The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
85tarheel's review against another edition
3.0
I grabbed this because I had really enjoyed Denise Mina's book CONVICTION that I read last year. I saw this had a journalist as the lead and I was all in. The rating is exactly as Goodreads describes it, 3 stars for "Liked It." What I liked: loved the complexities of Paddy Meehan as our lead character, she felt real in all the messiness that real life is; I truly felt like I was in Scotland, again with all the complexities and messiness that implies; and overall I enjoyed following the mystery through. What brought my overall rating down: okay, I have a REAL dislike (actually may be hatred) of entitled young people acting reckless and insulting anyone as boring who actually behaves responsibly. And look, I know this a fiction and the character is created for purposes of the story but...I really hated one of the other main characters and so I found myself rooting against her. I also think the book is just a little long, it meanders some and tries to do too much overall. But in the end I liked it. I may go back to more in this series if I'm looking for a mystery with a good lead protagonist but for now I have too many other books to read!
afwyt's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars.
The last page of this book made me incredibly annoyed. Paddy is independent, vulnerable, intelligent and empowering and then the book ends with such a dumb ending that is so completely out of character for her. I didn't catch on to the subtle hints for the last few chapters, unfortunately. Actually, it's a good thing I didn't because I really enjoyed this story up until the last page. GAH! There is nothing worse than a stupid ending. I really would have given this 4 stars otherwise. Right away, you pretty much figure out what's going on, but it's the process of catching the bad guy and the story that goes along with it, that keeps you reading.
The last page of this book made me incredibly annoyed. Paddy is independent, vulnerable, intelligent and empowering and then the book ends with such a dumb ending that is so completely out of character for her. I didn't catch on to the subtle hints for the last few chapters, unfortunately. Actually, it's a good thing I didn't because I really enjoyed this story up until the last page. GAH! There is nothing worse than a stupid ending. I really would have given this 4 stars otherwise. Right away, you pretty much figure out what's going on, but it's the process of catching the bad guy and the story that goes along with it, that keeps you reading.
mspearlman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sde's review against another edition
3.0
This one didn't work as well as an audiobook as the first one in the series. it would take me a while to figure out who was narrating, whereas in the print I am sure there are visual cues. Therefore, I had a little trouble following. But I still enjoyed Paddy Meehan and the Glasgow setting. Looks like my library does not have book #3 in audio format, so I will have to read the text. And then the series is done, which makes me sad.
technomage's review against another edition
3.0
Well this is better than the previous story, much better written with a plot that engages although it still feels a bit rushed towards the end and the detecting still seems to play second fiddle to Paddy's social life. I will read the next one in the series in due course.
reedabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wrenna_shade13's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Violence
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
Another one of denise mina's creations paddy meehan returns for her second story. Here the young Glasgow journalist is working the night cars shift when she attends an apparent domestic dispute and she and the two police officers turn a blind eye to a woman's jeopardy.
The subsequent events finds paddy at the centre of a plot that exposes corruption in police and criminal circles. I am looking forward to the final part of this trilogy.
The subsequent events finds paddy at the centre of a plot that exposes corruption in police and criminal circles. I am looking forward to the final part of this trilogy.
kimgabriel's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad twist, having a journalist play the detective. A little grim and dour. In fact, a lot grim and dour. Not sure I will read anymore if there are any more.
vanessakm's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in Denise Mina's Paddy Meehan trilogy. The first one is [b:Field of Blood|94180|Field of Blood (Paddy Meehan, #1)|Denise Mina|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388209941s/94180.jpg|1780287]. It's not essential that the books be read in order but they ideally should be, if for no other reason than to appreciate the maturation of wee Paddy who is only 23 years old in this book.
Like all of Mina's books, the story is set in Glasgow, Scotland. This series is set in the 1980's--specifically 1984 here-and in the heart of Thatcher-era economic malaise and resentment. Paddy is a crime reporter for a local newspaper working the night shift, driving around the city following the summons of the police radio. The story opens with Paddy at the scene of a domestic violence call in a well-to-do neighborhood that ends the next day with the victim found tortured and dead, and Paddy feeling horribly guilty about leaving the scene with a would-be bribe in her pocket from the apparent killer. The following day, the victim's co-worker and ex-boyfriend commit suicide. The police seem largely uninterested in Paddy's take on what happened, and from there grows a tale of gangsters, police corruption and a giant bag full of cocaine that one character hilariously refers to as their "comfort pillow." Meanwhile, things don't look good at Paddy's economically challenged newspaper, which is under new management in a laying off mood. Losing her job would be especially bad news for young Paddy, who is the only member of her large Catholic family with a job at the moment.
I like Mina's Garnethill series the best but this one has really grown on me. There's lots of detail about 1980's Scotland (which sounds like a rollicking, unsafe place) and Paddy is as charming, resourceful, and fully formed as Garnethill's Maureen O'Donnell, yet totally distinct from her. I'm a big Denise Mina fan girl and can easily put her in the company of the likes of Dennis Lehane and Jo Nesbo. She's so smart about human nature and such a compelling story spinner, she's a pleasure to read.
Like all of Mina's books, the story is set in Glasgow, Scotland. This series is set in the 1980's--specifically 1984 here-and in the heart of Thatcher-era economic malaise and resentment. Paddy is a crime reporter for a local newspaper working the night shift, driving around the city following the summons of the police radio. The story opens with Paddy at the scene of a domestic violence call in a well-to-do neighborhood that ends the next day with the victim found tortured and dead, and Paddy feeling horribly guilty about leaving the scene with a would-be bribe in her pocket from the apparent killer. The following day, the victim's co-worker and ex-boyfriend commit suicide. The police seem largely uninterested in Paddy's take on what happened, and from there grows a tale of gangsters, police corruption and a giant bag full of cocaine that one character hilariously refers to as their "comfort pillow." Meanwhile, things don't look good at Paddy's economically challenged newspaper, which is under new management in a laying off mood. Losing her job would be especially bad news for young Paddy, who is the only member of her large Catholic family with a job at the moment.
I like Mina's Garnethill series the best but this one has really grown on me. There's lots of detail about 1980's Scotland (which sounds like a rollicking, unsafe place) and Paddy is as charming, resourceful, and fully formed as Garnethill's Maureen O'Donnell, yet totally distinct from her. I'm a big Denise Mina fan girl and can easily put her in the company of the likes of Dennis Lehane and Jo Nesbo. She's so smart about human nature and such a compelling story spinner, she's a pleasure to read.