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greenblack's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sheeprustler's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Jack is back in Galway after a year in London and has fallen off the wagon. Dark but written with great style.
didactylos's review against another edition
1.0
Confused as to whether this was a crime novel or some strange philosophical treatise or an exercise in exploring addiction. I concluded it was just a cheap exploitative piece of fiction that I finished and wondered why I bothered. Seldom even is on the same map as reality and the main plot is used and discarded as it suits.
jfictitional's review against another edition
4.0
This book, and indeed the entire series thus far, is an odd sort of crime novel in that while there is a crime, not a whole lot of time is spent actually solving it. Most of it is about Jack Taylor the perpetual screwup, now with a coke habit to compliment his alcoholism, getting wasted, drying out and basically doing the same thing over and over again. That they're still a compelling read is a testament to Buren's command of his language and setting.
eush's review against another edition
2.0
There's not actually a lot of 'detecting' going on in this book. And Jack Taylor is a barely functional human being, what with the drinking and the coke. But it was a good enough throwaway read that I might actually go read the first book now.
krissshto's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laurapf's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readinggrrl's review against another edition
3.0
What do you know another drunk detective...but unlike Harry Hole, from Redbreast by Jo Nesbo Jack doesn't go on the wagon. In fact he is so deeply under the wagon I'm surprised he functions. Every time he wakes up without a hangover he is stumped. Fast paced, hard hitting and dark this Irish mystery can leave you scratching your head if you don't know or can't pick up some of the slang. I'm really trying to like Jack but its difficult, he is almost beyond redemption in his spiral downward. Even his friends are a quirky mess.
Jack is approached by the head of the Gypsy's to help solve the murders of several of his kin because the police don't seem to care. Of course this plunges Jack into a crazy and unfortunate series of events that leaves him even more broken, and on the edge. I don't feel sorry for Jack and by the end of the book I am almost starting to like him. I'm not really sure about this series...I guess I will have to take a few more books about Jack for a spin before I make up my mind.
Jack is approached by the head of the Gypsy's to help solve the murders of several of his kin because the police don't seem to care. Of course this plunges Jack into a crazy and unfortunate series of events that leaves him even more broken, and on the edge. I don't feel sorry for Jack and by the end of the book I am almost starting to like him. I'm not really sure about this series...I guess I will have to take a few more books about Jack for a spin before I make up my mind.