balthazarlawson's review
4.0
This is the story of a man, Harlan Miller, seeking the atonement he needs to be able to live again. Without it he is unable move past the wrong he has done, not just the unintentional killing of man but the ruining of the family left behind. He was a policeman, now he is just a shell of man willing to do what is needed to make amends. He is asked to find a missing boy, Ethan, the son of the man he killed, and his quest takes into some dark shadows of human behaviour.
There is a lot of self examination in this book, perhaps a little too much, but it's still a good read.
There is a lot of self examination in this book, perhaps a little too much, but it's still a good read.
didactylos's review
5.0
The first chapter or so seemd like so many other gritty crime novels then it took off and what an interesting ride it was. I kept guessing (wrongly) what was goign on, and there were loads of twists and turns. Half way through I thought - ah yes that's the ending - so what happens next...... and off again on another ride.
Well done, a good read indeed.
Well done, a good read indeed.
usbsticky's review
4.0
Spoilers ahead. I rate this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
The writing is pretty easy to read and follow and I got into it right away. Ex-DCI Harlan Miller is suffering from PTSD from two events, the death of his child Tom and the killing of a man named Reed. We are never told of what these events were and if they were related, just that he's racked by guilt and almost can't even function. As the book begins, he is released from prison and given menial work to segue back into normal life, except that he can't unlive his memories. He even gave up his partner Eve.
He tries to make it up to Reed's family by giving them money but the wife Susan rejects it. Then everything changes when Susan's younger son Ethan is abducted. There appears to be a serial pedophile who has been abducting young boys and he promises Susan to find Ethan.
There isn't really a lot of detective work as Miller simply grabs the likeliest suspects and beats them into confession or in confessing whatever crimes they committed whether connected to the case or not. The reveal is also just a revelation instead of detective work.
I would have given this more stars except the ending was too long and there was much too much guilt drama overshadowing what could have been a better detective protocol book. I understand the guilt part, but we're here to read detecting.
I got this as a $0 kindle offer. I guess this is Amazon's strategy to have readers try them and if they like them, to buy more books from the author. I like this strategy a lot as it gives foreign or little known authors exposure. Most of the authors I have tried are British and their books are not available from the library or some of them are not well known. I have purchased a few books as they are not pricey, around $3 or so, the price of a paperback from the 1980's. Unfortunately most of the free books are not that good.
I kinda like this book but I don't like it enough to check out his other books. An author I would follow is if I finished the book and wanted more. This book was only ok, I have already given the reasons why.
The writing is pretty easy to read and follow and I got into it right away. Ex-DCI Harlan Miller is suffering from PTSD from two events, the death of his child Tom and the killing of a man named Reed. We are never told of what these events were and if they were related, just that he's racked by guilt and almost can't even function. As the book begins, he is released from prison and given menial work to segue back into normal life, except that he can't unlive his memories. He even gave up his partner Eve.
He tries to make it up to Reed's family by giving them money but the wife Susan rejects it. Then everything changes when Susan's younger son Ethan is abducted. There appears to be a serial pedophile who has been abducting young boys and he promises Susan to find Ethan.
There isn't really a lot of detective work as Miller simply grabs the likeliest suspects and beats them into confession or in confessing whatever crimes they committed whether connected to the case or not. The reveal is also just a revelation instead of detective work.
I would have given this more stars except the ending was too long and there was much too much guilt drama overshadowing what could have been a better detective protocol book. I understand the guilt part, but we're here to read detecting.
I got this as a $0 kindle offer. I guess this is Amazon's strategy to have readers try them and if they like them, to buy more books from the author. I like this strategy a lot as it gives foreign or little known authors exposure. Most of the authors I have tried are British and their books are not available from the library or some of them are not well known. I have purchased a few books as they are not pricey, around $3 or so, the price of a paperback from the 1980's. Unfortunately most of the free books are not that good.
I kinda like this book but I don't like it enough to check out his other books. An author I would follow is if I finished the book and wanted more. This book was only ok, I have already given the reasons why.
luigirovatti's review
3.0
This review will be brief. There are three things I want to say, without too much spoilers:
1) The suspense is pressing, in many points, you don't know when to relax
2) The culprit, in the end, is not so much concealed, but the story, in the end, holds together (that is, if one wants to re-read it a 2nd time)
3) the really strong point is the guilt in the main protagonist's eyes, that takes form, and in the end, has its own story/subplot.
Oh, by the way, the three stars are a rounding. My real rating is 2.5.
1) The suspense is pressing, in many points, you don't know when to relax
2) The culprit, in the end, is not so much concealed, but the story, in the end, holds together (that is, if one wants to re-read it a 2nd time)
3) the really strong point is the guilt in the main protagonist's eyes, that takes form, and in the end, has its own story/subplot.
Oh, by the way, the three stars are a rounding. My real rating is 2.5.
abeerasad's review
5.0
"His arms hung rigidly at his sides. Something he held in one hand caught the light. A blade!"
A great book! Lost for words! Loved all the characters! Never thought Niel would stoop that low! Susan should Never have forgiven Harlan! Absolutely Unbelievable!
A great book! Lost for words! Loved all the characters! Never thought Niel would stoop that low! Susan should Never have forgiven Harlan! Absolutely Unbelievable!
5hadow_girl's review
What a rollercoaster!
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Ben Cheetham ripped the rug out from under my feet - a few times!
Now that I've read a couple books by this author, I know that if I see Ben Cheetham's name on the cover I'll never hesitate to pick up the book.
I have THE LOST box set here ready to go!
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Ben Cheetham ripped the rug out from under my feet - a few times!
Now that I've read a couple books by this author, I know that if I see Ben Cheetham's name on the cover I'll never hesitate to pick up the book.
I have THE LOST box set here ready to go!
claire1044's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
scrollsofdragons's review
3.0
The characters werent that impressive but was a good engaging thriller.
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