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sandyfrew28's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.5
ineedscoffee's review against another edition
4.0
Jackman and Evans are back at their desks after what seems like forever.
I love this series, it seriously is the first I recommend to anyone who loves great plots, brilliant and deep characters and a storyline that keeps you guessing.
I guess that this now being the 9th book in the series, I know the characters pretty well. And while I know most of them are incredibly self sacrificing and charming, I can understand how some people may have been put off by the overly cheery and community minded police team working in this district- everyone is just so darned nice!
Personally, I'd make a terrible copper, I get hangry (and sometimes snappy because of said hanger!), I'm sarcastic and my dark sense of humour sometimes gets the better of me and I'm left misunderstood. If I was on this case, I'd be told to pull myself up by my bootstraps by Ruth Crook or told to go home and get some rest by Evans. But not these guys, this team, and they are that, a wonderful team; seem to work together like clockwork and go the extra mile to get both justice and crime off the streets and sometimes, it's the knowing that these guys would have your back that make the horribly twisted acts of violence in the books bearable.
As for the plot, you can never fault Ellis on her plots, ever.
Such twists and turns, and she is a magic story teller, managing to weave different threads together so artfully, you don't always see it coming. I suspected a certain character was not, in fact, who he said he was, but was still completely thrown by the ending of this novel.
And as for that final heart-wrenching character death? I'm not sure how his character development will proceed from here, but as always, I am looking forward to it.
Joy, your work brings so much joy to my life. Thank you! And purely because of your books, I plan on exploring the Fens when I come to the UK next year.
I love this series, it seriously is the first I recommend to anyone who loves great plots, brilliant and deep characters and a storyline that keeps you guessing.
I guess that this now being the 9th book in the series, I know the characters pretty well. And while I know most of them are incredibly self sacrificing and charming, I can understand how some people may have been put off by the overly cheery and community minded police team working in this district- everyone is just so darned nice!
Personally, I'd make a terrible copper, I get hangry (and sometimes snappy because of said hanger!), I'm sarcastic and my dark sense of humour sometimes gets the better of me and I'm left misunderstood. If I was on this case, I'd be told to pull myself up by my bootstraps by Ruth Crook or told to go home and get some rest by Evans. But not these guys, this team, and they are that, a wonderful team; seem to work together like clockwork and go the extra mile to get both justice and crime off the streets and sometimes, it's the knowing that these guys would have your back that make the horribly twisted acts of violence in the books bearable.
As for the plot, you can never fault Ellis on her plots, ever.
Such twists and turns, and she is a magic story teller, managing to weave different threads together so artfully, you don't always see it coming. I suspected a certain character was not, in fact, who he said he was, but was still completely thrown by the ending of this novel.
And as for that final heart-wrenching character death?
Spoiler
Man, it felt sudden. Like, there was no complexity to it; no real lead up, it came left of field and was completely unexpected. Just like life can be. I have no issues with the way this was done. Life is tragic and we lose people we love unexpectedly all the time, with no warning, but man, I was really just starting to like Laura as an individual character, not just as Jackman's partner and her loss was keenly felt. I would like to see how Jackman copes with these emotions and grief a little more in the next book. It all well and good to have a 'business mode' when it comes to dealing with death, but he's human too.Joy, your work brings so much joy to my life. Thank you! And purely because of your books, I plan on exploring the Fens when I come to the UK next year.
lisahamer's review against another edition
5.0
Wow what a rollercoaster ride this book was,
I love joy Ellis books and have read/listened to each of the Jackman/Evans books. The characters blend in with the storyline perfectly, they don’t distract, they work together in solving horrific crimes in this book (in fact all the books).
Joy Ellis tells a truly great crime story and at the same time brings in characters that you like and care about. I cannot wait for the next instalment
Thank you Joffe books, Joy Ellis and NetGalley for getting a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I love joy Ellis books and have read/listened to each of the Jackman/Evans books. The characters blend in with the storyline perfectly, they don’t distract, they work together in solving horrific crimes in this book (in fact all the books).
Joy Ellis tells a truly great crime story and at the same time brings in characters that you like and care about. I cannot wait for the next instalment
Thank you Joffe books, Joy Ellis and NetGalley for getting a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
hannaels's review against another edition
3.0
good story, sad death of a loved character. sort of confused about the Janet and john storyline?? a good new addition to the series with a twist i didn’t predict.
maureen72's review against another edition
5.0
What a fabulous addition to the Jackman and Evans series. Solace House was a joy to read, although sad in parts. There are rumours of a cult and the team are struggling to investigate and find evidence but they begin to build a case before tragedy strikes. The characters have become friends and are so real and believable. I can’t wait for Joy to add to this series.
totallytilla's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A bit predictable as detective stories go - figured out who the culprit was long before the reveal and really no motivation for the killer to start killing again after so long. Passable as the rest of the series make some good listening mostly. Good filler books between other more intense reads
hpnyknits's review against another edition
4.0
This book was about cults and the charismatic psychopaths who lead them.
Many misdirections that worked out eventually.
Big spoiler:
Why did the author kill Laura????
And once that happened, Jackman should not have been allowed back to investigate, but
Many misdirections that worked out eventually.
Big spoiler:
Why did the author kill Laura????
And once that happened, Jackman should not have been allowed back to investigate, but
annettefunnycello's review against another edition
3.0
I've enjoyed Ellis' Jackman & Evans series and this is likely my final outing with her crew. The book features hard-boiled crimes plus Ellis' odd selection of the omniscient point of view in narration. The result is that the reader knows what *every* character is thinking, including about their personal lives, crushes, likes/dislikes etc. This does two things: introduces tension because I kept wondering who's going to get knocked off, now that I have more insight into their personality and empathy for budding romances, and/or "why am I reading a cosy?" It certainly drops the reading experience from a stimulating brain exercise to that of a fast-moving train, by being fed all the details and psychological/social insights. I prefer a bit of mystery in my mysteries. Just a 3 rating. Keep in mind, 3 translates into "I liked it".
old_crockern's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
brwhite's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0