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bethanystone13's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wasn't sure what I thought of this initially, but after a couple of chapters, I was hooked. A brilliant book with an interesting premise. I can't wait to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
book_dragon_julia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don't normally read crime books but I really enjoyed this one. It was an interesting concept and explored the use of AI in police work.
It followed DCI Kat Frank who had taken leave of work after her husband died of cancer. Her boss informed her of the pilot which was taking place with the AI technology and wanted her to head it up investigating the cold cases of two missing boys.
The story had a good pace and I didn't find myself getting bored. It was also very current with mentions of "since COVID" and the "King Charles III" hospital in Birmingham.
I would recommend it to readers who like crime but also to readers like myself who don't read crime fiction as standard.
It followed DCI Kat Frank who had taken leave of work after her husband died of cancer. Her boss informed her of the pilot which was taking place with the AI technology and wanted her to head it up investigating the cold cases of two missing boys.
The story had a good pace and I didn't find myself getting bored. It was also very current with mentions of "since COVID" and the "King Charles III" hospital in Birmingham.
I would recommend it to readers who like crime but also to readers like myself who don't read crime fiction as standard.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Death, Eating disorder, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic
redheadbookgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I saw John Marrs recommend this a while back so of course I had to read it! This book was INCREDIBLE 👏🏽 I was hooked from the very first page till the last.. the case, the team, the twists, the reasoning behind the crimes. It was so clever + engaging.
DCS Kat Frank was a brilliant MC; honest, stubborn + hard working, I couldn’t help warming to her + I think she was the perfect match for AIDE Lock, who was unintentionally witty + brutally unfiltered. It was strangely heartwarming to watch it learn about human emotion + develop a friendship of sorts with Kat.
The pacing was so fast and didn’t let up throughout, with anonymous chapters of a captured man interspersed and only increasing the tension. The plot was completely addictive: thrilling, unputdownable + very thought provoking. I thought the balance shown between human’s instinct + AI’s logic was perfectly done and showcased why both work well. I was kept guessing till the very end and my hunch was completely wrong!
The fact Callaghan wrote this just a couple of months after losing her husband, and was strong enough to write a similar circumstance into the plot, is awe-inspiring and all the more profound + made me quite emotional.
This is a fresh, original take on crime fiction + an INCREDIBLE debut (!) novel that I HIGHLY recommend 🙌🏽 I can’t wait to read book number two!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
evavstheworld's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Kidnapping
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
headinthepages'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
nebulous07's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Five stars is insufficient for Jo Callaghan's "In The Blink of An Eye." Every 90 seconds, someone in the UK is reported missing. DCS Kat Frank is returning to the force after losing her husband. Her first task is to lead a team associated with a pilot programme using Lock, an AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity). What if AIDE is the solution to changing this statistic? Moreover, what if this entity can overturn the stagnation faced by cold cases? The central premise of two cold cases is AI versus human experience and instincts.
The Yaays: This book is original. The pacing is immaculate, and easy to get attached to Kat, Lock and the team. Additionally, this book is gut-wrenchingly human and thought-provoking. The parallels between the cold cases and the current situation are infused well. I devoured this book in one sitting as the twists and turns will keep you hooked, especially when the case gets highly personal. This book is also character-driven which makes it even more satisfying. The author's note at the end got me and connected the dots as to why this book screams authenticity.
The Nays: None. Okay, if I had to choose one, it is the lingering effect this book will leave you with and a probable book hangover lasting 3-5 days.
Verdict: This is easily one of my favourite reads of 2023. If you're a fan of suspense, thrillers, or police procedurals with a twist, please grab this book.
Thank you, NetGalley & Simon & Schuster (Australia), for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Yaays: This book is original. The pacing is immaculate, and easy to get attached to Kat, Lock and the team. Additionally, this book is gut-wrenchingly human and thought-provoking. The parallels between the cold cases and the current situation are infused well. I devoured this book in one sitting as the twists and turns will keep you hooked, especially when the case gets highly personal. This book is also character-driven which makes it even more satisfying. The author's note at the end got me and connected the dots as to why this book screams authenticity.
The Nays: None. Okay, if I had to choose one, it is the lingering effect this book will leave you with and a probable book hangover lasting 3-5 days.
Verdict: This is easily one of my favourite reads of 2023. If you're a fan of suspense, thrillers, or police procedurals with a twist, please grab this book.
Thank you, NetGalley & Simon & Schuster (Australia), for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Kidnapping