fionadinw's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
han_cat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
saraheholtom's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anetq's review against another edition
4.0
Things start off dramatically with a car chase ending up in an open grave, and between the funerals there are PI cases to attend to, while the ex/father is making trouble from behind bars.
It's an excellent new chapter in the series - the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars, is that it feels like a second book in a trilogy, and I like endings: But the end here just leads to the next book... WHICH ISN'T OUT YET (or even written?!)
It's an excellent new chapter in the series - the reason I'm not giving it 5 stars, is that it feels like a second book in a trilogy, and I like endings: But the end here just leads to the next book... WHICH ISN'T OUT YET (or even written?!)
drelaine's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent sequel. So many 'well, I didn't see that coming moments!'
melaniesreads's review against another edition
4.0
The Skelf women are back woo hoo! Nothing makes me happier than strong women in books. However, as strong as they are, their lives are messier than a toddler let loose with paint.
This is book two and carries on six months later from A Dark Matter. It can be read as a stand alone, as the author cleverly explains for those who haven’t read it, but do yourself a favour and start at the beginning as the first book really introduces the family and goes into more detail with their background and relationships. This also gives spoilers for the first book too.
Everything I loved about the first book is back with a vengeance and the characters are dealing with more than ever. Three generations of Skelf Women, Dorothy the matriarch , Jenny and granddaughter Hannah who is struggling with her father being in prison for killing one of her friends after getting her pregnant.
There are multiple plots running through the book as all the women have different strands weaving through. One of Dorothy’s drumming students is missing, Jenny is working for the agency to try and find the identity of a homeless man and Hannah is not only dealing with the aftermath of her father but has also started a friendship with a professor that is not as it seems.
I personally thought this was darker than book one and didn’t have as much humour but that is in no way a criticism. There’s a time and a place people. The characters who I loved before are really evolving and taking shape and like all friends the more time you spend with them the more you discover. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.
This is dark, gritty and grabs you by the short and curlies. It boldly covers homelessness in Edinburgh with tact and understanding and the author’s love of the city despite its flaws is obvious on every page.
This is book two and carries on six months later from A Dark Matter. It can be read as a stand alone, as the author cleverly explains for those who haven’t read it, but do yourself a favour and start at the beginning as the first book really introduces the family and goes into more detail with their background and relationships. This also gives spoilers for the first book too.
Everything I loved about the first book is back with a vengeance and the characters are dealing with more than ever. Three generations of Skelf Women, Dorothy the matriarch , Jenny and granddaughter Hannah who is struggling with her father being in prison for killing one of her friends after getting her pregnant.
There are multiple plots running through the book as all the women have different strands weaving through. One of Dorothy’s drumming students is missing, Jenny is working for the agency to try and find the identity of a homeless man and Hannah is not only dealing with the aftermath of her father but has also started a friendship with a professor that is not as it seems.
I personally thought this was darker than book one and didn’t have as much humour but that is in no way a criticism. There’s a time and a place people. The characters who I loved before are really evolving and taking shape and like all friends the more time you spend with them the more you discover. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.
This is dark, gritty and grabs you by the short and curlies. It boldly covers homelessness in Edinburgh with tact and understanding and the author’s love of the city despite its flaws is obvious on every page.
mcastello13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
A great addition to a great series. Johnstone is a wonderful writer, and I love so much of what he’s doing with these books. That said, I’m not 100% in love with how he writes women and I also think the books can get a bit too repetitive at times. Still, I will definitely keep going with the Skelfs - but maybe not until after the gloom of winter fades away.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
Having read and loved Dark Matter which is the first book featuring The Skelfs, I would strongly recommend reading that one before embarking on this one. More for the background than anything else, although the author does cover the basics of what you need to know.
Dorothy was the main character that stood out to me in this story. For all that she has been through, she goes above and beyond in her care and concern for others. She is definitely the matriarch of the family and someone to be looked up to and respected. The threads to do with her and her investigation, made for some melancholy reading at times.
The story as with the previous novel, alternates between the three generations of women. Due to this there are a few different threads within the story that run alongside each other. There is definitely plenty going on to hold the readers attention and I particularly enjoyed the growing relationship between Dorothy and a certain policeman. I think this is what draws me to the author’s books more than anything else is his characters. The way he writes them, they come to life in your head. Some definitely worm their way into your heart.
The Big Chill is a dark and enthralling read that kept me on edge. I could never fully relax as throughout I seemed to be waiting with baited breath for what these women were going to come up against next. Am sure I said this in my review for the previous novel but this is crying out to be made into a television series. It’s crime but with a unique take and I am still loving that it’s base is a funeral home. That gives me chills in itself!
My thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me to be on the blog tour and to Orenda Books for a readers copy of the book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Dorothy was the main character that stood out to me in this story. For all that she has been through, she goes above and beyond in her care and concern for others. She is definitely the matriarch of the family and someone to be looked up to and respected. The threads to do with her and her investigation, made for some melancholy reading at times.
The story as with the previous novel, alternates between the three generations of women. Due to this there are a few different threads within the story that run alongside each other. There is definitely plenty going on to hold the readers attention and I particularly enjoyed the growing relationship between Dorothy and a certain policeman. I think this is what draws me to the author’s books more than anything else is his characters. The way he writes them, they come to life in your head. Some definitely worm their way into your heart.
The Big Chill is a dark and enthralling read that kept me on edge. I could never fully relax as throughout I seemed to be waiting with baited breath for what these women were going to come up against next. Am sure I said this in my review for the previous novel but this is crying out to be made into a television series. It’s crime but with a unique take and I am still loving that it’s base is a funeral home. That gives me chills in itself!
My thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me to be on the blog tour and to Orenda Books for a readers copy of the book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
ecb_15's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kellym_16829's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A worthy follow up