The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
2.0
I don't understand the hype.
On top of being rather slow, and centering around a main character I felt absolutely no sympathy for ā ā the resolution of this story was entirely unsatisfying to me.
The reveal was interesting. That's the only reason this story is getting 2 stars instead of 1. But the fact that
On top of being rather slow, and centering around a main character I felt absolutely no sympathy for ā
Spoiler
she literally thought her dad was a pedophile and murderer, but continued working on a case for which he was the best possible suspect without telling any of her colleagues her compelling evidence out of some twisted personal loyalty her dad hadn't earned, therefore seeming to send them on wild goose chases and watching those supposed friends devastated by the fact they may never know what happenedThe reveal was interesting. That's the only reason this story is getting 2 stars instead of 1. But the fact that
Spoiler
Cat's dad, who was literally involved in a human trafficking/suspected pedophilia ring, didn't get punished?? Didn't so much as get mentioned in the case despite everything he knew and supported and assisted?? Because he was nice to two girls who were also helping traffic babies?? I'm so fucking annoyed.april_golden's review against another edition
4.0
Debut novel, start of a series featuring Cat Kinsella, a young murder detective in London. Very enjoyable read. A police procedural featuring a very conflicted, somewhat unstable main character. The revelations at the end were nothing crazy that the reader couldnāt figure out, but the writing is well done, the characters are interesting and fleshed out, and the dialogue is well written. I will certainly read the follow up.
thebookishgranny's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
3.0
whathilaryreads's review against another edition
3.0
It was alright. I may just read too many of this type of book, but the twist was rather predictable.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING 4.5 STARS
2017; Bonnier Zaffre (NG) 2018; Harper/HarperCollins
I loved this British mystery/police procedural! Sweet Little Lies has been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I am kicking myself for not reading this one earlier. It was such a page turner for me. The mystery, the characters and the overall story was just fantastic. Cat Kinsella is my new favourite police detective. She is Detective Constable, but comes from a family that avoids the police. Her dad is a shady character whom she loves and hates in equal measures. Her siblings and her are not close, and she finds herself barely together. When the victim of her next murder, turns out to be a girl from her old neighbourhood, Cat finds herself not being the honourable cop she thought she was. While this is a great police procedural, we get more of Cat's background and family which I think added to the story. I cannot wait to read the next two books in the series. If you enjoy mysteries, add this one to your list. Frear's writing reminds me a bit like Karin Slaughter's novels.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook/audio from the publisher through Edelweiss and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2017; Bonnier Zaffre (NG) 2018; Harper/HarperCollins
I loved this British mystery/police procedural! Sweet Little Lies has been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I am kicking myself for not reading this one earlier. It was such a page turner for me. The mystery, the characters and the overall story was just fantastic. Cat Kinsella is my new favourite police detective. She is Detective Constable, but comes from a family that avoids the police. Her dad is a shady character whom she loves and hates in equal measures. Her siblings and her are not close, and she finds herself barely together. When the victim of her next murder, turns out to be a girl from her old neighbourhood, Cat finds herself not being the honourable cop she thought she was. While this is a great police procedural, we get more of Cat's background and family which I think added to the story. I cannot wait to read the next two books in the series. If you enjoy mysteries, add this one to your list. Frear's writing reminds me a bit like Karin Slaughter's novels.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook/audio from the publisher through Edelweiss and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
Nice, solid procedural with a sympathetic protagonist.
vheras's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kandicez's review against another edition
5.0
In this magnificent debut novel, we follow a policewoman in London whose personal life collides with her work in a dangerous way. Cat Kinsella is called to the scene of a young woman, found dead near the pub Catās estranged father runs. A woman Cat and her family knew as a teenager when she disappeared without a trace. Cat had long suspected her father knew more about the young womanās disappearance than he admittedā¦ and her latest work assignment will now give her a new opportunity to investigate without guilt.
This book is proof that the police procedural will never go out of style. By blending her procedural with an exploration of family dysfunction and secrets, Frear makes us follow Cat down the rabbit hole of self-exploration and investigation. We are not only looking for āwho dunnitā, but also why Cat is the way she is. And we want to know because we like Cat. I mean I really, really liked her. She has this internal monologue of self-doubt and questioning her worth, but as a reader I thought she was fantastic. Iād like Cat as a friend. The description calls this āthe first in a seriesā and I certainly hope it is because I want to read more.
This book is proof that the police procedural will never go out of style. By blending her procedural with an exploration of family dysfunction and secrets, Frear makes us follow Cat down the rabbit hole of self-exploration and investigation. We are not only looking for āwho dunnitā, but also why Cat is the way she is. And we want to know because we like Cat. I mean I really, really liked her. She has this internal monologue of self-doubt and questioning her worth, but as a reader I thought she was fantastic. Iād like Cat as a friend. The description calls this āthe first in a seriesā and I certainly hope it is because I want to read more.