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clarinet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kitkat2712's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
Broken Harbor was another interesting read from Tana French, though it was not her best or my most favorite. This book was devastating creepy though thankfully my sister warned me about most of it and it wasn't as awful as it could have been re: the child murders. Sidenote: what is with Tana French and her obsession with creepy, undiscoverable animals?? I literally almost had a heart attack when my cat came up to me in a dark hallway after reading this book... I was not a huge fan of Mick Scorcher when he was introduced in Faithful Place, but his narration in this book was much better than I thought it would be. He became a human being instead of just a caricature. My problem was although I was on the edge of my seat to find out what was up with those mysterious holes, the human aspect of the mystery was not as compelling as it could have been.
The descriptions of the desolated developments outside of Dublin were really well-done. I admit that my perception of Ireland is ridiculously rosy: all rolling green hills and beautiful architecture. Tana French does not hesitate to dispel this mythical image even when she deals with relatively posh subjects like debt and middle class sufferings. Some of the most emotional passages in the book are about these subjects. Self-image, family, money... It isn't quite as gritty as her other works but it still manages to be utterly dark.
I felt for Mick and his sister as their backstory unfolded, but perhaps because it was only loosely connected to the primary mystery, I never really felt invested in the fallout of their relationship. I did really enjoy Mick's relationship with his young partner and really didn't see that explosion coming at all. I didn't properly guess the murderer, but the reveal and the whole mystery itself was so depressing I didn't feel very enthusiastic about it.
Overall, this book kept me glued to the page (and very close to the nightlight so nothing would jump out and get me >_>) but it is not one of my favorite of French's books. There were some crazy twists and it was all well-written, I just prefer her other books like The Likeness or Faithful Place. In any case, my faith was restored in her prowess after the disaster that was In the Woods and I'm eager to read more of her work, but I just need a tiny break from the darkness. If you ever pick up this series, definitely skip In the Woods but don't pass up either of these books, especially if you like your head getting messed with... ;)
The descriptions of the desolated developments outside of Dublin were really well-done. I admit that my perception of Ireland is ridiculously rosy: all rolling green hills and beautiful architecture. Tana French does not hesitate to dispel this mythical image even when she deals with relatively posh subjects like debt and middle class sufferings. Some of the most emotional passages in the book are about these subjects. Self-image, family, money... It isn't quite as gritty as her other works but it still manages to be utterly dark.
I felt for Mick and his sister as their backstory unfolded, but perhaps because it was only loosely connected to the primary mystery, I never really felt invested in the fallout of their relationship. I did really enjoy Mick's relationship with his young partner and really didn't see that explosion coming at all. I didn't properly guess the murderer, but the reveal and the whole mystery itself was so depressing I didn't feel very enthusiastic about it.
Overall, this book kept me glued to the page (and very close to the nightlight so nothing would jump out and get me >_>) but it is not one of my favorite of French's books. There were some crazy twists and it was all well-written, I just prefer her other books like The Likeness or Faithful Place. In any case, my faith was restored in her prowess after the disaster that was In the Woods and I'm eager to read more of her work, but I just need a tiny break from the darkness. If you ever pick up this series, definitely skip In the Woods but don't pass up either of these books, especially if you like your head getting messed with... ;)
villenview's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Suicide
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
5.0
Tana French is at her best with this fourth Dublin Murder Squad book. She is a writer who can not only tell a thrilling story full of damaged and fascinating characters, but she can also make me cry with a mystery. Yes, I cried at the end of this story.
I hate to compare French to anyone else, because she writes prose that is poetic, nostalgic, and heart poundingly tense at the same time; but I can't help it. It's as though--especially in this book--she is channeling Ruth Rendell's most uncomfortable psychological moments with Barry Maitland's most copper, police procedural moments. It's a perfect combination for me and I will be re-reading this often while I wait for her next book.
And a quick note on the audiobook narrator, Stephen Hogan: he does a spot-on job. His accents are varied and easily identifiable, but never hammy. He has a terrific deep, low tone that can be eerie in one line, and vulnerable with the next.
I hate to compare French to anyone else, because she writes prose that is poetic, nostalgic, and heart poundingly tense at the same time; but I can't help it. It's as though--especially in this book--she is channeling Ruth Rendell's most uncomfortable psychological moments with Barry Maitland's most copper, police procedural moments. It's a perfect combination for me and I will be re-reading this often while I wait for her next book.
And a quick note on the audiobook narrator, Stephen Hogan: he does a spot-on job. His accents are varied and easily identifiable, but never hammy. He has a terrific deep, low tone that can be eerie in one line, and vulnerable with the next.
juliacecil's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kandicekp_78's review against another edition
5.0
Great writing
I can't put down this series! Love it! On to the next one now! I'm sure I won't be disappointed
I can't put down this series! Love it! On to the next one now! I'm sure I won't be disappointed
kristinhzta90's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read by Tana French! While the Dublin Murder squad series are labelled as mysteries, i believe they are written more like character studies. The mysteries are never very deep and the suspects are always limited, but she definitely threw a twist in this one that I didn't expect. I absolutely adore the way she makes the characters come alive.
I wasn't a big fan of Scorcher in Faithful Place, but you get to know what made him the way he is. At one point he talks about how he got his nickname Scorcher, but he remembers it completely different from Frank. That really shows how everyone perceptions are different. I actually went back to Faithful Place to reread about Scorcher and Frank's history.
Honestly, I still thought he was a pompous know-it-all for a good portion of the book, and I sympathized more with his rookie partner Richie. But, as the book progressed that allegiance changed and I found myself caring for Mikey and I felt like I understood him. At the end I really respected him. Bravo.
I wasn't a big fan of Scorcher in Faithful Place, but you get to know what made him the way he is. At one point he talks about how he got his nickname Scorcher, but he remembers it completely different from Frank. That really shows how everyone perceptions are different. I actually went back to Faithful Place to reread about Scorcher and Frank's history.
Honestly, I still thought he was a pompous know-it-all for a good portion of the book, and I sympathized more with his rookie partner Richie. But, as the book progressed that allegiance changed and I found myself caring for Mikey and I felt like I understood him. At the end I really respected him. Bravo.
gabepants's review against another edition
4.0
Certainly not my favorite of the series. The Likeness definitely takes the cake. And Faithful Place is a very close second. That being said, it was still a very great read. French managed to make me feel for a character I had previously been conditioned to loathe, I still hated him but he made more sense to me. I was moved by this story and again she had me hoping for the salvation of characters long gone.
sebren's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0