Reviews

1989 by Val McDermid

aphilip's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lunainsomnia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Absolutely incredible. I was hoping for exactly this after the last one, Rona and Allies relationship is portrayed beautifully, I love them and the casual representation of it so so much. As well as this, McDermid tackles difficult and time appropriate topics in her great, captivating way.

All in all, I loved it 

searchandrescueteam's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The plot of this work feels predictable: she gets entangled (life at risk) and is rescued by partner with help of ruthless tycoon; tycoon dies - why; another rescue; 

joannareads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

dwintaylor's review

challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

myza's review

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

richard_morrow's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Great to be back in the world of Allie Burns who is now a much more experienced and confident reporter who still wants to investigate and bring justice to the press. Allie is initially investigating the HIV crisis but her investigation reveals something else that connects to her boss. A story which starts in Manchester ends up taking Allie to Berlin and beyond, McDermid’s description paints a perfect picture of what Europe was like in the final months of the Cold War. There are historical events which are presented within this novel and through McDermid’s skill, I felt a true wave of emotion due to how vividly the devastation was narrated- she is a virtuosos of prose. A thrilling murder which demonstrates McDermid’s love for the characters.

kieran_c's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book gave the nostalgic vibes of the late 80’s really well. I like that it linked in Lockerbie, Hillsborough, the Berlin Wall, HIV/AIDs. The actual underlying plot though? Felt quite lacking. The mystery the book builds up to is resolved in a few pages and has no impact.

Loved the almost autobiographical vibes, did not care as much for the weak plot. Still enjoyed the journalism setting though.

katbeales's review

Too rambling, slow and not my kind of story

sparkatito's review against another edition

4.5

Love this series so much! Allie and Rona are amazing characters and are working as reporters during some of the great times of change from when I was a young adult. Track list at the end is perfect.