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A review by bunnieslikediamonds
The Blackhouse by Peter May
3.0
I suppose it's silly to expect a crime novel to be cheerful and upbeat, but nevertheless I'm always a bit surprised when starting on a murder mystery hoping to be entertained, only to lose my will to live. Well, almost. The crime writers of Great Britain lay it on thick with the social realism. This book, by Peter May, made me never to want to go anywhere near Scotland and the bleak Isle of Lewis.
Edinburgh cop Fin Macleod is sent to Lewis to investigate a murder that may be connected to a killing in Edinburgh. Born and raised in Lewis, Fin is confronted with his dark and disturbed past, and suffice to say, the quality of life on the island hasn't improved. His old friends and enemies are miserable, overweight, drunk or depressed. The murder mystery is a minor part of the story, which is really about Fins troubled past and present, told in flashbacks.
It was fairly well-plotted, although I found it hard to believe that Fin had lost a child only a month prior to the investigation. He seemed depressed rather than griefstricken. The character felt real enough for me to take an interest in him, but I'm still not sure about whether he was a huge jerk (the way he treated the ladies) or just coping with childhood trauma. Apparently this is the first part of a trilogy, so I suppose I could find out.
I really have to find a book now that doesn't involve suicides and kids getting hurt.
Edinburgh cop Fin Macleod is sent to Lewis to investigate a murder that may be connected to a killing in Edinburgh. Born and raised in Lewis, Fin is confronted with his dark and disturbed past, and suffice to say, the quality of life on the island hasn't improved. His old friends and enemies are miserable, overweight, drunk or depressed. The murder mystery is a minor part of the story, which is really about Fins troubled past and present, told in flashbacks.
It was fairly well-plotted, although I found it hard to believe that Fin had lost a child only a month prior to the investigation. He seemed depressed rather than griefstricken. The character felt real enough for me to take an interest in him, but I'm still not sure about whether he was a huge jerk (the way he treated the ladies) or just coping with childhood trauma. Apparently this is the first part of a trilogy, so I suppose I could find out.
I really have to find a book now that doesn't involve suicides and kids getting hurt.