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lauraborkpower's review against another edition
4.0
Walters kept the tension high in this sorta mystery/total thriller. It was contemporary--using the current war and recently ended apartheid as backdrops--but didn't rely too heavily on it as to be distracting. I really liked the narrator and the first person never got tiresome, even though the narrator was struggling with PTSD and major anxiety, depression, and victim's rage (which is not a scientific term--sorry). Her revelations were subtle, though with enough detail to consistently up the tension on my end. I'll absolutely read more of hers.
caro06's review against another edition
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
4.0
gabmc's review against another edition
2.0
In fairness this is probably a 2 1/2 star book but I can't give half ratings on GoodReads and I didn't like it enough to give it 3 stars! It was a page turner, but the story was quite confused, with too many elements that I didn't think added to it. War correspondent Connie Burns returns to England after a supremely traumatic experience in Iraq. She rents a house and is befriended by her nearest neighbour. There is some kind of mystery surrounding the owner of the house and her family which is one of the elements of the book that I didn't like. Overall I don't know that I'd recommend this book but I didn't hate it!
mchllsdl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
nkling6's review against another edition
2.0
I had to force myself to finish this book. Thought the pace was slow. First book I have read by this author. I hear others are better.
carolpk's review against another edition
5.0
Minette Walters seldom disappoints me and this read was no exception. Devil’s Feather is psychological suspense at its best. What would it feel like to be a victim of a terrorist kidnapping? This is just what happens to Connie Burns, Reuter’s reporter. While working on a story in Sierra Leone about five women brutally murdered, she suspects a British mercenary. She has met this man before under different names and is certain he is using the backdrop of war as a cover for his sadistic murders. In a confrontation with him, he warns her not to cross him. Connie could not know to what lengths this man would go to make good on his threat.
What I really loved about this book was how well Walter’s portrays monsters that prey, the victim, and explores the role of survivor. I learned a thing or two, also. I learned that the mastiffs in the Hounds of the Baskervilles were actually a mastiff/bloodhound cross and that they are scarier than the mastiffs belonging to a main character in Devil's Feather. Though Jess’s dogs are massive in size and look ferocious, they are less to be feared and less ferocious than expected.
I was intrigued by the definition of Devil's Feather coming from the Turkish and translating as "a woman who stirs a man's interest without realizing it; the unwitting cause of sexual arousal. This passage, at the beginning of the book drew me right in. Having read many of Walter's novels, I was right at home with her style of story told with use of emails, letters, newspaper stories and the like. She does this so well.
What I really loved about this book was how well Walter’s portrays monsters that prey, the victim, and explores the role of survivor. I learned a thing or two, also. I learned that the mastiffs in the Hounds of the Baskervilles were actually a mastiff/bloodhound cross and that they are scarier than the mastiffs belonging to a main character in Devil's Feather. Though Jess’s dogs are massive in size and look ferocious, they are less to be feared and less ferocious than expected.
I was intrigued by the definition of Devil's Feather coming from the Turkish and translating as "a woman who stirs a man's interest without realizing it; the unwitting cause of sexual arousal. This passage, at the beginning of the book drew me right in. Having read many of Walter's novels, I was right at home with her style of story told with use of emails, letters, newspaper stories and the like. She does this so well.
dozylocal's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this! Nail-biting. Mystery. Action. Good characters. Tantalising tid-bits of information that create a 'who dunnit' feel and make you want to keep reading to check whether your theories are correct. Also liked that she used emails/letters/reports in places to tell the story. Would like to read another of her books.
hoserlauren's review against another edition
3.0
Connie Burns is a foreign correspondent that has worked in war zones and high stress situations. After tracking some unusual rape and murders in Sierra Leone, Connie thinks she knows who is responsible but can't do much about it. Years later, she finds herself in Iraq, looking at the same man from Sierra Leone that she thinks caused these crimes. He knows that Connie is on to her and doesn't hide his anger. She is kidnapped and released 3 days after the kidnapping but refuses to say anything about the kidnapping.
Back in London, she hides in a hotel until the media frenzy dies down and then finds a remote cottage to hide in and write a book. She makes friends quickly with the local doctor Peter and the person that lives in the farm close by Jess. Soon, Connie learns about who her cottage belongs to and the neglect that has occurred in that cottage. This helps Connie take her mind off the kidnapping and worrying that the kidnapper is going to find her.
For a thriller, this book was rather slow in parts. It's rare that the major events of a book don't actually occur within the novel. In this book both the kidnapping and the resulting confrontation were completely skipped. Instead, the reader learns about these events through conversations that happen. I can't say I was a big fan of this approach. It may have made things a bit more suspenseful but it resulted in a slower paced book that made me feel like I was missing something.
Despite reading the entire book, I felt like it wasn't really about much and the characters were rather annoying.
Back in London, she hides in a hotel until the media frenzy dies down and then finds a remote cottage to hide in and write a book. She makes friends quickly with the local doctor Peter and the person that lives in the farm close by Jess. Soon, Connie learns about who her cottage belongs to and the neglect that has occurred in that cottage. This helps Connie take her mind off the kidnapping and worrying that the kidnapper is going to find her.
For a thriller, this book was rather slow in parts. It's rare that the major events of a book don't actually occur within the novel. In this book both the kidnapping and the resulting confrontation were completely skipped. Instead, the reader learns about these events through conversations that happen. I can't say I was a big fan of this approach. It may have made things a bit more suspenseful but it resulted in a slower paced book that made me feel like I was missing something.
Despite reading the entire book, I felt like it wasn't really about much and the characters were rather annoying.
bri_8d's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
limeta'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Did I expected plot twist? Yes I did...
Was I frustrated because I still don't know who killed him? Yes I am.
Did I enjoy book? Yes I did.
It's not common mystery but I did like it...it was very readable.
Was I frustrated because I still don't know who killed him? Yes I am.
Did I enjoy book? Yes I did.
It's not common mystery but I did like it...it was very readable.