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jimbowen0306's review
2.0
I'm not going to lie, this book irked me. The books starts with a private investigator receiving a call, telling him his wife, who died 8 years ago has turned up at King's Cross Station, looking for him. As she's been dead 8 years, he doesn't point out the woman is crazy, and here's a bunch of her friends who'll confirm it. Equally, given he's bound to be a suspect, he doesn't decide not to say anything, and wait for a lawyer to arrive. Instead, he digs himself a massive hole, a hole he has to spend the rest of the book digging himself out of. I know we wouldn't have a book otherwise, but he's a journalist/investigator, and spent a long time thinking "Oh for God's sake", as a result.
Another thing I would say is that you shouldn't do any research about the author before you start. Otherwise, like me, you might not be able to get away from the fact that having spent nine books getting us emotionally involved in his main character, he's going to destroy it by having him go, or be crazy.
The third thing that irked me was is if you're going to assault the protagonist's mind, do it from the point of view of the antagonist. I remember it being well done in an episode of The Avengers, for example, and could allow him to deal with the fallout in later books, but the way it's handled here, there's a sense that the author realised that he'd made a mistake, or didn't want to put his character through it, or that there was nowhere to go with the story, because the author drops it midway through the book, despite it being the book has the title, and opening premise it has.
If you can accept get over all this, it's a perfectly readable book. The character works out what's going on (and proves he's not as nutty as a fruit cake to the police), and why the woman is doing what she does, into the bargain. My problem was that I couldn't get over my initial issues with the book.
Another thing I would say is that you shouldn't do any research about the author before you start. Otherwise, like me, you might not be able to get away from the fact that having spent nine books getting us emotionally involved in his main character, he's going to destroy it by having him go, or be crazy.
The third thing that irked me was is if you're going to assault the protagonist's mind, do it from the point of view of the antagonist. I remember it being well done in an episode of The Avengers, for example, and could allow him to deal with the fallout in later books, but the way it's handled here, there's a sense that the author realised that he'd made a mistake, or didn't want to put his character through it, or that there was nowhere to go with the story, because the author drops it midway through the book, despite it being the book has the title, and opening premise it has.
If you can accept get over all this, it's a perfectly readable book. The character works out what's going on (and proves he's not as nutty as a fruit cake to the police), and why the woman is doing what she does, into the bargain. My problem was that I couldn't get over my initial issues with the book.
ingo_lembcke's review
2.0
Dead Good Books recommended - have to be more careful with these recommendations, way too many bad books started / bough in the last years. If I ever see the moniker "psychological thriller - page-turner" again, I should stay away from it.
Boring, way too long. Two stars for a good idea.
This certainly brings to turn the page - to get to the reveal much faster.
No suspense, not enough twists, one was obvious to menearly from the beginning (only revealed in the final crime scene at the house with the woman).
One more of author for never-buy-never-read-again-pile. Pitty. Sounded good from the blurb.
While after reading it, a lot felt unreal and ridiculous, stranger things have already happend in RL, so I cannot safely say it is to far out there.
There was too much not needed and boring information about the life of the MC and others in there, that could have been cut without changing the story. And it was as much as 50%, by my best guess.
Not recommened. Skipped a lot, going fast-forward through it, but the time it took me (a week) is testament to the unnecessary length of the novel, even after the solution-reveal there came more story I really did not want to know.
Not very entertaining. And it was not even cheap, I paid full price for it, which I regret now!
Boring, way too long. Two stars for a good idea.
This certainly brings to turn the page - to get to the reveal much faster.
No suspense, not enough twists, one was obvious to menearly from the beginning (only revealed in the final crime scene at the house with the woman).
One more of author for never-buy-never-read-again-pile. Pitty. Sounded good from the blurb.
While after reading it, a lot felt unreal and ridiculous, stranger things have already happend in RL, so I cannot safely say it is to far out there.
There was too much not needed and boring information about the life of the MC and others in there, that could have been cut without changing the story. And it was as much as 50%, by my best guess.
Not recommened. Skipped a lot, going fast-forward through it, but the time it took me (a week) is testament to the unnecessary length of the novel, even after the solution-reveal there came more story I really did not want to know.
Not very entertaining. And it was not even cheap, I paid full price for it, which I regret now!
marsbar0619's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hales2385's review against another edition
5.0
Well... I’m currently wondering where I’ve been!! How is this Raker #9 and I’ve only just discovered it!!! Absolutely brilliant... I need to go and read them all from the beginning now!
Having no clue what the series was previously about I can safely say that you don’t need to read the others for it to make sense! The storyline had me gripped from early on and I loved how many layers there was to the story and finding the real culprit!
It was well written and fast paced but didn’t feel rushed at any point and everything that was written was useful and contributed to the story.
Having no clue what the series was previously about I can safely say that you don’t need to read the others for it to make sense! The storyline had me gripped from early on and I loved how many layers there was to the story and finding the real culprit!
It was well written and fast paced but didn’t feel rushed at any point and everything that was written was useful and contributed to the story.
aimeepaige's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
readymadereader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
pippad's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't realise this was #9 in a series, but quickly understood that anything I had missed in the previous 8 books was nicely covered for me and kinda made me like David Raker (the main character) more.
The story happens just after Christmas, David has been staying with his daughter and has to return because his dead wife is waiting for him in a police station... Yeah, apparently she isn't dead she has been held as a prisoner for eight years and it's looking like David is the main suspect!
I really enjoyed it and will be reading more in the series when I can.
The story happens just after Christmas, David has been staying with his daughter and has to return because his dead wife is waiting for him in a police station... Yeah, apparently she isn't dead she has been held as a prisoner for eight years and it's looking like David is the main suspect!
I really enjoyed it and will be reading more in the series when I can.
weez_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Even thou this was my first Tim weaver book and it was the 9th book in a series I loved it and couldnt put it down so much I read it in a day , being the 9th book and not read any other books from this author I still loved this book u can fully pick this book up and read it having not read any of the other books and love it just as much.
danya_a's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
2.75