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katienunnery's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
slhandy45's review
4.0
Plenty of Valencia atmosphere, a twisty whodunit, and an appealing protagonist make for a good book. If you can over look the machismo.
gavreads's review
It has to be hard to bring something new to the crime genre. But crime happens everywhere and this time we’re off to sunny Spain. I initially thought this was going to be a crime in translation but like Martin Walker’s Bruno, Chief of Police series Cámara is written by a non-native that’s made the place a home, and like Walker brings out an accessible view of the culture and the place. Or at least that’s what comes across in Or The Bull Kills You.
Setting it at the time of the festival of Fallas is very immersive not only do you get to a Valencia in the raw it tightens the tension as Cámara of investigating the death of such a high profile figure. Though I wouldn’t say that makes him a worse detective. He’s very shambling. He likes an early drink and a not entirely legal recreational smoke. He is however endearing. And a good policeman even if he’s not that methodical he does have a policeman’s nose.
Webster keeps everything flowing nicely and you get a not exactly subtle but not force fed either lesson in bullfighting.
Setting it at the time of the festival of Fallas is very immersive not only do you get to a Valencia in the raw it tightens the tension as Cámara of investigating the death of such a high profile figure. Though I wouldn’t say that makes him a worse detective. He’s very shambling. He likes an early drink and a not entirely legal recreational smoke. He is however endearing. And a good policeman even if he’s not that methodical he does have a policeman’s nose.
Webster keeps everything flowing nicely and you get a not exactly subtle but not force fed either lesson in bullfighting.
diannel_04's review
4.0
Detective Max Camera doesn't like bullfighting. Unfortunately, his boss does, Pardo, does. When Pardo's daughter gets sick he sends Camara to judge the fights for him. That's how hee gets stuck investigating the murder of Jorge Blanco, Spain's best matador. The investigation takes many twists and turns before getting solved.
I wasn't sure about this book at first but by the end I knew I would read more in the series.
I wasn't sure about this book at first but by the end I knew I would read more in the series.
francomega's review
3.0
Pretty standard detective/murder mystery elevated by its setting in Valencia, particularly the climactic chase through crowded streets during the Fallas celebration.
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