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A review by hawkeyegough
Payment in Blood by Elizabeth George
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Elizabeth George has yet again delivered a classic-feeling British murder mystery that exceeds expectations in several ways. The pace was incrementally and seamlessly ratcheted up as George subtly gives us plot twits and crucial clues, cliffhangers and key character developments in a tone that manages to almost diminish their initial impact. This felt like a great choice, as it served to soften the blow of otherwise very impactful passages, leaving us somehow even more surprised when we consider them consciously and realize their true relevance to a brilliant and intricate plot.
George has a great way of pushing the reader's internal compass needle around on our opinions of characters great and small throughout the book. I found myself vacillating on whether I liked one character in particular more than once, and it felt as though it was done in a way that felt organic and realistic.
The plot itself was woven together from two main character perspectives and occasional drop-ins from other characters. The author was very consistent and clever with several plot implications that hinged on what certain characters knew at what times. Additionally, there is some depth to this book as George considers right and wrong in the criminal justice system and the idea that justice (and the pursuit of it) can look different from different angles, even when looking at the same events.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book and have in fact already gone out and picked it up. I think this would appeal to many mystery fans, including those who appreciate good, suspense-building momentum and some of the practical observation and detective logic inherent in good crime-solving.
George has a great way of pushing the reader's internal compass needle around on our opinions of characters great and small throughout the book. I found myself vacillating on whether I liked one character in particular more than once, and it felt as though it was done in a way that felt organic and realistic.
The plot itself was woven together from two main character perspectives and occasional drop-ins from other characters. The author was very consistent and clever with several plot implications that hinged on what certain characters knew at what times. Additionally, there is some depth to this book as George considers right and wrong in the criminal justice system and the idea that justice (and the pursuit of it) can look different from different angles, even when looking at the same events.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book and have in fact already gone out and picked it up. I think this would appeal to many mystery fans, including those who appreciate good, suspense-building momentum and some of the practical observation and detective logic inherent in good crime-solving.