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temporarei's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
would you rather be killed by a kid or kill a kid.
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third in the series and I have thoroughly enjoyed each outing of the Peterborough Hate Crime department made up of DI Zigic and Ds Fereira. The previous novels have focussed on illegal workers and far right hate crime. This book deals with the murder of a woman in her home and the death of her disabled daughter in the house. The crime lands with Zigic because of a hate campaign against the girl an up and coming climber disabled after a fall.
The book zips along and as with any good crime series the individual characters are built up whilst the plot twists and turns. we learn more about the two detectives who are now firm favourites and I can't wait for the next in the series.
The book zips along and as with any good crime series the individual characters are built up whilst the plot twists and turns. we learn more about the two detectives who are now firm favourites and I can't wait for the next in the series.
anetq's review
4.0
Accidently read book 3, not 2 in the series (but I still want to read book 2, so nevermind) - this was just as great as the first in the series. Eva Dolan does not just serve up a murder victim, she paints a picture of society and particularly the vulnerable people in society; the immigrants and in this one the handicapped...
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Visit the locations in the novel here Eva Dolan booktrail
A mother and her disabled daughter – the latest case for the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit.
Eva Dolan won an award in the 2015 Booktrail Awards for ‘ Book that punches you in the face’. Well this book might just win her a similar award for the impact it had on me. The work of a hate crimes unit is not something that I’d read about before in crime fiction until these books and this case haunted me for days, no weeks after reading it. It reminded me of a case on the news years ago and this also could be heartbreakingly true. There is so much emotional investment in the characters that you’ll feel their pain and wipe their tears and I felt myself outraged in public, reading on the bus, to the point where someone noted that ‘ it must be a good book’. I told her just enough for her to say she was going to get it. I think this bus book recommendation service might just catch on!
Eva Dolan always manages to grab me by the throat and show me an aspect of people’s lives I’d never really thought of before – the life of caring for a disabled relative, the right to die, hate crimes…and the role of social media in their lives. This will stay with me for some time.
This book certainly does put Peterborough on the map – the deaths of a mother and daughter is emotional, heartbreaking and shockingly realistic. Hate crimes, the life of a carer, the role of social media in the lives of people isolated from all other aspects of society are all handled by Peterborough police and show the difficulty of doing so. The nature of the crimes, the way both police and the wider society view the disabled and related hate crimes is just heartbreaking, poignant and desperately sad.
Peterborough here could be any town or city across England but it reflects the fact that in the smaller and picturesque places, crime can be grave and hidden. This is not the capital city that has sadly seen it all, this is a place where a woman and her disabled daughter become hate figures. DI Zigic and Ferreira have never dealt with such a ticking clock before and the veil of suspicion soon covers many in the small town and the corridors of officialdom.
We've put together a map on : Eva Dolan booktrail to show you the two sides of the city in the novel.
A mother and her disabled daughter – the latest case for the Peterborough Hate Crimes Unit.
Eva Dolan won an award in the 2015 Booktrail Awards for ‘ Book that punches you in the face’. Well this book might just win her a similar award for the impact it had on me. The work of a hate crimes unit is not something that I’d read about before in crime fiction until these books and this case haunted me for days, no weeks after reading it. It reminded me of a case on the news years ago and this also could be heartbreakingly true. There is so much emotional investment in the characters that you’ll feel their pain and wipe their tears and I felt myself outraged in public, reading on the bus, to the point where someone noted that ‘ it must be a good book’. I told her just enough for her to say she was going to get it. I think this bus book recommendation service might just catch on!
Eva Dolan always manages to grab me by the throat and show me an aspect of people’s lives I’d never really thought of before – the life of caring for a disabled relative, the right to die, hate crimes…and the role of social media in their lives. This will stay with me for some time.
This book certainly does put Peterborough on the map – the deaths of a mother and daughter is emotional, heartbreaking and shockingly realistic. Hate crimes, the life of a carer, the role of social media in the lives of people isolated from all other aspects of society are all handled by Peterborough police and show the difficulty of doing so. The nature of the crimes, the way both police and the wider society view the disabled and related hate crimes is just heartbreaking, poignant and desperately sad.
Peterborough here could be any town or city across England but it reflects the fact that in the smaller and picturesque places, crime can be grave and hidden. This is not the capital city that has sadly seen it all, this is a place where a woman and her disabled daughter become hate figures. DI Zigic and Ferreira have never dealt with such a ticking clock before and the veil of suspicion soon covers many in the small town and the corridors of officialdom.
We've put together a map on : Eva Dolan booktrail to show you the two sides of the city in the novel.
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
5.0
After You Die is the third book in the Zigic and Ferreira series and is one that I have been waiting impatiently to read since the cliff hanger ending in book two. It was well worth waiting for!
Unlike the first two books, which involved hate crimes against those from a different country this was about hate crime aimed at a disabled blogger. Holly was paralysed in an accident a few years previously. Her accident caused her parents marriage to breakdown, her mother was active on dating websites and she had very little contact with her father who blamed himself. When Dawn is murdered, Holly is left to die from natural causes in her bedroom.
Ferreira has just returned to work after a bad injury she suffered while on active duty. She is still affected by them, both mentally and physically but is determined to prove that she can cope despite concerns from her colleagues. Zigic is fighting to keep the case in the hate crimes department and is angered by restrictions placed on him when a potential witness needs to be interviewed. Nathan was an enigma, I kept on reading just a little bit more to find out what his past was and why Zigic was having to hold back.
A lot of people have views on the right to die issue. The topic was handled very well in the novel. I imagine that the abuse that Holly received via her blog was pretty accurate. She was a great character, one of the nicest and definitely one of the bravest people in the book. She had a big impact on Ferreira who was desperate to get answers into the killings.
Quite sad at times, especially the storylines with the younger people who feature. It was harder to feel any sympathy or warmth towards any of the other characters. The crime itself was very cold and calculating. Probably one of the most calculating that I have read for a while.
The Zigic and Ferreira detective series is one of my favourites. I've enjoyed each book, you get to know the main characters a little more in each one but their personal lives don't impact the main story. If you haven't read them I would recommend reading in order.
With thanks to the publisher and the author for the copy received.
Unlike the first two books, which involved hate crimes against those from a different country this was about hate crime aimed at a disabled blogger. Holly was paralysed in an accident a few years previously. Her accident caused her parents marriage to breakdown, her mother was active on dating websites and she had very little contact with her father who blamed himself. When Dawn is murdered, Holly is left to die from natural causes in her bedroom.
Ferreira has just returned to work after a bad injury she suffered while on active duty. She is still affected by them, both mentally and physically but is determined to prove that she can cope despite concerns from her colleagues. Zigic is fighting to keep the case in the hate crimes department and is angered by restrictions placed on him when a potential witness needs to be interviewed. Nathan was an enigma, I kept on reading just a little bit more to find out what his past was and why Zigic was having to hold back.
A lot of people have views on the right to die issue. The topic was handled very well in the novel. I imagine that the abuse that Holly received via her blog was pretty accurate. She was a great character, one of the nicest and definitely one of the bravest people in the book. She had a big impact on Ferreira who was desperate to get answers into the killings.
Quite sad at times, especially the storylines with the younger people who feature. It was harder to feel any sympathy or warmth towards any of the other characters. The crime itself was very cold and calculating. Probably one of the most calculating that I have read for a while.
The Zigic and Ferreira detective series is one of my favourites. I've enjoyed each book, you get to know the main characters a little more in each one but their personal lives don't impact the main story. If you haven't read them I would recommend reading in order.
With thanks to the publisher and the author for the copy received.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
After You Die is the first book I have read by this author and it is also the third book in the Zigic & Ferreira series. Even though I haven't read the first two in the series I didn't feel I was at a disadvantage at all as it read very easily as a stand alone. Having read this book though I will certainly be reading more by this author.
I have to say the death of Dawn and her disabled daughter Holly really got to me. I wanted the murderer found as much as their friends and the police. The thought of Holly being left to die really did infuriate me as her death was so meaningless and down right cruel. It's certainly a storyline that I won't forget in a hurry.
Zigic & Ferreira really have their work cut out trying to find the culprit and I didn't envy them at all. I loved both of the main characters and they make a great team. They seem to be quite the opposite of each other which I think brings out the best in them.
Nathan was such a complex character. I really had mixed feelings for him. He has obviously been through a terrible ordeal but the fact that his past is hidden from us as well as the police was so frustrating. My heart to a certain extent was going out to him yet I wasn't sure whether it should be. Rachel who has all the answers to the readers and detective's questions was such an infuriating character. I really wanted to give the woman a good slap. Eventually all does get revealed though you can tell how much Rachel hates having to give out the information.
It certainly had me guessing through out about who the murderer was. I constantly kept changing my mind and all I will say is that all my guesses were wrong.
After You Die makes for one hell of a dark and tense reading experience. It had me gripped from start to finish. A brilliant crime thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say the death of Dawn and her disabled daughter Holly really got to me. I wanted the murderer found as much as their friends and the police. The thought of Holly being left to die really did infuriate me as her death was so meaningless and down right cruel. It's certainly a storyline that I won't forget in a hurry.
Zigic & Ferreira really have their work cut out trying to find the culprit and I didn't envy them at all. I loved both of the main characters and they make a great team. They seem to be quite the opposite of each other which I think brings out the best in them.
Nathan was such a complex character. I really had mixed feelings for him. He has obviously been through a terrible ordeal but the fact that his past is hidden from us as well as the police was so frustrating. My heart to a certain extent was going out to him yet I wasn't sure whether it should be. Rachel who has all the answers to the readers and detective's questions was such an infuriating character. I really wanted to give the woman a good slap. Eventually all does get revealed though you can tell how much Rachel hates having to give out the information.
It certainly had me guessing through out about who the murderer was. I constantly kept changing my mind and all I will say is that all my guesses were wrong.
After You Die makes for one hell of a dark and tense reading experience. It had me gripped from start to finish. A brilliant crime thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage Publishing for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
snazzybooks's review against another edition
5.0
Reviewed on www.snazzybooks.com
A few things drew me to After You Die. Firstly, I'm a sucker for well written crime/ Police novels, and I'd heard- from my mum, actually- that Eva Dolan is a really good writer whose work fits perfectly into this category. Then, of course, there's the fact that it's set in Peterborough, which is my hometown (well, homecity actually). I was intrigued to see how I'd enjoy it, and hopeful that I'd find a new favourite author and series. I'm pleased to say I found both!
Firstly, the writing in thid novel is really great. Well-crafted sentences are woven into an intriguing and fast-paced plot. Dolan includes just the right amount of grittiness without it being too much, though the content is pretty harrowing at times!
I really enjoyed reading about the characters. Di Zigic seems a really likeable Detective that I can imagine wanting to read more about, though he definitely works too much and therefore neglects his family a bit- the usual trait of those in his profession, it seems! Nevertheless he continued to be a sharp, intelligent character whose journey to solving the case is a really interesting one. His team are equally enjoyable to read about, with fiery Ferreira being a bit too hot-headed at times but providing an excellent aide to Zigic.
As I mentioned before, some of the content surrounding the crime and the events leading up to it is quite gritty, but I feel it's done well throughout. It may not have made Peterborough look like the safest, quietest place to live in the world, but it made for excellent reading!
I'll certainly be reading the first 2 novels in the DI Zigic and DS Ferreira series, which are titled Long Way Home (1) and Tell No Tales (2).
A sharp, engaging crime read which I'd highly recommend.
** Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review **
A few things drew me to After You Die. Firstly, I'm a sucker for well written crime/ Police novels, and I'd heard- from my mum, actually- that Eva Dolan is a really good writer whose work fits perfectly into this category. Then, of course, there's the fact that it's set in Peterborough, which is my hometown (well, homecity actually). I was intrigued to see how I'd enjoy it, and hopeful that I'd find a new favourite author and series. I'm pleased to say I found both!
Firstly, the writing in thid novel is really great. Well-crafted sentences are woven into an intriguing and fast-paced plot. Dolan includes just the right amount of grittiness without it being too much, though the content is pretty harrowing at times!
I really enjoyed reading about the characters. Di Zigic seems a really likeable Detective that I can imagine wanting to read more about, though he definitely works too much and therefore neglects his family a bit- the usual trait of those in his profession, it seems! Nevertheless he continued to be a sharp, intelligent character whose journey to solving the case is a really interesting one. His team are equally enjoyable to read about, with fiery Ferreira being a bit too hot-headed at times but providing an excellent aide to Zigic.
As I mentioned before, some of the content surrounding the crime and the events leading up to it is quite gritty, but I feel it's done well throughout. It may not have made Peterborough look like the safest, quietest place to live in the world, but it made for excellent reading!
I'll certainly be reading the first 2 novels in the DI Zigic and DS Ferreira series, which are titled Long Way Home (1) and Tell No Tales (2).
A sharp, engaging crime read which I'd highly recommend.
** Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review **
trusselltales's review against another edition
5.0
In this third book in Eva Dolan's hard-hitting crime series set in Peterborough, detectives Zigic and Ferreira from the Hate Crimes unit are brought into a nasty murder case. The victims are already known to the Hate Crimes unit because of incidents of abuse; the actions of the unit come under scrutiny. Could the murders have been avoided? Dolan has created some wonderfully drawn and multidimensional characters, and the story moves along at a good pace. It's not just the detectives that are carefully crafted by the author, but the suspects and side characters leap off the page as well. Dolan doesn't avoid the darker side of human nature and relationships, and this book left me pondering some of the actions and reactions after I'd finished. An excellent book from one of the best UK crime writers working at the moment.
bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
5.0
Having never read any of Eva Dolan's previous books, I didn't know what to expect when I started After You Die. I certainly wasn't expecting to be hooked immediately and not wanting to leave the book down to sleep, but with 2 kids, I need sleep :)
Happily, when I picked it back up, I was just as engrossed. I started the book on Tuesday night and had it finished last night. It was utterly addictive reading!
While the themes in the book are tough subject matter, they were handled skilfully, both by the author and the characters she has created. Zigic and Ferreira are one of the best, and most cohesive pairs of detectives I've read in a while. I often find that one or the other gets more time, or demands more attention, but both were equally present throughout the narrative.
The plot in After You Die was very tight. Every story was perfectly constructed, and together they intermingled brilliantly. You felt something for almost every character, whether it be sympathy, sadness, happiness or anger, and that is something I look for in the books I read. If I can't connect, I find it harder to concentrate on the story. No fear of that here!!!
I'm not going go into details of the plot, the synopsis above should be enough to whet your appetite. I, for one, am glad I went in without reading more that the synopsis as it was such a layered book that I wasn't expecting half of what happened! Also, as usual lately, I guessed the perpetrator and was wrong, again!
Happily, when I picked it back up, I was just as engrossed. I started the book on Tuesday night and had it finished last night. It was utterly addictive reading!
While the themes in the book are tough subject matter, they were handled skilfully, both by the author and the characters she has created. Zigic and Ferreira are one of the best, and most cohesive pairs of detectives I've read in a while. I often find that one or the other gets more time, or demands more attention, but both were equally present throughout the narrative.
The plot in After You Die was very tight. Every story was perfectly constructed, and together they intermingled brilliantly. You felt something for almost every character, whether it be sympathy, sadness, happiness or anger, and that is something I look for in the books I read. If I can't connect, I find it harder to concentrate on the story. No fear of that here!!!
I'm not going go into details of the plot, the synopsis above should be enough to whet your appetite. I, for one, am glad I went in without reading more that the synopsis as it was such a layered book that I wasn't expecting half of what happened! Also, as usual lately, I guessed the perpetrator and was wrong, again!
pgchuis's review
4.0
An airport bookshop impulse buy and a good one, although I wish I hadn't bought on impulse the third in the series.
After a gas explosion in a semi detached cottage the police discover (in the other half of the house) the bodies of two women. Dawn has been stabbed to death and her disabled daughter has died of natural causes after being left for days without care.
A pretty straight police procedural with competent, hardworking officers, who actually go home of an evening. I particularly appreciated the fact that the DI was happily married (as opposed to a tortured alcoholic renegade). The plot was well constructed and all the loose ends tied up. Very satisfactory.
After a gas explosion in a semi detached cottage the police discover (in the other half of the house) the bodies of two women. Dawn has been stabbed to death and her disabled daughter has died of natural causes after being left for days without care.
A pretty straight police procedural with competent, hardworking officers, who actually go home of an evening. I particularly appreciated the fact that the DI was happily married (as opposed to a tortured alcoholic renegade). The plot was well constructed and all the loose ends tied up. Very satisfactory.