tracey_stewart's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I sure didn't see THAT coming. The ending of this is almost enough to make me go back and listen to the whole thing again, with the ending in mind, to see if I pick up on any hints or clues. Because I sure as sure didn't pick up a single one the first time around. (It's a bit comforting to see others' reviews stating that they were thrown for a loop too.)
I love the tv series Shetland, which is why I gave this book a second chance after it didn't click with me the first time I tried listening, and why I bought it in the first place. I love Jimmy Perez - at least Douglas Henshall plays the character right, as far as I can tell, even though he looks absolutely nothing like the character description. (It is weird - I don't think his last name is ever explained in the series.) I'm very glad I did give it the second chance, because now I have a new author I can turn to when I want something just solid and good.
One of my only reasons for not giving this five stars - and I say this with full recognition that it may be all my own fault - is that I kept getting thoroughly confused about how old characters were - one minute Catherine is described as a schoolgirl and was treated as such, the next she comes off as a worldly and sophisticated adult, and was apparently treated as such. I had to keep reminding myself that she was 16. I thought Robert was about 18, then thought - wait, he sounds like he's in his 30's, or older? I have no idea. (That one was in part due to point of view - Sally certainly saw him as a full adult - but not entirely, I don't think.) Even the little one, Cassie, seemed like barely more than a toddler for a time, and then started presenting like a thirteen year old.
That aside, though, the characters were well-written and engaging. It was easy to both dislike and feel for the murdered girl, and to empathize with poor Fran (I hope she catches some breaks soon), and both empathize and become deeply annoyed by Catherine's and Cassie's fathers. I enjoyed the writing. And I still really like Jimmy Perez. Can't wait for more.
I love the tv series Shetland, which is why I gave this book a second chance after it didn't click with me the first time I tried listening, and why I bought it in the first place. I love Jimmy Perez - at least Douglas Henshall plays the character right, as far as I can tell, even though he looks absolutely nothing like the character description. (It is weird - I don't think his last name is ever explained in the series.) I'm very glad I did give it the second chance, because now I have a new author I can turn to when I want something just solid and good.
One of my only reasons for not giving this five stars - and I say this with full recognition that it may be all my own fault - is that I kept getting thoroughly confused about how old characters were - one minute Catherine is described as a schoolgirl and was treated as such, the next she comes off as a worldly and sophisticated adult, and was apparently treated as such. I had to keep reminding myself that she was 16. I thought Robert was about 18, then thought - wait, he sounds like he's in his 30's, or older? I have no idea. (That one was in part due to point of view - Sally certainly saw him as a full adult - but not entirely, I don't think.) Even the little one, Cassie, seemed like barely more than a toddler for a time, and then started presenting like a thirteen year old.
That aside, though, the characters were well-written and engaging. It was easy to both dislike and feel for the murdered girl, and to empathize with poor Fran (I hope she catches some breaks soon), and both empathize and become deeply annoyed by Catherine's and Cassie's fathers. I enjoyed the writing. And I still really like Jimmy Perez. Can't wait for more.
mizele20's review
4.0
Even though I've watched the show, I was interested in reading the series. I still found it to be well-done and suspenseful. I will read the next in the series.
mirrieee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this...the setting, getting insight into several of the townsfolk (not just the main character), and the reveals caught me by surprise. I'll be reading the next book in this series.
sueinguelph's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
sweetreads's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
At least 4 grown men were lusting after underage girls, and no one seemed bothered by it? Gross.
I was really hoping to like this book, since Shetland is one of my favourite shows, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I found the characters to be very one-dimensional, and I didn't feel a connection to any of them. Perhaps character development will happen in future books?
I was really hoping to like this book, since Shetland is one of my favourite shows, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I found the characters to be very one-dimensional, and I didn't feel a connection to any of them. Perhaps character development will happen in future books?
rhosynmd'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
4.5
pinecone_mushroom's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll read more
Only three stars because I don’t enjoy reading about one of the big themes in this book; that’s not the author’s fault, but the stars show how much I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed it three stars’ worth. I’ll read more from this series.
Only three stars because I don’t enjoy reading about one of the big themes in this book; that’s not the author’s fault, but the stars show how much I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed it three stars’ worth. I’ll read more from this series.
friedachopsticks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
dana_reads_books's review
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0