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kitchenmaid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katecks's review against another edition
5.0
Great realistic characters
This is my second book by Jo Spain that I read this weekend which says it all. Brilliant tale and all the characters are very realistic. Love sensible Tom and his crew
This is my second book by Jo Spain that I read this weekend which says it all. Brilliant tale and all the characters are very realistic. Love sensible Tom and his crew
noveldeelights's review against another edition
4.0
Beneath The Surface is the second instalment in the DI Tom Reynolds series and if I wasn’t a fan of Jo Spain before this one, I sure would be now.
Ryan Finnegan, a high-ranking government official, is found shot to death in Ireland’s most secure building – the seat of Parliament, Leinster House. DI Tom Reynolds and his team are called in to solve Finnegan’s murder but that won’t be easy. With a charity ball across the road and lots of people milling around, the list of potential suspects could quite quickly run into the hundreds. Most of those are involved in politics, obviously, and we all know few of them can be trusted to speak the truth.
Politics, blackmail, backstabbing, lies and deceit. Sounds like an episode of House of Cards. There are a multitude of questions that need answers before DI Reynolds can even begin to make sense of it all. Why was Finnegan in that part of the building? What is the significance of the picture that was found underneath his body? Does his murder have anything to do with a Bill that Parliament needs to vote on soon?
I love the balance Jo Spain achieves in combining the team’s job with their private lives and even manages to throw in some chuckle-worthy moments, often courtesy of Ray. Tom is adjusting to new circumstances at home and the arrival of his grandchild, which causes quite a few problems between his wife and his daughter. Meanwhile, Ray realises he may just see Laura as more than just a colleague. But she has a boyfriend now. Timing is everything.
These personal events allow you to get the characters so much better, while also sometimes bringing some much needed relief from the murder investigation. I couldn’t at all figure out what had happened to Ryan Finnegan and this incredibly clever plot kept me guessing until the end. I must admit some of the political shenanigans confused me somewhat from time to time but that didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. And let’s face it, who isn’t confused by politics these days. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series! So much so, that I have now picked up book 3. I can’t wait to see what DI Reynolds and his team will be investigating next.
Ryan Finnegan, a high-ranking government official, is found shot to death in Ireland’s most secure building – the seat of Parliament, Leinster House. DI Tom Reynolds and his team are called in to solve Finnegan’s murder but that won’t be easy. With a charity ball across the road and lots of people milling around, the list of potential suspects could quite quickly run into the hundreds. Most of those are involved in politics, obviously, and we all know few of them can be trusted to speak the truth.
Politics, blackmail, backstabbing, lies and deceit. Sounds like an episode of House of Cards. There are a multitude of questions that need answers before DI Reynolds can even begin to make sense of it all. Why was Finnegan in that part of the building? What is the significance of the picture that was found underneath his body? Does his murder have anything to do with a Bill that Parliament needs to vote on soon?
I love the balance Jo Spain achieves in combining the team’s job with their private lives and even manages to throw in some chuckle-worthy moments, often courtesy of Ray. Tom is adjusting to new circumstances at home and the arrival of his grandchild, which causes quite a few problems between his wife and his daughter. Meanwhile, Ray realises he may just see Laura as more than just a colleague. But she has a boyfriend now. Timing is everything.
These personal events allow you to get the characters so much better, while also sometimes bringing some much needed relief from the murder investigation. I couldn’t at all figure out what had happened to Ryan Finnegan and this incredibly clever plot kept me guessing until the end. I must admit some of the political shenanigans confused me somewhat from time to time but that didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. And let’s face it, who isn’t confused by politics these days. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series! So much so, that I have now picked up book 3. I can’t wait to see what DI Reynolds and his team will be investigating next.
teaaddicted's review
2.0
Didn't work for me. The first one I liked, but this time I couldn't get a grip of the characters and plot. Had to rewind several times due to not following.
bgg616's review against another edition
3.0
this was my second book I read in the Inspector Tom Reynolds series by Jo Spain. This one was, however, disappointing. It involves the murder of the PA of a top and ambitious Irish politician. The murder occurs in a secure government building which lends to the intrigue. There are possible deals brewing with a large multinational dealing with offshore natural resources.
Political intrigue and murder can be a great combination. However in this novel, the plot development dragged. There were sub-plots that could have added depth, but they were not sufficiently developed. The first in the series I read was # 4, which I liked much more than this one. I will read #1 and #3 as I believe that Jo Spain deserves her popularity.
Political intrigue and murder can be a great combination. However in this novel, the plot development dragged. There were sub-plots that could have added depth, but they were not sufficiently developed. The first in the series I read was # 4, which I liked much more than this one. I will read #1 and #3 as I believe that Jo Spain deserves her popularity.
thegel's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
randywgravitz's review against another edition
4.0
Political Thriller! Riveting!
Jo Spain writes compelling detective crime dramas. I couldn’t figure the murderer prior to the reveal. I enjoyed the exposure to Irish Politics.
Jo Spain writes compelling detective crime dramas. I couldn’t figure the murderer prior to the reveal. I enjoyed the exposure to Irish Politics.
jonathangemmell's review against another edition
4.0
Good premises and plot, although not on the same level as the first novel.
However it is very rare to have a crime book that makes you care about all of the side characters and their relationships. Beneath the surface does this and makes you crave more.
However it is very rare to have a crime book that makes you care about all of the side characters and their relationships. Beneath the surface does this and makes you crave more.
wishknots's review against another edition
2.0
This is my 5th Jo Spain book. Can anyone tell me if she has written a book without a crazy childless woman? None of her female characters are normal, balanced people. They are all feeble, crazy or victims. She’s a good writer but I’m starting to question her view of women.
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
Inspector Tom Reynolds is taking a much needed break with his wife, having left strict instructions with his team that he is not to be disturbed unless the Taoiseach is murdered. Much to Tom's surprise his deputy arrives at midnight one night bearing the shocking news that there has been a murder in Leinster House, one of the most secure buildings in the country. The victim is a high ranking goverment official, the suspects his friends and colleagues in office, including the Taoiseach.
OK first up a few definitions/explanations for those of you who don't hail from the Emerald Isle or its vicinity: the Taoiseach is the Irish Prime Minister, and Leinster House is the Irish parliament building.
This is the second book in the Tom Reynolds series, and the second I have listened to by Jo Spain. Although it is a series the major plot running through the book is entirely separate from the previous one so could be read as a stand alone, all you will miss is some of the character back stories.
One of the things I like about reading a series is that the characters grow and develop over time, and that is exactly what Spain has done with this one. We get to see more of an insight into Tom and his family life in this book, as well as finding out a lot more about some of the other supporting characters. There's a level of detail given to some of these that you can't help but form a connection with them. Hopefully that also means they will be in it for the long haul!
I found the plot of this one quite fascinating. Generally political thrillers don't really appeal to me, because I'm not hugely into politics. This one managed to catch my attention though. There was enough political intrigue going on to ensure that the investigation wasn't straight forward, but not so much that you drown in it. One thing that struck me was that many of the suspects in this book lie to the police, or withold information, because they don't feel it is important. I thought this was quite astute as I feel like a lot of real life politicians behave this way too!
I'm enjoying this series and definitely looking forward to listening to more of them. One thing I will say though is if you are listening to the books make sure you get the versions narrated by Aoife McMahon. I had a different version for this one, narrated by Brian Tynan and found him hard to listen to. If it hadn't been such a good book I would likely have given up part way through.
OK first up a few definitions/explanations for those of you who don't hail from the Emerald Isle or its vicinity: the Taoiseach is the Irish Prime Minister, and Leinster House is the Irish parliament building.
This is the second book in the Tom Reynolds series, and the second I have listened to by Jo Spain. Although it is a series the major plot running through the book is entirely separate from the previous one so could be read as a stand alone, all you will miss is some of the character back stories.
One of the things I like about reading a series is that the characters grow and develop over time, and that is exactly what Spain has done with this one. We get to see more of an insight into Tom and his family life in this book, as well as finding out a lot more about some of the other supporting characters. There's a level of detail given to some of these that you can't help but form a connection with them. Hopefully that also means they will be in it for the long haul!
I found the plot of this one quite fascinating. Generally political thrillers don't really appeal to me, because I'm not hugely into politics. This one managed to catch my attention though. There was enough political intrigue going on to ensure that the investigation wasn't straight forward, but not so much that you drown in it. One thing that struck me was that many of the suspects in this book lie to the police, or withold information, because they don't feel it is important. I thought this was quite astute as I feel like a lot of real life politicians behave this way too!
I'm enjoying this series and definitely looking forward to listening to more of them. One thing I will say though is if you are listening to the books make sure you get the versions narrated by Aoife McMahon. I had a different version for this one, narrated by Brian Tynan and found him hard to listen to. If it hadn't been such a good book I would likely have given up part way through.