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sgkann's review against another edition
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jshadwell's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
crystalizex6x's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book is part of a series, but I read it as a stand-alone and this wasn't an issue.
Kate Brannigan is a private investigator based in Manchester investigating a number of cases simultaneously. Her investigations take her on a journey around Manchester and the surrounding towns and cities. The storyline surrounding the darker side of fertility treatment is original, interesting, and kept me thoroughly engaged. There were a few unexpected twists and turns along the way to a mostly satisfying conclusion.
It is definitely worth a read.
Kate Brannigan is a private investigator based in Manchester investigating a number of cases simultaneously. Her investigations take her on a journey around Manchester and the surrounding towns and cities. The storyline surrounding the darker side of fertility treatment is original, interesting, and kept me thoroughly engaged. There were a few unexpected twists and turns along the way to a mostly satisfying conclusion.
It is definitely worth a read.
vkaz's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick, fun read, centering around the theme of In Vitro Fertilization, with a subplot involving music/band promoters. This is the first Val McDermid book I've read, and I will probably read more. The detective, Kate Brannigan, is another one of those "tough-talking female private eye" stereotypes (yawn), but McDermid writes with a great, snarky sense of humor.
alixv's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
daffodilsandsunflowers's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
sarah_graham's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dawnlizreads's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable and cheesy, but very well written. McDermid's skill is to keep you engaged despite the blatantly obvious plot twists and (in fairness, often acknowledged) bad jokes. Plus, Kate Brannigan, her boyfriend Richard, and her motley crew of friends are such a likeable bunch of characters that you're willing to forgive a lot.
However, there was one bit of the story that was so implausible that I genuinely thought it would turn out to be revealed to the bunkum that it was (it wasn't). I won't go into detail because that would spoil the plot but suffice to say that should you Google this particular plot point, you'll find that it still just seen as something that might happen in the distant future - a good 20 years after the book was written.
A series focused on female wisecracking PI who solves crimes that the entire Manchester police force can't seem to crack was never going to be that centred in reality, but I thought this stretched artistic license too far.
However, there was one bit of the story that was so implausible that I genuinely thought it would turn out to be revealed to the bunkum that it was (it wasn't). I won't go into detail because that would spoil the plot but suffice to say that should you Google this particular plot point, you'll find that it still just seen as something that might happen in the distant future - a good 20 years after the book was written.
A series focused on female wisecracking PI who solves crimes that the entire Manchester police force can't seem to crack was never going to be that centred in reality, but I thought this stretched artistic license too far.