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charlieschifo's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free copy of this book from the author via voracious readers only in exchange for an honest review*
A string of graphic murders, a gloating psychopath and a team of detectives intent on catching him. Following the killers blogs hidden on the dark web the team starts to unravel the killers identity and his reasoning for the deprived acts he describes to his equally disturbed followers.
Reading books from voracious readers I’m used to reading novels from upcoming authors who have potential and the ideas but are still a little rough around the edges. This is not one of them, the characters were well written and vivid in personality. The pacing was great, not so fast as to be confusing yet not so slow as to get boring. There was just enough background information for the main characters to make you care for them, to make them into real living people. All in all it was a well written novel that had me hooked from the beginning. This is an author that should definitely be more well known in the crime writing world and judging by this book I’m sure he will be.
A string of graphic murders, a gloating psychopath and a team of detectives intent on catching him. Following the killers blogs hidden on the dark web the team starts to unravel the killers identity and his reasoning for the deprived acts he describes to his equally disturbed followers.
Reading books from voracious readers I’m used to reading novels from upcoming authors who have potential and the ideas but are still a little rough around the edges. This is not one of them, the characters were well written and vivid in personality. The pacing was great, not so fast as to be confusing yet not so slow as to get boring. There was just enough background information for the main characters to make you care for them, to make them into real living people. All in all it was a well written novel that had me hooked from the beginning. This is an author that should definitely be more well known in the crime writing world and judging by this book I’m sure he will be.
bookish20's review against another edition
5.0
I received I complimentary copy by the author via Voracious Readers Only.
This was a police procedural like no other. It was in-depth and the characters were well written. Given the huge number of people in this story I found it quite easy to follow who was who and who was doing what. The story itself led me in twists and turns with hidden clues throughout the story. It all tied in nicely at the end.
I would definitely read more of O’Hare’s books in the future.
This was a police procedural like no other. It was in-depth and the characters were well written. Given the huge number of people in this story I found it quite easy to follow who was who and who was doing what. The story itself led me in twists and turns with hidden clues throughout the story. It all tied in nicely at the end.
I would definitely read more of O’Hare’s books in the future.
necklace_53's review against another edition
5.0
A dark web blogger is posting blog entries entailing a series of horrendous and violent crimes committed by him. Jim Sheehan and his task force are on the clock.
Will they catch the dark web murderer before his final kill?
The Dark Web Murders by Brian O’Hare is a tremendously enjoyable, explosive, thought-provoking, and intensely suspenseful novel. It hooks you from the very first page and doesn’t let go of you until the end!
Check out my full review here: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=143407
Will they catch the dark web murderer before his final kill?
The Dark Web Murders by Brian O’Hare is a tremendously enjoyable, explosive, thought-provoking, and intensely suspenseful novel. It hooks you from the very first page and doesn’t let go of you until the end!
Check out my full review here: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=143407
kawaiiculkin's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first attempt at trying to figure what sort of novels I’m into now, my reading tastes have evolved and a lot of my old favourite authors do nothing for me now but I’m still trying to figure out what does.
The Dark Web Murders was claimed to be dark, that’s what peaked my interest and I can’t say it disappointed. I’m not going to lie, the point where I really found my self absorbed in the book was when the dog was poisoned, I just love that sort of stuff.
As someone very new to mystery’s I think I got the full effect of the novel as it had me guessing to the very end. I definitely am interested in exploring both the murder mystery genre and Brian O’Hare’s writing in the future.
Overall a 4/5
Really my only issue is not with the writing or the story but rather the format I read it in. Brian O’Hare kindly emailed me the e-book to read, which I appreciate and was awesome but I’m a classic paperback reader and I was a little uncomfortable holding a phone and reading.
The Dark Web Murders was claimed to be dark, that’s what peaked my interest and I can’t say it disappointed. I’m not going to lie, the point where I really found my self absorbed in the book was when the dog was poisoned, I just love that sort of stuff.
As someone very new to mystery’s I think I got the full effect of the novel as it had me guessing to the very end. I definitely am interested in exploring both the murder mystery genre and Brian O’Hare’s writing in the future.
Overall a 4/5
Really my only issue is not with the writing or the story but rather the format I read it in. Brian O’Hare kindly emailed me the e-book to read, which I appreciate and was awesome but I’m a classic paperback reader and I was a little uncomfortable holding a phone and reading.
sams_fireside's review against another edition
5.0
he Dark Web Murders details a series of killings by someone who, it is evident from the outset, is some sort of psychopath. There are a wide variety of characters in the book, and you need to be on your toes to remind yourself who they are and what relevance they have to the story, as the author takes the reader on the incredibly descriptive journey, whilst Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his Serious Crimes Unit set out to identify the killer.
The author’s descriptive writing entices you further and further into the story, and much of it is extremely dark, with each killing outlined in minute detail by the killer, as he writes his blog on the dark web for his loyal followers to read and enjoy. There is a side story alongside the killings which becomes linked with the main story as the book progresses, and this too is explained in great and disturbing detail by the author.
As in O’Hare’s other Sheehan mysteries, as the story continues, the author’s descriptive style guides us through the Belfast police procedure, and therefore most things that you think you may not understand become clear. The author is from Northern Ireland and some US readers may find certain police terminology confusing. The author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of acronyms which are commonplace in police forces in the UK, for guidance.
The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was how O’Hare was so descriptive in his writings. I enjoyed the graphic detail, although sometimes I shuddered as I tried to imagine some of the things that were described. The crime is complex, and careful readers will notice the clues and try to solve the mystery alongside the Chief Inspector’s team.
There really wasn’t anything I disliked about the book and I can’t wait to read more of Brian O’Hare’s novels.
I was unsure whether such a thing as ‘The Dark Web’ existed or whether it was simply part of the story, so I must admit that I did Google it, only to find out that it is definitely a real thing. I didn’t delve too much into anything as I didn’t want the police to come knocking on my door!
I think the book would appeal to readers who enjoy a gritty crime novel but should know that there are certain things contained within the book that might disturb some people and is definitely not for younger readers.
The author’s descriptive writing entices you further and further into the story, and much of it is extremely dark, with each killing outlined in minute detail by the killer, as he writes his blog on the dark web for his loyal followers to read and enjoy. There is a side story alongside the killings which becomes linked with the main story as the book progresses, and this too is explained in great and disturbing detail by the author.
As in O’Hare’s other Sheehan mysteries, as the story continues, the author’s descriptive style guides us through the Belfast police procedure, and therefore most things that you think you may not understand become clear. The author is from Northern Ireland and some US readers may find certain police terminology confusing. The author has thoughtfully provided a glossary of acronyms which are commonplace in police forces in the UK, for guidance.
The thing that I enjoyed most about this book was how O’Hare was so descriptive in his writings. I enjoyed the graphic detail, although sometimes I shuddered as I tried to imagine some of the things that were described. The crime is complex, and careful readers will notice the clues and try to solve the mystery alongside the Chief Inspector’s team.
There really wasn’t anything I disliked about the book and I can’t wait to read more of Brian O’Hare’s novels.
I was unsure whether such a thing as ‘The Dark Web’ existed or whether it was simply part of the story, so I must admit that I did Google it, only to find out that it is definitely a real thing. I didn’t delve too much into anything as I didn’t want the police to come knocking on my door!
I think the book would appeal to readers who enjoy a gritty crime novel but should know that there are certain things contained within the book that might disturb some people and is definitely not for younger readers.
readingwithbuddy's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very dark book - hence the title but I really did enjoy it. It was different from other books that I have read recently in the way it was written. I havent read any of the previous books so this was a new one for me.
Lots of twists and turns and guessing
I love reading a book that I learn things from which this book I did.
I was given an advance copy by voracious readers and the author but the review is entirely my own.
Lots of twists and turns and guessing
I love reading a book that I learn things from which this book I did.
I was given an advance copy by voracious readers and the author but the review is entirely my own.
anni_anni's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy of this book to read and review via Voracious Readers Only.
The Dark Web Murders is the fourth book in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries, but is the first one I have read so far. As a standalone novel, I think this story works very well. The introduction to the characters was quick enough to get me interested, but not too fast that I couldn't remember anyone, and the overall pacing of the story was well done.
The highlight of the story for me were the characters. I felt that, for a rather short book, the characters had been fleshed out strongly and independent of one another enough that I grasped a keen sense of them from the get go. DCI Sheehan is a very thoughtful and intelligent character and seems to have a great relationship with his team who are also quite focal characters of the book. The supporting cast were decently included, particularly Sheehan's partner, Denise Stewart - a strong and highly resourceful detective - but did not take any of the spotlight away from the protagonist. The only character I ever truly felt lacking was Margaret- Sheehan's wife - who I really didn't get a sense of, and so that left something to be desired by the end of the novel.
As for the pacing, I liked it enough. I thought the writing was concise and yet engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. If I were to give any criticism, it would be that I thought the inclusion of more PoVs throughout the novel were sometimes unnecessary. I did find one chapter that involved a discussion between Stewart and Allen that really could have been cut without anything from the story being lost IMO, and sometimes we saw a murder from multiple points of view, and it felt like we were going over the same thing over a few too many times, but the chapters were short enough that it didn't seem to drag - so not much of a complaint.
Now to the mystery: who is the killer? Well, I will not spoil it here, but I will say that I found the journey to discovering who the killer was to be pretty decent. I can't say I'm amazingly well versed in this genre (having only read a few mystery books in my time) but I was kept on my toes enough without it feeling tropey or plot holey. I wasn't surprised by the reveal, but I was happy with it. Which I think is a great way to feel after reading a mystery.
Overall, I give this book a 4/5. Purely because some of the middle started to get a little repetitive sometimes. Also, the subject matter of the Club did put me off a bit (even though I should have known what I was getting into with a title like The Dark Web Murders) but that's just my squeamish self. Will definitely be looking into reading the other titles in this series!
The Dark Web Murders is the fourth book in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries, but is the first one I have read so far. As a standalone novel, I think this story works very well. The introduction to the characters was quick enough to get me interested, but not too fast that I couldn't remember anyone, and the overall pacing of the story was well done.
The highlight of the story for me were the characters. I felt that, for a rather short book, the characters had been fleshed out strongly and independent of one another enough that I grasped a keen sense of them from the get go. DCI Sheehan is a very thoughtful and intelligent character and seems to have a great relationship with his team who are also quite focal characters of the book. The supporting cast were decently included, particularly Sheehan's partner, Denise Stewart - a strong and highly resourceful detective - but did not take any of the spotlight away from the protagonist. The only character I ever truly felt lacking was Margaret- Sheehan's wife - who I really didn't get a sense of, and so that left something to be desired by the end of the novel.
As for the pacing, I liked it enough. I thought the writing was concise and yet engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. If I were to give any criticism, it would be that I thought the inclusion of more PoVs throughout the novel were sometimes unnecessary. I did find one chapter that involved a discussion between Stewart and Allen that really could have been cut without anything from the story being lost IMO, and sometimes we saw a murder from multiple points of view, and it felt like we were going over the same thing over a few too many times, but the chapters were short enough that it didn't seem to drag - so not much of a complaint.
Now to the mystery: who is the killer? Well, I will not spoil it here, but I will say that I found the journey to discovering who the killer was to be pretty decent. I can't say I'm amazingly well versed in this genre (having only read a few mystery books in my time) but I was kept on my toes enough without it feeling tropey or plot holey. I wasn't surprised by the reveal, but I was happy with it. Which I think is a great way to feel after reading a mystery.
Overall, I give this book a 4/5. Purely because some of the middle started to get a little repetitive sometimes. Also, the subject matter of the Club did put me off a bit (even though I should have known what I was getting into with a title like The Dark Web Murders) but that's just my squeamish self. Will definitely be looking into reading the other titles in this series!
vesper1931's review against another edition
4.0
Chief Inspector Jim Sheehan and his team are called in to investigate the death of Judge Trevor Neeson. With his harsh sentencing there would seem to be ample suspects. But when another body is discovered, killed in the same way, what could be the connection or motive.
An intriguing mystery and police procedural story. The characters seem to be well defined as you would expect in the fourth of a series, and are a likeable bunch.
I admit to getting sidetracked with who I thought the murderer was, but at least I solved one major clue straightaway unlike the team or the expert.
This is my first book from the series and can easily read as a standalone story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only
An intriguing mystery and police procedural story. The characters seem to be well defined as you would expect in the fourth of a series, and are a likeable bunch.
I admit to getting sidetracked with who I thought the murderer was, but at least I solved one major clue straightaway unlike the team or the expert.
This is my first book from the series and can easily read as a standalone story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only
helizabeth88's review against another edition
4.0
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=150775
peglegjoeuk's review against another edition
4.0
Although this is the fourth book in the Inspector Sheehan Mysteries series it is the first book that I have read by Brian O' Hare. I felt it read well as a standalone although it is clear that a lot of things have gone on in the previous books.
The book was a great read with lots of twists and turns, a great deal of factual data and a clear understanding of police and legal proceedings in Northern Ireland. There are lots of twists and turns and anyone who has an interest in crime fiction will enjoy this book.
I will definitely looking to read more by this great author
Many thanks to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in return for a fair, unbiased review
The book was a great read with lots of twists and turns, a great deal of factual data and a clear understanding of police and legal proceedings in Northern Ireland. There are lots of twists and turns and anyone who has an interest in crime fiction will enjoy this book.
I will definitely looking to read more by this great author
Many thanks to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in return for a fair, unbiased review