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mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
There is something incredibly compelling about Peter James' novels, a dark uniqueness that grips you from the first sentence, and yet it is the simplistic writing style and fine attention to detail that keep you hooked as much as the gruesome murders and the plotline.
In a lot of similar books there is a leading Detective, whether male or female, who sees, hears and knows EVERYTHING. They are 'genuises' who work for the police as mere exercise for their gargantuan brains. Detectives who can spot miniscule evidence that later breaks a case and who can remember tiny, insignificant details that never fail to catch the bad guy.
Roy Grace is not this type of detective, and THAT is his appeal. Grace is just a man who has a wealth of experience but some misfortune. He relies on a team of characters who are as perfectly developed, flawed and believable as Grace himself. They are as interesting, funny, smart, witty, judgemental etc as Grace and reading their stories and opinions is just as compelling as learning about Grace and the main plotline.
Another great installment to the series!
In a lot of similar books there is a leading Detective, whether male or female, who sees, hears and knows EVERYTHING. They are 'genuises' who work for the police as mere exercise for their gargantuan brains. Detectives who can spot miniscule evidence that later breaks a case and who can remember tiny, insignificant details that never fail to catch the bad guy.
Roy Grace is not this type of detective, and THAT is his appeal. Grace is just a man who has a wealth of experience but some misfortune. He relies on a team of characters who are as perfectly developed, flawed and believable as Grace himself. They are as interesting, funny, smart, witty, judgemental etc as Grace and reading their stories and opinions is just as compelling as learning about Grace and the main plotline.
Another great installment to the series!
eat_read_knit's review
4.0
And now I remember why I don't normally read this series. It was a good book - very tense, well plotted, strongly-written characters - but I am far too squeamish for the grisly stuff.
sianw1992's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always a fan of Peter James and the Roy Grace novels which are set in my home county, Sussex.
That's my first point for why I love this book. Knowing exactly where the police, the victims and the suspects are is brilliant, although a little unnerving.
This story starts with a man finding a CD on a train and in his attempts to return it to the owner, gets caught up with a dubious snuff film production company.
For Tom Bryce and his family, things get steadily worse, while Roy Grace has to figure out what is happening, and who's behind it.
There's only a few issues with this book. The first is the psychic element. Peter James has assured me himself that real police officers would go down this route, but I find it hard to believe.
I can always rely on Peter James for a quick read, with an exciting storyline and interesting, believable characters.
That's my first point for why I love this book. Knowing exactly where the police, the victims and the suspects are is brilliant, although a little unnerving.
This story starts with a man finding a CD on a train and in his attempts to return it to the owner, gets caught up with a dubious snuff film production company.
For Tom Bryce and his family, things get steadily worse, while Roy Grace has to figure out what is happening, and who's behind it.
There's only a few issues with this book. The first is the psychic element. Peter James has assured me himself that real police officers would go down this route, but I find it hard to believe.
I can always rely on Peter James for a quick read, with an exciting storyline and interesting, believable characters.
minnie_bee_holmes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
leeskipje's review against another edition
4.0
Een goed uitgewerkt verhaal. Spannend. Het einde voelt wel wat afgeraffeld. Wat een afbreuk is van het verhaal verder.
jadec97's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
eskimonika's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ajnel's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Tom Bryce, is a man who becomes a witness to a murder after finding a mysterious CD on a train and watching the snuff film contained on it. When he tries to do the right thing and approach the police, he puts himself and his family in danger. DS Roy Grace, who is battling his own personal demons, is tasked with solving the murder and protecting Tom Bryce from the ruthless killers. Obviously, the killers go after Bryce's wife and not Bryce, thus leading to a much more complex situation. This novel is a tour de force in mystery crime writing. Everything is just perfect.