rogue cop, a wife betrayed, a girl who cannot take unrequited love, a missing husband and creepy, chilling videos broadcast anonymously to Hazel and her staff.. The character who most intrigues me is Hazel Micallef, recuperating from a spinal operation in the home of her ex-husband Andrew, whom she still loves despite his betrayal, and his wife, Glynnis, whom she is jealous of. She fights her addiction to painkillers, as well as with her mother and daughter, but has a wonderful sense of humor. Solving the mystery involves the Toronto police, her deputy Wingate, a scary helicopter ride and following various other clues. A good mystery that which begins with spooky online videos and is hard to put down.
raesofsun's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second mystery featuring DI Hazel Micallef. She is recovering from back surgery, living temporarily in the home of her ex-husband Andrew and his new wife Glynnis. She's not sure that she's ready to go back to work, but a new case decides the matter for her.
A body is reported tangled below the surface of a nearby lake. The incident matches that of a new short story being serialized in the local paper.
When divers locate the body, it is not what Hazel and her team expected, but it leads them to a strange web-based video that causes them to be very worried indeed. Even though Hazel feels she is being manipulated, she cannot keep from continuing the investigation. But who else might she be endangering.
The case leads her out of her region and down into Toronto, and as she pushes the limits of her job, she may be jeopardizing that as well.
Lots going on, and an interesting plot line keeps the reader enthralled.
A body is reported tangled below the surface of a nearby lake. The incident matches that of a new short story being serialized in the local paper.
When divers locate the body, it is not what Hazel and her team expected, but it leads them to a strange web-based video that causes them to be very worried indeed. Even though Hazel feels she is being manipulated, she cannot keep from continuing the investigation. But who else might she be endangering.
The case leads her out of her region and down into Toronto, and as she pushes the limits of her job, she may be jeopardizing that as well.
Lots going on, and an interesting plot line keeps the reader enthralled.
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