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whatyoutolkienabout's review
5.0
I was introduced to Kirby via their novella Survival Weekend which I adored so I was excited to get a chance to read their thrillers. This is definitely a dark and gritty thriller which has elements of a police procedural including gangs, murder, violence, drugs and more. There is a lot going on and a quite a few characters so I will confess it did take me a little while to start keeping track of who was connected to who but it was worth every minute.
The plot and pacing is amazingly executed despite there being mini plots under the large main one. There are twists, turns and so much happening that it’s a testament to Kirby’s skill of keeping these plots and lines intertwined with each other, interesting and most importantly relevant. Nothing was included to fill out the novel or for no reason and it all connected although it might not always be clear why to begin with.
On top of this it’s incredibly realistic both in detail and characters. The characters are all fleshed out and have their own agenda’s and I adored the idea of the desire to settle a score taking over everything else in some cases. If you can stomach the dark and gritty nature of this one (I personally loved it) you will be in for a treat. It has all the good aspects of a thriller and police procedural with memorable and well developed characters and plot this is one that will keep you guessing and hooked till the end.
The plot and pacing is amazingly executed despite there being mini plots under the large main one. There are twists, turns and so much happening that it’s a testament to Kirby’s skill of keeping these plots and lines intertwined with each other, interesting and most importantly relevant. Nothing was included to fill out the novel or for no reason and it all connected although it might not always be clear why to begin with.
On top of this it’s incredibly realistic both in detail and characters. The characters are all fleshed out and have their own agenda’s and I adored the idea of the desire to settle a score taking over everything else in some cases. If you can stomach the dark and gritty nature of this one (I personally loved it) you will be in for a treat. It has all the good aspects of a thriller and police procedural with memorable and well developed characters and plot this is one that will keep you guessing and hooked till the end.
zooloo1983's review
4.0
This book has so many twists, turns and characters it is a lot to keep up with! I think I might have to re-read the book because with the audiobook I missed out on a few things - a combination of switching off to concentrate on other things and because occasionally I got lost in the book. Where in a book, you have a scene divider, you don't in an audiobook so I did find in some points I was re-rewinding because I couldn't figure out how someone had popped up when we were discussing someone else!
So many things are happening! It's more twisted than spaghetti junction and when the revelations begin, everything definitely spirals out of control for EVERYONE! I am still spinning and I do like how we are left open with the Bartells to come back and visit us one day.
Being local to Rob, it was fab seeing all the local places in the book! I could get a real sense of where they were and try and picture some of it!
It was unreal how everything linked and how things escalated quickly. I didn't get time to catch my breath and I had no idea how it would all cease. I think also, I was expecting more from Nino and Elena at the forefront of the book, but that wasn't the case. So many of the characters came to play and you got a real understanding of how some tick. I was shocked by Duncan!!! And my heart broke with Amy! So many endings are still open, come on get writing!
However, and what I have come to expect with Rob's books is how visceral he can be, especially in the brutality department! It was violent but not gratuitously, it was there for reasons and one or two or maybe three times, my hand flew to my mouth when I was driving - no accidents were caused don't worry but it might need a warning lol.
Thanks for putting me through the wringer again! I can't wait for the next book!
So many things are happening! It's more twisted than spaghetti junction and when the revelations begin, everything definitely spirals out of control for EVERYONE! I am still spinning and I do like how we are left open with the Bartells to come back and visit us one day.
Being local to Rob, it was fab seeing all the local places in the book! I could get a real sense of where they were and try and picture some of it!
It was unreal how everything linked and how things escalated quickly. I didn't get time to catch my breath and I had no idea how it would all cease. I think also, I was expecting more from Nino and Elena at the forefront of the book, but that wasn't the case. So many of the characters came to play and you got a real understanding of how some tick. I was shocked by Duncan!!! And my heart broke with Amy! So many endings are still open, come on get writing!
However, and what I have come to expect with Rob's books is how visceral he can be, especially in the brutality department! It was violent but not gratuitously, it was there for reasons and one or two or maybe three times, my hand flew to my mouth when I was driving - no accidents were caused don't worry but it might need a warning lol.
Thanks for putting me through the wringer again! I can't wait for the next book!
lisam0183_bookworm's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
The Bartells are a family not to be messed with, but like all families they have their secrets and we all know that secrets eventually come out.
I love this genre and was so hoping to give this book 5 stars, but it took a while to get into with the different characters and their stories. However, once they all came together I flew through this.
There were so many twists and turns it was hard to keep up at some points. The revelations that also came out meant nobody was safe.
Can't wait to read the next one.
I love this genre and was so hoping to give this book 5 stars, but it took a while to get into with the different characters and their stories. However, once they all came together I flew through this.
There were so many twists and turns it was hard to keep up at some points. The revelations that also came out meant nobody was safe.
Can't wait to read the next one.
abercrombie1986's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
I’m not sure I should admit to liking to listen to crime novels. A good mystery filled with twists and turns. This fit the bill. It was fast paced and kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
I did have a little trouble getting into the book, which does happen to me occasionally with an audiobook. I usually try and have the print/ebook to go along with an audio for this reason. But once I made in far enough to the story and figured out the characters, I was hooked. Alan Turton does a good job narrating the book and bringing the story to life. I could see it playing out in my head.
It is well written and a little violent, but what else would you expect from a mafia based book?
I am going to have to read his other book. I am intrigued.
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