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nonna7's review against another edition
4.0
The latest Stuart Neville book continues the story of Jack Lennon, a cop who is prone to temptation, but whose heart is in the right place. He is fighting a losing fight against corruption. Jack has given up fighting for his job, now all he wants is to get a medical pension. Even that may be denied to him because he shot a fellow police officer who was trying to kill him. The gunfight took place while Jack was trying to get a woman who had come to Belfast thinking she was going to be a nanny. Instead she was forced into prostitution. Jack gets her on the plane but not before being shot. It's a year later. He's addicted to pain pills that he gets illegally, he drinks too much and his relationship with Susan is more and more tenuous. The only thing that keeps him going is his daughter, Ellen. However, her deceased mother's family continues to try to get her away from him. The book opens with Rea Carlisle, 35 year old unemployed woman whose father is a well known local politician. When her uncle, Raymond, her mother's half brother, dies, Rea's parents offer the house to her. Rea is thrilled. She's been sharing a flat with several other women. She and her mother clean out the house, but there's one room that is tightly closed. When she finally gets it open, she is horrified at what she sees there: a book that outlines a series of unsolved murders including hair and a fingernail of one of the victims. I discovered Stuart Neville with his first book, The Ghosts of Belfast. It's still one of my favorites. His books center on the Belfast after "the Troubles" and how members of the militias that caused so much pain in that country have now burrowed into positions of power. Neville writes with a clean, taut style that carries the reader through to the end. Oh, and the reason for two images: The one with the figure in the window is apparently the European version. I wish they had used it for the American version. )
mfeibel's review against another edition
3.0
Once again, I started in the middle of a series. But I never felt lost. The characters were interesting and sympathetic. I wish the killer's point of view stories were utilized more. They were creepy and really engaging.
I will most likely look into the rest of these Belfast novels.
I will most likely look into the rest of these Belfast novels.
dcrice's review against another edition
2.0
I wavered between 2 and 3 stars. It had some good elements and some intrigue. But the alternating chapters (Rea's story; Lennan's story) got very repetitive and tedious. The characters were not very relate able or like able and I feel like there were too many subplots and relationships that weren't really explored. The big 'reveal' (I guess it was?) at the end just mostly left me relieved I was done with the book.
greenblack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
elizabeth75's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes, your just in the mood for a good police drama!
connie575's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't overly excited with this book at the start. But the last 100 pages I really enjoyed. Ended up liking the characters and everything. It is a police story set it Belfast. Politicians and serial killers. If you like that type of story I am quite sure you will like this book. I will be looking out for more of Neville's books to read.