shauntelle_reads's review
3.0
The premise of this book was very interesting, but the book was slightly repetitive. Maybe it was because it was told from Fiona’s perspective, but there was so much detail of her thoughts throughout the book. The wiring was very descriptive, which I appreciated, but I felt we were in Fiona’s “head” too much. It also ended in an abrupt manner. Overall it was a good read. This is my first book by this author, and I will definitely read something else by this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
abercrombie1986's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is pure intensity from the moment I started until the end. It’s a little bit of a locked room type mystery as a storm and flood trap the characters and when they start dying, there is a limited amount of suspects. No one knows that Fiona is a police officer as she is trapped with the others and so she starts to investigate without any backup.
This is a great setup for the Fiona MacLeish series. She is a likable character and determined to find justice. I wish she showed us a little more than slowing down the pace to tell us everything she was thinking as she works out the evidence, but other than that, a very enjoyable first book in this new series.
I switched back and forth between reading and listening to this one and I enjoyed Helen McAlpine’s narration and accent.
nadenetotallyaddictedtoreading's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Unfortunately, The Flood did provide the suspenseful, twisty and exciting read I hoped for. It did not work for me. Advertised as a totally unputdownable crime novel, I expected it to be a one siting read. However, this was not the case. The slow pace and the repetitiveness of the story line contributed to me putting the book down several times throughout the course of my reading. I almost DNFed it, however, my curiosity to learn the identity of the villain and their motives had me holding out until the end.
The prologue made me excited to dive into the story. However, the deeper I went, the more my excitement dwindled. The story lacked suspense and there were no exciting moments. One would expect there to be some amount of adrenaline pumping moments in light of the fact that the story took place in the middle of a storm. Also, I hoped there would have been some plot twists, but this was not the case.
The characters were interesting. I was especially intrigued by Fiona and her backstory. I am curious to learn if she will learn who is responsible for the tragedy that changed the course of her life. For that reason alone, I may consider continuing the series.
The prologue made me excited to dive into the story. However, the deeper I went, the more my excitement dwindled. The story lacked suspense and there were no exciting moments. One would expect there to be some amount of adrenaline pumping moments in light of the fact that the story took place in the middle of a storm. Also, I hoped there would have been some plot twists, but this was not the case.
The characters were interesting. I was especially intrigued by Fiona and her backstory. I am curious to learn if she will learn who is responsible for the tragedy that changed the course of her life. For that reason alone, I may consider continuing the series.
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Atmospheric Novel Can Get Repetitive At Times. This is one of those detective novels - not really a police procedural, since it is almost a "locked room" scenario (with the "room" in question being a sequestered area of a small town) with only a single detective available - where the setting seems as much as character as any of the actual human characters. Smith manages to put the reader right in the titular flood and the fight for survival from both the elements and the murderer that only our detective knows lurks in their midst. And yet, in repeating the detective's personal motivation *so* often... Smith does in fact get repetitive enough to at least warrant mentioning in the review. Indeed, it becomes as tedious at times as seeming *every* Batman movie with a new actor portraying the character having to do some version of Thomas and Martha Wayne's murders, or every new Spiderman movie having to do some version of Uncle Ben's murder. With those franchises... guys, we get it. We already know these characters. With this particular book... the first mention was solid character development. Maybe a reference back here or there could have been good. But to be hit with a near word for word repetition of the motivation *so many times*... the editing could have been better here, at minimum. Beyond this though, the story itself was quite strong indeed, even within the "locked room" type space, and the overall plotting was quite solid, with the tension ratcheting up at a fairly steady pace and the reveals coming at enough of a clip to keep the pages turning. Overall a strong series starter and I'm interested to see where we're going here. Very much recommended.
adperfectamconsilium's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
'Worst of all, Fiona was looking into the eyes of a killer from the wrong end of a shotgun.'
The first book in a new crime thriller series featuring Scottish police officer Fiona MacLeish.
Fiona is on sabbatical and visiting her Aunt Mary in a remote valley location when a storm brings an unprecedented flood to the local farmland and community. Finding a dead body that has been murdered and not drowned can Fiona solve the crime and save the lives of those around her?
It's a clever idea as the remote location and flood set up a whodunnit very much in the style of a locked room mystery. There's a limited number of suspects as our characters take refuge at a local farm and there's no chance of help until the storm subsides. In a neat twist no one knows that Fiona works for the police apart from her aunt. Can she use that to her advantage or will there be more deaths from the killer or from the increasingly dangerous flood?
There's a nice bit of backstory with Fiona and her motivations for joining the police. Her parents were murdered while she was at school and no one has ever been brought to justice for the crime. I suspect that this mystery will deepen as the series progresses.
Fiona is a likable lead character and the remote location and storm is described well.
The early section of the book is particularly exciting with the discovery of the body and the dangers of the rising floodwater.
As the story progressed there were sections where the plot slowed down and almost became a little repetitive with characters having to brave flood waters multiple times for various reasons.
For a debut it's a solid start, the crime is interesting and even if you guess the killer there are plenty of twists and motivations for character actions to keep you reading and with short chapters the book has that 'one more chapter' feel so that it's a quick read.
A good introduction to Fiona MacLeish and I'm moving straight onto read the second book as the first two are being released together.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-ARC.
The first book in a new crime thriller series featuring Scottish police officer Fiona MacLeish.
Fiona is on sabbatical and visiting her Aunt Mary in a remote valley location when a storm brings an unprecedented flood to the local farmland and community. Finding a dead body that has been murdered and not drowned can Fiona solve the crime and save the lives of those around her?
It's a clever idea as the remote location and flood set up a whodunnit very much in the style of a locked room mystery. There's a limited number of suspects as our characters take refuge at a local farm and there's no chance of help until the storm subsides. In a neat twist no one knows that Fiona works for the police apart from her aunt. Can she use that to her advantage or will there be more deaths from the killer or from the increasingly dangerous flood?
There's a nice bit of backstory with Fiona and her motivations for joining the police. Her parents were murdered while she was at school and no one has ever been brought to justice for the crime. I suspect that this mystery will deepen as the series progresses.
Fiona is a likable lead character and the remote location and storm is described well.
The early section of the book is particularly exciting with the discovery of the body and the dangers of the rising floodwater.
As the story progressed there were sections where the plot slowed down and almost became a little repetitive with characters having to brave flood waters multiple times for various reasons.
For a debut it's a solid start, the crime is interesting and even if you guess the killer there are plenty of twists and motivations for character actions to keep you reading and with short chapters the book has that 'one more chapter' feel so that it's a quick read.
A good introduction to Fiona MacLeish and I'm moving straight onto read the second book as the first two are being released together.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-ARC.
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A great introduction to a new to me author. Home grown murder mystery.
Fiona was hoping to relax with her auntie but it looks like they not only have to deal with a flood but also a killer! This small valley in the Borders should be a haven of peace and tranquillity - not homicide central! Even with limited assistance and not a stab vest in sight, Fiona is on her own to solve her first murder.
I loved the compact geography of the setting of the story - it was like a locked room mystery but outside! The geography is keeping all the major players in a small area, meaning Fiona has a great chance at unmasking them but only if they don't twig that she is a cop before she has some assistance. The quick time frame also kept the story moving along. The rising waters also played into the atmosphere of doom surrounding the murders and washing away Fiona's meagre evidence.
I'm always a bit wary when reading murder mystery/thrillers set in the Scotland and with a cop as the protagonist. Working within the police myself I'm very picky about procedures and protocols. Artistic licence is one thing but complete unbelievability is a no-no. So this was really quite good in my humble opinion. Fiona as the put-upon cop dealing with trauma from her own past and now in thick of an investigation with little major crime experience and no back-up.
I've been accepted to read an ARC of book #2 also so I'm off to read that whilst Fiona is fresh in my brain.
Fiona was hoping to relax with her auntie but it looks like they not only have to deal with a flood but also a killer! This small valley in the Borders should be a haven of peace and tranquillity - not homicide central! Even with limited assistance and not a stab vest in sight, Fiona is on her own to solve her first murder.
I loved the compact geography of the setting of the story - it was like a locked room mystery but outside! The geography is keeping all the major players in a small area, meaning Fiona has a great chance at unmasking them but only if they don't twig that she is a cop before she has some assistance. The quick time frame also kept the story moving along. The rising waters also played into the atmosphere of doom surrounding the murders and washing away Fiona's meagre evidence.
I'm always a bit wary when reading murder mystery/thrillers set in the Scotland and with a cop as the protagonist. Working within the police myself I'm very picky about procedures and protocols. Artistic licence is one thing but complete unbelievability is a no-no. So this was really quite good in my humble opinion. Fiona as the put-upon cop dealing with trauma from her own past and now in thick of an investigation with little major crime experience and no back-up.
I've been accepted to read an ARC of book #2 also so I'm off to read that whilst Fiona is fresh in my brain.
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I now have another series to add to my automatically read list!! I love Fiona, she is a super smart, resilient kick-ass copper! She kicks ass, literally, and takes names in this book with the help of aunty and a couple of neighbors! This was my 1st book by G.N. Smith but is not my last, as I am adding all of their books to my TBR!
#TheFlood
#NetGalley
#TheFlood
#NetGalley
rositareadslibros's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
The Flood (A Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller Book 1)
A totally unputdownable crime novel by G.N. Smith
Narrated by Helen McAlpine
Listening Time 9hrs 34minutes
Publisher Bookouture
Publication Date September 22, 2023
First I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture for giving me the opportunity of listening an advance copy of this audio book. This is my first book by author G.N. Smith. This book is 1 of 3 in the Fiona MacLeish series. The protagonist Fiona is a Scottish Cop who was force to take some time off back home with her Aunt Mary after the dead of her co-worker. During her time off at her aunt house a storm cause a flood that traps all the residents of the valley and a series of murders occur.
This a slow burn crime fiction pack with suspense, I couldn't stop myself from listening.
The narration work on this audiobook was great, love the Scottish accent of the narrator.
I am looking forward to read the remaining books on this series.
A totally unputdownable crime novel by G.N. Smith
Narrated by Helen McAlpine
Listening Time 9hrs 34minutes
Publisher Bookouture
Publication Date September 22, 2023
First I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture for giving me the opportunity of listening an advance copy of this audio book. This is my first book by author G.N. Smith. This book is 1 of 3 in the Fiona MacLeish series. The protagonist Fiona is a Scottish Cop who was force to take some time off back home with her Aunt Mary after the dead of her co-worker. During her time off at her aunt house a storm cause a flood that traps all the residents of the valley and a series of murders occur.
This a slow burn crime fiction pack with suspense, I couldn't stop myself from listening.
The narration work on this audiobook was great, love the Scottish accent of the narrator.
I am looking forward to read the remaining books on this series.
moonbell's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
jen08108's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐️
The Flood starts out with Scottish police officer, Fiona MacLeish, finding the body of her aunt’s neighbor. It’s the beginning of a devastating storm and she needs to get herself and her aunt to a safer place. This is not an easy task because there is a very dangerous flood covering the entire area. They end up sheltering at a neighbor’s house, along several other town residents. Though they don’t trust each other in the least, they must work together to not only survive the storm, but to figure out who the murderer is.
This book is a very slow burn and a lot of it seemed drawn out & repetitive. The majority of the characters were unlikeable. However, I enjoyed it regardless. I really liked Fiona and can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book. Aunt Mary was also a great character as well. I hope she at least makes some appearances in future books.
I was lucky enough to listen to the great narration in the audiobook. The Scottish accent added so much to the ambience of the story. I would definitely recommend it over reading the book just for that.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with and advanced copy of this audiobook.