teffin's review against another edition
2.0
the book was fine, bit homophobic and biphobic in parts, but the plot was a bit lacking - it felt like a slightly lacklustre character study rather than a crime novel, I found the solution a little dull and I guessed who the murderer was .
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
4.0
This is set in the early 90's and the absence of mobiles and tablets is extremely noticeable. It's also a welcome relief. This is all about the characters, the police, the victim and friends and the perpetrator. A simple murder is committed but it's not an easy crime to solve. Lots of suspects but none come to the front until the end.
I found this an excellent book to read and typical of why I like the series.
I found this an excellent book to read and typical of why I like the series.
lusephur's review against another edition
3.0
Could do with a bit of editing, it sagged near the middle, the resolution was telegraphed from very early in the story but I guess Robinson had a particular device for Banks to finally, eventually, see past his own prejudice and understand what had actually happened.
dutchtineke's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining book. Not very scary, but good to read.
if_you_give_a_mouse_a_prozac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
poorcate's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
paronomaniac's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Murder, and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Homophobia
chartsh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
alvalvano's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Another DCI Banks (yes, I'm on something of a roll with this). This time, we're meeting a new member of CID and investigating a murder of a lesbian who has a murky past. There's a lot about music here (Vivaldi's Laudate pueri and a modern-day classical composer play roles) and my To Be Listened To list is growing bigger. But back to Banks. He's clearly not tempted by other women yet - although he does seem to have really good relationships with them. By "good" I mean, he seems very comfortable with women and very much enjoys their company, whether they're suspects, helping the case or his wife. It's not a bad thing, and he's definitely not a playboy detective, but it's an interesting twist on the detective personality.
Mystery-wise, there are a few red-herrings, but as a reader it was easy to follow along. I didn't get there before Banks, but it wasn't impossible to get there. The fact that it was Christmas time, there was snow and evening, made it easier for the author to keep the whodunnit part hidden longer than had this been summer, or daylight.
Two quibbles: one, the referencing of "real life", as in "that doesn't happen in real life" or "this isn't television". I know it's a thing authors do to try to get readers to buy in to the realness of the world they're creating or as a flag that they're really following police procedure. Still don't like it. And two, there's a Dalgleish reference that goes awry. I didn't mind it, per se, but first Banks doesn't know who he was (or that he wrote poetry) and then somehow intuits it later? It just didn't work for me.
Mystery-wise, there are a few red-herrings, but as a reader it was easy to follow along. I didn't get there before Banks, but it wasn't impossible to get there. The fact that it was Christmas time, there was snow and evening, made it easier for the author to keep the whodunnit part hidden longer than had this been summer, or daylight.
Two quibbles: one, the referencing of "real life", as in "that doesn't happen in real life" or "this isn't television". I know it's a thing authors do to try to get readers to buy in to the realness of the world they're creating or as a flag that they're really following police procedure. Still don't like it. And two, there's a Dalgleish reference that goes awry. I didn't mind it, per se, but first Banks doesn't know who he was (or that he wrote poetry) and then somehow intuits it later? It just didn't work for me.