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berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this mystery set in St. Andrews while I was on holiday there, and it was nice to read about all the nooks and crannies of the town as I was discovering them.
The detective, Andy Gilchrist, is a sympathetic protagonist who always remains competent, and not an alcoholic chain-smoking wreck like some. He does, however, have the requisite ex-wife and estranged kids.
The mystery was well-constructed, with some good red herring characters, and the resolution was narratively satisfying, even though I wish the murderer would more often be arrested and stand trial instead of being killed in the final confrontation with the detective. To me, this feels too much like escaping from the consequences of their actions. But this is only the first book in the series, so here's hoping.
All in all a good mystery with an engaging detective I want to read more about.
The detective, Andy Gilchrist, is a sympathetic protagonist who always remains competent, and not an alcoholic chain-smoking wreck like some. He does, however, have the requisite ex-wife and estranged kids.
The mystery was well-constructed, with some good red herring characters, and the resolution was narratively satisfying, even though I wish the murderer would more often be arrested and stand trial instead of being killed in the final confrontation with the detective. To me, this feels too much like escaping from the consequences of their actions. But this is only the first book in the series, so here's hoping.
All in all a good mystery with an engaging detective I want to read more about.
kelbi's review against another edition
4.0
It's the first one of his I have read. And good. These days I seem to listen on Audible to nothing but murder stories set in Scotland. Maybe I need a change?
denaiir's review against another edition
4.0
Great plot but I sometimes lost sight of who was who, and what their connection to the enquiry was.
Narration was great and the overall atmosphere was gloomy and in line with the plot.
Narration was great and the overall atmosphere was gloomy and in line with the plot.
niinjah's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this on audible and was pleasantly surprised. It is a crime novel, but not just that. The writing is actually very good, and there are sentences that you want to remember or hear again.
radella_hardwick's review against another edition
3.5
Main plot fairly predictable.
I liked that the red herring plot had substance but was unconnected to the main investigation.
Gilchrist is fairly flawed but in ways that we've seen a hundred times before. It is a bit different that his kids are young adults, rather than all the friction being with an ex-wife and the kids being puppets.
I liked that the red herring plot had substance but was unconnected to the main investigation.
Gilchrist is fairly flawed but in ways that we've seen a hundred times before. It is a bit different that his kids are young adults, rather than all the friction being with an ex-wife and the kids being puppets.
suzanneloving's review against another edition
1.0
I learned two new words. Well, one new word and one new use for a word.
Segue used for musical transitions (indeed, the primary definition!), and horripilation (the goosebump/hair raising sensation).
It was a gripping story in that I kept reading it to find out if there was anything actually happening, but it was also very sexual-offender-explicit and the plot was somehow simultaneously transparent and opaque. You pretty much knew all the time what was happening, but not really why in any compelling way. The multiple plot lines didn't really ever coalesce into a whole story.
It read like a badly written serial cop drama, all effect and no substance. There was no emotional nuance or growth, only a pattern of reduced-impact triggers. Mostly I read it with a vague disgust and confusion about why I was bothering, and the conclusion was as unsatisfying as the rest of the read.
Although the story was set in Scotland, there was no charm, and it actually came as a surprise when I realized that's where it was set! And it featured the royal family without any purpose.
Honestly, it was a hot mess of components that couldn't find a reason to stay together, not even for the murders.
Segue used for musical transitions (indeed, the primary definition!), and horripilation (the goosebump/hair raising sensation).
It was a gripping story in that I kept reading it to find out if there was anything actually happening, but it was also very sexual-offender-explicit and the plot was somehow simultaneously transparent and opaque. You pretty much knew all the time what was happening, but not really why in any compelling way. The multiple plot lines didn't really ever coalesce into a whole story.
It read like a badly written serial cop drama, all effect and no substance. There was no emotional nuance or growth, only a pattern of reduced-impact triggers. Mostly I read it with a vague disgust and confusion about why I was bothering, and the conclusion was as unsatisfying as the rest of the read.
Although the story was set in Scotland, there was no charm, and it actually came as a surprise when I realized that's where it was set! And it featured the royal family without any purpose.
Honestly, it was a hot mess of components that couldn't find a reason to stay together, not even for the murders.
mh_books's review against another edition
4.0
Great Fun. I always knew St Andrews was a dangerous :)
deniqd's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is a good start of a series but everything about Gilchrist is so depressing that I'm not sure I want to know more (like why does his boss hate him so much?)
But the story was very interesting and it keep me reading so maybe I'll give the second book a go as well.
But the story was very interesting and it keep me reading so maybe I'll give the second book a go as well.
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