A review by ncteixeira
The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves

slow-paced

4.0

I recently watched the adaptation of this book for the tv series (“Vera”), and I was so impressed by the twists that I decided to read the book. 

What I liked about the twists was that each was very well thought out and all believable. 

As books tend to be better than the adaptations, I ordered a copy  from the library, but as the condition of it was not very good, I purchased a box set of paperbacks containing the first 8 books of this series.

I read the first 3 chapters, and although I was enjoying the writing, I noticed that in every other pages there were derogatory comments about Vera’s weight (in some parts she is described as an ugly woman), which thankfully were not in the tv adaptation. 

I do believe that it was done with the intention of showing how underestimated she was, but I think it could have been done in a different way, after all this book was released in 2015, not in the 80’s or even the 90’s, when such remarks were thought to be funny.

Anyways… as I said, I did enjoy the writing, the storyline and its slow (and not so thrilling - that’s why it took me longer than usual to finish this book) development, and the conclusion, hence my ratings.

I loved Vera’s personality and her line of inquiries, and the other characters were well crafted.

The book was well structured and I enjoyed some alternating POV.

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I will try to set at least one book per month.

Paperback (Pan Books): 370 pages + 16 pages with the 2 first chapters of the next book, “The Seagull”

E-book (Kobo): 105k words, 385 pages (default - including 2 chapters from “The Segull)