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nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
This story keeps you guessing, and I absolutely was stunned by the ending!
jrmama42's review against another edition
5.0
When I set this book down after finishing it, all I could say was "Wow!! Just WOW!" and I kept mulling over the ending all day long. This was a classically constructed mystery with lots of characters (and suspects!) and a nice twist at the end. Very satisfying!
I didn't know that Colleen McCullough had written a mystery series until I read a review of "The Prodigal Son", the fourth book in the series: http://www.underagraysky.com/2013/01/07/book-review-the-prodigal-son/ Intrigued, and since I loved McCullough's "The Thorn Birds" way back when, I found the first book in the series at my library. What a great series introduction this book is! The numerous characters are very well-drawn, and I had to keep flipping back and forth to keep track of them all as my suspicions switched from one character to another.
The plot revolves around a serial killer of young adolescent girls, so it might be disturbing to some readers, but readers who like this genre and enjoy being kept in suspense I think will really enjoy this book.
I didn't know that Colleen McCullough had written a mystery series until I read a review of "The Prodigal Son", the fourth book in the series: http://www.underagraysky.com/2013/01/07/book-review-the-prodigal-son/ Intrigued, and since I loved McCullough's "The Thorn Birds" way back when, I found the first book in the series at my library. What a great series introduction this book is! The numerous characters are very well-drawn, and I had to keep flipping back and forth to keep track of them all as my suspicions switched from one character to another.
The plot revolves around a serial killer of young adolescent girls, so it might be disturbing to some readers, but readers who like this genre and enjoy being kept in suspense I think will really enjoy this book.
sam_holmes's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.0
mazza57's review against another edition
4.0
This is a real departure from the other book I have read by this author. It shows that McCullough can turn her hand to different genres, narrative style and characterisation. Apart from the policeman none of the characters are particularly likeable and I have to admit the neuroscience setting sometimes passed me by even though I have a nursing background. I don't think it is necessary tio understand it the books is more about power, control and inner machinations. I had pegged the perpetrator but the twist at the end came as a surprise. I would read more from this series
a8bhatia's review against another edition
3.0
Well this book, had a lot going on it between the serial killings and massive list of suspects. There was a point when "all the pieces" fell into place which blew my mind and I loved that. However, that wasn't the ending and the story dragged on a bit further. So I think Colleen might have tried to do too much with one book.
krisdzenite's review against another edition
4.0
It was a nice detective- interesting, gripping and well-written. It wasn't brilliant, but very enjoyable.
ammccorm's review against another edition
3.0
I read The Thorn Birds back in middle or high school, and LOVED it then, so I was excited to try another of her books all these years later. I was really disappointed that I had SUCH a hard time getting into this, but since I'm super stubborn about finishing even terrible books, I soldiered on and was pleasantly surprised to find that a really thrilling story developed with a creepy twist that kept me turning pages past my bedtime.
misssarah's review against another edition
2.0
This book was alright, nothing too special in my opinion. I found it very long and drawn out and then a very rushed ending.
bells100's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide attempt
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
3.0
Though the center of the mystery is not reached until the last page, the last 30 or so felt anti-climactic. Still, I found the book interesting - a kind of cross between Agatha Christie and Patricia Cornwell.