Oooh, this was a good one! A clinical psychologist who is hired as a profiler on a case that takes place in a small village in rural Ireland. This wa Oooh, this was a good one! A clinical psychologist who is hired as a profiler on a case that takes place in a small village in rural Ireland. This was right up my alley and it didn't disappoint. The setting is excellent, the characters as they are supposed to be and the culprit wasn't on my radar. So kudos for all that! In fact, this book reminded me a lot of the early Jonathan Kellerman books, which I consider high praise.
I would absolutely recommend it if you are searching for a whodunnit with a profiler as the main character.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisened Penn Press, and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own....more
Sadly, a dnf for me. So much unnecessary scientific explanations and puerile jokes. I also didn’t like the narration very much, I found the handling oSadly, a dnf for me. So much unnecessary scientific explanations and puerile jokes. I also didn’t like the narration very much, I found the handling of female and non-native speakers cringe. I’ve endured 5 hours, I cannot continue for 11 hours.
There is a very good plot though and will be curious to see what the movie will be like. ...more
I'll be honest: I hate winter. The cold, the dark, it is no source of enjoyment nor inspiration. For me, the best life is in my garden watching green I'll be honest: I hate winter. The cold, the dark, it is no source of enjoyment nor inspiration. For me, the best life is in my garden watching green unfold or on my bike in shorts with the wind in my hair and sunburnt shoulders at the end of the day. Of course I know some people thrive in winter (my husband being on of them), but this short non-fiction from the queen gave me a whole new outlook on wintertime.
It is filled with nostalgia, with music and food, childhood memories and folklore, all converging to form the fertile source of our much beloved books. Maybe I'll try to embrace the chill just a little bit more from now on. Or maybe this good intention will fly out the door with all the other ones. Probably.
Even a die-hard winter hater like me couldn't not be warmed by the beautiful musings of one of my favourite authors, and I was especially pleased to have a little glimpse of her private life. So if you - like me - are a fan of Mrs. McDermid, I would absolutely put this short book on your wishlist.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Mercer and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own....more
I’ve listened to the Audible during a long flight. So maybe I’ve been deprived of fresh air for too long or I got seriously dehydrated and that is whyI’ve listened to the Audible during a long flight. So maybe I’ve been deprived of fresh air for too long or I got seriously dehydrated and that is why I really didn’t like this book at all (the two stars are for the narration). I don’t know, but I doubt I would have liked it listening from my comfy couch either. I would expect so much more from this author, I loved the Paula McGuire books, but this was so cookie cutter on all fronts I genuinely cannot find a redeeming quality to it. Oh maybe one: it’s short....more
I'm a bit disappointed with this book, as there is a good story and a interesting set of characters. Also the setting is enticing: a hypermodern house I'm a bit disappointed with this book, as there is a good story and a interesting set of characters. Also the setting is enticing: a hypermodern house on a desolate stretch of coast, next to a quirky little fishing village. Everything is just right and my expectations were high, but then I got let down.
Just as other reviewers have mentioned, the story is very different from what you would expect as there is no haunting at all, not of Emily Grace nor of the house. Instead you'll have to suspend all disbelief and find it normal that a superwealthy guy confides in newly appointed woodworker. From there on, I found it difficult to find the characters realistic. I kept on reading as the writing is crisp and well done and I kept on hoping that the conclusion would be a nice wrap, but instead the mystery keeps on going with a whole panoply of theories and the final reveal is just a onepager at the end, which left me a bit disconnected.
I agree with another reviewer: good idea but poor execution.
Thank you NetGalley, Severn House and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own. ...more
Having loved the first instalment “Wirligig”, I cannot believe I somehow missed the second book, but I dove right in book number three. There are someHaving loved the first instalment “Wirligig”, I cannot believe I somehow missed the second book, but I dove right in book number three. There are some changes on the domestic side, but the heart of the Scottish crew remains the same. They all have to step up as Corstophine’s wife has been abducted by a madman. It’s a very good mystery and all, but for me it still is the crisp writing and the tremendously good rendering of the environment of the Scottish hills and the people that does it. Greig is right up there with Val McDermid as far as I’m concerned. Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own....more
Stonex has succeeded in writing a haunting novel about family secrets, vengeance and guilt, poverty and greed, but most of all about love and belonginStonex has succeeded in writing a haunting novel about family secrets, vengeance and guilt, poverty and greed, but most of all about love and belonging. The plot is merely the vehicle for a character study of two orphans and how they try to carve out a meaningful life without knowing their roots, with - or without - any guidance or support. It is also a study of our current judicial system where trials and sentences deliver justice by allocating a number of years of detention, relating to the crime committed. Knowing that taking away one’s freedom is the worst punishment possible for a human being, how can we decide what is fair and what is not? Why have we lost the principle of protecting society by sequestering dangerous individuals to the lust for vengeance? Stonex makes a case for compassion, without forgetting the impact on the bereaved. Eventually, the dark and mysterious cat-and-mouse chase ends where it all began, in a very satisfying way, and I know the characters of Birdie and Jimmy will linger for a long time. I loved The Lamplighters, but I think The Sunshine man is more impactful. Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Canada Audio | HarperCollins Publisher and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own....more
This was so well done ! At first at lot of good humour which slowly turns into something much more sinisteThird (and last) test of my Audiobook binge.
This was so well done ! At first at lot of good humour which slowly turns into something much more sinister. It was captivating and witty and the actors were fenomenal.
I'm stopping my tests now, and will start to search for a good read to use my Audible credit on....more